Today, Congressman Morgan Griffith, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, led a hearing in Washington, D.C. focused on legislative proposals aimed at improving patient access to Medicare services.
Chairman Griffith emphasized the importance of updating Medicare policies to address the needs of an aging population. “As our population ages, it is critical that Medicare policies keep pace with patient needs. Today’s hearing highlighted legislation that works to improve patient access in Medicare,” said Chairman Griffith. “Ensuring beneficiaries can obtain timely, cost-effective services is essential to fulfilling Medicare’s promise.”
Several members of Congress presented their legislative initiatives during the hearing.
Congressman John Joyce discussed H.R. 1703, known as the Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025. He stated: “H.R. 1703, the Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025, is commonsense legislation. It would give greater access to Medicare beneficiaries to titanium and to carbon fiber wheelchairs. There is one key word in this legislation, and that is choice. This bill allows Medicare patients the opportunity to decide whether a titanium or a carbon fiber wheelchair is the right choice for them, and if it is, patients with Medicare B have the ability to pay out of pocket for wheelchair upgrades if they so choose.”
Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks spoke about her experience as a physician and nurse and introduced H.R. 2005, the DMEPOS Relief Act of 2025: “As a physician and nurse, I have seen firsthand how critical timely access to oxygen equipment, mobility devices, and home medical supplies are to keep patients healthy and out of hospitals. When access to these services is disrupted, patient outcomes suffer, and costs to the health care system increase. That is why I introduced H.R. 2005, the DMEPOS Relief Act of 2025. DMEPOS suppliers, particularly small independent providers and those serving rural communities, are under growing financial pressure due to inflation, workforce shortages, supply chain disruptions, and Medicare reimbursement rates that have not kept pace with real-world costs. In many cases, suppliers are being forced to limit services or exit the Medicare program altogether, leaving beneficiaries with fewer options and longer wait times.”
Congressman Tom Kean expressed his support for H.R. 5269—the Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services (RESULTS) Act of 2025—introduced by Representative Hudson from North Carolina: “I appreciate this Committee’s efforts to educate all of us on legislation that could help our seniors who rely on Medicare. I support H.R. 5269... This bill would make vital reforms to Medicare’s clinical lab fee schedule... Ms. Van Meter, can you articulate the urgency of reform needed for Medicare’s clinical lab fee schedule?”
Susan Van Meter responded by highlighting upcoming cuts: “On January 31 about 800 tests will get cut by up to 15 percent. The cuts are going to hit tests that are among the most routine that Medicare beneficiaries rely on every day. Those kinds of reductions will have an impact on beneficiary access to services. It will also stifle innovation in the next generation of diagnostics those same patients need and deserve.”
The hearing provided lawmakers an opportunity to discuss proposed changes intended to maintain or expand access for seniors relying on essential medical equipment and laboratory testing through Medicare.
