Survey Reveals Voter Support for RESULTS Act to Protect Medicare Diagnostics
A recent survey by Quest Diagnostics reveals that around 75% of American voters demand congressional action to prevent impending Medicare diagnostic test payment cuts.
The survey, reaching 1,024 registered voters across party lines, demonstrated widespread support for legislative intervention against reductions prescribed by the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS) starting January 2027. This dissatisfaction stems from concerns about the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 which, while aimed at aligning payment rates with market data, utilized figures from a small subset of laboratories. According to Quest Diagnostics, this approach caused nearly $4 billion in payment cuts between 2018 and 2020, potentially impacting access to diagnostic services for Medicare recipients.
The RESULTS Act: A Legislative Solution
The RESULTS Act has emerged as a potential remedy for these reductions. The act seeks to recalibrate payment metrics using a broader data set managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, ensuring equitable rates and annual safeguard against steep payment drops. With support from over 130 Congressional sponsors and 70 patient and medical entities, the act embodies a collective push for sustainable healthcare solutions. Mark Gibbons, RetireSafe’s president, stresses the bill’s importance for older adults needing timely diagnostic testing for effective chronic disease management.
Industry Backing and the Role of Diagnostic Testing
The legislation has gained traction within the lab community. Susan Van Meter, head of the American Clinical Laboratory Association, underscores laboratory tests as foundational to patient care. She advocates for speedy Congressional passage of this legislation to preserve patient access to vital diagnostics. According to the Congressional Problem Solvers Caucus, bipartisan backing further leverages the RESULTS Act as crucial to upholding healthcare standards.
- Quest survey: 75% of voters oppose Medicare test payment cuts.
- RESULTS Act proposes equitable payment metrics to CMS.
- The Act boasts support from over 130 Congress members and 70 organizations.
The survey carried out by Regina Corso Consulting from June 11 to 19, 2026, reflects a national mood and has a margin of error of 3.1%. As legislative and industry groups rally together, navigating these policy changes remains pivotal for maintaining accessible and efficient healthcare services for Medicare beneficiaries nationwide.