ASCO and other physician groups nationwide are joining together in opposing proposals that would eliminate a Medicaid primary care reimbursement increase. The groups caution the policy further burdens an already strained Medicaid system and hinders patient access to care, forcing many to rely on episodic, and acute care services.

The Medicaid payment increase ensures that Medicaid payments for eligible physician services in all states are no less than Medicare, improving access to care for people already enrolled in Medicaid and those who may become eligible under Medicaid expansion.

Medicaid often serves the most vulnerable patients, and historically has had poor physician participation, compounding the problem further. The physician groups are all working toward increasing access and improving quality by ensuring that Medicaid and Medicare payment policies are aligned with the access and quality goals established by public and private health care systems. 

Although a principal goal of this Medicaid policy is to improve access to primary care, the policy also increases payments to many subspecialists in internal medicine and pediatrics, with the purpose of increasing participation and access to their services.