http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/1011-139.html
U.S. Newswire
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 /U.S. Newswire/
-- Patient and health care provider groups from across America are raising
opposition to Medicare's move to finalize a rule that could make deep outpatient
payment cuts for new medical technologies, according to an analysis by
AdvaMed, the Advanced Medical Technology Association.
Over 50 organizations such as patient,
physician and hospital groups, as well as individual hospitals from across
the country, have written letters to Congress and the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services raising concern with the cuts. Many of them are warning
that if Medicare goes forward with its plan, it would seriously disrupt
patient access to advanced technologies and the practice of medicine.
The critical importance of these
technologies was highlighted by a study in the most recent issue of the
leading journal Health Affairs. In the study, physicians ranked technologies
used in the outpatient setting like angioplasty catheters and minimally
invasive surgery instruments among the most important to patients.
With Congress focused on domestic
security and the war on terrorism, these cuts could slip through in the
coming weeks despite the broad opposition from the patient and provider
communities. Here's what just a few patient and provider groups are saying:
"The ACC is concerned by CMS's proposal
to reduce pass-through payments," which "could reduce patient access to
important new technologies." -- American College of Cardiology
"If significant (outpatient) payment
reductions for breakthrough products are implemented...access to quality
cancer care in the outpatient setting may be at risk." -- Cancer Leadership
Council
Pass-through payment reductions "put
at risk access to quality cancer care in the outpatient setting." -- National
Kidney Cancer Association
"We cannot afford such losses and
would have to modify our service offerings...possibly jeopardizing patient
access to these therapies in the outpatient setting." -- Brigham and Women's
Hospital
"We are very concerned about CMS
plans to reduce (pass through payments). Inadequate Medicare reimbursement
can create a real barrier to health care access for patients." -- National
Multiple Sclerosis Society
"We are concerned that reductions
in the pass-through payment program system will seriously jeopardize the
treatment of millions of American women who depend on cutting-edge outpatient
therapies." -- Society for Women's Health Research
To receive a full list of patient
and provider organizations, contact information for them and letters they
have written on the issue, contact Jeff Ezell at 202-434-7243.
AdvaMed, the Advanced Medical Technology
Association, represents more than 1,100 innovators and manufacturers of
medical devices, diagnostic products and medical information systems. Our
members produce nearly 90 percent of the $71 billion health care technology
products consumed annually in the United States, and nearly 50 percent
of $169 billion purchased around the world annually.
Copyright 2001, U.S. Newswire
11 Oct 17:18
Contact: Jeff Ezell, 202-434-7243
Mary Plock, 202-434-7240
both of the Advanced Medical Technology
Association