Bipartisan MIPS Reform Legislation Introduced in the House of Representatives

On April 30^th, Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD (R-IA) and Herb Conaway, MD (D-NJ) introduced the “Medicare Physician Data-driven Performance Payment System Act of 2026.” This bipartisan bill that makes key, targeted reforms to the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) represents another cog in the AMA’s overarching, multi-pronged effort to improve the Medicare physician payment system.

Key provisions in the “Medicare Physician Data-drive Performance Payment System Act of 2026” include:

• Freezing the current MIPS performance threshold at 75 for three years to promote stability in MIPS, as well as mandating GAO to conduct a study, in consultation with national medical specialty societies, to make recommendations to Congress and HHS about an alternative threshold methodology.
• Eliminating the MIPS win-lose “tournament style” payment adjustments (i.e., the +/- 9%) to ensure physicians are no longer subjected to steep penalties. 
• In lieu of penalties, the legislation links physicians’ MIPS performance to a portion of their annual payment update (e.g., either the existing 0.25% under MACRA or the percentage increase in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI)).
• Mandating CMS to provide at least three quarters worth of MIPS feedback reports and Medicare claims data to physicians during a given performance year.
• Failure to provide these quarterly reports leads to physicians earning higher payments.

Of note, every policy provision included in the “Medicare Physician Data Driven Performance Payment System Act of 2026” reflects many hours of thoughtful discussion and input gathered from many organizations in the House of Medicine.  Introduction of this legislation marks the culmination of consensus building within organized medicine.

Click here to view a final copy of the legislation, as introduced.