Washington, D.C.--Congressman Eliot Engel questioned Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at the Health Care Reform Draft Proposal hearing before the full House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday. Congressman Engel spoke about two issues he has been championing – the Early Treatment for HIV Act (ETHA) and the Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWXp7ItmJzQ)

ETHA brings Medicaid eligibility rules in line with federal government guidelines on the standard of care for treating HIV. The inclusion of ETHA in the health reform bill, in conjunction with the House's proposal to cover all low-income people under the Medicaid program up to 133% of the federal poverty level, is a significant step towards reducing the number of uninsured people with HIV in our country.

“ETHA is exactly the type of common-sense measure we need to include as we craft comprehensive health reform legislation. Treating patients with HIV before the disease progresses to full-blown AIDS is not only more cost-effective for our health care system, but more importantly, it will also save lives while preserving the quality of life for thousands of persons living with HIV,” said Rep. Engel.

“I am encouraged to hear Secretary Sebelius’ responses to my questions, especially her unequivocal support for ETHA. Having ETHA in the discussion draft is a huge step forward and I am confident with her support, it will remain part of the health care reform bill. I also intend to continue working with Secretary Sebelius to move the Home Infusion Act forward to a point where it may be included as well,” added Rep. Engel.

When asked if the Obama Administration supported ETHA, and if it will work with states if it is included in the final reform package, Secretary Sebelius simply said “yes.” ETHA, introduced by Rep. Engel, along with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), will allow states to extend Medicaid coverage to low-income individuals with the HIV virus before it advances to full-blown AIDS. Currently, most lower-income persons must first become disabled by AIDS before receiving Medicaid-provided care and treatment, which could have kept them healthy.

The Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act would improve coverage of home infusion therapy in Medicare, a move that will save money by allowing more procedures to be done at home rather than in more expensive hospital or nursing home settings. It would institute coverage for the home infusion-related services, supplies and equipment under Medicare Part B, while maintaining coverage of the drugs themselves under Medicare Part D. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services would apply quality standards which are consistent with the private sector’s community standard of care.

Rep. Engel said, “Patients needing intravenous medication, or medication administered into the spinal cord or muscular tissue should be allowed to get treatment in the comfort of their homes. These often include cancer patients and people with congestive heart failure. Secretary Sebelius states she will work with me and Chairman Henry Waxman to work on meaningful legislation to close the Medicare home infusion benefit gap. I am encouraged by that agreement."

"While I have long been a supporter of single payer legislation, and am an original co-sponsor of H.R. 676, The United States National Health Insurance Act, I support the health care draft proposal which fulfills commitments made by this Congress and President Obama to reform health care,” said Rep. Engel

The draft proposal:
• Lowers costs for American families
o Ends co-pays and deductibles for preventive care
o Caps annual out-of-pocket expenses to avoid financial ruin from costs
o Ends rate hikes based on pre-existing conditions, gender, or occupation
o Offers the group purchasing power of a national pool if you must buy your own plan
o Guarantees affordable oral health and vision care for kids

• Provides greater choices
o Keep your doctor and your plan if you like them
o Participate in your choice of a high-quality public health insurance option which would compete with private companies

• Offers stability and peace of mind
o An end to coverage denials for a pre-existing condition like heart disease, diabetes, or cancer
o An end to lifetime limits
o Freedom to make job and life choices not based on health care coverage

• Improves the quality of health care
o Doctors--not insurance companies—will be in charge of health care decisions
o More family doctors and nurses will enter the workforce, at better payment rates, helping to guarantee your access to quality care

“If we don’t act now, within a decade, we will be spending one out of every five dollars we earn on health care. We know how to lower the cost of quality care for Americans and American businesses—and now we need every American to lend their voice to this debate to make reform a reality,” added Rep. Engel.