North Texas News

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), played a pivotal role in today's Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing, addressing crucial issues within the health care system. During the hearing, Burgess championed several pieces of legislation that aim to improve patient access to care and minimize red tape for doctors.

Burgess expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to address issues that directly impact American physicians and the U.S. health care system. He stated, "I am thankful that so many of my legislative initiatives were brought into the conversation today, and we took significant steps toward supporting our dedicated physicians."

One of the key pieces of legislation discussed during the hearing was the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act. Burgess led the discussion on this act, which aims to bring stability to health care provider reimbursements. The act seeks to update the budget neutrality threshold, reconcile overestimates and underestimates in utilization, and ensure timely updates to direct costs used to calculate practice expense relative value units (RVUs).

In addition, Burgess advocated for legislation that would allow physician ownership in rural hospitals. This legislation would enable physicians to remain in the business of health care while providing patients with access to the care they need. Burgess emphasized the importance of this legislation in ensuring that patients in rural areas have access to quality health care services.

Another critical bill discussed during the hearing was the Sunshine Act of 2023, introduced by Burgess and Rep. Ami Bera. This bipartisan act aims to rectify a misinterpretation in current regulations that hinders physicians' access to essential educational resources. The act specifically targets the reporting of financial interactions with industry counterparts, exempting educational materials such as medical textbooks, peer-reviewed journals, and continuing medical education events. By doing so, this bill enables physicians to stay informed and provide the best care to their patients.

Burgess also co-leads the SURS Extension Act with Rep. Melanie Stansbury. This act seeks to extend the Small Practice, Underserved, and Rural Support Program (SURS), which aids rural and underserved practices in participating in the Quality Payment Program (QPP). The extension of this program will provide much-needed support to health care providers in underserved areas.

Lastly, Burgess is involved in the MAQI Demonstration Project, led by Rep. Marionette Miller Meeks. This project aims to encourage MIPS-eligible clinicians to participate in payment arrangements with Medicare Advantage Organizations. By meeting the participation requirements, physicians are exempt from MIPS reporting requirements and payment adjustments, promoting greater participation in the program.

Congressman Burgess's dedication to improving health care and supporting physicians was evident in today's Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing. His advocacy for legislation such as the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act, the Sunshine Act of 2023, the SURS Extension Act, and the MAQI Demonstration Project showcases his commitment to ensuring stability in reimbursements, improving access to educational resources, reducing burden on rural providers, and creating a health care system that better serves both physicians and patients.

For more information on these bills and Burgess's continued efforts to improve health care, please visit the provided link.

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For additional details, please follow this link: https://burgess.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403810