Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH President | Official website
Congress is facing criticism after failing to prevent a 2.8 percent cut to Medicare, marking the fifth consecutive year of such reductions. In response, MedPAC has presented Congress with recommendations for reform.
Bruce A. Scott, M.D., President of the American Medical Association (AMA), stated, "With exquisite timing, MedPAC has highlighted how Congress can strengthen Medicare policy. With uncertainty surrounding the continuing resolution, the report offers a roadmap to Congress on how to address the cuts." He expressed appreciation for MedPAC's engagement with physicians nationwide.
The AMA advocates linking Medicare updates to the full Medicare Economic Index (MEI) or practice cost inflation. Recently, MedPAC voted in favor of recommending a 2026 payment update for physician practices of MEI minus 1 percentage point.
Dr. Scott remarked on MedPAC's role: "MedPAC was created to advise Congress. Now, will lawmakers listen? We welcome MedPAC’s help in highlighting the danger of doing nothing. The status quo is not an option."
MedPAC has voiced concerns that current Medicare updates do not sufficiently account for high inflation rates affecting medical practices, which are estimated at 3.5 percent this year. The AMA warns that without sustainable economic measures, access to care could be jeopardized, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Dr. Scott emphasized the urgency: “This recommended policy change is needed to ensure patients will have continued access to quality care. Medicare is broken. Under financial stress, burnout has become an occupational hazard for physicians." He noted that ongoing cuts are forcing many physicians out of practice and advocated for payment updates that align with rising costs.
Following Congress's recent decision to uphold Medicare cuts within a continuing resolution—despite organized medicine's objections—a bill addressing these cuts nearly passed last December but faltered due to internal politics.
As legislative efforts continue, Dr. Scott urged action: “Physicians have learned that we must keep educating lawmakers about the need to secure access to care for our seniors. Let’s not waste another opportunity.”
