Collins, Shaheen Push Senate Leaders to Delay Payment Cuts to Help Providers Stay Afloat During Pandemic
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) sent a bipartisan letter to Senate leadership urging the extension of the Medicare sequester moratorium as well as the 2021 Medicare physician payment adjustment. The letter was signed by 22 Senators, including Senator Angus King (I-ME).
As the end of the month approaches, hospitals and doctors face a shortfall of billions of dollars in Medicare payments that have helped them cope with surging costs during the pandemic – unless these cuts are pushed back.
“Both the current moratorium on Medicare sequestration and the 2021 Medicare physician payment adjustment of 3.75 percent are scheduled to expire on December 31, 2021,” wrote the Senators. “Without immediate Congressional action, these changes will result in a 5.75 percent reduction in provider payments and billions lost in vital funding. Without immediate action, these cuts will begin just as providers are likely see a surge of patients in the new year.”
“As we continue our work through the end of the year, we urge you to ensure that the moratorium on sequestration and the 2021 Medicare physician payment adjustment are extended through the end of the public health emergency,” the Senators concluded.
In addition to Senators Collins, Shaheen, and King, the bipartisan letter was signed by Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
In April, President Biden signed into law legislation led by Senators Collins and Shaheen to prevent Medicare payment cuts to health care providers from taking effect for the rest of the year, while health care providers are grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the House and Senate. The month prior, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services – heeding calls from Senators Collins and Shaheen – instructed Medicare contractors to hold claims with dates of April 1st, 2021, and after to ensure providers are not harmed by Medicare payment cuts while Congress worked on legislation to avert those payment reductions. Additionally, Senators Collins and Shaheen have spearheaded efforts in Congress to protect the Provider Relief Fund, which has helped prevent medical providers from closing their doors.
Click HERE to read the full letter.
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