The California Medical Association (CMA) has announced its support for the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Representatives Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). The proposed legislation seeks to address longstanding concerns over Medicare physician payment rates by establishing an annual payment update tied to the Medicare Economic Index.
According to CMA President Rene Bravo, M.D., the issue of underfunding is having a direct impact on both medical practices and patients. “Medicare’s chronic underinvestment has pushed physician practices to the brink, and patients are already feeling the consequences,” said Bravo. “This bipartisan bill is an essential step toward stabilizing the system and protecting seniors’ access to care. We are grateful to Congressmen Ruiz and Bilirakis for their leadership.”
The association points out that many physicians nationwide are struggling with financial pressures that make it difficult to accept new Medicare patients or even keep their practices open. Since 2001, operating costs for medical practices have increased by 47%, while Medicare physician payments have decreased by 33%. The current program also lacks a dependable mechanism for annual inflation adjustments.
CMA is urging members of California’s congressional delegation to support the legislation in order to safeguard access to care for seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries.
