CardioVascular Coalition Demands Congressional Action Before Clinical Labor Cuts Go Into Effect

CVC calls on Congress to stop clinical labor cuts before Dec. 31

Washington, DC— Today, the CardioVascular Coalition (CVC) – a coalition of physicians, care providers, advocates, and manufacturers — is calling on Congress to step in and stop the cuts to revascularization services included in the finalized 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Rule.

If Congress fails to act before the end of the year, the finalized MPFS will impose cuts of up to 9% on physicians who provide revascularization services in outpatient settings. This care is critical in preventing avoidable amputations and ensuring they receive the care they need.

On top of the long history of MPFS cuts over the last several years, including cuts exceeding 20% from the 2022 PFS / clinical labor policy, these cuts will continue to increase financial pressures on providers at a time of historic economic uncertainty.

If the cuts are left unaddressed, the end result will be providers closing their doors, therefore depriving peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients of care in the outpatient settings they prefer. The CVC believes that the cuts will worsen health equity problems and accelerate the consolidation trend across the United States.

“The sad reality is that these cuts will lead to more unnecessary amputations,” said Interventional Cardiologist and Endovascular Specialist Jeffrey G. Carr, MD, a CVC Board member. “We are asking for Congress to step in and stop these cuts from harming patients and forcing providers to close their doors. There is a bipartisan solution that can pass before the end of the year, but Congress must make this a priority.”