Innovation in life-saving cures – particularly for Alzheimer’s – is under threat due to recent actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) argued Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health Republican Leader Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) in opening a Republican meeting titled “Cures and Coverage: A Chilling Precedent for Patients.”

Key excerpt below: 

“Instead of promoting American innovation and helping the nearly 6 million Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s utilizing the newest available treatments, CMS effectively prohibited access through their overly prescriptive Coverage with Evidence Determination.

 

“We should be making it easier for these patients to access available treatments, not unreasonably restricting our nation’s seniors from a potentially life changing treatment.

 

“I am particularly concerned with CMS’s actions since the determination issued by the administration is not just in terms of this drug, this FDA-approved drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s, but for the entire class of the monoclonal antibodies.”

CLICK HERE to watch Rep. Buchanan’s remarks.

CLICK HERE to watch the full meeting.

The full remarks appear below: 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank the witnesses for kicking things off today. I’m glad we’re holding this event today on such an important issue for seniors not just in my district, but across the country.

 

The administration’s action on this new Alzheimer’s treatment does not represent the kind of leadership American patients want or need.

 

Instead of promoting American innovation and helping the nearly 6 million Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s utilizing the newest available treatments, CMS effectively prohibited access through their overly prescriptive Coverage with Evidence Determination.

 

We should be making it easier for these patients to access available treatments, not unreasonably restricting our nation’s seniors from a potentially life changing treatment.

 

I am particularly concerned with CMS’s actions since the determination issued by the administration is not just in terms of this drug, this FDA-approved drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s, but for the entire class of the monoclonal antibodies.

 

That type of action shows a complete disregard for future innovation and follow-on research that could be sparked by giving seniors access to an FDA-approved treatment, the likes of which we haven’t seen in nearly 20 years.

 

This decision should not come as a surprise, however, since we have seen congressional Democrats try time and time again to push policies that would stifle innovation here in the United States and move manufacturing particularly to China.

 

At a time when American innovation was able to bring multiple COVID-19 vaccines to the public in record time, we cannot allow one agency to undermine the decision-making authority of another, leading to confusion for American seniors.

 

It is my hope that CMS will reconsider this decision and work with stakeholders on a better path forward that will benefit Alzheimer’s patients.