Panetta, Murphy Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Preserve Medicare for Patients and Physicians

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Jimmy Panetta and Greg Murphy, M.D., issued the following statement after reintroducing the bipartisan Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act, legislation to support physicians and protect access to care for Medicare beneficiaries. 

"Medicare payments to physicians in California’s 19th Congressional District and around the country have not reflected economic realities and rising costs of healthcare," said Congressman Jimmy Panetta. "The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act would ensure that providers are not penalized by harmful cuts while adjusting reimbursements for inflation.  By passing this bipartisan legislation, we will protect seniors' access to quality care and support the providers who make it possible."

"Physicians in America are facing unprecedented financial viability challenges due to continued Medicare cuts. Access to affordable and quality health care for millions of seniors is in severe jeopardy," said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. "Doctors see Medicare patients out of compassion, not for financial gain. The cost of caring for a Medicare patient far outpaces the reimbursement that physicians receive for seeing them. On top of that, the expense of providing care continues to rise due to medical inflation. This inflation, coupled with declining reimbursement rates, creates enormous financial pressures on physicians, forcing many to retire early, stop accepting new Medicare patients, or sell out to larger, consolidated hospital systems, private equity, or even insurance companies. The future of private practice medicine, the most cost-efficient and personalized care, is in dire straits. This bipartisan legislation prevents further cuts, provides a modest inflationary adjustment to help ease the cost of care, and ensures Medicare remains viable for both doctors and patients."

"Throughout the country, we have seen more consolidation and less access within our health care system," said Congressman John Joyce, M.D. "Now, after yet another cut to the physician fee schedule, more physicians will be forced to limit the number of Medicare patients they see, or in some cases, shutter their doors. This will result in a lack of access to care for many Medicare beneficiaries. While the price to administer high-quality care has continued to rise over the last twenty years, the Medicare reimbursement rate for physicians has continued to drop. I'm proud to be part of a bipartisan solution to ensure that patients, especially those in rural and underserved areas, can continue to receive the care they need and want from the physicians they know and trust."

"Medicare is essential to ensuring seniors have access to care, especially in rural and under resourced communities," said Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. "Rising costs and administrative burdens make it clear that Medicare reimbursement policies must reflect the true costs of providing care. I’m proud to support the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act which will help make sure seniors have access to the care they deserve."

"Access to quality healthcare is something every senior deserves, but declining Medicare reimbursement is putting that access at risk," said Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. "The bipartisan Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act is crucial to reversing the damaging trend of cuts that threaten our healthcare providers, especially in underserved communities. We must act now to prevent further early retirement, burnout, and consolidation in our system, ensuring that every Medicare beneficiary receives the care they need and deserve."

"Over the past 22 years, adjusting for inflation, physicians have essentially taken a 26% pay cut from Medicare," said Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. "Their reimbursement has been flat or declining, while overhead costs have increased by about 47%: rent, labor, equipment, and insurance. I cannot think of another profession whose compensation has dropped by 26% over 2 decades. Physicians have been holding their breath, year after year, hoping that Congress will act to avert these devastating decreases in reimbursement. Without adequate reimbursement, solo and small practice physicians—most often in rural or underserved areas—are already closing their doors. It’s up to Congress to ensure that physicians are fairly compensated and can continue to practice, so that all Medicare patients have access to high-quality, affordable care, and I am proud to co-sponsor legislation that will achieve just that."

"Preventing the impending Medicare reimbursement cuts to physicians is critical to ensuring seniors have access to the high-quality care they deserve," said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. "Financial stability for providers isn’t just a matter of fairness—it’s essential for protecting access to care, particularly in rural and underserved areas like western New York where physician shortages have been a persistent challenge. The rising cost of delivering care, coupled with increasing administrative burdens, makes it clear that Medicare payment policies must evolve to reflect the true costs faced by physicians." 

"Having an outdated Medicare reimbursement rate for physicians makes it harder for healthcare professionals to provide high-quality care, putting patients at risk," said Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. "Physicians, unlike the rest of the players in health care, have never received an inflationary update and consistently received cuts. This bill ensures a more stable Medicare payment system, allowing providers to focus on delivering care rather than worrying about losing their practice. With this bipartisan effort, we are working toward a system that supports both doctors and patients."

"Seniors in West Virginia and across the country should not lose access to their local health care because of reimbursement cuts," said Congresswoman Carol Miller. "The bipartisan Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act would increase funding for services that are necessary for Medicare patients. Physicians should have the resources they need to treat their patients and everyone, regardless of where they live, should have access to quality medical care."

"America’s seniors deserve timely access to the best quality of care from physicians in their own communities, but Medicare reimbursement cuts gravely endanger that access," said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. "Our bipartisan legislation would not only prevent those dangerous cuts but also ensure that seniors continue to have access to the high-quality medical care they deserve."

Background
On January 1, 2025, a 2.83% Medicare reimbursement cut went into effect for physicians due to a rule finalized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in November of 2024. Compounded with CMS’ own estimates of a projected 3.6% increase in practice cost expenses for this year, physicians could face a 6.43% cut unless Congress acts.

According to the American Medical Association, when adjusted for inflation, Medicare reimbursement for physician services has declined 33% from 2001 to 2025.

Medicare reimbursement cuts for physicians are creating far-reaching consequences for our health care system, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

While costs for staffing and operations continue to climb, declining reimbursement rates are forcing practices to make difficult decisions, such as layoffs, reduced services, or permanent closures.

As the physician shortage continues to grow and an aging population of doctors near retirement, these cuts only exacerbate burnout and threaten to further limit access to care for Medicare patients.

Read the bill text here.