July 17, 2019 - “While the AMA supports the goal of protecting patients from payment disputes, further modifications are needed to protect patient access to care in rural areas and other underserved populations. Reps. Raul Ruiz, M.D., (D-Calif.) and Larry Bucshon, M.D.,(R-Ind.) led a  bipartisan call  to address concerns  about the current imbalanced rate-setting scheme and are pressing for changes to make it more fair before the full committee markup next week. Other subcommittee members expressing concerns about the potential harm to access for rural and underserved populations included Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), John Shimkus (R-Ill.), G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), Richard Hudson, (R-N.C.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.).

“Members of Congress made it clear they are hearing from the physicians back home and continued grassroots engagement is essential before the upcoming full committee markup. We remain committed to working with all the committees of jurisdiction to forge a more balanced approach to best protect patients and their access to health care.”
Source: AMA