Patients For Medicare Access Applauds CMS Decision To Withdraw Mediacare Part B Demo, Remains Vigilant

USA - English

• USA - English

Washington, DC (PRWEB) December 14, 2016 -- Millions of patients across the nation who depend on Medicare Part B coverage avoided potentially harmful changes to their upcoming formulary coverage following the decision from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to not publish the Part B demo, according to Patients for Medicare Access.

Patients for Medicare Access, a campaign initiative of U.S. Pain Foundation, had noted that the Medicare Part B proposed rule change, if implemented, would have put thousands of patients at risk, recommended a “one-size-fits-all” approach to providing critical drugs and treatment programs.

“The proposed Part B pricing demo would have severely undermined the quality and availability of care for patients suffering from serious diseases and chronic conditions,” said Paul Gileno, founder and president of U.S. Pain Foundation. “It was an unacceptable proposal for patients and providers and today, we breathe a sigh of relief that the threat has largely withered.”

While Patients for Medicare Access notes it may have achieved victory on the Part B issue, Medicare champions still face the lame duck session of Congress and the potential of last minute pushes from policy makers. Such last-minute maneuvers from lawmakers, according to Gileno, would send a damaging message.

“Any action taken on the Part B demo at this point would display to patients that lawmakers would rather come between patients and their providers instead of protecting the integrity and effectiveness of the provider-patient relationship,” Gileno noted. “We look forward to working with the new Administration and its appointees for Secretary of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator to ensure access to Medicare is a permanent fixture for years to come. This will remain our mission, and we will continue to mobilize and advocate for policies that not only enhance coverage and efficacy, but also sustain access to critical therapies and services for every beneficiary.”

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Patients for Medicare Access is a campaign led by U.S. Pain Foundation, made possible through funding by UCB, Inc., a leader in the biopharma industry. Along with patients, caregivers and providers nationwide, Patients for Medicare Access is committed to educating policymakers and legislators to protect patient access to life-saving drugs covered under Medicare.

U.S. Pain Foundation is a 50-1 (c) (3) nonprofit organization created by people with pain for people with pain. The mission of the organization is to educate, connect, inform and empower those living with pain while also advocating on behalf of the entire pain community.

Mike Esser, SevenTwenty Strategies, +1 (202) 281-5302, [email protected]