[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 93 (Thursday, June 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1181-E1182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              BROWN INTRODUCES PATIENT CHOICE LEGISLATION

                                 ______


                           HON. SHERROD BROWN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 7, 1995
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker. I rise on behalf of myself and my 
colleague, Mr. LaTourette, to introduce legislation to ensure patient 
choice of medical equipment under Medicare.
  Under current law, the Medicare Program will reimburse beneficiaries 
for durable medical equipment only if they choose the basic model. 
Those beneficiaries who wish to choose an upgraded piece of equipment 
for convenience or comfort reasons must pay for the equipment 
themselves. In fact, some beneficiaries are forced to use the basic 
model of equipment even if it may make their condition worse because 
they cannot afford to pay the full amount for an upgraded model.
  I do not believe that Medicare should not be dictating choices to 
elderly beneficiaries, If an [[Page E1182]] 85 year-old Medicare 
patient wishes to use an electric wheelchair because it helps her get 
around better, she ought to be assured that Medicare will cover up to 
the amount for a basic model.
  During last year's debate on health care reform, one of the comments 
I heard most often from the families of northeast Ohio was concern 
about restrictions on patient choices. Health care is too personal to 
allow choices to be determined by Government bureaucrats.
  This legislation would ensure beneficiaries true choice of medical 
equipment such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, walkers and other aids. 
In addition, the bill includes measure to protect beneficiaries from 
high pressure sales and allows the Health Care Financing Administration 
[HCFA] to establish guidelines for the purchase or rental of upgraded 
equipment.
  Restrictions on coverage for medical equipment were established in 
response to fraud and abuse in the program. However, these restrictions 
have become outmoded and inflexible. This legislation would protect 
older Americans from the hard sell by equipment suppliers while 
providing the flexibility in their equipment choices.
  It is not my intent to allow the industry to oversell grandma on the 
luxury models of all equipment, but we need to have some common sense 
about Medicare coverage. Why shouldn't Medicare beneficiaries have 
access to equipment that all Americans do? Why should they be 
penalized?
  Furthermore, while this legislation ensures that additional choices 
are available to the elderly, this bill is revenue neutral to the 
Medicare Program. Medicare current covers medical equipment at a 
standard level. My legislation would simply ensure that Medicare 
beneficiaries could choose an upgraded model and be reimbursed from 
Medicare at the standard level. Thus, the U.S. taxpayer will pay no 
more for this choice legislation.
  I urge my colleagues to join in cosponsoring this necessary 
legislation.


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