Unless Congress takes action, U.S. physicians will receive a 2.8 percent cut to their Medicare payments starting Jan. 1, 2025. 

Now, a bipartisan group of House lawmakers, led by Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD (R-IA) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), is asking their colleagues to co-sign a letter urging congressional leaders to pass legislation stopping the pay cut and providing physicians with a payment update that reflects the actual cost of delivering care to patients. Lawmakers must hear from physicians this week about the impact the pay cut will have on their practices.  

Background: The 2.8 percent pay cut is included in the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule despite inflationary pressures that are stressing physician practices. In fact, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has projected the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) for 2025 will be 3.6 percent even as the payment update for physicians is set at zero. The MEI is a calculation of expenses associated with paying rent, compensating clinical and administrative staff, and purchasing supplies and equipment.

Only Congress can stop the scheduled payment reduction and make changes that will close the ever-widening gap between what Medicare pays physicians and other clinicians and the cost of delivering quality care to patients. 

Take Action: Now is a critical juncture in the legislative session when lawmakers need to hear from physicians about why intervention is urgently needed to stop the cuts.

ASNC is asking members to take action through the ASNC Action Center. Use the language provided by ASNC's advocacy team to urge your members of Congress to sign the Miller-Meeks/Panetta letter by October 11.