AAOS members are making their voices heard — and Congress is listening.

After weeks of outreach from orthopaedic surgeons across the country, Rep. Greg Murphy, MD, of North Carolina is leading a congressional sign-on letter urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to halt proposed payment cuts in the CY27 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule that would negatively impact musculoskeletal care.

The proposed policy includes approximately 20% reductions in the relative values associated with total hip, total knee, and total shoulder arthroplasty and shoulder hemiarthroplasty. If finalized, cuts of this magnitude could have far-reaching consequences for orthopaedic surgeons and the patients who rely on timely access to high-quality musculoskeletal care.

AAOS has warned that continued reductions in Medicare physician payment, combined with rising practice expenses and years of reimbursement that has failed to keep pace with inflation, create mounting pressure on independent practices. These cuts could accelerate consolidation into larger health systems, limit patient choice and make it more difficult for Medicare beneficiaries to access orthopaedic care in their communities.

The congressional letter led by Rep. Murphy is an important opportunity to build pressure on CMS before the rule is finalized. Every additional member of Congress who signs on strengthens the message that these proposed cuts are unsustainable and must be reconsidered.

AAOS is asking members to take action this week by contacting their U.S. representative and urging them to sign onto Rep. Murphy’s letter. Member advocacy has already helped elevate this issue on Capitol Hill with more than 5,000 letters submitted by AAOS members, and continued engagement is critical to protecting patient access, supporting independent practice and preserving the future of orthopaedic care.

AAOS continues to work closely with congressional champions, policymakers and members to oppose harmful payment policies and advocate for long-term Medicare physician payment reform. Members can also visit the AAOS CMS Payment Resource Center for the latest updates, resources and opportunities to take action.

Join the Fight: https://aaos.quorum.us/campaign/MPFSLetter/.