Provider advocates such as the American Hospital Association and American Medical Association sent a letter Nov. 30 urging Congress to prevent the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 sequester from taking effect.
The PAYGO sequester going into effect at the end of this session of Congress Jan. 3 would result in $38 billion in Medicare cuts in 2023, according to the letter. The sequester would also lead to a 4 percent cut to Medicare payments to providers.
The letter argues for action by listing the challenges already threatening both financial stability and the ability to provide healthcare services. These challenges include workforce shortages, equipment and supply costs, and drug costs.
Other signers are the American Health Care Association, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, the Association for Clinical Oncology and AdvaMed.