Like past policies that decreased Medicare Part B reimbursements without considering the way in which physicians must acquire the treatments, the new bill could cause consolidation or closure of independent practices and force patients to seek care in more expensive settings. This may threaten access to care and result in many patients having to pay more for drugs and medical care—the opposite of what Congress intends. This is particularly true for elderly Medicare recipients living in rural areas, who already face significant barriers to care. The goals of the Build Back Better Act, though admirable, are not served by the current wording that may cause patients to travel farther for care or seek care in more expensive settings.
For these reasons, the ACR will be working with Senate offices to continue to support Medicare negotiation in both Part D and Part B but will be asking that the new Part B drug price negotiations cap the actual price of the drugs, not reimbursement to physicians who have already purchased these expensive treatments for their patients. Negotiation and direct capping of drug prices, not reimbursement, will be a win for patients, healthcare access and Medicare.
