AdvaMed Welcomes Bipartisan, Bicameral Congressional Diabetes Caucus Concerns Over Draft Medicare Competitive Bidding Proposal
WASHINGTON—AdvaMed, the world’s largest trade association representing medtech innovators, today welcomed a letter from U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, and U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette (D-Colo.-01) and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.-12), co-chairs of the U.S. House Diabetes Caucus, to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz urging the agency not to finalize a proposal the lawmakers warned could reduce and complicate patient access to continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and durable insulin pumps.
“AdvaMed is grateful for these legislators’ keen understanding of the critical role of medtech in helping millions of Americans manage their diabetes,” said Scott Whitaker, AdvaMed president and CEO. “Diabetes is an extremely complicated, serious condition. Senator Collins, Senator Shaheen, Representative DeGette and Representative Bilirakis are exactly right. Continuous glucose monitors and durable insulin pumps prevent complications that are not only devastating and sometimes fatal to patients, but also expensive to the health care system with hospitalizations and emergency room visits. Even under current policies, too many patients lack adequate access to the diabetes medtech that could improve their health. Any policies that undermine instead of increase access are the wrong direction.”
In its formal comments on the CMS proposed durable medical equipment competitive bidding rule, AdvaMed urged CMS to fix “serious flaws” in the proposal, citing risks to patient safety, fewer product choices for beneficiaries, and cost increases that would result if the rule stands.
Medtech for managing diabetes has evolved tremendously in recent years, with progress anticipated to proceed at a rapid pace. Medicare beneficiaries should have full access to the array of proven safe, effective products their doctors recommend for diabetes treatment.
AdvaMed will feature the latest diabetes medtech during Diabetes Awareness Month in November on our social media channels, AdvaMed (LinkedIn) and @AdvaMedUpdate (X).
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