Statement attributable to:
Jack Resneck Jr., M.D.
President, American Medical Association

“The American Medical Association (AMA) applauds the House Ways and Means Committee – and specifically Chairman Neal and Ranking Member Brady – for today’s successful markup of legislation to streamline and standardize onerous prior authorization processes that for too long have harmed patients and sapped physician hours. Bipartisan approval of the ‘Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2022’ is an important step toward addressing this problem within Medicare Advantage plans.

“For years, the American Medical Association has sounded the alarm about burdensome prior authorization processes and their negative impact on patient outcomes. Too often, prior authorization has resulted in delayed, denied, or abandoned care. In fact, according to AMA survey data (PDF), more than one-third (34%) of physicians reported that prior authorization led to a serious adverse event, such as hospitalization, disability, or even death, for a patient in their care. The AMA remains committed to fixing prior authorization, and made doing so a central tenet of our Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians.”

The AMA continues to work on every front to reduce this obstacle that interferes with patient care. Through our research, collaborations, advocacy and leadership, the AMA is working to right-size prior authorization programs so that physicians can focus on patients rather than paperwork. Patients, physicians, and employers can learn more about reform efforts and share their personal experiences with prior authorization at FixPriorAuth.org.