U.S. Representative Greg Murphy (R-NC) has proposed bipartisan legislation titled the Preserving Seniors’ Access to Physicians Act, aimed at preventing the scheduled Medicare physician fee cuts in 2024. The legislation seeks to address the persistent issue of Medicare payments failing to adequately cover the costs of care provided by physicians serving Medicare patients.
According to a press release from Murphy’s office, the Congressman stated: “Washington spends a lot of time talking about protecting health care access for Medicare patients, yet year after year, makes it more difficult for doctors to take care of them. This bill takes action on a critical issue others refuse to do – pays physicians who serve Medicare patients out of the goodness of their hearts because Medicare payments simply don’t pay for the cost of care.” Murphy expressed his frustration with politicians and bureaucrats who he believes regard doctors and patients as mere cogs in the healthcare system. He warned that without intervention, physicians might stop accepting Medicare altogether.
The same press release also revealed that Murphy’s legislation has received support from a bipartisan group of legislators including Rep. Danny Davis (IL-07), Rep. Brad Wenstrup (OH-02), Rep. Michael Burgess, M.D. (TX-26), Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-08), and Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19).
Murphy’s office further reported that in November 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a rule reducing Medicare reimbursement for physician services by 3.4% starting Jan. 1, 2024. This reduction is compounded by an estimated total cost increase of 4.6%, potentially resulting in an 8% cut for physicians without congressional intervention. Overall, this could represent a total decline of 26% in inflation-adjusted Medicare payments from 2001 to 2023, raising concerns about its negative impact on healthcare access, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
According to Murphy, it is crucial for lawmakers to support physicians in their ability to provide services to Medicare patients, especially amidst a physician shortage.
Murphy’s official website states that the Congressman is currently serving his third term representing North Carolina’s Third Congressional District, which includes Eastern regions such as New Bern, Jacksonville, Washington, and the Outer Banks. He serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Committee on House Administration, while co-chairing the House GOP Doctors Caucus. Notably, he remains the only practicing surgeon in Congress.
