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Advocacy issues: NIH funding and Medicare competitive bidding

Posted by Gerthro
Friday, March 25, 2011

Comments (2)

Two things you should be aware of that are going on in Washington, DC right now:

NIH funding cut - There is pending legislation that would cut funding to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). That would affect more than 3,000 medical schools, teaching hospitals, university and research facilities. This would end a lot of vital research going on in the U.S. You can sign a petition.

Repeal of Medicare competitive bidding program - There is legislation that has to be repealed that deals with the Medicare "competitive" bidding program for home medical equipment and services (durable medical equipment). This is hurting seniors and people living with disabilities:

The program restricts access to and choice of home medical equipment and services. It triggers a race to the bottom in terms of quality. Less expensive items will be provided to patients. With fewer providers, expedient delivery of items and services will be eliminated and Medicare costs will increase.

You can read more here.

Get all the details on these and other issues facing our communty in our Advocacy Center.

Rob

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Categories: Advocacy

Michael Collins: This is just the most recent and egregious example of the ability of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid services to set aside the needs and welfare of their consumers in the guise of (false/misguided) savings to these important programs. Inadequate, unavailable or improper home medical goods and equipment have the potential to cost our country even more when chronic care in home settings deteriorates to a need for acute care in hospitals and other institutions. The trial program should be stopped immediately, and no planned expansion to other regions should be considered!
Mike Collins
(a Medicare recipient)
PRC_Bernadette: Mike: I couldn't agree with you more. People also need to understand that these guidelines impact individuals with private insurance plans as well. Most private insurers follow the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid guidelines (CMM). Right now I am in the midst of the DMR approval hell. The guidelines are ofter counter intuitive and result in additional injury and bad health.
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