Government News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 24, 2008
CONTACT: ALAN MERTZ (2026379466)
ACLA LAUDS HOUSE PASSAGE
OF “MEDICARE IMPROVEMENTS
FOR PATIENTS AND
PROVIDERS ACT”
REPEAL OF LAB COMPETITIVE
BIDDING INCLUDED IN BILL
Washington – The American Clinical
Laboratory Association (ACLA) applauded
the House of Representatives for
overwhelmingly passing HR 6331 – “The
Medicare Improvement for Patients and
Providers Act of 2008.” The legislation
repeals the ill conceived laboratory
competitive bidding demonstration project.
“Medicare beneficiaries can thank the
House for recognizing the negative
impact this program would have on
seniors’ access to high quality laboratory
services,” said Alan Mertz, President of
ACLA. The bill also extends the ‘Technical
Component Grandfather clause’ for 18
months, and averts a 10.1% cut in the
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule which is
due to occur on July 1.
“We have long opposed the competitive
bidding project not only because of the
concern for beneficiaries care, but because
it imposes unworkable requirements and
ignores the complexity of laboratory
services and the differences in types of
tests and laboratories,” Mertz said.
“Ironically, ‘competitive bidding’ for
laboratory services would have resulted in
less competition and lower quality of
services.”
In April 2008, a federal district court in
San Diego issued a preliminary injunction
halting the competitive bidding
demonstration slated to begin in San
Diego on July 1, 2008. The District judge
cited the potential for “irreparable harm”
to Medicare beneficiaries and the
laboratories who serve them.
The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on
similar legislation this week.
ACLA represents local, regional and
national clinical laboratories throughout
the United States and has been a leader
in the campaign to repeal the Medicare
competitive bidding demonstration project.
ACLA has also backed legislation
permanently extending the “TC
grandfather” clause.