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The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a dangerous experiment with Part B drug payments. Under the experiment, Medicare payments would be significantly below a physician’s acquisition costs for a drug. This will put patients at risk by potentially forcing them to abandon the best treatments for a cheaper, less effective alternative. Millions of Medicare patients depend on access to lifesaving treatments and this experiment will not only result in negative consequences for treatment, it is also the first step to government price controls.
It is not acceptable to allow CMS to create an end run around the doctor-patient relationship to dictate treatments. I have joined my colleagues in sending a letter to CMS expressing our concerns and I have cosponsored legislation to prohibit them from moving forward with this dangerous experiment.
I want to share an article I recently wrote explaining my concerns with this proposal. Click here or read my article in The Hill below.
A Dangerous Experiment
This spring, I joined over 240 of my colleagues in sending a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing our deep concerns with a sweeping, nationwide experiment that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) has proposed. After speaking with patients and physicians in my district, there is no uncertainty that the CMMI experiment with Part B drug payment is the first step to government price controls and it will have negative consequences for millions of Medicare patients who depend on access to lifesaving treatments.
Many seniors in the First District of Georgia and across the nation are faced with medically complex diagnoses including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, severe immune deficiency, epilepsy and macular degeneration. After diagnosis, these Medicare patients face significant complexities in their care and treatment options. Under the Part B drug experiment, in many cases, Medicare payment for certain drugs would be significantly below a physician’s acquisition costs for the drug.
This will put patients at tremendous risk, potentially forcing them to abandon the best treatments for other treatments that have proven less successful. Ultimately, CMS will create an end run around the doctor-patient relationship to dictate treatments. This is unacceptable.
To make matters worse, CMS sought little to no stakeholder input and has provided little turnaround time before medication treatment will be based on cost rather than what is best for the patient. As a lifelong pharmacist, I trust clinically trained medical professionals to determine the best treatment for patients, not an unaccountable bureaucrat.
Adding to the outlandish nature of this Part B drug pilot project, there is nearly no escaping it. CMMI proposes to force nearly seventy-five percent of the country to participate in this Medicare drug experiment. Seventy-five percent of the country is not a pilot project; it is near full implementation of a new program.
CMS responded to the letter we sent them and simply thanked us for sharing our opinion. Such a brief and dismissive response is indifferent to the risks posed to our nation’s sickest patients and to Congress.
For all of these reasons, I have cosponsored H.R. 5122 introduced by Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.). This legislation would prohibit CMS from moving forward with this dangerous, misguided experiment with our seniors. This legislation is critical to ensure bureaucrats in Washington aren’t dictating treatment and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5122 as well. |
| From our Nation's Capitol LXXIX |
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Monday, August 15, 2016: My week begins with a visit to Savannah Distributing Company and my good friend Henry Monsees to learn more about the independent wine and beer distributing business, the three-tier distribution system, and the challenges facing their customers. Next, I head to the World War II memorial on River Street in Savannah where I am participating in a re-pinning ceremony to honor local WWII veterans on the 71st anniversary of Japan’s surrender marking the end of WWII. Getting to the ceremony proves to be quite a challenge as a fire at the Hyatt Regency located next to the memorial has traffic snarled, however these veterans have faced greater challenges in their storied lives and the attendance is good. The event is sponsored by the Concerned Veterans for America and, along with veteran supporters Tim Tyler, Marolyn Overton, Doug Andrews and others, I am honored to participate in the program by pinning the replica medals on these true American heroes.
Rep. Carter Participates in a Ceremony to Honor World War II Veterans |
After the ceremony, these heroes are treated to a great meal at the nearby Bohemian Hotel, where I have the opportunity to speak with each of them and thank them for their service. Afterwards, I head to Armstrong State University where I meet with the faculty of the cybersecurity department to learn more about the cutting edge work they are doing at ASU in this most important area. Next, along with ASU President Linda Bleicken and Pete Hoffman, Director of Governmental Affairs, I meet with SPC Joseph Broam, an ROTC student at ASU who recently entered and won a competition where he was recognized as the number one National Guard soldier in the nation. This fine young man is a great example of everything that is good in our society and makes ASU and our country proud.
Tuesday, August 16, 2016: I’m off to Alma this morning where I am honored to have the opportunity to speak to Bacon County Middle and High School students and present to them 60 flags to be displayed in the classrooms of their new building. Along with the School Superintendent, Dr. Linda Reichert, principals of both schools, and Eugene Dyal, I have the opportunity to meet and interact with many of these fine young people. Afterwards, I head to Liberty County Elementary School in Midway where I am greeted at the door by Principal Chris Anderson, Superintendent Dr. Valya Lee and four students who greet me in unison as I enter the building.
Rep. Carter with Students from Bacon County Middle and High School
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After viewing a video presentation detailing the fine work being done in the Liberty County School System by Dr. Lee and her staff, I tour the impressive building visiting classes including the STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art and Math) section where some of the finest work in the state at the elementary level is being performed. One of my favorite activities is reading to students and I end my visit today by reading the book “Wolfie the Bunny” to a kindergarten class. Later, I stay in the area and visit Liberty County High School, home of the Panthers, the defending Class AAAA State Basketball Champions. Along with Dr. Lee and Principal Stephanie Woods, I have the opportunity to visit classes and tour the recently renovated building including the new gym where the Panthers will defend their State Basketball Championship this year. Afterwards, I tape a video message of encouragement to the Savannah Bananas baseball team who are playing for the Coastal Plain League Championship tonight in only their first year of competition. Go Bananas!
Wednesday, August 17, 2016: I’m in Savannah today as I meet with the Coastal Plain Coalition, a group of developers in the region who are committed to providing an inventory of land for economic development in the region. Working closely with development authorities in the district, this group represents all areas of the district but is primarily focusing on the I-95 and I-16 corridors and the impact the expansion of the Ports in Savannah and Brunswick will have on the region. My visit includes a helicopter tour of the Garden City Ports site and adjacent areas that could be utilized for warehousing. Afterwards, I head to a meeting of the Georgia Retired Educators Association where I have the opportunity to address the group and bring them up to date on my work in Congress, particularly on the Education and the Workforce Committee. I also have the opportunity to answer their questions and, although they are retired, their enthusiasm and love of education is quite evident.
Rep. Carter at Coastal Middle School |
My final visit of the day is to Coastal Middle School on Whitemarsh Island where I am greeted by Principal Allison Schuster-Jones and Assistant Principal Latashia Thomas who take me on a tour of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme World School. The school was recently recognized with the Georgia Lighthouse Schools to Watch Designation, one of less than 20 middle schools in Georgia to hold this prestigious title.
Thursday, August 18, 2016: I’m on the road early this morning as I’m headed to Homerville to visit Clinch County High School, home of the Panthers, the defending Georgia Class A Public School Football Champions. Upon arriving, I’m welcomed by Superintendent Dr. Donna Ryan and Principal Denise Brown and, after a brief meeting, visit Lisa Conner’s civics class followed by a visit to David Tolle’s British literature class. We are blessed with fine, dedicated teachers in the First District and these are two of the very best. Ms. Conner’s class was alive with their study of the U.S. Constitution, with posters and decorations everywhere and with Ms. Conner decked out in patriotic attire. Walking up to Mr. Tolle’s class, I could see him reading from Beowulf and his animation was inspirational. I had the opportunity to have Q&A with both of these classes and, as one would expect, with teachers like these two the students were very engaged. Following a Q&A session with the Student Government officers- all female, by the way- I head to Valdosta for a tour of Valdosta State University. VSU is a great school, offering degrees under 8 different disciplines, and is located on a beautiful campus. After meeting with Interim President Dr. Kelli Brown, I’m taken on a tour of the school and am glad to see old friends Zach Louis and Phil Allen from my days at the Georgia Capitol, as well as former First Congressional District Director Merritt Myers.
Rep. Carter at Moody Air Force Base |
Next, I head to the Valdosta Public Works facility, where I am met by Mayor John Gayle and City Manager Larry Hanson and we review the very proactive Mosquito Control Program that the City has implemented. Public Works Director Richard Hardy and his staff are doing an outstanding job in their work to control this potential healthcare safety issue. Of course, no trip to Lowndes County would be complete without a visit to Moody Air Force Base and that’s where I head next. With the outstanding leadership provided by Commander Col. Tom Kunkel, Vice Commander Col. Mark Barrera, and Command Chief Master Sergeant Jarrod Sebastian, Moody Air Force Base is one of the best run installations in our military. As we tour the flight line and see the aircraft maintainers working on the aircraft, I am able to climb aboard an A-10 and sit in the cockpit and am amazed at the work that these soldiers perform. My visit is culminated by a tour of the fire station, where I see first-hand the work of these fine young men and women who serve our country so well. The impressive equipment is surpassed only by the professionalism of these fine soldiers. |
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