ASA Lauds Bipartisan Doc Caucuses' Medicare Physician Payment Reform Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) applauded the introduction of the bipartisan Patients First Act of 2026, a comprehensive Medicare physician payment reform proposal led by the respective leaders of the Congressional GOP and Democratic Doctors Caucuses, Representatives John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA.), Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-N.C.), and Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA.).

"This legislation represents a serious and constructive effort to address longstanding weaknesses in the Medicare physician payment system," said ASA President Patrick Giam, M.D., FASA. "Most importantly, it would replace inadequate and unpredictable payment updates with annual updates tied to the Medicare Economic Index, helping physician practices keep pace with the rising costs of delivering high-quality care to Medicare patients."

The bill also includes several laudable reforms intended to make Medicare payment more stable, predictable, and responsive to clinical practice. It would modernize budget-neutrality requirements and establish a mechanism to correct inaccurate Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) utilization estimates. The legislation would also replace the burdensome Merit-based Incentive Payment System with a new performance program, preserve low-volume exemptions, and establish what, on its face, appears to be a robust physician-led process for developing more clinically relevant and specialty-specific quality measures. In addition, the essential role of Qualified Clinical Data Registries (QCDRs), including ASA's National Anesthesia Clinical Outcomes Registry (NACOR), would continue under the Patients First Act.

"ASA did not support the original Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015 because of our concerns about its payment incentive structure," said Dr. Giam. "Experience has validated those concerns, and we are hopeful this legislation will provide a meaningful reset of Medicare's physician payment and quality programs."

ASA also welcomes provisions designed to strengthen alternative payment models and improve the transparency and stability of Medicare Innovation Center initiatives. By maintaining current participation thresholds, providing greater flexibility for physicians entering advanced payment models, and requiring formal rulemaking before major models are changed or terminated, the Patients First Act would give practices greater confidence to invest in new approaches to care delivery.

"The bill is not perfect, but it provides a strong foundation for addressing the financial and administrative pressures facing our members' practices," concluded Dr. Giam. "ASA looks forward to working with the bipartisan Doctors Caucuses and other stakeholders to refine and advance these important reforms."

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS
Founded in 1905, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is an educational, research and scientific society with more than 60,000 members organized to advance the medical practice of anesthesiology and secure its future. ASA is committed to ensuring anesthesiologists evaluate and supervise the medical care of all patients before, during, and after surgery. ASA members also lead the care of critically ill patients in intensive care units, as well as treat pain in both acute and chronic settings.

For more information on the field of anesthesiology, visit the American Society of Anesthesiologists online at asahq.org. To learn more about how anesthesiologists help ensure patient safety, visit asahq.org/madeforthismoment.  Follow ASA on Facebook, X, Instagram, Bluesky, and LinkedIn.

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