Rep. Schrier’s Bill to Prevent Medicare Cuts Signed Into Law

WASHINGTON, DC – Today President Joe Biden signed a bill that U.S. Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) introduced earlier this week. The Supporting Health Care Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Act will mitigate Medicare payment cuts to providers. Without this law, cuts would have gone into effect next month, threatening to close practices and interrupt care. This is a necessary law that 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. "I'm so glad that President Biden signed our legislation to 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, will now be able to keep their doors open."

The Supporting Health Care Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Act, now law 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

In addition to the Supporting Health Care Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Act, Rep. Schrier has had 11 other bills signed into law since she took office almost three years ago.

Bills signed by President Trump:

• Protecting Access to Biosimilars Act, which will speed up production of biosimilars (generic drugs), helping bring down the cost of medications like insulin.
• No Cost for COVID-19 Testing Act that codifies the promises of insurers that all COVID-19 tests will be administered at no cost to the patient.
• Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project Phase III Act, introduced with Rep. Dan Newhouse, which will ensure Washington has a reliable water supply for years to come.
• Specialty Crop Research Initiative fix to the 2018 Farm Bill, which will help farmers access critical research grants.
• HR 1932 to help home health workers save for retirement
• WIC Waiver Extension Act, makes it easier for moms and children to access critical nutrition services during the pandemic
• VACCINES Act (Vaccine Awareness Campaign to Champion Immunization Nationally and Enhance Safety) to combat misinformation about vaccines and improve vaccine rates
• HR 7657, introduced with Rep. Rick Larsen, will ensure projects benefiting salmon and steelhead receive equal consideration under a federal law

Bills signed by President Biden

• WIC Benefit Flexibility During COVID-19 Act to boost WIC nutrition assistance for women and infants by $35/month for fruits and vegetables
• Emergency Funding for Child Protection Act provides $500 million for child protective services through the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) state grant program. This money will be flexible and available for a range of emergency uses
• Legacy Roads and Trails Actcarrying out critical deferred maintenance, urgent repairs, road and trail relocation on National Forest System roads and trails, and restoring passages for fish and other aquatic species by removing or replacing unnatural barriers
• Supporting Health Care Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Act