Flaws Identified in CMS Competitive Bidding Program

Floor Speech

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, at a time when bipartisanship is rare in Washington, this past week a bipartisan majority of Members of the United States House of Representatives together called upon the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to delay further implementation of the competitive bidding program for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies.

A growing number of flaws have been identified in the bidding program, which is being used to procure these goods and services for those facing life-changing disease and disability. We do not oppose competitive bidding. In fact, we want to ensure that true competition takes place and Medicare plays by the rules they set for the program.

Today, I stand beside 226 of my colleagues here in the people's House and urge the administrator of CMS to do the right thing and use her authority under current law to delay implementation in order to fix these abuses before moving forward in 100 areas nationwide on July 1.

Mr. Speaker, Administrator Tavenner has to know the clock is ticking, and if unchecked, the failure of this program will be on her watch.

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