The AAMC-supported bipartisan Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024 (H.R. 10073) was introduced by Reps. Greg Murphy, MD (R-N.C.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) on Oct. 29. Original co-sponsors of the legislation include Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD (R-Iowa), Raul Ruiz, MD (D-Calif), Larry Bucshon, MD (R-Ind.), Kim Schrier, MD (D-Wash.), John Joyce, MD (R-Penn.), and Ami Bera, MD (D-Calif.).
The legislation would eliminate the looming proposed 2.8% cut to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and provide a 1.8% payment update in calendar year 2025, which is a payment increase equal to one-half of the Medicare Economic Index. Without congressional action, this proposed cut will go into effect on Dec. 31. The AAMC and other provider groups oppose this cut and have urged Congress to mitigate it as in years past [refer to Washington Highlights, Sept. 13].