Brooks, Reed introduce bill to ensure Medicare beneficiaries have access to diabetes supplies

U.S. Reps. Susan Brooks (R-IN) and Tom Reed (R-NY) teamed up on Tuesday to introduce legislation to ensure Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes have access to blood glucose test systems of their choice through the National Mail Order Competitive Bidding Program (CBP).

The Protecting Access to Diabetes Supplies Act, H.R. 3271, would strengthen a CBP requirement that participating companies include no less than 50 percent of the types of test systems on the market before the CBP was implemented to ensure seniors have continued access to them.

“This important bipartisan bill will give thousands of Hoosiers who face the daily challenges of living with diabetes the freedom to choose which blood glucose test works best for them,” Brooks said.

The bipartisan bill was introduced along with U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO). DeGette and Reed serve as co-chairs of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, while Brooks is vice-chair.

“We must make sure that diabetic seniors have access to quality health care supplies,” Reed said.

Almost 26 percent of the Medicare population is age 65 and older and has diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Working across the aisle to deliver access to those who rely on test strips is a top priority for me,” Reed said. “The protections will ensure Medicare patients have a choice when it comes to finding supplies that best fit the needs of their individual medical conditions.”

H.R. 3271 would also strengthen consumer protection provisions of CBP that prohibit suppliers from encouraging consumers from switching from one blood glucose testing system to another.