Providers and Patients Speak Out on Health Inequity Caused By CMS-Directed Cuts

 

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, United Specialists for Patient Access (USPA) is highlighting the voices of health care providers and patients concerned that the CMS-initiated cuts will further health inequities. 

Dr. Foluso Fakorede, CEO of Cardiovascular Solutions of Central Mississippi: “Despite underserved communities still facing access barriers to healthcare providers, Medicare slashed funding for specialty care services by upwards of 20 percent. If left in place, these severe cuts will lead to significantly worse health outcomes for Black, Hispanic, and Native Americans—including an increase in easily preventable limb amputation.” 

Dr. Mark Garcia, CMO for American Vascular Associates: “These cuts also disproportionately impact people of color, as many of the services affected by these cuts will strike the Black, Latino, and other minority communities the hardest.” 

Dr. Chris Jahraus, Generations Radiotherapy & Oncology PC : “Cuts of this magnitude will make already vulnerable patients suffer first and most. Health inequities will skyrocket as a result of massive pressure toward consolidation of cancer centers, with only the most profitable practices surviving. This means life or death to inner-city patients and the rural poor. For these people, the challenge of daily transportation to radiotherapy at a more distant center makes access to that treatment impossible.”

Terry Litchfield, advocate for dialysis patients: “Dialysis patients are predominantly elderly, poor, and come from minority communities. Stopping these painful cuts is essential to protecting patients. Dialysis patients count on vascular access centers for life-sustaining support and if they shutter, it makes treatment more difficult.” 

Wallace M., patient from California: “Patients of color like me always get the short end of the stick in health care. I am asking Congress to help save my access center, which will likely save me.” 

USPA is asking Congress to reverse the clinical labor cuts in the February omnibus appropriations legislation and to work on fundamental reforms to the Physician Fee Schedule. The 20% payment cuts will force office-based specialists out of business. 

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About the United Specialists for Patient Access (USPA): The mission of USPA is to unify and strengthen the voice of office-based specialists, enabling professionals and patient advocates to work collaboratively with Congress and the Administration and achieve near-term relief and long-term payment stability in the Physician Fee Schedule.  For more information, please click here: https://www.uspaccess.org.