reps hear proposal to cut 'red tape'

On Thursday, October 19, the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a legislative hearing titled "What’s the Prognosis?: Examining Medicare Proposals to Improve Patient Access to Care & Minimize Red Tape for Doctors.” This hearing sought to address physician issues that are impacting patient access to care.

During the hearing, the G2211 complexity add-on code proposed in the FY24 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule was brought up multiple times. Implementation of this code, which would positively impact both primary and cognitive care, is a priority for the Academy. The American Academy of Family Physicians testified during the hearing, stressing the need for the code’s implementation. Rep. Nanette Barragán (CA-44) also asked how the code would positively impact access to cognitive care and care for patients with Alzheimer’s, specifically.

The hearing examined a list of 23 bills, some of which are still in discussion draft form. Notable bills from the list include:

• The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2023, which is led by Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Larry Bucshon (R-IN), and Ami Bera (D-CA). This legislation, which would allow for improvements in prior authorization in Medicare Advantage programs, is a priority for the AAN, which has been working as a part of the Regulatory Relief Coalition to push it forward.
• The Telehealth Privacy Act of 2023, led by Reps. Troy Balderson (R-OH), Neal Dunn (R-FL), and David Schweikert (R-AZ). This discussion draft would prohibit Health and Human Services from making practitioners’ addresses of residence publicly available if they provide telehealth services from that address.
• The Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023, led by the House Doctors Caucus. This discussion draft provides for a budget neutrality threshold and updates to the conversion factor based on utilization.
• A discussion draft that would extend incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models led by Rep. Dunn. This legislation would extend incentive payments through 2026 and establish a 5-year cap on these payment incentives for qualifying participants.

During the hearing, many members of Congress brought up legislative efforts that were not included in the 23 bills being formally discussed, one of which was the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 2474), which would provide for an inflationary update to Medicare physician payments. This is a priority for the AAN and was an ask at advocates’ visit to Capitol Hill during the 2023 AAN Legislative Summit.

Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA) called attention to the Value in Health Care Act of 2023 (H.R. 5013), which she is leading along with Reps. Darin LaHood (R-IL), DelBene, Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), and Bucshon. This legislation would allow for the continuation of the 5% Alternative Payment Model incentive payments and freeze the 50% revenue threshold requirement for two years. Schrier submitted for the record a letter signed by the AAN and 22 other organizations in support of the legislation.

The AAN is grateful to the House Energy and Commerce Committee for discussing these important issues. Its advocates will continue to work closely with the Committee and relevant stakeholders on a path forward to improve the healthcare system for providers and their patients.