APMA Advocacy Drives Introduction of Key Medicare Reform Legislation

Representatives Marianette Miller-Meeks, MD (R-IA), and Herb Conaway, MD (D-NJ), introduced HR 8622 Medicare Physician Data-driven Performance Payment System Act, which would reform the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in Medicare. The legislation would replace MIPS with a new model, the Data-Driven Performance Payment System (DPPS), which would lower physician payment penalties and reinvest penalty funds to assist under-resourced practices. It would also expand data transparency from CMS by ensuring physicians receive quarterly feedback on their performance in the program.

APMA has consistently vocalized its concerns on the current MIPS system, actively engaging with Congress to shape the reauthorization of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) program. APMA sent a letter in January to the Republican and Democratic Doctors Caucuses that detailed the necessary reforms to MIPS and future Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) models.

In addition, Representatives Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC), and Tom Suozzi (D-NY) recently introduced HR 8163 Provider Reimbursement Stability Act, which would provide more flexibility to CMS to adjust physician payment while capping the volatility of year-to-year rate changes. APMA sent a letter of support for the legislation, highlighting the importance of stabilizing Medicare physician payment to support solo and rural podiatry practices. Help take action and urge your lawmakers to cosponsor the legislation using APMA's eAdvocacy Center!

Reps. Miller-Meeks, Conaway, and Murphy attended APMA's 2026 Legislative Conference in March to discuss the various health-care reforms needed to support podiatric physicians and improve patient outcomes. APMA is actively working with the Doctors Caucuses to modernize the MACRA program, reduce regulatory burden, and improve Medicare payment stability.