The California Medical Association (CMA) has expressed 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 aims to address longstanding issues with Medicare physician payments by introducing an annual payment update linked to the Medicare Economic Index.
According to CMA, current payment rates have not kept pace with rising operational costs for medical practices. Since 2001, the cost of running a practice has increased by 47%, while Medicare physician payments have dropped by 33%. This disparity has led some physicians to stop accepting new Medicare patients, limit patient volumes, or close their practices entirely.
CMA President Rene Bravo, M.D., stated: “Medicare’s chronic underinvestment has pushed physician practices to the brink, and patients are already feeling the consequences. 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 is urging members of California’s congressional delegation to co-sponsor and advance the legislation in order to protect access to care for seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries.
