Donaldo Hernandez, M.D., President of the California Medical Association (CMA), issued the following statement in response to the introduction of H.R. 2474, the “Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act” by Congressional Represenatives Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA); Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA); Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN); and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (R-IA):  :

“This bipartisan bill will provide a long-overdue annual inflation update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule to help stabilize physician practices and preserve patients’ access to physician care. When adjusted for inflation, physician payments have declined 26% since 2001.

“CMA physicians have been sounding the alarm that health equity and health care access in the Medicare program are deteriorating and we need Congress’s leadership to restore the promise of Medicare to our patients.

“Congress must shore up the viability of physician practices to meet the mountain of growing health care needs in our communities.  We urge the California Congressional Delegation to prioritize and co-sponsor this vital legislation.”