“Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3178, the Medicare Part B Improvement Act of 2017. I am pleased that Chairman Brady along with Health Subcommittee Chairman Tiberi and Ranking Member Levin and I worked in a bipartisan manner to draft this bill. It brings together a number of important measures to improve Medicare Part B. I encourage all of our colleagues to also support it.
“As I said during the bipartisan Ways and Means Committee markup of H.R. 3178, I hope committees hold more meetings like this. This is what the American people want and expect from their members-to get things done in a bipartisan manner.
“The bill before us today is pretty straightforward-it makes important changes to Medicare Part B in a number ways. It includes a common sense transitional policy for home infusion services cosponsored by Mr. Tiberi and Mr. Pascrell. Our colleagues Mr. Bishop and Mr. Mike Thompson are cosponsors of language to streamline Medicare rules to improve access to medically necessary prosthetics and orthotics.
“Mr. John Lewis cosponsored language to help dialysis facilities improve backlogs so they can more efficiently treat end-stage renal disease.
“Ms. DelBene and Mr. Mike Thompson are cosponsors of a bill that allows telehealth so patients can receive dialysis in the comfort of their own home.
“Finally, the measure includes clarification language to Stark laws that Mr. Kind led to provide more certainty for Medicare providers.
“Our colleagues on both sides of the aisle worked hard on these bills and I am pleased we can move them forward in a bipartisan manner. I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 3178 and I reserve the balance of my time."
