Physician Pay Decline Spurs Bipartisan Bills to Adjust Medicare Reimbursements

Physician compensation from Medicare has slipped by roughly one-third when adjusted for inflation over the past quarter-century, a trend that independent clinics say threatens their viability. Critics contend that the current system forces doctors onto a rapid-visit model while limiting clinical autonomy. In response, a coalition of congressional members from both parties has drafted legislation, including the Efficiency Adjustment Delay Act, the Patients First Act, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act, and the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, to modernize payment calculations and protect smaller practices.

Proposals also suggest financing the changes by reclaiming excess spending in Medicare Advantage plans and by redirecting funds recovered from health-care fraud. Advocates argue that these steps would preserve local care options and reduce costly facility fees charged by large hospital networks.