AMA Raises Concerns About Senate Reconciliation Bill

CHICAGO — The American Medical Assoc. (AMA) expressed concerns on Friday about the Senate reconciliation bill, citing cuts to Medicaid and CHIP funding and changes in eligibility criteria that will reduce patients’ access to care and impact physician practices’ viability, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Additionally, the AMA pointed to the exclusion of the House-passed effort to connect Medicare physician payment to the cost of running a practice.

“Patients across the country are already struggling to access care,” AMA President Dr. Bobby Mukkamala said. “Physician burnout, early retirements, and, with the cost of running a practice constantly rising, the challenge of keeping a practice financially afloat are contributing to a physician shortage expected to reach 86,000 by 2036. By changing Medicaid and CHIP eligibility criteria, reducing their funding, and eliminating the Medicare payment provision included in the House-passed reconciliation bill, this legislation risks making matters worse for an exceptional number of people.

“Limiting access to a physician does not make patients healthier; in fact, it increases the risk of turning acute, treatable issues into costly chronic conditions,” Mukkamala added. “As work continues on this bill, we urge senators to listen to patients and physicians before making changes that reduce access to care.”