Barrasso, Burgess Bill Protects Medicare Part B Patients

U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced a bill aimed at protecting access to care for vulnerable Medicare patients being treated with Part B covered drugs, including treatments for cancer and other serious diseases. Democrats, in their tax spending bill,  included a price-fixing scheme for certain Medicare Part B physician-administered drugs that would cut reimbursements for health care providers issuing life-saving medication, which may lead to patients struggling to find the care they need in their local communities.

Senator Barrasso’s bill would lower reimbursements for providers and require drug manufacturers to send rebates directly to the government for the difference in costs. It will save medical practices instead of putting providers in the middle at no extra cost to the government. Congressman Michael Burgess (R-Texas) is introducing companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.  The bill has received support from the Infusion Providers Alliance, the Digestive Health Physicians Association, and the Large Urology Group Practice Association. Full text of the bill is available here.