[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 29 (Friday, March 11, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S2521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CRAIG (for himself, Mr. Bingaman, Ms. Collins, Mr. Burr, 
        Mr. Durbin, and Ms. Snowe):
  S. 604. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to 
authorize expansion of medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy 
services; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, in this day of runaway medical costs, I 
would like to take a moment to highlight one cost-effective component 
of healthcare; Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). MNT can be used to 
promote health and functionality and effects the quality of life for 
many Americans. MNT is also an effective disease management component 
that lessens chronic disease risk, slows disease progression and 
reduces symptoms. Currently, Medicare beneficiaries can have access to 
MNT, but only for the care of diabetes and kidney disease.
  The legislation that I have introduced, along with Mr. Bingaman and 
other colleagues, would give the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 
Services the authority, using the National Coverage Determination (NCD) 
process, to expand the MNT benefit beyond diabetes and renal diseases. 
Currently, Congress must pass legislation for beneficiaries to receive 
MNT for each and every condition or disease for which MNT proves itself 
to be cost effective. Choosing to rely on the NCD process would allow 
CMS to make decisions based upon the science, and establish the extent 
to which Medicare will cover specific services, procedures or 
technologies on a national basis. This is what the NCD is designed to 
do.
  CMS reported to Congress last year that there are other conditions, 
such as hypertension and dyslipidemia, HIV/AIDS and cancer, where 
evidence supports the cost-effectiveness of MNT as part of the care 
plan. It is time to make the MNT benefit more preventive in nature, and 
combat diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia in the early stages of 
the diseases. It makes good sense for CMS, which routinely reviews the 
science behind recommendations, to direct this benefit appropriately 
without having to get Congressional approval for each and every 
disease.
  It is important to note that this new language does not mandate any 
expansion; it only gives CMS the authority in include coverage of MNT 
based on scientific evidence that the proposed coverage is reasonable, 
necessary and cost effective. I encourage your support for this 
legislation.
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