USPA Calls For Congressional Action To Restore CMS Cuts That Hurt Patients and Office-based Providers

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, the United Specialists for Patient Access (USPA) issued the following statement in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) decision to move forward with the clinical labor policy at this time and force cuts on providers.

Dr. Mark Garcia, USPA Board Member and Health Policy Advisor:

“The decision by CMS to implement the clinical labor policy at this time is a mistake that will hurt patients and squeeze out providers. A four-year phase-in does very little to address the concerns of access and health equity. 

“While CMS acknowledges that there are obvious 'negative effects' of their decision, the solution is fundamental reform of the PFS before these devastating cuts take full effect and permanently cripple health care delivery. The impact of this decision is clear: communities of color will see the health equity gap get worse and patients will receive lower-quality care.

“USPA is calling on Congress to restore these cuts and work with CMS on fundamental reforms to the Physician Fee Schedule.”