The Need For A Delay

Rep. Bruce Braley wrote to Secretary Sebelius and CMS Administrator Berwick this week advising them of the need to delay implementation of the DMEPOS competitive bidding program in light of the program’s flaws analyzed by Dr. Peter Cramton and supported by over 160 academicians.  As Rep. Braley explained:

As custodians of the Medicare program charged with ensuring appropriate access, CMS has the administrative authority to delay implementation of the bid program. The Economists’ statement demonstrates the fatal flaws in the policy decisions that have been made — it demonstrates that the bidding program will simply not work because of fundamental design flaws, harming beneficiaries. Therefore, CMS should delay Round 1 of the bid program until a bid program is crafted that is consistent with Congress’ expectations, and consistent with the parameters detailed by leading experts in the field.

Read complete letter w. attachment