The AMA president, Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, is deeply concerned about the significant cuts in Medicare payments, viewing them as both persistent and severe. These reductions in funding, combined with escalating rates of physician burnout and the green light for potentially risky expansions in healthcare practices, have plunged the healthcare sector into a state of crisis.

During his address at the 2023 AMA Interim Meeting, Dr. Ehrenfeld underscored the urgent need for physicians to take an active role in advocating for a more sustainable healthcare system that ensures continued access to high-quality medical care for patients. Drawing from his own experiences, he emphasized the important role that physicians play as advocates for change, using their stories, voices, and experiences to shed light on the stark realities of the broken healthcare system.

In a poignant personal touch, Dr. Ehrenfeld shared the challenges faced by his parents, both in their 70s with various age-related ailments, in accessing primary care due to inadequate Medicare physician payments. This narrative highlighted the broader issue affecting many seniors who receive notices of practice closures or discontinuation of services for Medicare patients due to insufficient payments. Dr. Ehrenfeld genuinely conveyed his worry about the frustration, urgent searches for replacements, and the potential harm arising from delays in healthcare transitions. Describing the impending Medicare payment cuts as profoundly impactful and unyielding for both patients and physicians, he urged for continuous pressure and collaborative efforts to tackle these urgent challenges.

The AMA’s Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians places a significant emphasis on reforming Medicare payments. Dr. Ehrenfeld implored delegates at the meeting to take immediate action by utilizing their smartphones to email Congress and express support for the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act. This House bill with bipartisan support aligns with the AMA’s advocacy initiatives, seeking to connect the Medicare physician payment schedule with the Medicare Economic Index.

Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Dr. Ehrenfeld stressed that the time to act is now. He underscored a concerning statistic: when adjusted for inflation, Medicare physician payments have seen a staggering 26% decline since 2001. This substantial decline in income poses a major risk to the sustainability of the healthcare industry, particularly given its vital role in the nation’s health, vitality, and economic well-being.