ASCP Endorses Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act

Legislation to reverse the looming cuts in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) was introduced in Congress on October 30, 2024. The bipartisan Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act (HR 10073)—endorsed by ASCP, the American Medical Association, and more than 100 other medical associations—would provide a 4.73 percent update to the 2025 Medicare PFS, reversing the 2.8 percent cut proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and providing a 1.93-percent update. The 1.93 percent update is equal to one half of the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) and is in line with a recommendation from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.

The benefit of this legislation, however, is temporary. While the legislation is important, it does not address one of the fundamental problems with the PFS, specifically the lack of a permanent annual update to offset the impact of inflation. That is why ASCP supports H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, enacted. This measure provides a permanent, annual inflationary update equivalent to the full MEI while also reversing the 2.8 percent cut in the PFS.

Given the corrosive impact that inflation has had on Medicare payment rates, it is critical that Congress reverse the 2.8 percent cut scheduled for 2025. ASCP will be working with the AMA and other medical associations to both reverse the 2025 cut and secure a permanent, full annual update for the Medicare PFS. To help us achieve that goal, ASCP urges members to act on a recent ASCP Advocacy Alert empowering our members to contact their congressional representatives and urge them to Fix Medicare Payment Rates. Please click here to help.