Brady Statement on the Administrations Departure From Medicare Experiment

Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) issued the following statement regarding the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovations (CMMI) decision to abandon its Medicare Part B Drug Payment Model:

For months members of Congress on both sides of the aisle voiced strong opposition to this misguided Medicare experiment because it would arbitrarily limit seniors access to critical care. Im glad Administration officials finally came to their senses and made the decision not to move forward. And Im grateful to all of the Members particularly Dr. Price Dr. Boustany and Reps. Paulsen and Dold who worked so hard to protect seniors access to health care. Americans deserve stability and peace of mind about their healthcare and thats exactly what Ways and Means will continue to deliver. I look forward to working with the President-elect Trump and his team on commonsense solutions to strengthen Medicare and preserve this important program for this vulnerable population as well as future generations.

Background: On March 8 2016 CMS released a proposed rule modifying its reimbursement rate for Medicare Part B drugs. The new model was a mandatory demonstration project developed by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) that would have been conducted across nearly all Primary Care Service Areas in the United States. CMSs proposed Medicare Part B Drug Payment Model would have created disincentives for treating patients who depend on Medicare including those with cancer rheumatoid arthritis rare diseases and neurological disorders. In addition it would have taken clinical decision-making out of the hands of physicians and patients.