The American College of Rheumatology has backed the introduction of the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act.
The bill aims to update Medicare physician payments to accurately reflect the cost of practicing medicine and the state of the U.S. economy, according to an April 24 news release from the organization expressing its support for the bill.
"For too long, specialty providers, like rheumatologists, have faced considerable uncertainty regarding their ability to continue providing needed care to patients," ACR President Douglas White, MD, PhD, said in the release. "The Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act represents a long-overdue adjustment to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule that will help stabilize physician practices and ensure that beneficiaries have timely access to rheumatological care."