APTQI Joins Stakeholders in Asking 118^th Congress to Support Medicare Reforms   

With the 118^th Congress underway, APTQI recently welcomed lawmakers to Washington while calling for policies that support America’s physical therapists and their patients.   

In signing onto a letter to Congress with more than 100 healthcare groups, APTQI is further urging legislators in the 118^th Congress to work to ensure America’s seniors have access to quality care by reforming the Medicare payment system.   

The groups, representing over one million physicians and non-physician healthcare clinicians, urged the new Congress to take the opportunity to hold congressional hearings focused on how to support providers and stabilize America’s healthcare system. The organizations hope they can collaborate with Congress on exploring long-term payment solutions for the benefit of all Americans.   

“Congress has a unique opportunity to adopt comprehensive, transformative reforms to the Medicare payment system over the next several years. Such reform is imperative to sustaining medical practices and ensuring a robust workforce to care for the growing number of America’s seniors,” the letter read.   

The organizations outlined the current financial challenges practitioners face and underscored the need for Congressional intervention. Sustained payment cuts, compounded by inflation, will undermine access to care for beneficiaries, putting the health of America’s seniors needlessly at risk.   

“While Congress has taken action to address some of these fiscal challenges by mitigating some of the recent Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) cuts, payment continues to decline. According to an American Medical Association analysis of Medicare Trustees data, when adjusted for inflation, Medicare payments to clinicians have declined by 22% from 2001–2021,” the organizations continued.    

However, APTQI and the groups that signed onto the letter feel a renewed hope for progress and collaboration as the new Congress begins its work. The letter signs off with an earnest desire to come to the table and make a positive change to ensure America’s seniors continue to receive access to high-quality care. 

Other groups who signed onto the letter include the American Medical Association, American Physical Therapy Association, American Occupational Therapy Association, and United Specialists for Patient Access.   

To read the letter submitted to lawmakers, CLICK HERE. 

To write to your lawmaker in Congress about these cuts, CLICK HERE.