AOA Letter of Support -- HR 2 Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization ACT

Dear Representatives Burgess, Upton, Pallone, Ryan, and Levin: On behalf of the American Osteopathic Association and the 110,000 osteopathic physicians and osteopathic medical students we represent, I would like to thank you for introducing H.R. 2, the "Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA)," and express our strong support for the legislation. As well, I respectfully urge its swift approval by the House before the current Medicare payment fix expires in only six short days.

The AOA greatly appreciates your bipartisan work in producing this legislation through a collaborative process with the physician community and other stakeholders. We support the bill’s approach to reform the Medicare physician payment system and reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program. The AOA also appreciates the provisions included to extend funding for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program, National Health Service Corps, and Community Health Centers - all of which are vital to communities most in need.

The AOA views this bipartisan legislation as a clear and definitive approach toward comprehensive reforms in our health care system for children, seniors, and our nation's physicians. An improved system that values quality over quantity is finally within reach. Our members will be carefully watching the developments in the days to come. The AOA stands ready to work with you toward ensuring the bill is brought to the floor for a vote, and achieving our shared goal of true physician payment reform.