HRA Readies Advocacy in the New Year to Address Physician Payment and Push for Long-term Reforms

February 4, 2025 – Lawmakers are working to revive the year-end health care package that was dropped from the scaled back continuing resolution (CR) passed by Congress in December.

The measure that was struck from the CR included a two-year extension of telehealth flexibilities originally authorized during the COVID-19 pandemic, reinstatement of virtual cardiac rehabilitation services, a one-year 3.53% increase to Medicare bonuses for alternative payment model participation, an increase to Medicare physician payments of 2.5% for 2025, reforms to the pharmacy benefit manager industry, and reauthorization of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) Act and the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA). Buddy Carter (R-GA), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health recently stated that he is in talks with House leadership about passing the measure either as a standalone bill or as a part of a budget reconciliation package. Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC), Chair of the GOP Doctors Caucus confirmed that there have been discussions about consideration of the measure under suspension of the rules. Murphy had previously stated that he received assurances from the Trump transition team that the next government funding package will include a measure to address the physician pay cut.

Dr. Murphy, along with a bipartisan group of lawmakers, also reintroduced legislation to help stabilize physician practices and protect patients’ access to care. The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025 (H.R. 879) would address the 2.83% Medicare payment cut that went into effect January 1st, and also provide a 2% inflationary payment update for the remainder of 2025. With the current CR set to expire on March 14th, HRA endorsed a letter spearheaded by the American Medical Association urging congressional leadership to include H.R. 879 in the forthcoming government funding package. HRA is also asking members to contact their representative and request that they co-sponsor the bill.

Time is running out!  That is why it is so important that you contact your representative today and urge them to co-sponsor H.R. 879 so that it is included in the next spending package.

1. Find Your Representative: Use this Lookup Tool to quickly identify your representative.
2. Contact Your Representative:
   1. Use the provided language to ask them to support H.R. 879.
   2. Or, for a more personalized and impactful message, feel free to customize your own message. Personal stories and experiences often resonate more effectively with lawmakers.

Available Resources

• Support HR 879: Medicare Patient and Practice Stabilization Act