H.R. 1650, the Medicare Patient Empowerment Act of 2015, was introduced in the House by Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) on March 26, 2015. This legislation would allow seniors to see the physician of their choice (regardless of whether a participating or non-participating physician or practitioner), much like out-of-network options available to many with private health insurance plans. This greatly increases the likelihood that current beneficiaries and new Medicare enrollees will have access to care when and where they need it. The AMA strongly supports this legislation.
More information on this issue as well as a petition that physicians are encouraged to sign can be found at the Physicians Grassroots Network.
Medicare Patient Empowerment Act action kit
- Download physician FAQs (PDF)
- Download patient FAQs (PDF)
- Download patient flyer (PDF)
Correspondence and testimony
- Letter to Representative Tom Price Supporting H.R. 1650, the Medicare Patient Empowerment Act of 2015 (PDF)
- H.R. 1650 Co-sponsorship List
- Letter to Rep. Tom Price Supporting H.R. 1310, the Medicare Patient Empowerment Act (PDF)
- Letter to Representative Tom Price Supporting H.R. 1310, the Medicare Patient Empowerment Act (PDF)
- Letter to Senator Murkowski Supporting S. 236, the Medicare Patient Empowerment Act (PDF)
- Testimony Before the House E&C on “The Need to Move Beyond the SGR,” Including a Section on Private Contracting (PDF)
