Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
The American Medical Association is up in arms over House Republicans' decision not to add relief for a 2.8% cut to Medicare physician payments to the CR that would run through September.
Why it matters: Congress typically steps in to, at a minimum, partially avert scheduled cuts to doctor pay. But with leadership looking to keep health add-ons to a minimum, the effort appears to have missed the boat this year.
What they're saying: "Physicians across the country are outraged that Congress' proposed spending package locks in a devastating fifth consecutive year of Medicare cuts, threatening access to care for 66 million Medicare patients," said AMA president Bruce Scott.
- "The long-term viability of pathology practices is at risk if our services for Medicare patients continue to be cut as inflation continues to rise," added College of American Pathologists president Donald Karcher.
- A larger package of health changes, including a PBM overhaul, is also stalled.
The big picture: More broadly, Democrats also argued the measure leaves out specific instructions on spending and gives too much leeway to the Trump administration and Elon Musk. Republicans portray it as a largely "clean" CR that will keep government operating.
- Democrats on the Senate Appropriations Committee pointed to a $859 million cut to Department of Defense medical studies known as the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.
- They said the cut will "halt progress for cures and treatment of dozens of diseases and conditions affecting servicemembers and their families."
