Jim Ramstad: “The reference to my home State of Minnesota, the gentleman who made that statement should know that, in fact, there are…”

I am pleased that HCFA is attempting to address the problems associated with its process for making national coverage decisions for new technologies.

I urge my colleagues to consider this bill carefully and join me in seeking to extend these cost-savings and health care-enhancing CNO demonstrations for another three years.

By demonstrating what a primary care oriented nursing practice can accomplish with enrollees who are elderly or disabled, CNOs are helping show us how to increase benefits, save scarce dollars and improve the quality of life for patients.

It is important to recognize that the extension of this demonstration will not increase Medicare expenditures for care.