The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) has recommended that Congress link next year’s physician payment update to the growth in the cost of providing care. The first move in that direction came last month as Congress failed to eliminate this year’s 2.8% cut, marking the fifth consecutive year of cuts.

“MedPAC has highlighted how Congress can strengthen Medicare policy,” said AMA President Bruce A. Scott, MD, who noted that the MedPAC “report offers a road map to Congress on how to address the cuts.”

Dr. Scott added that “the AMA appreciates commissioners and staff for listening to physicians around the country.”

MedPAC voted in March to recommend to Congress a 2026 payment update to physician practices of Medical Economic Index (MEI) minus 1 percentage point.

“MedPAC was created to advise Congress. Now, will lawmakers listen?” Dr. Scott said. “We welcome MedPAC’s help in highlighting the danger of doing nothing. The status quo is not an option.”

My latest for the AMA. The whole shebang.