Bilirakis Reintroduces the Promoting Fairness for Medicare Providers Act to Protect Patient Access to Quality Care
Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA-25), Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC-3), and Danny Davis (D-IL-7) reintroduced the Promoting Fairness for Medicare Providers Act, legislation focused on protecting seniors’ access to timely, affordable, high-quality care under Medicare. Under current Medicare policies, reimbursement differences between office-based settings and ambulatory surgical centers can unintentionally limit where certain procedures are offered. These disparities are particularly significant for services that require high-cost medical supplies. When these services become financially unsustainable in community-based settings, seniors may face fewer local options, longer travel distances, and delays in receiving needed care. The Promoting Fairness for Medicare Providers Act works to correct these inequities by aligning Medicare payment rates for certain procedures with high supply costs across care settings. By modernizing the reimbursement structure, the legislation is designed to preserve seniors’ ability to receive care in convenient community settings, maintain continuity with trusted physicians, and avoid unnecessary disruptions in treatment.
“Medicare beneficiaries deserve reliable access to high quality care in the setting that is most appropriate for them,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “Seniors should not lose access to convenient, community-based services because of outdated payment policies. This legislation is about putting patients first, protecting access, and ensuring that Medicare works the way it was intended to work for America’s seniors.”
“When Medicare payment policies fail to reflect the cost of certain procedures, it can unintentionally limit where seniors can receive care,”said Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D.“This bipartisan bill helps ensure physicians and community-based surgical centers can continue offering these services, so patients don’t face unnecessary delays or travel for treatment.”
Importantly, the legislation also includes safeguards to limit excessive out of pocket costs for beneficiaries and ensures that participating facilities meet strong safety and quality standards. By focusing on patient protections and access to care, the bill strengthens Medicare’s ability to serve seniors today and in the future. Congressman Bilirakis has long championed policies that strengthen the Medicare program and safeguard the health and well-being of older Americans. The reintroduction of the Promoting Fairness for Medicare Providers Act reflects his continued commitment to ensuring that seniors have dependable access to the care they need, when and where they need it.