ASGE is asking its members to urge their U.S. Representatives to co-sponsor the Patients First Act of 2026 (H.R. 9693), bipartisan legislation that would make needed reforms to the Medicare physician fee schedule.

Background

On July 15, Representatives John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA), Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC), and Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA) – chairs of the GOP and Democratic Doctors Caucuses — introduced the bipartisan Patients First Act of 2026.

The legislation includes several reforms ASGE has championed. Specifically, the bill would:

• Create a permanent inflation-adjusted payment update tied to the Medicare Economic Index;
• Replace the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) with a new quality program; and
• Reform fee schedule budget neutrality requirements, reducing the likelihood of future negative payment adjustments.

If enacted, the Patients First Act would provide much-needed reform to how Medicare pays physicians.

Action Requested

Ask your representative to co-sponsor H.R. 9693, the Patients First Act. A sample message is provided that you can personalize. Emailing your representative through the ASGE Action Center takes just a few minutes.