House committee passes Reed, Brooks bill to enhance protections for diabetic Medicare beneficiaries

U.S. Reps. Tom Reed (R-NY) and Susan Brooks (R-IN) took the lead on securing House committee approval for a bipartisan measure that would strengthen protections for Medicare beneficiaries purchasing blood glucose test strips through the National Mail Order Competitive Bidding Program (CBP).

The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted to advance the Protecting Access to Diabetes Supplies Act of 2017, H.R. 3271, after the committee’s markup and passage on Wednesday of several bills that would improve Medicare. Reed and Brooks introduced the bill with bipartisan support from U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO).

Current law requires CBP suppliers to offer at least 50 percent of the diabetic testing supplies that they had on the market prior to CBP implementation. H.R. 3217 would enhance oversight and enforcement of that 50 percent rule, which ensures that millions of Medicare beneficiaries have access to the diabetic testing supplies that they need.

“We must ensure that seniors who are on Medicare have access to the proper health supplies in order to manage their diabetes,” Reed said. “We are committed to passing this bipartisan legislation so that patients have a choice when it comes to treating their diabetes.”

Reed, Brooks and DeGette introduced H.R. 3217 in light of evidence that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) had not fully enforced the 50 percent rule. In addition to codifying the rule, the bill would take steps to ensure proper oversight and enforcement.

Reed and DeGette serve as co-chairs of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, while Brooks serves as vice-chair.

“(Wednesday’s) vote to send the Protecting Access to Diabetes Supplies Act to the House Floor ensures that we are one step closer to ensuring Medicare beneficiaries across the country who live with the daily challenges associated with diabetes have access to test strips that work best with their bodies to monitor their glucose levels,” Brooks said.

Lawmakers said diabetic patients on Medicare can’t receive proper treatment if blood glucose meters cannot translate glucose levels reported on the test strips into a diagnosis.

“Testing with mismatched or incorrect supplies can have deadly consequences, and this bill will bolster consumer protections that prohibit suppliers from encouraging beneficiaries to switch from one testing system to another, and make sure that seniors are fully aware of their rights to receive test strips that meet their needs,” Brooks said.