[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 10 (Wednesday, February 1, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E52]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            INADEQUACY OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR IMMUNE GLOBULINS

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                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2006

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the House's 
attention a very important issue relating to the reimbursement of 
plasma protein therapeutics. Specifically, I continue to be concerned 
regarding the inadequacy of reimbursement for immune globulins.
  A fragile Medicare beneficiary population is dependent on immune 
globulins for life saving therapies. As a result, Congress and the 
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) share a responsibility 
to assure access to these therapies. CMS recently recognized the 
importance of this issue by providing for a pre-administration fee in 
both sites of service for immune globulins, physician offices and 
hospital outpatient settings. This provision was outlined in CMS's 
Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System final rule and in the 
Physician Fee Schedule final rule.
  Third party studies are currently underway to identify the true costs 
associated with the acquisition, handling, and administration of immune 
globulins. Congress anticipates that CMS will issue a Program 
Memorandum reflecting the study findings upon receipt of the data.
  To guarantee access, I urge CMS to provide for product specific 
reimbursement for each separate immune globulin and to recognize that 
the infusion of immune globulins should be classified as a biologic 
response modifier for reimbursement purposes.
  I intend to follow this matter carefully and look forward to working 
with the Administration and my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce 
Committee to address these concerns.

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