HRA Continues to Advocate to Stop Medicare Physician Payment Cuts as Congress Passes Government Funding Bill Through End of Fiscal Year Without Addressing “Doc Fix”

April 1, 2025 – The Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 extends telehealth flexibilities that were scheduled to expire on March 31st and largely funds federal programs at current discretionary spending levels through the end of fiscal year (FY) 2025 on September 30th. The CR funds the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at FY 2024 levels, except for a reduction in funding for the NIH Innovation Account.

In response to the 2.83% cut to Medicare physician reimbursement that took effect on January 1st, Heart Rhythm Advocates joined more than 100 other national and state medical organizations in urging lawmakers to insist that language on the 2025 Medicare physician payment cut be added to the government funding package before passage. The statement highlights the bipartisan support for the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act (H.R. 879), which is designed to reverse the 2.83% cut plus provide positive payment update for 2025, helping to stabilize physician practices and protect patients’ access to care. While the latest CR was ultimately passed without the inclusion of any additional health provisions – like an update to the Medicare physician fee schedule – congressional leadership have since committed to addressing the doc fix as a part of the forthcoming budget reconciliation process.

If you have not already done so, please contact your congressional representative to tell them it’s time to protect patient access and stabilize Medicare physician payment.