OSMA wants to ensure Ohio physicians are aware of the following pending issues in Congress, which are highly impactful to the practice of medicine. Physicians are encouraged to reach out to their elected officials in D.C. to urge support for these federal legislative proposals using the provided links.
The “Supporting Medicare Providers Act of 2022” has been introduced by physician congressional Representatives Ami Bera, MD (D-CA) and Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN). This legislation would provide relief from Medicare cuts that may damage patient access to care. HR 8800 would provide a 4.42% increase to funding in the proposed 2023 Physician Fee Schedule from CMS. Language included in the bill also acknowledges the need to address the instability of the payment system long-term.
OSMA recently signed on to a coalition letter with the American Medical Association (AMA) urging Congressional leadership to take action on this issue before the end of the year.
This bill, also known as the “Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2022” passed in the U.S. House on September 14. It contains provisions which would:
HR 8487 has companion legislation in the Senate, sponsored by Sens. Marshall (R-KS), Sinema (D-AZ), Thune (R-SD), and Brown (D-OH).
The U.S. House passed HR 8800, the “Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 2022,” at the end of July, and it now requires Senate approval. This legislation would provide a clean, two-year extension of critical telehealth policies enacted at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic through the end of 2024. This would include:
Without further action, these policies will expire 151 days after the end of the public health emergency.