Moran Drives Passage Of Legislation To Preserve Seniors' Access To Medical Supplies

Press Release

The U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 3663, legislation sponsored by Congressman Jerry Moran that would preserve Kansas seniors' access to important medical supplies. This bill would delay the implementation of burdensome requirements on pharmacies that would cause Medicare beneficiaries to lose access to critical medical supplies and medications. Without Congressional action, these regulations will take effect October 1st. Moran now urges the Senate to take up H.R. 3663 as the measure passed out of the House today.

"In Kansas and across America, the relationship between pharmacists and patients is a vital part of our health care delivery system," said Moran. "Patients depend on pharmacists for information and counseling to assure that they receive quality products and medical services. Access to pharmacies and other health care services determines whether Kansas communities survive and flourish and we must protect and foster these health facilities. We should be encouraging our pharmacies and other medical professionals to provide care to their communities, not burdening them with cost prohibitive regulatory requirements that do not increase patient safety or expand access for patients.

"The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has required pharmacies that provide diabetes testing supplies and other medical equipment to obtain an accreditation by October 1, 2009, in order to dispense these important supplies to Medicare patients. H.R. 3663 would extend this accreditation deadline to January 1, 2010, and give Congress the time it needs to sufficiently address this issue and allow pharmacists to continue caring for their patients."

Medicare beneficiaries depend on the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) program for access to critical equipment, supplies and medications. On October 1st, pharmacies will be required to meet the new accreditation requirement, which will place a tremendous financial burden on local pharmacies. In these difficult economic times, many pharmacies may be forced to end participation in the DMEPOS program, leaving seniors with no affordable access to the supplies and medications they need.

Moran is co-founder of the Congressional Community Pharmacy Coalition and Chairman of the House Rural Health Care Coalition.

To view Moran's floor speech in support of H.R. 3663, visit http://www.jerrymoran.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1535&Itemid=103

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