Sens. Shaheen, Collins introduce Medicare Sequester Relief Act

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, yesterday introduced the Medicare Sequester Relief Act, bipartisan legislation that would prevent cuts to Medicare payments to health care providers from taking effect during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The bill would extend the moratorium on the 2% Medicare sequester cuts through the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Congress temporarily suspended sequestration in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, but the cuts are scheduled to resume on April 1 without additional congressional action. To pay for the change, the bill would extend sequestration, which is scheduled to expire at the end of fiscal year 2030, through FY 2031.