In a significant show of bipartisan support, 41 U.S. senators have rallied behind efforts to prevent a looming 2.8% cut in Medicare physician payments set to take effect on January 1.
The senators, John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) addressed Senate leadership in a letter urging immediate action. They warned that the proposed cuts would hinder physicians’ ability to deliver high-quality care, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
“These continued payment cuts undermine the ability of independent clinical practices—especially in rural and underserved areas—to care for their communities,” the letter emphasized.
This Senate appeal follows a letter from the American Medical Association (AMA) and 127 state and national medical associations. The groups called on Congress to use the remaining legislative days to prevent the cuts and implement a positive payment update for 2025. The letter, co-signed by all 50 state medical societies, the District of Columbia, and 77 national medical organizations, underscores the urgency of the issue.
Earlier, a bipartisan coalition of 233 House members also signed a “Dear Colleague” letter advocating for a legislative solution to the cuts and an inflation-adjusted payment increase.
With only days left in the lame-duck session, physicians nationwide are urging lawmakers to prioritize this critical issue to ensure the sustainability of quality healthcare services.
The entire letter and list of signatories are here (PDF).