FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, December 10, 2021
Statement attributable to:
Sterling Ransone, Jr., MD
President
American Academy of Family Physicians
“The American Academy of Family Physicians applauds the U.S. Congress for passing the Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act (S.610). This bipartisan legislation that will postpone a series of Medicare payment cuts originally slated to take effect January 1, 2022, supports Medicare providers as they respond to the public health emergency and helps ensure access to care for Medicare patients.
“Specifically, the AAFP is pleased that the law will increase the 2022 Medicare conversion factor by three percent, delay Medicare sequester cuts for three months, and postpone steep payment cuts for clinical labs—actions the AAFP and our members have strongly advocated for.
While this bill will provide physician practices with temporary financial stability as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it’s clear that comprehensive reform is needed to establish a sustainable mechanism to pay for Medicare Part B services that enables physician practices to provide high-quality, person-centered care.
“We look forward to working with Congress on a tangible, meaningful solution to address long-standing issues with the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, including budget neutrality which undermines the country’s ability to invest in primary care, and the Quality Payment Program which has fallen short of its intended goal to support physicians in their transition from fee-for-service to value-based payment models. The AAFP remains committed to partnering with policymakers and public health leaders to identify and advance policies that support physicians and protect patients.”
Editor's Note: To arrange an interview with Dr. Ransone, contact Julie Hirschhorn, 202-655-4949, or jhirschhorn@aafp.org.
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About American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 130,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the largest medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits — that’s 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. To learn more about the specialty of family medicine and the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, visit www.aafp.org. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s consumer website, www.familydoctor.org.