This letter was originally organized and sent by the National Home Infusion Association to Congressional leadership. To see the PDF version with the list of 50+ co-signers, please click here.
Dear Leader McConnell, Leader Schumer, Speaker Ryan and Leader Pelosi:
We write on behalf of some of the most vulnerable Medicare seniors, disabled and critically ill patients across America who are now facing serious health care consequences if Congress does not pass a Medicare legislative package soon. There is strong bipartisan support in both houses of Congress for a Medicare legislative package to retroactively address Medicare extenders, and refine other reimbursement and coverage issues directly related to the health and well-being of Medicare beneficiaries.
We, the undersigned organizations, have come together to request that you pass a Medicare legislative package as soon as possible, ideally in the upcoming February 8, 2018 funding bill. While we are all working toward specific policies that affect distinct Medicare beneficiary populations, we are united in the need for Congress to pass a bipartisan Medicare bill.
Both the House and the Senate, in a bipartisan way, advanced several bills/provisions through their committees of Medicare jurisdiction in 2017, as many of the impacted programs either expired or otherwise required Congressional action by the end of 2017. Now that we are well into 2018, Congress’ inaction on these important Medicare policies could mean real harm to the vulnerable patients we serve.
It is only through action by Congressional leadership that these bipartisan, and often bicameral policies, can be finalized. Thank you for your prompt and bipartisan attention to these matters.