Protecting Access to Diabetes Supplies Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-3271
Sponsor: Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]
Introduced: 2017-07-17 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Digestive and metabolic diseases
Health technology, devices, supplies
Medicare
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-17
text: 

Protecting Access to Diabetes Supplies Act of 2017

 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to modify provisions relating to Medicare's competitive acquisition program (through which rates are set through a competitive bidding program rather than by an established fee schedule) with respect to diabetic testing strips. Specifically, the bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to:
 
 
use specified data to determine whether a bid satisfies certain requirements related to volume of coverage with respect to such products, 
 
reject a bid if the bidder does not demonstrate its ability to furnish such products in a manner consistent with its bid, and 
 
establish a process to monitor the extent to which an entity continues to cover the product types included in its bid.

 
The CMS may terminate a contract if it determines that an entity, for reasons other than product discontinuation or market-wide shortage, fails to maintain ready access to such products included its bid.
 
In addition, the bill specifies that an entity furnishing such products to beneficiaries under the program: (1) must furnish to each beneficiary a brand of strips that is compatible with the beneficiary's home blood glucose monitor, (2) may not attempt to influence or incentivize a beneficiary to switch the brand of either type of product, and (3) must contact and receive a request from a beneficiary no more than 14 days prior to dispensing a refill to the beneficiary.

action_date: 2017-12-06
text: 

Protecting Access to Diabetes Supplies Act of 2017

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to modify provisions relating to Medicare's competitive acquisition program (through which rates are set through a competitive bidding program rather than by an established fee schedule) with respect to diabetic testing strips. Specifically, the bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to:
 
 
use specified data to determine whether a bid satisfies certain requirements related to volume of coverage with respect to such products, 
 
reject a bid if the bidder does not demonstrate its ability to furnish such products in a manner consistent with its bid, and 
 
establish a process to monitor the extent to which an entity continues to cover the product types included in its bid.

 
The CMS may terminate a contract if it determines that an entity, for reasons other than product discontinuation or market-wide shortage, fails to maintain ready access to such products included its bid.
 
In addition, the bill specifies that an entity furnishing such products to beneficiaries under the program: (1) must furnish to each beneficiary a brand of strips that is compatible with the beneficiary's home blood glucose monitor, (2) may not attempt to influence or incentivize a beneficiary to switch the brand of either type of product, and (3) must contact and receive a request from a beneficiary no more than 14 days prior to dispensing a refill to the beneficiary.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-12-06
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 329.
action_date: 2017-12-06
text: Committee on Ways and Means discharged.
action_date: 2017-12-06
text: Committee on Ways and Means discharged.
action_date: 2017-12-06
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-447, Part I.
action_date: 2017-12-06
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-447, Part I.
action_date: 2017-10-04
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2017-10-04
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2017-09-13
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2017-09-13
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2017-07-31
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-07-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-07-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-07-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-07-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-07-17
text: Introduced in House