Statement by Texas Medical Association (TMA) President E. Linda Villarreal, MD, in reaction to Congress passing legislation Thursday averting most of a 9.75% Medicare cut to physician payments, which was scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2022.  

“TMA
physicians thank Congress for taking action needed to avert most of the Medicare pay cuts
for physicians who care for America’s seniors and people with disabilities. 

“Physicians
will still face a slight cut in 2022, with no permanent solution to avoid
future cuts. What’s really needed is a more meaningful, permanent policy for
how Medicare pays physicians, so Congress doesn’t have to revisit this issue.  

“Our
patients deserve a permanent solution; they deserve confidence that their physician
can continue to care for them.

“TMA
pledges to continue to work with Congress and other physician associations in
the coming year to effect a substantial, permanent, and predictable solution to
this recurring problem. 

TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 55,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 110 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans.