WASHINGTON, DC — The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) President George D. Dangas, MD, PhD, MSCAI, released the following statement in response to Congress passing FY2024 spending legislation with a partial fix to Medicare physician reimbursement payments:

“Failing to fully remedy the 3.37% cut to Medicare physician reimbursement payments threatens to undermine the physician workforce and ultimately restrict patient access to care. Physicians have suffered over two decades of Medicare payment cuts while being the only providers in Medicare who do not receive an inflation-based update to payments. Congress should look at the alarming trends of a looming physician shortage, consolidation in the healthcare system, and a dramatic expansion of the Medicare-eligible population and act decisively to support a robust Medicare program that works for patients and providers. Physicians need a fair and sustainable Medicare reimbursement system with annual updates based on the Medicare Economic Index.”