Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) joined by House Budget Committee Ranking Member, Jason Smith (R-MO) and members of the Doctors Caucus sent a letter to House Budget Committee Chairman, John Yarmuth (D-KY), expressing their concerns with the forthcoming cuts to Medicare, specifically the four percent sequester cut required by the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO). The letter urges Chairman Yarmuth to schedule a hearing as soon as possible to prevent budget cuts to Medicare in a fiscally responsible way.

“Physicians should not be placed in the crosshairs of failed Democrat policies. My fellow members have offered several solutions and the Democrat majority has chosen to prioritize inflationary spending over preserving Medicare for our seniors and those at risk,” said Rep. Burgess. “We have a very real obligation on the Budget Committee to work towards solutions to ensure that the United States remains a leader in access to quality health care by empowering physicians. I hope Chairman Yarmuth recognizes the devastating impact this could have on our American Health System and promptly schedules a hearing.”

“Washington Democrats have recklessly spent trillions of dollars on a partisan agenda, throwing handouts to the wealthy while fueling the inflation crisis American families are experiencing every day,” said House Budget Committee Republican Leader Jason Smith (MO-08). “Right now, that same Democrat spending spree is also threatening significant cuts to Medicare that would undermine health care quality for America’s seniors. Access to health care should not be held hostage because Democrats have put their partisan priorities over the well-being of patients.”

without Congressional action, the Pay-As-You-Go Act (PAYGO) would:

-Cut $35 billion from Medicare next year alone—and more than $500 billion over the next 10 years.

-Force physicians to turn away Medicare patients which would come at the expense of American seniors.

-Remove incentive for American physicians through payment reductions.

-Ultimately result in lack of access for millions of patients across the country.

Read the full letter here.