Washington, D.C.– Co-chairs of the bipartisan House Medical Technology Caucus, U.S. Reps. Erik Paulsen (MN-03) and Anna Eshoo (CA-18) released the following statement in response to the decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to not finalize their draft rule regarding prosthetics. Reps. Paulsen and Eshoo wrote CMS in early September to raise concerns that finalizing the proposed rule would restrict access to quality prosthetic care. The letter also states that solidifying the rule would suppress important medical innovation and impose a one-size-fits-all approach on patients. The letter to CMS, along with background on the issue, are available here.     

“The decision by CMS to forgo implementing this proposed rule means access to life-improving prosthetics will be protected for countless Americans. Clearly, concerns raised by patients, doctors, and other stakeholders were heard loud and clear, and we applaud the agency on their thoughtful decision. It’s encouraging that the agency will also form a working group that includes representatives from patient advocacy groups and physicians to ensure that those most affected by future proposals will have a voice in the decision-making process.”

The CMS announcement is available here.

Congressman Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation, serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus.

For more information on Congressman Paulsen’s work in Congress visit paulsen.house.gov. 

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