Washington, DC (October 26, 2023) The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) today applauded the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health for its recent hearing “What’s the Prognosis?: Examining Medicare Proposals to Improve Patient Access to Care & Minimize Red Tape for Doctors.” We share the committee’s goals of protecting patient access to high-quality, affordable care, cutting red tape for doctors, and preserving Medicare for future generations.  

“Unfortunately, Medicare’s reimbursement system is not delivering the best results for Medicare beneficiaries and their physicians. Our physicians, particularly in rural and underserved areas, have felt an increasing burden from falling Medicare reimbursement rates. This makes it difficult to sustain their practice, especially when it comes to independent practices,” said SCAI President George D. Dangas, MD, PhD, MSCAI. “Congress must act to protect millions of Medicare beneficiaries who are at risk of losing access to the high-quality, affordable care that their physicians provide. This legislation under consideration by Congress is an important step toward preserving Medicare, and we are encouraged by ongoing efforts to address long-term issues with Medicare.” 

When adjusted for inflation, physicians have seen their Medicare payments decline by 26% from 2001 to 2023. Congressional action is urgently needed for physicians, one of the only groups not to have Medicare payments adjusted for inflation. SCAI strongly supports H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, which provides an annual update for physician payments based on the Medicare Economic Index, which reflects the costs incurred in providing care. SCAI also urges Congress to address Medicare cuts that are impacting office-based specialists by passing H.R. 3674, the Providing Relief and Stability for Medicare Patients Act.