AAMC Signs Letter Urging Congress to Avoid Physician Cuts

The AAMC joined other health care organizations and medical societies in a Nov. 16 letter urging congressional leadership to avoid upcoming Medicare Physician Fee Schedule cuts. The letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies (D-N.Y.) stated that the upcoming 3.37% cut to the Physician Fee Schedule, compounded with rising practice costs and stagnating physician payment rates, would be detrimental. The groups urged leadership to avoid the pending cuts, which are scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. Congress has typically intervened to mitigate the cuts, but the only congressional body that has taken action this year is the Senate Finance Committee, which passed a partial aversion of cuts on Nov. 8 [refer to Washington Highlights, Nov. 9].