The American Medical Association announced on July 15 that it supports bipartisan efforts in Congress to reform Medicare physician payment. Willie Underwood III, MD, MSc, MPH, president of the American Medical Association, said in a statement, “Medicare physician payment is broken, and patients are paying the price. With a 33% inflation-adjusted cut (PDF) to Medicare physician payment since 2001, too many physician practices are struggling to keep their doors open and care for Medicare patients.”
Underwood said the association commends both Republican and Democratic Doctors Caucuses for proposing solutions intended to stabilize physician payments and protect access to care. He said, “The AMA and more than 120 state and specialty societies have advanced a comprehensive framework for reform through their Characteristics of a Rational Medicare Payment System (PDF), which outlines the key elements of a sustainable, predictable payment system.”
He added that the organization looks forward to reviewing forthcoming legislation. “We look forward to reviewing the legislation and working with Congress to deliver the long-term Medicare payment reforms that patients and physicians urgently need,” Underwood said.
The American Medical Association represents physicians nationwide in partnership with over 190 state and specialty medical societies. The organization advances medical ethics and education standards, and leads public health initiatives through collaboration with stakeholders across the United States, according to the official website.
The association’s governance includes a Board of Trustees and House of Delegates as well as councils directing its operations. The group has also advocated for reforms in Medicare payments and addressed issues such as physician burnout, according to its official website.