Feb. 19, 2021: Advocacy Update spotlight on telling Congress to support H.R. 315, the "Medicare Sequester COVID Moratorium Act"

| 2 Min Read

Tell Congress to support H.R. 315, the "Medicare Sequester COVID Moratorium Act"

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grip the country, America’s physicians remain entrenched on the frontlines, fighting this deadly virus. While new vaccines continue to come online, there is still deep concern that persistently high COVID-19 rates will continue to stress the entire health care system, especially physician practices.

Congress recognized early on during the pandemic the severe financial strain facing our health care system and provided a much-needed reprieve from the 2% Medicare payment sequester through the remainder of 2020. Realizing the severity of the situation Congress again extended the sequester moratorium until March 31.

Unfortunately, even with the encouraging development and deployment of effective vaccines, the fact remains that physician practices will continue to face overwhelming financial challenges and pressures associated with higher overhead costs (e.g., personal protective equipment) and lost revenue due to fewer patient visits and delayed elective procedures.

Thankfully, H.R. 315 the "Medicare Sequester COVID Moratorium Act" has been recently introduced in Congress. This bipartisan legislation would continue the current Medicare sequester moratorium for the duration of this public health emergency.

Please contact your member of Congress and Senators today and urge them to support the "Medicare Sequester COVID Moratorium Act."

If Congress does not act by March 31, the Medicare payment sequester will take effect, triggering a devastating financial impact on physician practices across the country, many of which are already strained to the breaking point. America’s physicians need relief.

FEATURED STORIES

Willie Underwood III, MD, inaugural address at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the HOD

New AMA president: Courageous leadership can reshape healthcare

| 5 Min Read
2026 Annual Meeting of the HOD

AMA adds more to its game plan to fix prior authorization

| 6 Min Read
AMA Annual Meeting Reference Committee in session

AMA: No, physicians are not “providers”

| 5 Min Read
Reference Committee at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the HOD

With AI increasingly part of care, transparency and quality are musts

| 6 Min Read