The Tennessee Medical Association (TMA) joined healthcare organizations across the nation in signing a letter in support of H.R. 8163, the "Provider Reimbursement Stability Act. The legislation makes progress towards an improved Medicare physician payment system that benefits not only physicians, but critcal access to patient care. 

The letter, delivered to Rep. Greg Murphy, MD and Rep. Tom Suozzi, gives background information on the erosion of Medicare physician payment over the past several decades. Organizations who signed on collectively emphasized the improtant step forward this legislation represents. 

"We strongly support the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act and urge its prompt passage," reads the letter. "This legislation should be understood as a part of a broader reform agenda, and we continue to call for an annual inflationary update to Medicare physician payments tied to the MEI. Together, these reforms would go far toward establishing a Medicare physician payment system that is adequate, stable, predictable, and reflective of the actual costs of delivering care."

On Thursday, May 21, H.R. 8163 passed through the House Ways and Means Committee. TMA will continue to monitor and support this and any legislation that improves Medicare payment processes. 

Read the full letter here.