WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- Following a bipartisan vote in the House Ways and
Means Committee that moved H.R. 284, the Medicare DMEPOS
Competitive Bidding Improvement Act of 2015 forward, the American
Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) released a statement praising
the Committee's work and pushing for quick action to pass the
legislation.
"Today's mark-up of the Competitive Bidding Improvement Act in
the House Ways and Means Committee is a critical step forward for
this bipartisan, budget neutral legislation that will bring common
sense to the Medicare bidding process. It has been a year in the
making and reflects the tireless work of homecare advocates,
AAHomecare members and Medicare beneficiaries. The bill Ways and
Means considered today will restore accountability, alleviate
artificially low prices and deter unlicensed providers. We
understand the Chairman's mark is slightly amended to reflect that
binding bids would not be required for the current Round 2
Recompete. The bill gives Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS) the authority to do binding bids in the next round, but
requires it by 2019. This is a strong sign that Congress recognizes
one of the most serious flaws in the competitive bidding program
and will take substantive action to eliminate it. The Association
is dedicated to building upon this effort and making sure this new
requirement is effective for the next round of bidding and
addressing the drastic cuts in non-competitive bidding areas that
are due to take effect on January 1,
2016. AAHomecare maintains its commitment to protecting
patient access to quality home medical equipment and services and
we look forward to working with Congress and CMS to see this
implemented as soon as possible."
The American Association for Homecare represents providers of
home medical or durable medical equipment and services who serve
the needs of millions of Americans who require prescribed oxygen
therapy, wheelchairs, enteral feeding, and other medical equipment,
services, and supplies at home. Visit
www.aahomecare.org.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bidding-fix-takes-major-step-forward-after-bipartisan-vote-of-house-ways-and-means-committee-300042843.html
SOURCE American Association for Homecare