Coalition Opposing Medicare Cuts Grows to Over 200 Supporting Organizations

A coalition of medical specialty organizations, including the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), and other health care provider groups released a list over 200 organizations that have endorsed H.R. 8702, the Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act of 2020, a bill that would offset January 1, 2021 cuts to Medicare payment rates for physician anesthesiologists and other specialties. 

H.R. 8702 was introduced by Representatives Ami Bera, MD (D-CA), Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Abby Finkenauer (D-IA), George Holding (R-NC), Roger Marshall, MD (R-KS), Phil Roe, MD (R-TN), and Raul Ruiz, MD (D-CA). The bipartisan bill would temporarily offer payments to mitigate the pay cuts in the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, ensuring compensation is at least equal to 2020 rates. Without passage, Medicare anesthesia conversion factors would be cut by 10%. This will harm practices already suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The coalition previously sent a letter to the bill’s original sponsors applauding its introduction and highlighting that it is now more important than ever to halt implementation of any payment reductions that could inadvertently limit patient access to care, as well as further exacerbate the financial instability of health care provider practices. 

ASA and the coalition organizations support H.R. 8702 and its approach for providing two years of much-needed stability for Medicare providers as they continue to strive to meet the needs of patients during this public health emergency. Passage of H.R. 8702 prior to the conclusion of the 116th Session of Congress is necessary to prevent the implementation of the Medicare payment cuts.  All ASA members are encouraged to contact their federal lawmakers to ask for support for relief from the 2021 payment cuts. 

Send a message to your lawmaker asking them to cosponsor HR 8702