Rep. Mark Green, M.D., has reintroduced the Reducing Medically Unnecessary Delays in Care Act of 2025. Collaborating on the bill are Doctor Caucus Co-chair Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC) and Congressional Democratic Doctors Caucus Co-chair Rep. Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA). The legislation aims to address the use of prior authorization requirements in Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Part D prescription drug plans.
Data from the American Medical Association highlights that 23% of doctors have seen prior authorization lead to patient hospitalization, and 18% have observed it result in life-threatening events. Additionally, 94% of doctors believe these requirements adversely affect patient care.
Green emphasized the urgency by sharing his experiences as a cancer survivor: “As a survivor of both colon and thyroid cancer, I know how critical it is to start treatment as soon as possible. Prior authorization can be a roadblock that costs lives. Doctors need to be able to make fast, life-saving decisions without a jungle of red tape to cut through.”
Rep. Murphy supports the bill, emphasizing, “By ensuring that board-certified physicians within the same specialty, not a nurse or other physician that has no expertise, make the decisions on authorizations, we can improve the efficiency and accuracy of the process.”
Rep. Schrier voiced concerns about AI involvement in medical decisions, stating, “No one should lose out on medical care because an AI algorithm is challenging what a doctor has already deemed a necessity.”
The bill has garnered cosponsors, including Reps. John Joyce (R-PA), Rich McCormick (R-GA), Andy Harris (R-MD), Tim Burchett (R-TN), Brian Babin (R-TX), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Mike Kennedy (R-UT). It has also received endorsement from numerous medical organizations, like the American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, and American College of Emergency Physicians.
Background on the bill highlights its requirement that board-certified physicians in the relevant specialty make prior authorization decisions. It also mandates that Medicare-related plans adhere to medical necessity restrictions and maintain transparency.
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