H.R.879 - Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.879, the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025, aims to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act. The bill focuses on increasing financial support for physicians and other practitioners as they adapt to changes in Medicare payments. Specifically, it adjusts the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) to provide a temporary increase in payments for services furnished between April 1, 2025, and January 1, 2026.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill is to provide a 6.62 percent increase in Medicare payments to physicians and other practitioners for a limited time. This adjustment is intended to help stabilize practices and ensure continued patient access to care during a period of payment transition. The bill also extends certain payment adjustments through 2025.
Potential Benefits
- Stabilizes Physician Practices: The temporary payment increase helps physician practices maintain financial stability.
- Ensures Patient Access: By supporting practices, the bill aims to prevent disruptions in patient care and access to services.
- Mitigates Payment Transition Challenges: The increased support assists practitioners in adapting to changes in Medicare payment structures.
- Addresses Short-Term Financial Concerns: The bill provides immediate financial relief to healthcare providers.
- Supports Rural Healthcare: Rural practices, often more vulnerable to payment changes, may benefit from this stabilization.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Temporary Solution: The payment increase is only temporary, lasting less than a year, which may not provide long-term stability.
- Increased Medicare Costs: The payment increase will likely increase overall Medicare spending.
- Potential for Future Payment Cliffs: The temporary nature of the fix could lead to future funding shortfalls or payment reductions.
- Limited Scope: The bill primarily addresses physician payments and may not address broader issues within the healthcare system.
- Lack of Long-Term Reform: The bill does not address underlying issues with the Medicare payment system.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill falls under the purview of Congress's power to legislate on matters related to the general welfare, as outlined in the Preamble of the US Constitution. Specifically, it relates to providing healthcare benefits under the Social Security Act, which has been generally upheld as constitutional under the Necessary and Proper Clause (Article I, Section 8). The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).