Washington, D.C. – The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) – the leading trade association representing manufacturers of medical imaging equipment, radiopharmaceuticals, contrast media, and focused ultrasound therapeutic devices – expressed support for the Supporting Medicare Providers Act (H.R. 8800) recently introduced by U.S. Reps. Ami Bera, MD, (D-CA) and Larry Bucshon, MD, (R-IN), which would delay CMS' proposed 4.42% cut to the physician fee schedule by shelving changes to the Medicare conversion factor.
"Physicians face extreme headwinds from economic pressures to labor shortages," said Patrick Hope, executive director of MITA. "Avoiding steep Medicare payment cuts will help providers navigate market and economic challenges as well as changes from the winding down of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Ensuring patients have timely access to medical imaging services that detect diseases as early as possible is vital to improving care outcomes and managing health, particularly as we see many Americans returning to regular care and screening."
In addition to counteracting CMS' administrative cuts to physicians, the Supporting Medicare Providers legislation also includes a sense of Congress resolution committing to legislative and regulatory action to ensure financial stability and predictability in the Medicare physician payment system; promote and reward value-based care and safeguard timely access to high-quality care by advancing health equity and reducing disparities.
MITA has also previously joined with the broader physician community to oppose deep cuts to Medicare for physicians that threaten patients' access to care.
The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA), a division of NEMA, is the collective voice of medical imaging equipment manufacturers, innovators, and product developers. It represents companies whose sales comprise more than 90 percent of the global market for advanced medical imaging technology. For more information, visit www.medicalimaging.org. Follow MITA on Twitter @MITAToday.
