U.S. Reps. Charles Boustany (R-LA), Tom Price (R-GA) and John Shimkus (R-IL) raised new concerns on Friday about the impact of proposed changes to the Medicare Part B payment model.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a report in March detailing plans to modify reimbursement models for drugs under Medicare Part B.
Boustany, Price and Shimkus led a letter in May signed by 242 members of Congress to acting CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt that called for withdrawal of the proposal in light of concerns that it would create disincentives for treating Medicare beneficiaries.
The lawmakers raised new concerns after receiving letters from Slavitt informing them that the public comment period for the proposed rule had closed and that their comments had been included as part of the public record.
“As a doctor, I am dismayed by the arbitrary decision by CMS to slash reimbursement for in-office treatments like chemotherapy,” Boustany said. “This decision was made behind closed doors without the input of Congress, patients, or providers and demonstrates a dangerous lack of regard for access to critical drugs for seniors. CMS’s response to concerns raised by 242 Members of Congress was dismissive and disrespectful to the American people. We must continue the fight against these harmful healthcare policies and bring this ill-advised experiment to a halt.”
Price questioned if the administration and CMS understand that millions of patients could be adversely impacted by the proposed payment changes.
“A total of 242 members of the House of Representatives, who represent millions of Americans, sent a letter to CMS voicing deep concerns about the real-life implications of the proposed Medicare Part B Drug Payment Model,” Price said. “Yet, upon receiving the letter, CMS responded simply by saying little more than, ‘thank you for sharing your thoughts…and we appreciate your interest.’ CMS’s brief and uninformative response is dismissive of the risks posed to our nation’s sickest patients, including those with cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, rare diseases and neurological disorders who could be adversely impacted by the proposal.”
Price said that Congress must advance H.R. 5122, a bill that would stop the proposed Medicare Part B payment changes for drugs from taking effect.
“The lack of a substantive response from CMS to the detailed concerns raised by a bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives is not just disappointing, it’s disrespectful to the millions of individual patients and families we collectively represent,” Shimkus said. “What CMS is proposing under the guise of an ‘experiment’ is, in fact, a major policy change that threatens access to care for some of the most seriously ill Americans. Before this new payment model moves forward, the vulnerable seniors and elderly cancer patients whose health care options will be impacted by this change deserve a thoughtful response from CMS.”
Additionally, U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) called on CMS to permanently withdraw its proposed changes to drug payment models.
“Adopting a policy shift such as this robs seniors of an individualized approach to treatment for cancer, dialysis and other medications delivered intravenously,” Zeldin said. “Even worse, this change substitutes the patient and physician relationship in favor of treatment options determined by faceless Washington bureaucrats. In the 21st century, our seniors deserve more access to critical life-saving treatments, not reduced options that diminish the quality of life for affected individuals.”