LaHood unveils bipartisan, bicameral bill for Medicare coverage of hemophilia treatments

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) on Feb. 25 proposed bipartisan, bicameral legislation to improve access to critical health care services provided through the nation’s roughly 15,500 skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) for hemophilia patients.

Rep. LaHood sponsored the Hemophilia Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) Access Act, H.R. 5952, with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), while the same-named S. 3233 was unveiled by U.S. Sens. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Mike Enzi (R-WY) in the U.S. Senate.

“I am proud to join this bicameral, bipartisan group to introduce legislation to expand access to care for Illinoisans suffering from hemophilia and related bleeding disorders,” Rep. LaHood said. “I look forward to working with this group to get our Hemophilia SNF Access Act signed into law and improve access to quality health care in central Illinois.”

Currently, Medicare patients with bleeding disorders are frequently denied access to clotting factor therapies due to their exorbitant per-diem reimbursement rates. The proposed legislation would add treatments for hemophilia to the list of services paid for by Medicare.

“Our bill will help those who suffer from bleeding disorders and face access challenges to skilled nursing care by strengthening Medicare coverage so SNFs have the necessary resources to address the unique health needs of their patients,” said Rep. LaHood.

The measure is already endorsed by the Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Institute in Illinois, the National Hemophilia Foundation, the Coalition for Hemophilia, the Hemophilia Alliance, and the Hemophilia Federation of America.

“Every person who suffers from a bleeding disorder must have access to care in a setting that is medically appropriate,” said Rep. Dingell. “By strengthening Medicare coverage to address this need, we can help thousands who suffer from bleeding disorders and ensure they have access to facilities to properly provide the care they need when they need it.”