Advocacy: News
Advocacy News/Alert
July 7, 2008: P.A.D. Coalition Urges Support for New Medicare Legislation.
The United States Congress currently is considering important Medicare legislation, primarily involving changes to the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2009.
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 6331, its version of the Medicare legislation. The Senate version (S.3101) is under consideration and includes several provisions of importance to the P.A.D. Coalition:
Section 144 includes coverage for cardiac rehabilitation in the Medicare program. This provision, if enacted, would standardize the components, services, and coverage for this vital and effective treatment. Moreover, a Medicare national coverage policy for cardiac rehabilitation services could have significant and highly beneficial implications for P.A.D. rehabilitation services, as well.
Section 101 grants the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services authority to add new preventive services to the Medicare program based in part on the evidence-based recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). This section also includes language that makes improvements to the "Welcome to Medicare" visit including waiving the deductible and extending coverage from six months to one year. The P.A.D. Coalition has been working to get coverage for P.A.D. screening included as a preventive benefit in the Medicare program and this provision would be helpful to that effort.
The U.S. Senate is considering the Medicare package early this week. It is important that Senators are made aware of the importance of including these two provisions (Sections 101 and 144) in any final Medicare package passed in the coming days and weeks.
It is important that you contact your Senators as soon as possible.
Please take the following action steps:
- Contact your local Senators. Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard (202.224.3121) and ask to speak with your state’s Senators. You can also locate your Senators online at www.senate.gov.
- Once connected to the office, ask to speak to the staff person responsible for the Medicare issues.
- Voice your strongest support for including cardiac rehabilitation services (Section 144) in the Medicare legislation currently being considered. Cardiac rehabilitation services have proven to be very beneficial in helping heart and lung patients make healthy lifestyle changes and live a quality life with a chronic disease.
- Voice your strongest support for Section 101 that advocates for the expansion of Medicare preventive benefits. By placing a greater focus on prevention services, we can help improve the nation’s health.
