Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvment, and Modernization Act of 2003-Conference Report
MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG, IMPROVEMENT, AND MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2003-CONFERENCE REPORT
Mrs. MURRAY. I also want to thank Senators BAUCUS and GRASSLEY for their support of the Conrad-Murray language that would have eliminated this discrimination against self-injected biologics. Our amendment would reward companies who innovate their treatments to meet their patients needs, not Medicare reimbursement policies. Many of these patients suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and MS, two disabling conditions that can restrict mobility and make it very difficult to even get to a physician's office. As my colleagues know, I have spent the last 4 years working to end this outrageous disincentive in Medicare reimbursement policies.
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Mrs. MURRAY. Isn't it true that you intended that the demonstration ensure that the Secretary preserve physician and beneficiary treatment options by providing for equitable coverage of all qualifying products?
Mr. GRASSLEY. That is correct.
Mr. CONRAD. Isn't it true that the conference committee intended to provide $500 million above what Medicare would have expended absent this provision to cover replacement self-injectable medications and oral anti-cancer therapies?
Mr. GRASSLEY. Yes, that is right.
Mr. BAUCUS. I thank the chairman for the clarification.
Mr. CONRAD. I also thank the chairman for that clarification and, again, would like to thank both the chairman and Senator BAUCUS for their work on this important effort. I also strongly share their view that the rural health provisions in the Medicare conference report are a real victory for not only our States, but for all of rural America.
Mrs. MURRAY. I just want to be sure that we provide the greatest degree of relief for patients and their families. I was disappointed to learn of this error in the final report language, and it does undermine the entire negotiations for this provision. It certainly undermines the intent of the Conrad-Murray amendment adopted by the Senate during consideration of S. 1. I appreciate your working with me to rectify that error.