The government shutdown has thrown a wrench into the healthcare system, leaving doctors in limbo! Medicare payments to physicians have been paused, but why? It's a complex issue that highlights the delicate balance between politics and healthcare.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has temporarily halted Medicare payments to doctors, citing ongoing negotiations related to the government shutdown. This pause is due to Congress needing to reauthorize specific Medicare payment programs, particularly those linked to telehealth and rural healthcare providers. But here's where it gets controversial: the reauthorization process has become entangled in the broader negotiations to end the shutdown.
What's puzzling is that instead of only affecting the programs awaiting renewal, all physician payments have been halted. CMS has not provided an immediate explanation for this blanket pause. This situation raises questions about the potential impact on healthcare providers and patients alike.
Daniel Payne, a seasoned journalist covering the intersection of healthcare and politics, joined STAT in 2025 after his tenure at POLITICO. He can be reached via Signal at danielp.100. Tara Bannow, another key reporter, focuses on hospitals, providers, and insurers, and is available on Signal at tarabannow.70.
The full story is exclusively available to STAT+ subscribers, who can unlock daily biopharma analysis and this article by logging in or subscribing. But the question remains: is this pause a necessary evil or a symptom of a larger issue? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
