Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Health Subcommittee legislative hearing titled "Examining Policies to Improve Seniors’ Access to Innovative Drugs, Medical Devices, and Technology."

ENSURING SENIORS HAVE ACCESS TO CARE 

"We have all heard from patients who are unable to access the medicines or devices they need to improve their lives. 

"Many times it is because of bureaucratic red tape and a Medicare program that is struggling to keep up with innovation. 

"Today our goal is to cut the red tape and roll out the red carpet for all.

"In our July hearing, we heard from Sue Wronsky, a patient advocate and caregiver, who told her story about her mother, Lynn’s, battle with Alzheimer’s. 

"Millions of Alzheimer’s patients today stand to benefit from newly approved treatments—treatments that Lynn never had the chance to receive. 

"Today, we’re following up on that conversation with doctors, patients, innovators, and caregivers.

"We will hear from Dr. Dora Hughes from CMS who can hopefully shed light on CMS’s unprecedented coverage policies, which are limiting seniors’ access to these FDA-approved drugs. 

"We are also interested in learning more from Dr. Hughes about CMS coverage policies, including the recent TCET proposed notice.  

"This has come more than two and half years after CMS delayed and ultimately repealed the MCIT policy, which would have created a predictable transitional coverage policy for innovative technologies."

BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS FOR SENIORS

"We are all worried about seniors’ access to innovative new technologies. 

"We’re going to discuss a lengthy list of bills—I would highlight that 16 are bipartisan or led by my Democrat colleagues. 

"And I am hopeful that we can build more bipartisan support for many of the remaining bills in the weeks and months to come.  

"For example, we would welcome Democrats joining on legislation that would: 

• allow seniors to continue to access the same technologies that they had access to on commercial insurance
• permit seniors to upgrade their wheelchairs to increase their mobility and potentially improve their quality of life
• improve home infusion care safely in their homes
• support a number of Medicare Part D and PBM policies that have received bipartisan support in the Senate.

"These are policies that can help patients access innovative drugs and technologies and are distinct from major policies—like the price setting scheme in the IRA—which we disagree on.

"I am also glad we are including several bills on the Medicare Part D program, especially following the troubling report from GAO that found patients are paying more for their drugs than insurance companies."

MORE WORK TO COME 

"And while I’m glad that so many members on both sides of the aisle have brought forward ideas that we will discuss today, a lot more work will need to be done. 

"A number of the bills before us would increase what seniors pay, as well as Medicare spending, unless we are able to find reductions. 

"There are a lot of big ideas, and we may need to think through steps to get us to where these bills want to go. Today is focused on taking a first step.  

"It will take stakeholders and members rolling up their sleeves and working together to start making progress. 

"Nobody wants to see their family and friends lose access to lifesaving and life-improving care when they age into Medicare."

DANGERS OF MEDICARE-FOR-ALL

"Today’s hearing, and the number of bills being considered, should also be a warning about Medicare-for-All proposals.

"Imagine if it was up to the federal government to decide what treatment was covered for every American? 

"Without other options for coverage—and being at the mercy of a health care bureaucracy—you’d have to lobby your congressman to pass legislation if you wanted to change the coverage policy.

"Once again, Energy and Commerce is leading the way on health care issues top of mind for Americans. 

"From addressing the fentanyl crisis, working together on price transparency and addressing consolidation in health care to making sure seniors have access to innovative medicines and technology.

"I am proud of the work this committee has done and look forward to continuing it today."