Why We Support Repealing Competitive Bidding

On October 13, Representative Kendrick Meek (D-FL) introduced House Resolution (H.R.) 3790, which aims to repeal competitive bidding for durable medical equipment and prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) in a budget-neutral manner.

We support the bill because we believe that the current competitive bidding program is broken. If it is allowed to continue on, we have no doubt that it will drive reputable suppliers out of business and all but eliminate market-based competition. What’s even scarier is that this could limit product choice and access for Medicare’s frailest and sickest patients.

The current competitive bidding program is awarding business to an overwhelming number of out-of-area companies, inexperienced businesses and illegitimate bidders. While a re-bid is scheduled to begin this month, Medicare hasn’t made sufficient changes to fix the program’s problems.

H.R. 3790 is budget-neutral , and Representative Meek has outlined a strategy for delivering the same cost savings as the competitive bidding program without limiting access to care.

If you’d like to learn more about H.R. 3790, please click here.