For Immediate Release
March 15, 2011

Contact: Cynthia Morton
(703) 549-8500

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The National Association for the Support of Long Term Care (NASL) today hailed the introduction of bipartisan legislation to repeal the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program. The Fairness in Medicare Bidding Act (H.R. 1041) was introduced by Congressmen Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Jason Altmire (D-PA).

 

NASL has criticized defects in the competitive bidding program that could lead to serious problems for Medicare beneficiaries, including disruptions in access to trusted suppliers, limited choices among supplies, geographic hardships and diminished quality. “Flaws in the competitive bidding program have been chronicled by patients, patient advocates, clinicians, suppliers and even academic experts, but our primary concern is that it disrupts the continuum of care by preventing patients from seeing providers of their choice to obtain the appropriate supplies and services they need,” said NASL Executive Vice President Cynthia Morton.

 

Morton commended the two Pennsylvania legislators for their leadership in sponsoring the legislation to repeal the flawed program, which was implemented in nine metropolitan areas January 1, 2011. “The leadership demonstrated by Congressmen Thompson and Altmire in working to restore access, service and fairness to the provision of medical products and supplies will benefit Medicare beneficiaries in maintaining their quality of life. Patients deserve greater protections than what they are currently receiving under the DMEPOS competitive bidding program,” said Morton.

 

Morton noted that Congress tried to correct some of the most glaring problems in the competitive bidding program in 2008, when it delayed the program just two weeks after its implementation. “Unfortunately, the problems in the program went well beyond what could be repaired, and these festering issues are now affecting Medicare beneficiary access to appropriate levels of care,” she said.

 

“The best way to reduce costs in Medicare is through using policies that work, and not by investing in a deeply flawed program that could ultimately hurt the very patients that we are trying to help,” said Morton.

 

 

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