H.R. 6331 Passes House; Industry Is Halfway to a Delay of NCB

WASHINGTON–Shortly after 12:30 EDT today, H.R. 6331, the “Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008,” passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 355 to 59.

Sponsored by Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, the bill contains language that would delay national competitive bidding for about 24 months through a 9.5 percent reimbursement cut to Medicare DMEPOS products included in the program.

The bill does not include additional cuts to oxygen or power wheelchairs.

This legislation has been strongly supported by the American Association for Homecare and numerous other industry organizations that have worked for years to gain congressional approval for a delay of the bidding program.

According to industry stakeholders, however, the work is only half done. The Senate Finance Committee is close to finalizing its version of the legislation, which could be voted on as early as tomorrow. 

While the Senate bill also includes language to delay competitive bidding, Washington insiders said there is the potential that it could contain additional cuts to oxygen and power mobility devices.

For background on the legislation and commentary on the delay, see HomeCare Monday, June 16. 

“Getting this bill passed was a critical step toward reform of the bidding program, although we still have more heavy lifting to do on the Senate side where oxygen and wheelchairs still face threats,” said AAHomecare President Tyler J. Wilson. “Passage of H.R. 6331 with the bidding delay provisions is a testament to the heroic grassroots efforts of home care providers who have been calling and emailing their senators and representatives in Washington.

“But until we see a bill signed into law, we have to keep working on this,” Wilson urged.

AAHomecare, VGM, state associations and other HME advocates are asking providers to call their state’s senators now to push for support of the competitive bidding delay and to oppose any additional cuts to oxygen or PMDs. 

To contact senators, call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202/224-3121.

To read the full text of H.R. 6331 or for a summary of its provisions, visit the AAHomecare Web site at www.aahomecare.org.