The American Medical Association (AMA) has expressed strong support for a new bill aimed at preventing cuts to Medicare payments. The organization plans to collaborate with members of Congress to ensure the legislation is included in upcoming government funding bills before the March 14 deadline.
The "Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act" was introduced by Representatives Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and eight other House members. This act seeks to reverse a 2.83 percent cut that took effect on January 1, starting from April 1. Despite previous bipartisan and bicameral backing, Congress did not address this issue during its last session.
"This legislation would begin to roll back the cuts physician practices have faced over the last four years while we all have experienced high inflation," said AMA President Bruce A. Scott, M.D. He emphasized that "patient access to care and practice sustainability are not partisan or geographical issues" but rather an urgent national concern requiring immediate congressional action.
An analysis by the AMA reveals that when adjusted for inflation, Medicare payments to physician practices have decreased by 33 percent since 2001. While Medicare physician payments increased by only seven percent between 2001 and 2025, operating costs for medical practices rose by 59 percent.
Failure to pass this legislation could severely impact small, independent, rural physician practices, as well as those serving low-income or marginalized communities.
"The clock is ticking," Dr. Scott stated, urging physicians and patients alike to advocate for the inclusion of this bill in the next spending package before March 14. He encouraged physicians and patients, especially those on Medicare or with family members who are recipients, to contact their congressional representatives in support of the bill.
