Political Quotes

“I rise today to address a health care concern that impacts all of us--access to health care. When you or your loved one is sick--the most important thing on earth is to fight for the very best medical care possible. And when the diagnosis is cancer--a disease far too many of our friends and family have faced--it becomes all the more important and all the more time sensitive. Unfortunately, in some cases, access to care--as well as the life- saving drugs needed to treat a variety of forms of this disease--are being negatively impacted by the current reimbursement structure for Medicare Part B drugs and biologicals. In layman's terms, it's one more hurdle that doctors have to fight for their patients. That is why I am introducing today legislation that would end the hurdle. My bill would exclude customary prompt pay discounts from the manufacturer's average sales price for purposes of Medicare Part B drugs and biologicals. In Hillsboro, Kansas we have already seen cancer clinics begin to close as a direct result of the current reimbursement structure which limits patient access to care that they desperately need. Currently the prompt pay discounts artificially reduce Medicare Part B drug reimbursement rates for community oncology clinics, jeopardizing the viability of these providers. The closing of the clinic in Hillsboro can be directly attributed to this reimbursement structure.…”