The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA)—the trade association representing manufacturers of medical imaging equipment, radiopharmaceuticals, contrast media, and focused ultrasound therapeutic devices—has expressed support for the Supporting Medicare Providers Act (H.R. 8800) recently introduced by U.S. Reps. Ami Bera, MD, (D-Calif.) and Larry Bucshon, MD, (R-Ind.), which would delay the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’’ proposed 4.42% cut to the physician fee schedule by shelving changes to the Medicare conversion factor.
“Physicians face extreme headwinds from economic pressures to labor shortages,” says Patrick Hope, executive director of MITA.
“Avoiding steep Medicare payment cuts will help providers navigate market and economic challenges as well as changes from the winding down of the COVID-19 public health emergency,” Hope adds. “Ensuring patients have timely access to medical imaging services that detect diseases as early as possible is vital to improving care outcomes and managing health, particularly as we see many Americans returning to regular care and screening.”
In addition to counteracting CMS’ administrative cuts to physicians, the Supporting Medicare Providers Act also includes a sense of Congress resolution committing to legislative and regulatory action to ensure financial stability and predictability in the Medicare physician payment system; promote and reward value-based care and safeguard timely access to high-quality care by advancing health equity and reducing disparities.
MITA has also previously joined with the broader physician community to oppose deep cuts to Medicare for physicians that threaten patients’ access to care.
