Miller, Colleagues Introduce the Seniors' Access to Critical Medications Act
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) joined Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), and Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL) in reintroducing the bipartisan Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act. The legislation would extend a waiver issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for 5 years, which allowed Medicare patients to receive essential medications by mail or have caregivers and family members pick them up on their behalf.
Click here for bill text.
“It is vital that people who are dealing with old age or life-threatening illnesses can easily access necessary prescriptions. CMS’ current restrictions make it more challenging for Medicare beneficiaries to obtain medication by limiting pick up only to the patients themselves. In my home state of West Virginia, it can take hours for a patient just to get to their nearest physician or pharmacist and they simply do not have that kind of time to waste when it comes to their health. That’s why I am glad to join Congresswoman Harshbarger in reintroducing the Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act which allows patients to receive their prescriptions either through mail or by having a family member or caregiver pick up the medication on their behalf. This bill removes any barriers that prevent Medicare patients from fully accessing life-sustaining treatment,” said Congresswoman Miller.
"My district in East Tennessee is extremely rural, so for many folks, getting to their healthcare specialist or a pharmacy to pick up a prescription is difficult enough as it is. Now imagine having to undergo this task if you're elderly with cancer. The ability to be able to mail these crucial medications to our most vulnerable was one of the few silver linings that came out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it's our responsibility as lawmakers to make the lives of our most vulnerable easier, not more difficult. This legislation accomplishes just that,” said Congresswoman Harshbarger.
Background:
During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), CMS permitted independent physicians to mail medications directly to Medicare patients or have them delivered by a caregiver or family member if the patient was unable to visit the office in person. This decision has since been reversed, resulting in those with serious conditions like cancer—now facing significant challenges in obtaining their prescribed medications promptly.
For patients in rural areas, traveling to a doctor’s office can mean an arduous journey, particularly for those without reliable transportation or who are too ill to travel safely. This legislation would ensure they can continue receiving medications by mail or through those responsible for their care.
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