North Columbus News

Reps. Mike Carey and Danny K. Davis have put forward bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding access to breakthrough medical treatments for Medicare beneficiaries. The Patient Access to Innovative New Technologies Act, introduced by the two Representatives from Ohio and Illinois, respectively, seeks to streamline regulations to facilitate the availability of cutting-edge medical treatments approved by the FDA through the Breakthrough Device Program.

“Our bill will increase access to innovative treatment options for Medicare beneficiaries,” stated Congressman Carey, emphasizing the importance of eliminating bureaucratic hurdles in accessing quality healthcare.

Congressman Davis highlighted the potential impact of the legislation, saying, “This legislative initiative would incentivize manufacturers of diagnostic and medical devices to adopt new medical technologies with a clean pathway to get these products in the hands of patients.”

Industry stakeholders such as AdvaMed and MDMA have expressed support for the bill, acknowledging its significance in ensuring Medicare beneficiaries have access to novel and innovative technologies through programs like the New Technology Add-On Payment (NTAP) Program.

AdvaMed President and CEO Scott Whitaker commended the Congressmen for their efforts, stating, “NTAP is a critical pathway for ensuring appropriate payment for these devices, and we look forward to working with legislators to advance this legislation.”

Similarly, MDMA President and CEO Mark Leahey praised the legislation, noting that it would improve access for Medicare beneficiaries to innovative inpatient therapies, ultimately accelerating access to new technologies for life-threatening conditions.

Guillermo Amezcua, Americas general manager at Baxter’s Kidney Care business, highlighted the importance of collaboration between healthcare innovators and policymakers in advancing care for all patients, emphasizing the need for equitable and timely access to breakthrough treatments.

The bill aims to address the challenges faced by Medicare beneficiaries due to outdated regulations that impose strict FDA approval deadlines, potentially leading to delays in accessing critical medical treatments. By expanding the NTAP conditional approval pathway to include all technologies approved through the Breakthrough Device Program, the legislation seeks to create a more efficient and consistent process for Medicare recipients.

The proposed legislation is seen as a step towards preventing disruptions in Medicare beneficiaries' access to innovative devices and ensuring timely access to cutting-edge medical treatments.