Murphy Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Medicare for Physicians and Patients

In response to growing concerns over physician reimbursement cuts, Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., has introduced the bipartisan Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act (H.R. 10073). The legislation seeks to protect access to care for Medicare beneficiaries by preventing reimbursement reductions and providing a modest inflationary adjustment for physicians.

“America’s physicians are at a breaking point, and access to high-quality, affordable care is at risk for millions of Medicare patients,” said Congressman Murphy. “This bipartisan legislation would stop yet another year of reimbursement cuts, give physicians a slight inflationary adjustment, and protect Medicare for physicians and patients alike.”

The Problem: Declining Reimbursements and Rising Costs

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), physician reimbursement rates are slated to decrease by 2.8% starting January 1, 2025. This comes as practice costs are projected to rise by 3.6% next year, amounting to a combined 6.4% financial hit for providers unless Congress intervenes.

Over the last two decades, Medicare reimbursement rates for physician services have declined 29% when adjusted for inflation, according to the American Medical Association. Meanwhile, costs for rent, labor, equipment, and insurance have risen sharply, placing immense strain on physician practices, particularly in rural and underserved areas. These financial pressures have forced many providers to consider layoffs, reduce services, or even close their doors.

The Legislation: Stabilizing Medicare for Physicians and Patients

The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act is co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Congressman Jimmy Panetta, Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. Key provisions of the bill include:

• Preventing reimbursement cuts for 2025.
• Introducing a modest inflationary adjustment to physician payments.
• Supporting practices in maintaining patient access to high-quality care.

Co-sponsor Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D., noted the broader implications of declining reimbursements: “Without adequate reimbursement, solo and small practice physicians—most often in rural or underserved areas—are already closing their doors. Congress must act to ensure physicians are fairly compensated and can continue to provide care for Medicare patients.”

Widespread Support from Physicians and Advocacy Groups

The legislation has drawn strong support from physician groups and advocacy organizations, including the Digestive Disease National Coalition (DDNC). In a recent letter to Congressional leaders, the DDNC emphasized the importance of H.R. 10073 in protecting patient access to essential healthcare services.

“For gastroenterologists and related providers, reimbursement cuts will lead to further losses and impact access to colon cancer screening, pre-malignant lesion removals, and newer advances in endoscopic treatments,” the letter stated. “This trend will make it even more challenging to address health professional shortages in the field.”

The Broader Impact

The stakes are high, particularly as the U.S. faces a growing physician shortage and increasing rates of provider burnout. Cuts to Medicare reimbursement not only threaten the financial stability of physician practices but also risk reducing access to care for millions of seniors who depend on Medicare.

Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D., a co-sponsor of the bill, summarized the urgency of the issue: “We must move away from a system where every year seniors’ access to essential care is threatened due to potential cuts.”

Looking Ahead

With bipartisan support, the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act (H.R. 10073) offers a critical opportunity to stabilize Medicare’s payment system, protect physician practices, and ensure continued access to care for Medicare beneficiaries. As lawmakers consider end-of-year healthcare legislation, this bill will likely play a key role in the ongoing debate over Medicare’s future.