Daines, Tester Help Introduce Bill to Increase Access to Medically Necessary Equipment in Rural America
March 18, 2016
U.S. SENATE —Montana Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester this week helped introduce the Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment Act of 2016, legislation that would provide durable medical equipment (DME) providers and patients in certain parts of the country with relief from harmful payment policies. DME providers help connect patients with medically necessary equipment like wheelchairs, hospital beds, and oxygen. This bipartisan legislation would extend the current payment phase-in period of six months to 15 months, which is necessary to avert deep cuts in reimbursement for these products. Without action, these cuts could harm Medicare beneficiary access following the rollout