CHICAGO — In testimony before the Senate Finance Committee today, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) acting Administrator Andrew Slavitt said the agency was considering several steps to address concerns about physicians' readiness for implementation of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA).

The following is a statement from the American Medical Association (AMA) President Andrew W. Gurman, M.D.:

"We are pleased that acting Administrator Slavitt, Secretary Burwell and their colleagues in the Obama Administration are working to give physicians a fair shot at success under MACRA. We are in complete agreement that CMS's regulatory framework must focus on patients, increase flexibility, reduce administrative burdens, and concentrate on aspects of health information technology that are critical for delivery system reform and improving patient outcomes.

"Administrator Slavitt also noted the importance of being attentive to the unique concerns of small independent practices, as well as practices in rural and underserved areas.

"We were also heartened by Administrator Slavitt's consideration of options that include an alternative start date, shorter reporting periods and finding other ways for physicians to get experience with the program in the early stages of implementation. Successful implementation will require flexibility, and indications are that CMS intends to work toward the goal of giving physicians a fair shot in adjusting to this new policy framework."

Many of the potential steps outlined by Administrator Slavitt today echo suggestions made by the AMA in its comprehensive comments letter on MACRA that was submitted to CMS in June.