Bucshon, Dold Introduce Legislation to Stop CMS Medicare Experiment
Washington, DC,
May 4, 2016
Tags:
Healthcare
Reprentatives Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-8) and Robert Dold (IL-10) introduced legislation to block a controversial new Medicare Part B Payment Model released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). On March 8, 2016 CMS proposed a rule that would implement a new Medicare Part B Payment Model experiment. The new model was developed by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) with little transparency and absent specific input from stakeholders. This mandatory demonstration project would be conducted across the country and includes significant cuts to Part B drug reimbursement. “When the federal government created the Medicare program half a century ago, Congress made a commitment to America's seniors, and it's a commitment that must be upheld,” Reps. Bucshon and Dold said. “We cannot allow unelected DC bureaucrats to run an experiment with Medicare beneficiaries that could disrupt care for the people who need medications most, including those with cancer, arthritis, and other diseases. Their unilateral decision to cut Medicare benefits will compromise the health of our nation’s most vulnerable. That’s why we introduced this legislation to protect access to critical care that millions of Medicare beneficiaries rely on.” Representatives Tom Price, M.D. (GA-6), John Shimkus (IL-15), Charles Boustany Jr, M.D. (LA-3) also led a bipartisan letter with 242 members to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Acting Director Andy Slavitt demanding the experiment be withdrawn. The members wrote: “CMS’ proposed Medicare drug experiment would unnecessarily disrupt care for the sickest seniors who depend on Medicare, including those with cancer, macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis, neurological disorders, and primary immunodeficiency diseases. Given these concerns outlined here, we ask that CMS withdraw this proposed rule that could endanger access to care for America’s most vulnerable seniors.” Over 300 patient and physician groups expressed serious concerns regarding the adverse impact this new model would have on patient care, as well as the major concern that there was little to no transparency and specific stakeholder input was absent in the rulemaking process. In a letter to House leadership, the groups wrote: “These [Medicare] patients need immediate access to the right medication, which is already complicated by the fact that treatment decisions may change on a frequent basis. These vulnerable Medicare patients and the providers who care for them already face significant complexities in their care and treatment options, and they should not face mandatory participation in an initiative that may force them to switch from their most appropriate treatment.” ### |