On the recordNovember 30, 2015
Medical technology makes a huge difference for millions of Americans by giving them access to life-improving and lifesaving technologies, devices, and treatments. With new developments, we should be encouraging the use of these innovations to achieve better outcomes and lower long-term health costs. However, the agency that oversees Medicare has continuously made decisions that threaten the use of this technology. As Yogi Berra once said, ``It's deja vu all over again.'' First, the agency proposed rules that would limit access to critical speech-generating devices. Then, it was patients that use lower limb prosthetics that could see reduced access. Recently, we have seen proposed rules now that would limit access to pneumatic compression pumps for those managing a condition called lymphedema and those using individually configured Complex Rehab. Mr. Speaker, Congress has been forced to take action in some of these instances, like when we passed the Steve Gleason Act earlier this year. But the series of proposed rules are now alarming, in that they will raise long-term health costs and result in worse outcomes. We need to look at a new path forward when it comes to embracing and protecting access to medical technology. ____________________
