On the recordSeptember 9, 2015
Every day, cutting-edge medical innovation is making it possible for patients to live healthy, active lives. One of the best examples of this is lower limb prosthetics. Losing a limb is a traumatic and life-altering experience, but the continued advancement and development of prosthetics has made it possible for many of these patients to continue to have significant amounts of functionality, along with ensuring they won't be confined to wheelchairs. However, proposed changes to Medicare rules threaten access to important medical innovation and medical technology. Recently, a number of patients and advocacy groups came to Washington to share what the proposed rule changes would mean to them. One patient from Minnesota noted that the proposed rule would turn back the clock and force her to use a prosthetic that she claimed would be the car equivalent of a 1970s Vega. Mr. Speaker, I share the apprehension that these patients have, and I encourage CMS, the agency in charge of administering Medicare, to chart a different course when it comes to administering lower limb prosthetics. ____________________
