Senator Grassley Calls for Medicare Reform to Improve Rural Health Care Access, Payment Equity

Senator Chuck Grassley, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, took part in a hearing concerning chronic care and Medicare physician payment. During the hearing, witnesses emphasized the need to update Medicare rules and payments to ensure access to rural health care. Senator Grassley expressed his concerns about the lack of access to health care services in rural areas, citing examples such as pharmacists being unable to receive payment under Medicare Part B for certain services like wellness screenings and immunizations. He called for modernizing federal rules to align with licensing and training laws to improve health outcomes for patients with chronic conditions.

Senator Grassley also addressed the issue of fair reimbursement for physicians in rural states like Iowa. He highlighted the importance of ensuring that physicians in rural areas receive equitable payment for the services they provide. He questioned whether CMS is using up-to-date data to determine physician payment and whether there should be more geographic areas accounted for within rural states.

In addition, Senator Grassley inquired about the effectiveness of Medicare Advantage in expanding and improving chronic care management services for seniors while reducing Medicare spending. He emphasized the importance of improving access to chronic care through Medicare Advantage.

Overall, the hearing focused on modernizing Medicare rules and payments, ensuring fair reimbursement for physicians in rural states, and expanding access to chronic care services through programs like Medicare Advantage. Senator Grassley’s questions and comments highlighted the importance of addressing these issues to improve health care outcomes for all patients.