House Approves Price Bill to Protect Access to Critical Health Care Services

Press Release

Today, the House of Representatives approved bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressman Tom Price, M.D. (GA-06) to delay the implementation of cuts in rural areas to durable medical equipment (DME) reimbursement rates under Medicare's competitive bidding program. Preventing these cuts will help protect patient access to important health care products and services -- including blood sugar monitors, canes, crutches, hospital beds, power wheel chairs, and oxygen tanks. The legislation passed by the House is based on Price's bill H.R. 5210, the Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment (PADME) Act, which was introduced in May and has 120 cosponsors.

"This legislation represents an ongoing, bipartisan commitment to ensuring Medicare beneficiaries continue receiving critical care provided with durable medical equipment -- particularly those Americans living in rural areas who would be disproportionately harmed by cuts in reimbursements," Congressman Price said. "This delay should give policymakers additional time to come to a consensus on a more long-term solution. Every effort must be made to protect access to quality health care for seniors."

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