Congressional Correspondence Regarding Medicare Physician Payment

ACS continues to advocate for stability in the Medicare payment system while urging Congress to consider long-term reforms. Over the years, ACS has provided testimony to key Congressional committees, feedback to requests for information, and letters to House and Senate leaders on the need for improvements to Medicare payment.

ACS Letters to Congress Regarding Medicare Physician Payment

ACS- and Coalition-Led Letters

2021

Over 40 Health Care Organizations Urge Congressional Leadership to Extend the Medicare Sequester Moratorium Through the COVID-19 PHE

2020

ACS Letter of Support for H.R. 8702 to Senators Boozman, Collins, Cotton, Cramer, and Hyde-Smith

ACS Chapter Letter to Leadership

ACS Letter to Senator Rand Paul

E/M Coalition Letter to H.R. 8702 Original Cosponsors

Surgical Coalition Letter of Support for Holding Providers Harmless From Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act of 2020

ACS Letter of Support for Holding Providers Harmless From Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act of 2020

53 Health Care Organizations Urge Congress to Prevent Medicare Payment Cuts

2018

ACS Statement to House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee: The Implementation of MACRA's Physician Payment Policies

ACS Letter on 2018 Bipartisan Budget Act

ACS Letter regarding February 6, 2018 Continuing Resolution

2015

ACS Response to CMS Request for Information related to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA)

Congressional Legislation 

2020

More About The Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID19 Act of 2020 (H.R. 8702)

How CMS’ Planned Changes in Payment Policies Will Lead to Drastic Cuts for Surgeons

Separating the Myths from the Facts: Holding Providers Harmless From Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act of 2020 (H.R. 8702)

E/M Global Code and Add-on Code Policy Changes Background

Congressional-Led Letters

2020

Congressional Black Caucus Letter to Leadership

Letter to Leadership on E/M Code Cuts before End of the Year

Senate Letter to Leadership

Doctors and Members of Congress Letter to Leadership

Senator Daines Letter to Leadership

Representatives Bera and Bucshon's Letter to House Leadership

House Letter to HHS Secretary Azar and CMS Administrator Verma

Representative Rush Letter to House Leadership

2019

House Letter to CMS on Proposal to Not Update the E/M Component of Global Surgery Codes

Senate Letter to CMS on Proposal to Not Update the E/M Component of Global Surgery Codes

On May 8, 2019, Frank Opelka, MD, FACS, Medical Director, Quality and Health Policy, testified on behalf of the ACS before the Senate Finance Committee for its hearing entitled, " Medicare Physician Payment Reform After Two Years: Examining MACRA Implementation and the Road Ahead." Read Dr. Opelka’s May 2019 testimony

On July 26, 2018, Frank Opelka, MD, FACS, Medical Director, Quality and Health Policy, testified on behalf of the ACS before the Subcommittee on Health of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for its hearing titled, “MACRA and MIPS: An Update on the Merit-based Incentive Payment System.” Read Dr. Opelka’s July 2018 testimony

On November 8, 2017, Frank Opelka, MD, FACS, Medical Director, Quality and Health Policy, testified on behalf of the ACS before the Subcommittee on Health of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for its hearing titled, ”MACRA and Alternative Payment Models: Developing Options for Value-Based Care.” Read Dr. Opelka’s November 2017 testimony