Rep. Schrier Introduces Bill to Prevent Medicare Cuts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today U.S. Representatives Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) and Steven Horsford (NV-04) introduced the Supporting Health Care Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Act that will mitigate Medicare payment cuts to providers. Without this legislation, cuts would go into effect next month, threatening to close practices and interrupt care. This is necessary legislation to support providers and keep the health care system stable in this pandemic, allowing patients to receive the care they need.

"A pandemic is not the time to be cutting access to doctors for patients on Medicare," said Rep. Schrier. "This legislation will bring some stability to the Medicare payment system to ensure patients can keep seeing their doctors. And doctors, who have been on the frontlines during this pandemic, can continue to keep their doors open."

"With less than four weeks until Medicare reimbursement rate cuts go into effect, Congress has no time to waste. I'm proud to introduce the Supporting Health Care Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Act, a common-sense solution to stop provider cuts and protect Medicare recipients," said Congressman Steven Horsford. "In Nevada's Fourth District, our physicians have made clear that these cuts would hurt access to care for seniors and people with disabilities. As we confront a new variant of the COVID-19 virus, I urge my House and Senate colleagues to come together and help us pass Supporting Health Care Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Act before the new year."

The Supporting Health Care Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Act will:

• Delay the 2% Medicare sequester payment reductions for three months (January 1-March 31, 2022), followed by a reduction to 1% for three months (April 1-June 30, 2022)
• Provide a one-year increase (through December 31, 2022) in the Medicare physician fee schedule of 3% to adjust for changes and provide support to fatigued health care providers during the COVID-19 public health emergency
• Delay Medicare payment reductions to the clinical laboratory fee schedule for one year (through December 31, 2022) in order to preserve access to testing and laboratory services
• Delay the implementation of the Medicare radiation oncology model for one year (through December 31, 2022) to ensure access to care for cancer patients