FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robin Strongin, 703-516-7382
Ron Geiglem, 703-516-7382
Washington D.C. - June 29, 2006 - Congressman Joe Pitts (R-PA) late last night introduced the Access to Medicare Imaging Act (H.R. 5704), bipartisan legislation calling for a two-year moratorium on the deep cuts in payments for Medicare medical imaging services included in the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) passed by Congress in February. The Congressman was joined by 42 original cosponsors (see list below).
"These cuts, if enacted, will lead to reimbursement reductions of upwards of 30 to 50 percent for imaging services that patients and their physicians rely on to properly detect, diagnose, and treat life-threatening conditions. A delay in the implementation of these cuts is essential in order to give Congress a chance to fully understand how cuts of this magnitude could affect Medicare beneficiaries' access to imaging services," said Congressman Pitts. "In addition to calling for a two year moratorium on the implementation of the cuts, my legislation also calls for a comprehensive Government Accountability Office (GAO) study to analyze the impact of the DRA's payment methodology on patient access, with special attention to rural and medically underserved areas."
These members of Congress are not alone in their concern over possible "unintended consequences" of the DRA imaging cuts, consequences that could include longer wait times and increased travel times for beneficiaries to receive life-saving imaging services. A broad coalition of patient advocacy groups, medical manufacturers and providers has coalesced to form the Access to Medical Imaging Coalition (AMIC). AMIC represents more than 75,000 physicians, providers and patients, as well as medical imaging manufacturers who employ tens of thousands of workers. See below for a list of members.
Nancy Davenport-Ennis, a cancer survivor and CEO and President of the National Patient Advocate Foundation (a member of AMIC) reminded Members of Congress that imaging saves lives and money. "Lack of access to appropriate imaging can contribute to late diagnosis which in turn can lead to more costly, invasive and intensive treatment. No one wants to undergo invasive surgeries, long-term hospitalizations and loss of independence and functionality because they simply could not get to an imaging facility in a timely manner," said Davenport-Ennis. "But that is the real world effect of these cuts."
These cuts were enacted without any research or substantive background. Section 5102 of the DRA was enacted without the normal process of hearings to allow members of the committees of jurisdiction the opportunity to assess the comments from patients, their doctors, researchers and other experts on health care delivery. AMIC is looking forward to working with all Members on both sides of the aisle to find workable options that balance fiscal common sense with patient access.
H.R. 5704-ACCESS TO MEDICARE IMAGING ACT-Original Cosponsors:
| Mike Ferguson (R-NJ) Phil English (R-PA) Charles Bass (R-NH) Paul Gillmor (R-OH) Ralph Hall (R-TX) Charlie Norwood (R-GA) Chip Pickering (R-MS) John Shimkus (R-IL) Lois Capps (D-CA) Anna Eshoo (D-CA) Charles Gonzalez (D-TX) Gene Green (D-TX) Jay Inslee (D-WA) Frank Pallone (D-NJ) Mike Ross (D-AR) Edolphus Towns (D-NY) Albert Wynn (D-MD) Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) Robert Brady (R-PA) JoAnn Davis (R-VA) Charlie Dent (R-PA) | Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA) Sam Johnson (R-TX) Steven LaTourette (R-OH) Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) John Peterson (R-PA) Tom Price (R-GA) Jim Ramstad (R-MN) Joe Schwarz (R-MI) Jim Saxton (R-NJ) Pete Sessions (R-TX) Mark Souder (R-IN) Curt Weldon (R-PA) Jerry Weller (R-IL) Allen Boyd (D-FL) Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) Joseph Crowley (D-NY) Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) William Jefferson (D-LA) Michael McNulty (D-NY) Jeff Miller (R-FL) |
AMIC Members Include:
| Academy of Molecular Imaging Academy of Radiology Research Advanced Medical Technology Association Alliance for Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease International American Association of Physicists in Medicine American College of Radiation Oncology American College of Radiology American Federation for Aging Research American Radiology Associates American Radiology Services American Society of Clinical Oncology American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology Association for Freestanding Radiation Oncology Centers Cardiology Advocacy Alliance Coalition for Imaging and Bioengineering Research Colon Cancer Alliance CSCM, Inc. DMS Imaging | E+Healthcare HealthSouth Institute for Molecular Technology Integral PET Lung Cancer Alliance National Coalition for Quality Diagnostic Imaging Services National Electrical Manufacturers Association National Ovarian Cancer Coalition National Patient Advocate Foundation National Stroke Association Radiology Corporation of America Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Society for Vascular Surgery Society for Vascular Ultrasound Society of Interventional Radiology Society of Nuclear Medicine Strategic Outpatient Services, Inc. Trident Molecular Imaging US Oncology |