WASHINGTON –Today, U.S. Representative Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-Ind.-08), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, participated in today’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing to discuss implementation of theMedicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA)and its effects on doctors and patients.
This bipartisan legislationwas enacted in 2015 with the goal of moving Medicare’s approach to physician payment away from a volume-based system towards a value-based system that prioritizes quality and the results of care delivered rather than the number of services provided. Unfortunately, the executive branch has failed to properly implementMACRA, and the transition to value-based payment models has not been realized. Oversight and major improvements are required in order to best serve America’s patients and doctors.
During the hearing this morning, Dr. Bucshon said, “I’ve talked to doctors who have known for decades and the burnout is high. We are losing high quality people particularly in rural America. I was a practicing heart surgeon for over 15 years, served as president of my medical group and I can tell you from firsthand experience, the lack of proper reimbursements for physicians will ultimately result in our constituents having access challenges to quality, affordable healthcare, regardless of where you live.”
To view Dr. Bucshon’s full remarks, click here or on the image below.
This issue has long been a priority for Dr. Bucshon who recently joined a bipartisan group of doctors to solicit feedback from various stakeholders including health care providers, advocacy organizations, health economists, and health finance experts on ways to improveMACRA. As a result, in April they introduced the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Actto get the conversation started surrounding the Medicare payment system.
