When Congress examines the future of Medicare physician payment, the perspective of independent physicians matters. This spring, U.S. Heart & Vascular Chief Physician Executive Rick Snyder, MD, FACC was invited to testify before the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health, where he advocated for reforms that protect patient access to affordable, community-based cardiovascular care.
As one of only five witnesses selected for the hearing, Dr. Snyder represented independent physicians nationwide, sharing firsthand insight into how Medicare payment policies affect patients, physician practices, and the overall cost of healthcare. His testimony focused on three priorities:
- Preserving independent physician practices so patients continue to have access to local, community-based care.
- Advancing site-neutral payment reform, ensuring Medicare pays the same amount for the same service regardless of where it is delivered.
- Creating predictable, inflation-based physician payment updates so independent practices can continue investing in staff, technology, and patient care.
The hearing demonstrated broad bipartisan recognition that today’s Medicare physician payment system is contributing to physician practice consolidation, increasing healthcare costs, and limiting patient choice. Members of both parties discussed the need for payment reform that keeps pace with inflation while reducing unnecessary administrative burden.
Throughout the hearing, Dr. Snyder emphasized a simple but important principle: patients should not pay more simply because their care is delivered in a hospital-owned setting instead of an independent physician practice.
More from the Hearing
- Read more from U.S. House of Representatives’ Energy & Commerce Committee: Health Hearing: Examining the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, MACRA, and Opportunities for Payment Reforms
- Read more from the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC): PET Lauded as Powerful Diagnostic Tool During Congressional Hearing
Using a real-world example from HeartPlace, Dr. Snyder described what he calls the “magic elevator ride“—where the exact same echocardiogram can cost Medicare and the patient several times more simply by moving one floor from an independent physician office to another floor hospital outpatient department.
Dr. Snyder also highlighted that strengthening independent physician practices benefits patients by:
- Expanding access to timely cardiovascular care
- Supporting physician choice and clinical autonomy
- Reducing unnecessary healthcare spending
- Encouraging care in the most appropriate, cost-effective setting
During questioning from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, he reinforced that independent practices are uniquely positioned to deliver high-quality care while helping control costs for patients and taxpayers.
Continuing the Conversation
Following his testimony, Dr. Snyder expanded on these issues in a nationally published opinion piece for the Washington Examiner, arguing that meaningful Medicare payment reform is essential to preserving independent medicine and lowering healthcare costs.
Read the full op-ed:
“Want lower healthcare costs? Stop squeezing independent doctors.”
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/fairness-justice/3452815/want-lower-healthcare-costs-stop-squeezing-independent-doctors/ (subscription required)
You can also read the companion version published by the American Independent Medical Practice Association (AIMPA):
https://aimpa.us/dr-rick-snyder-want-lower-healthcare-costs-stop-squeezing-independent-doctors/
About Dr. Rick Snyder
Dr. Rick Snyder serves as Chief Physician Executive for U.S. Heart & Vascular and is an interventional cardiologist with HeartPlace in Dallas-Fort Worth. He also serves as Vice President of the American Independent Medical Practice Association (AIMPA), where he advocates nationally for policies that preserve physician independence, improve patient access, and reduce the overall cost of care. To read more about Dr. Rick Snyder and USHV’s leadership team, follow him on LinkedIn and please visit https://usheartandvascular.com/about/team/.