WASHINGTON—As thousands of HME providers and others met at Medtrade Spring in Las Vegas—many trying to figure out how to survive under competitive bidding—across the country in Washington Rep. Jason Altmire, D-Pa., delivered an April 14 floor speech against the program in the House of Representatives.
Following its problematic two-week implementation in 2008, Altmire helped introduce legislation to redesign the bidding program and delay its start for 18 months. “Critical flaws in the initial bidding process produced fewer competitors, fewer home care services and a substantial decrease in the quality of care offered to seniors and individuals with disabilities,” he said.
In his four-minute oration, the Pennsylvania congressman said “it became clear that CMS did not foresee the unintended consequences that could result, including the possibility that patients could lose personal relationships they've developed with their local provider, in turn compromising their quality of care. Or the possibility that small suppliers, which make up well over 90 percent of the nation's medical equipment providers, would not be able to compete in the new market.”
Last month, Altmire and Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., introduced H.R. 1041 to repeal competitive bidding entirely.
In the first few months since the program’s re-implementation in January, Altmire said, “the worst fears expressed by patients, providers and members of Congress from both sides of the aisle have been realized. It's clear that despite the delay, the direction from Congress, no significant improvements have been made to the program or the process.
“Providers who have served beneficiaries for years are closing their doors and patients have been left confused and unsure where to turn for their care.”
While Altmire said CMS’ recent six-month delay of Round 2 (until the summer of 2013) is a good sign, “it doesn’t do anything to help the beneficiaries and small businesses that have already been negatively impacted by Round 1.”
Stated Altmire, “The program continues to be a bad deal for seniors and small business owners.”
Altmire and Thompson’s repeal bill, the Fairness in Medicare Bidding Act, currently has 79 cosponsors.