Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) and Congressman Gregory F. Murphy, M.D. (R-NC) filed an amendment to H.R. 5376, the Democrats’ Tax and Spend bill, that would allow drug manufacturers to send rebates directly to the government, thereby removing physicians from the middle of Medicare drug price-setting and ensuring patients still receive the lower price of a drug.
The reckless spending package will result in significant harm to patients’ access to care in communities across the country. Under the guise of “negotiating” prescription drug costs, providers will see substantial reductions in reimbursement for administering certain medications, resulting in practices, particularly those in an oncology setting, being forced to close. This amendment would take the provider out of the negotiation process so they can continue serving patients.
“Instead of cutting payments for doctors seeking to provide quality care for their patients with serious illnesses, Congress should be searching for ways to cut the red tape," said Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. "This amendment will allow for drug manufacturers to send their rebates directly to the government. Therefore, provider reimbursement is not affected, and patients still receive the lower price of a drug. I am grateful for my friends Senator Barrasso and Congressman Murphy for leading this effort with me, and I hope members from both sides will help us achieve our goal to enable doctors to keep their practices open and continue serving their patients.”
“Patients in rural America face significant barriers to affordable and accessible care,”said Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D.“The perennial cuts to physician reimbursement not only threaten the financial stability of practices across the country but also harm patients’ ability to receive life-saving care. This amendment would ensure patients have continued access to low-cost services and medications in their communities. I thank Senator Barrasso and Congressman Burgess for their leadership and partnership on this important amendment.”
Burgess and Murphy were joined by Congressman Brad R. Wenstrup, D.P.M. (R-OH), Congressman Neal P. Dunn, M.D. (R-FL), Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN), and Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (R-IA).
