Jan. 19, 2024
Texas Medical Association (TMA) statement by TMA President Rick W. Snyder II, MD, about Congress’ inaction this week to stop a 3.37% Medicare physician payment cut which took effect on Jan. 1.
“Texas Medical Association physicians are extremely disappointed Congress let Medicare patients down this week.
“Congress failed patients and the physicians who care for them by not including Medicare physician payment provisions in the continuing resolution that averted the latest government shutdown. Since Congress was unable and unwilling to include TMA’s No. 1 federal legislative priority, physicians across Texas and the country are starting to feel the sting of the latest Medicare pay cut for care they provide to Medicare patients.
“The inability for Congress to meaningfully address flawed Medicare physician payment policies, combined with rising costs, critically threatens our Medicare patients’ access to health care. We are hearing from many physicians whose practices simply cannot sustain another cut – the latest reduction in over more than 20 years of cuts.
“What’s worse is how short-sighted Congress’ inaction is: These poor Medicare payment policies ultimately will cost America more because they are forcing doctors out of the system, thereby leaving patients no other option than to seek care in more expensive places.
“TMA will not let up in its efforts to protect Texas patients and physicians from these ongoing, harmful cuts. Congress must act now to resolve this decades-old problem.”
TMA is the
largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 57,000
physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 110
component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since
1853 is to improve the health of all Texans.
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Last Updated On
February 14, 2024
Originally Published On
February 14, 2024