Pasco Reporter

In today's Health Subcommittee markup, 21 bipartisan bills were passed to support seniors on Medicare and ensure they have access to the best treatments and equipment for improved quality of life. Among these bills, three were co-authored by U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis.

One of the bills, the Cutting Copays Act, aims to lower the cost of prescription drugs for vulnerable seniors by removing cost-sharing of generic medications for enrollees in Medicare Part D’s Low Income Subsidy Program. Congressman Bilirakis emphasized the importance of this bill, stating, "Seniors should never be forced to choose between buying groceries and buying their medications. By removing these copayments, we can help alleviate that burden."

Another bill, the Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act, focuses on improving patient outcomes and reducing costly complications related to diabetes. This bill seeks to enhance access to education and self-management training services for Medicare beneficiaries. Congressman Bilirakis explained, "By providing diabetes patients with these self-management resources, seniors will be empowered to take control of their own health and well-being."

The third bill, the Ensuring Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act of 2023, addresses the issue of Medicare coverage for medical devices approved under the FDA's Breakthrough Devices Program. Currently, Medicare does not automatically cover the latest advances in medical technology, causing delays in access to vital treatments for millions of seniors. Congressman Bilirakis highlighted the importance of this legislation, stating, "This bill is about connecting patients with important devices and technologies quicker. Additionally, it is about encouraging innovation rather than stifling it."

By expediting the coverage determination process and improving the availability of breakthrough devices, this bill aims to ensure Medicare beneficiaries have timely access to cutting-edge medical technologies. It also seeks to support the more than 600 medical device companies in the state of Florida, where Congressman Bilirakis is based, by reducing unnecessary Medicare coverage delays.

In conclusion, these three bills co-authored by Congressman Gus Bilirakis aim to improve the lives of seniors on Medicare. By lowering prescription drug costs, enhancing access to diabetes self-management resources, and ensuring timely access to breakthrough medical devices, these measures prioritize the well-being of seniors and encourage innovation in the healthcare industry.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/three-more-bilirakis-bills-advance