Editor’s Note: A guest post by former Baton Rouge Metro Councilman Darrell W. Glasper.

When it comes to healthcare, rural Louisiana shouldn’t be left holding the short end of the stick. This is especially true for our seniors, who’ve spent their lives building and supporting our communities. They deserve better than a broken Medicare system that puts their access to care at risk. Right now, Medicare’s outdated payment model could leave our seniors scrambling to find a doctor when they need one most.

Here’s what is happening: Washington bureaucrats are proposing a 2.8% cut in Medicare payments for next year. This might not sound like a big deal, but for rural communities, it’s as serious as a snakebite. Doctors in small towns are already stretched thin and might stop accepting Medicare patients because these payments won’t cover their costs. Unlike hospitals, Medicare doesn’t give doctors an automatic yearly raise to keep up with inflation. This makes these proposed cuts even worse in places like ours, where healthcare options are already few and far between.

Since 2001, the cost of running a doctor’s office has jumped more than 50%, but Medicare payments to doctors have actually gone down by 29% when adjusted for inflation. This makes it difficult for local doctors to keep their doors open and serve our seniors. If these cuts take place, Louisiana seniors could face longer waits, longer drives, or even no care at all. This isn’t just a budget problem; it’s an issue that affects the health of our neighbors, parents, and grandparents. Losing doctors would hit our small towns hardest because there are already fewer healthcare options here.

Many rural doctors are dealing with stress and burnout. They work long hours to serve their patients but struggle to cover their costs. Studies show that about one in five doctors is considering leaving their practice within the next two years. If this happens, seniors in our rural areas could be left high and dry with very few options for medical care. Like it or not, we’re all in the same boat, and we need to start rowing in the same direction.

Fortunately, one of our representatives in Congress is Speaker Mike Johnson, who has been a strong defender of our seniors and our communities. He is perfectly positioned to help us right now. By bringing H.R. 10073 – the “Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act” to the House floor before the end of the year, he can stop the planned 2.8% cut and, at the same time, give doctors a 1.8% payment increase in 2025. This would help Louisiana doctors keep their practices open and continue seeing Medicare patients.

Medicare was created to ensure seniors can get the care they need, no matter where they live. But stopping the cuts next year isn’t enough. If we don’t fix the payment system, this promise won’t hold up in rural areas. Our seniors shouldn’t have to drive for hours or wait weeks to see a doctor. They deserve the care they need, right in their own communities.

Speaker Johnson knows how important it is to stand up for rural Louisiana. By pushing for H.R. 10073 and working toward long-term changes, he can help make sure our seniors continue to get the care they need. It’s time for Congress to step up and protect our local doctors and seniors before it’s too late.