Senate Passes Legislation to Halt Medicare Physician Payment Cuts

Being a physician in the District in the 21st century means being on the front line of the most pressing public health issues in the world. In our small geographic boundaries, physicians help address issue found in every state all in one area. The issues are too lengthy to list on one webpage but physicians are on the front lines of addressing health issues for all District residents.

News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues

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Senate Passes Legislation to Halt Medicare Physician Payment Cuts

Dec 10, 2021, 07:59 AM by MSDC Staff

Potential economically devastating payments cuts are delayed for many physicians for the upcoming year.

On Thursday, the Senate passed legislation to halt Medicare physician payment cuts that were scheduled to take effect on January 1. The president is expected to sign the legislation, thus halting major pay cuts for many physicians. The House had passed the same bill on Tuesday.

The bill language includes the following:

Extend the moratorium on the 2% Medicare sequester cuts until April 1, 2022
Reduce the cuts from 2% to 1% from April through June 30, 2022
Stop the 4% statutory PAYGO sequester
Increase the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule of 3%
Delay for one year cuts to the clinical lab fee schedule
Delay the Medicare radiation oncology demonstration

“The wheels of Congress don’t always move quickly, but today they did move toward preserving the viability of physician practices and maintaining access to care," said American Medical Association President Gerald E. Harmon, MD.

“Potential reductions in Medicare payments for physician services hung over the heads of patients and practices like a sword of Damocles. The Senate action today, following a similar House vote this week, would delay the reductions and give Congress time to work on reforms to address the flaws in the Medicare payment system."

Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked

Student Access to Treatment Amendment Act (B23-467)

What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.

MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools

Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.

Electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment Registry Amendment Act (B23-261)

What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).

MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.

Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.

Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act (B23-495)

What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.

MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.

Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.