WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) reintroduced the bipartisan Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act. The legislation would extend a waiver issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for 5 years, which allowed Medicare patients to receive essential medications by mail or have caregivers and family members pick them up on their behalf. During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), CMS permitted independent physicians to mail medications directly to Medicare patients or have them delivered by a caregiver or family member if the patient was unable to visit the office in person. This decision has since been reversed, resulting in those with serious conditions like cancer—now facing significant challenges in obtaining their prescribed medications promptly. For patients in rural areas, traveling to a doctor’s office can mean an arduous journey, particularly for those without reliable transportation or who are too ill to travel safely. This legislation would ensure they can continue receiving medications by mail or through those responsible for their care. Rep. Harshbarger issued the following statement: "My district in East Tennessee is extremely rural, so for many folks, getting to their healthcare specialist or a pharmacy to pick up a prescription is difficult enough as it is. Now imagine having to undergo this task if you're elderly with cancer. "The ability to be able to mail these crucial medications to our most vulnerable was one of the few silver linings that came out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it's our responsibility as lawmakers to make the lives of our most vulnerable easier, not more difficult. This legislation accomplishes just that." Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz said the following. “Increasing access to care is vital, and few places is it more important than for cancer survivors. As a breast cancer survivor, I know the difficult realities that patients, their families, and caregivers face along their journey of survivorship – and my goal is to remove as many as possible,” said Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz. “The Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act, which I am proud to co-lead with Rep. Harshbarger, will pull down another obstacle for survivors to access the drugs they need. Our legislation would make it clear that physicians can deliver medicines to their patients by mail without fear of violating federal law, ensuring Medicare beneficiaries have timely access to them. Seniors, cancer survivors, and many others should not have to face additional hurdles to receiving the care and treatment they need, when they need it. To view statements of support from original cosponsors and advocacy groups, click HERE. To view a summary of the bill, click HERE. Click HERE to view the bill text. | 