Eastern NC Physicians Rally Behind Murphy’s Medicare Payment Reform Efforts in Congress

Dr. Joe Healy and Dr. Kenneth Wilkins, Jr. at Coastal Carolina Health Care in New Bern have issued a public message supporting Medicare physician payment reform and the efforts of Congressman Greg Murphy MD to advance legislation targeting that critical issue. Their op-ed was published in the August 23, 2025 edition of the Sun Journal which has a circulation covering eastern North Carolina.

Dr. Healy’s and Dr. Wilkins’ message echoes that of the North Carolina Medical Society and our partner stakeholders, emphasizing the non-sustainability of the Medicare payment cuts that physicians have absorbed for many years.  Those cuts have impacted  accessibility of care for our state’s Medicare population and is an ever-increasing threat to the viability of medical practices across North Carolina.

Since 2001, Medicare physician payment has declined by 33% when adjusted for inflation in practice cost.  Unlike other Medicare providers, physicians’ annual payment updates are not tied to the Medical Economic Index (MEI), which reflects practice cost inflation.

Some good news, but only temporary relief

The recently enacted budget reconciliation bill, H.R. 1 / One Big Beautiful Bill, provided a modest payment update for 2026.  Next year, physician payment will see a one-year positive adjustment of 2.5%. This payment relief is welcome, but more is needed to offset two and a half decades of payment reductions.

Congress’ inaction will continue to impact independent and rural practices the most resulting in further access to care problems for North Carolina’s elderly and low-income citizens.  This makes your relations with members of Congress like Dr. Murphy all the more important.

Urgency

North Carolina presently has over 2.2 million Medicare enrollees and the 65+ population in the state is expected to approach 3 million by 2040.  Declining Medicare payment for physicians is exacerbating the access to care challenge this patient population is facing, which has intensified the need for collective advocacy on this issue.

Add your voice

Physicians across the state are encouraged to follow Dr. Healy’s and Dr. Wilkins’ lead in making your voice heard.  If you need assistance in connecting with your member of Congress, we’ll be glad to help ([email protected]).

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