[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 166 (Friday, December 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




MEDICARE IVIG ACCESS AND STRENGTHENING MEDICARE AND REPAYING TAXPAYERS 
                              ACT OF 2012

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                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2012

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1845, a 
combination of two common-sense Medicare reforms that would improve 
access to intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) home infusion for 
beneficiaries with primary immunodeficiency diseases while streamlining 
the process for repayments to the Medicare Trust Fund.
  While the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 sought to ensure that 
patients needing IVIG therapy could receive their infusions at home, 
the current policy does not cover the items and services necessary for 
providers to administer it in the home. As a result, access to home 
infusion is limited and seniors who rely solely on Medicare have no 
choice but to receive their treatments in the hospital, a more risky 
environment for immune deficient patients. The Medicare IVIG Access Act 
would create a three-year demonstration project that would study 
coverage of the items and services needed to administer IVIG home 
infusion.
  This legislation is fiscally responsible, paid for through the 
inclusion of the Strengthening Medicare and Repaying Taxpayers (SMART) 
Act. The SMART Act would sensibly reform the Medicare Secondary Payer 
system, increasing the likelihood of and speed up reimbursements to the 
Medicare Trust Fund. This is a win-win--beneficiaries and companies 
will be able to resolve their claims faster and the Trust Fund will be 
strengthened through a more efficient repayment process.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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