Courtney Continues Pressing HHS To Lower Medicare Part B Costs For Seniors, Update Expected Soon

Statement

In case you missed it, Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) has helped lead the effort in Congress to urge the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reassess recently increased Medicare Part B premium payments for 2022. In January, Medicare Part B beneficiaries saw their monthly premiums rise by 14%--the largest increase in the history of the program. Medicare actuaries attributed the historic price increase in large-part to the high cost of a new Alzheimer's drug called Aduhelm. Since the premium hike was announced, however, the cost of Aduhelm has been cut in half by its manufacturer from $56,000 to $28,200 annually. Rep. Courtney has argued that the drastic price reduction of Aduhlem warrants a complete review of data to determine whether the Medicare Part B premium hike can be reduced immediately.

In January, Courtney led a letter signed by over 30 Representatives to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra urging his department to re-evaluate the price hike. In February, Courtney penned an op-ed for The Hill newspaper, titled The driving force behind Medicare Part B's price increase was blunted--the price hike should be, too. In March, Rep. Courtney provided an update: HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is actively reassessing Medicare Part B premiums for 2022, and that a decision on reducing costs could come as soon as April.

Last week, in a hearing of the full House Education and Labor Committee, Courtney continued pressing HHS Secretary Bacerra for an update--one that will reduce costs for seniors now that the driving force behind the price increase has been blunted. Watch the exchange below.

Compiled remarks:

Rep. Courtney: "We're in April right now--can you give us an update in terms of whether or not there is going to be, hopefully, some commonsense adjustment [in Medicare Part B premiums] based on the price change [of Aduhelm]?"

Sec. Becerra: "Congressman, first, good to see you, and secondly, thank you for the work you've done to try and protect seniors under Medicare.

"Aduhelm is probably something we're going to start seeing more and more often because of technology and the science driving medicines sometimes to our table faster than before. This is the first time we've actually seen a drug come forward that FDA has approved, at least conditionally, for Alzheimer's, and so you know there's a hunger out there in America for this drug, for the thousands of people who are caring for their loved ones.

FDA makes the decision about whether it is effective and safe to put this drug out on the market. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has to make a determination whether or not something like that drug will get covered under Medicare. Two different agencies have two different platforms to work under. We are going through the process, we hope that very, very soon we will get CMS's word on what will happen in terms of coverage determination. We are also going to hear very soon about the request I made to have a reevaluation of the cost. Once we get that we will report to you as quickly as possible, I think that will come very soon. I can't give you the precise date because I don't drive that, the science drives that, but I'll do it soon."

Rep. Courtney: "Thank you. I actually think that this is an unprecedented effort, and given the price pressure that seniors are facing right now, I think that any relief would be very welcome. I've certainly heard that from my constituents."

Source