NW Houston News

Congressional leaders have introduced a new bipartisan bill aimed at aiding seniors in accessing critical medications. The proposal, called the Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act, was presented by Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-TX-02), alongside Representatives Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), Carol Miller (R-WV-01), and Darren Soto (D-FL-09).

The proposed legislation seeks to extend a previous waiver issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which allowed Medicare patients to receive crucial medications by mail or through caregivers, for an additional five years. Initially implemented during the COVID-19 public health emergency, this waiver helped independent physicians deliver medications directly to patients who could not visit doctors’ offices in person. The retraction of this policy has complicated access to prescribed drugs for patients with severe conditions.

For those residing in rural areas, the journey to a doctor’s office can be challenging and time-consuming, particularly for elderly patients with significant health issues. By reinstating previous policies, the bill aims to ease accessibility for those who rely heavily on mail-order pharmaceuticals.

“When bureaucratic red tape from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) prevents patients from receiving critical care, the government is failing to serve the interests of the American people. This policy change cuts through that nonsense, making sure independent doctors can mail essential medications directly to their patients—especially critical for homebound seniors and those in rural areas,” said Congressman Crenshaw.

Congresswoman Harshbarger echoed this sentiment, highlighting the difficulty faced by seniors in rural Tennessee in reaching pharmacists. "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," said Harshbarger, emphasizing the responsibility of lawmakers to facilitate easier access to medications.

Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, a breast cancer survivor, underscored the importance of this legislation for cancer survivors. “Increasing access to care is vital, and few places is it more important than for cancer survivors. As a breast cancer survivor, I know the difficult realities that patients, their families, and caregivers face along their journey of survivorship – and my goal is to remove as many as possible,” she stated, advocating for the elimination of obstacles permitting mail delivery of essential drugs.

Congresswoman Miller also addressed the geographical challenges in West Virginia, stressing the importance of reducing barriers for those needing medication. "In my home state of West Virginia, it can take hours for a patient just to get to their nearest physician and they simply do not have that kind of time to waste when it comes to their health,” said Miller.

Congressman Soto emphasized the significance of reliable access for seniors, advocating for a streamlined process to ensure timely availability of life-saving treatments. “Seniors deserve reliable and affordable access to the medications they need to stay healthy. We’re working to cut through unnecessary red tape and ensure that our seniors can access life-saving treatments without delays. This bipartisan effort is about putting the health and well-being of our seniors first," he said.

The bill will now proceed to further legislative scrutiny.