Congress Mitigates Physician Payment Cuts
In March, Congress passed a government funding bill that provides roughly $730 million in relief from Medicare physician payment cuts, boosting reimbursements by 1.68% starting on March 9 and lasting through the end of 2024.
STS has vigorously advocated for this relief and is pleased that Congress acted, yet the total amount of relief is less than what many stakeholders demanded, including STS and hundreds of members of Congress. We are continuing to advocate for systematic reforms to Medicare payment to eliminate this persistent threat. This includes H.R. 2474, a bipartisan bill with broad support that would create automatic annual inflation adjustments for Medicare physician payments.
STS Grassroots Program Off to Strong Start in 2024
Building relationships with members of Congress can be challenging yet rewarding. Fortunately, STS is building out a grassroots program to help our members facilitate relationships with their congressional offices. One powerful way a surgeon can establish a rapport with their lawmakers is by hosting them for a site visit at their medical practice. This allows the surgeon to introduce legislators to their staff and facility, showcase their cutting-edge methods of care, highlight the obstacles they face, and discuss policy solutions to improve patient care.
Last month, STS President Jennifer C. Romano, MD, MS, did just that when she welcomed U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) for a tour of the Congenital Heart Center at the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. The visit provided a platform for meaningful discussions on several key challenges facing congenital care and the opportunity to share STS’ 2024 advocacy priorities.
Planning a visit to the DC area soon? In early March, James St. Louis, MD, came to DC and, with the help of STS staff, met with Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), visited five Congressional offices, and attended an STS-hosted fundraiser for Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.).
Don’t have the time to travel to DC? STS can help you schedule a virtual meeting with your congressional offices. General thoracic surgeon David Sternberg, MD, recently visited with his Michigan senate office to discuss advocacy priorities focused on lung cancer screening.
There are many opportunities available to STS members who are looking to get more involved with advocacy. If you’re interested in any of these activities, contact STS’ advocacy staff at advocacy@sts.org.