TEXAS MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Resolution 404 (A-07)
Subject: Medicare Part B Payment Reform
Introduced by: Robert E. McMichael, MD
Referred to: Reference Committee on Socioeconomics
Whereas, Since 1983, Medicare Part B physician fees have not kept pace with inflation; and
Whereas, Medicare Part B fees are scheduled to be cut drastically even in nominal dollar terms; and
Whereas, Medicare fees for hospitals, Medicare Advantage plans, home health companies, and nursing homes have been fully indexed for inflation; and
Whereas, Medicare fees for hospitals and prescription plans have large deductibles to emphasize Medicare coverage for higher costs rather than first dollar costs; and
Whereas, Congress has not made additional tax dollars available to avoid severe cuts to Medicare Part B physician fees; and
Whereas, Medicare beneficiaries are rapidly losing access to physician services, especially primary care services; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Texas Medical Association seek federal legislation to index Medicare Part B fees for inflation using 2000 as the base year; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas Medical Association seek federal legislation to provide that Medicare Part B be kept within spending limits established by Congress by one or more of the following: (1) increasing the deductible, (2) increasing the copayment amount, and (3) increasing the premium, and be it further
RESOLVED, That Texas Medical Association instruct its delegation to the American Medical Association to seek to make this the policy of the American Medical Association.
Relevant TMA Policy
240.016 Medicare Reimbursement Rates : The Texas Medical Association will work to reform the Medicare payment system to provide adequate and equitable funding to all physicians providing services to patients who are Medicare beneficiaries (Substitute Res. 401-A-03).
Relevant AMA Policy
D-390.969 Parity in Medicare Reimbursement: Our AMA will continue its comprehensive advocacy campaign to: (1) repeal the Medicare physician payment formula, the sustainable growth rate (SGR); (2) repeal or delay the reductions in Medicare payment for imaging services furnished in physicians' offices, as mandated by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005; (3) pass legislation allowing physicians to share in Medicare Part A savings that are achieved when physicians provide medical care that results in fewer in-patient complications, shorter lengths-of-stays, and fewer hospital readmissions; and (4) advocate for other mechanisms to ensure adequate payments to physicians, such as balance billing and gainsharing (BOT Action in response to referred for decision Res. 236, A-06)
TMA House of Delegates: TexMed 2007