WASHINGTON – The American Medical Association (AMA) presented U.S. Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D., of Indiana with the AMA Award for Outstanding Government Service for years of work on issues critical to patients and physicians. This award recognizes Dr. Bucshon’s relentless efforts to prevent devastating Medicare physician payment cuts and his leading advocacy for tying the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule to the Medicare Economic Index.

Dr. Bucshon has also been one of the strongest voices in Congress for legislation to protect patients from unfair and expensive surprise medical bills. He cosponsored bipartisan legislation that included an independent dispute resolution process (IDR)–a key element of the No Surprises Act–which is vital to settle payment disputes between providers and insurers, while keeping patients out of the middle.

Additionally, as a physician, Dr. Bucshon recognizes the time-consuming, onerous burdens of prior authorizations, which too often get in the way of patient care. Accordingly, he has championed legislation, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, which would make it easier for seniors to get the care they need and improve health outcomes by modernizing the antiquated prior authorization process in Medicare Advantage.

“Throughout his time in Congress, Dr. Bucshon has fought for legislation that improves health care for patients and removes burdens on physicians,” said AMA Board Chair Willie Underwood III, M.D., MSc, MPH. “A physician first, he has drilled down on key problems in our health system and sought bipartisan solutions that can benefit us all. When he leaves Congress after this term, he will take incredible, irreplaceable knowledge–institutional and health care–with him. It is an honor to present Dr. Larry Bucshon with the AMA Award for Outstanding Government Service.”

Dr. Bucshon received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Following medical school, he completed a residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin, serving as chief resident in surgery, and remained there to complete a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery. During this time, Dr. Bucshon enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve and served for almost a decade before being honorably discharged.

Before coming to Congress, Dr. Bucshon was a practicing physician and surgeon specializing in cardiothoracic surgery. During his time in private practice, he performed hundreds of heart surgeries and served as president of Ohio Valley HeartCare. Dr. Bucshon also served as chief of cardiothoracic surgery and medical director of the open-heart recovery intensive care unit at St. Mary’s Hospital. He is board certified in cardiothoracic surgery by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.