The Senate crafted its version of the Big, Beautiful Bill, President Trump’s priority legislation that extends the 2017 tax cuts. The legislation included provisions that would significantly impact GI:
- Fails to address Medicare physician payment cuts. Physicians were cut by 2.8% on Jan. 1 and the package does nothing to address the cuts this year or in the future.
- Caps federal student loans and limits eligibility to the Grad PLUS loans. This will impact future medical students at a time where medical specialties face a workforce shortage.
- Makes additional cuts to Medicaid that will negatively harm individuals without other coverage options.
What's next?
The full Senate must vote on this bill and then reconcile their differences with the House. It is unacceptable that Congress has again failed patients and providers. AGA will continue to push Congress to provide payment stability for physicians in Medicare to ensure that patients have access to care.
