Seniors

What They Are Saying: Overwhelming Support for DelBene’s Prior Authorization Reform Bill

| Posted in Press Releases

Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-08) and Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) and Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (KS), Kyrsten Sinema (AZ), John Thune (SD), and Sherrod Brown (OH) recently introduced an updated Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act. The bipartisan legislation would streamline Medicare Advantage’s prior authorization process to…

Everett Herald: As patients ‘get sicker while they wait,’ doctors fight insurance delays

| Posted in In the News

When doctors diagnosed Robin Sparks with cancer two years ago, they needed to act fast. The hard lump on her neck was Stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a blood cancer that penetrates bone marrow and attacks the immune system. Sparks, of Marysville, spent weeks wading through tests and appointments to get her diagnosis. Three months into her six-month chemotherapy treatment, Sparks’ doctors…

Axios: Prior auth has its moment (again)

| Posted in In the News

  A prior authorization overhaul for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries may have a stronger chance of passage in this Congress. That's because of an expected lower CBO score, a new rule on the issue, and renewed urgency in a post-Chevron environment. Why it matters: Medicare Advantage beneficiaries have faced delays and denials of care due to the prior…

DelBene Hosts Roundtable with CMS Administrator on Cutting Health Insurance Red Tape, Improving Care for Seniors

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) hosted a roundtable discussion with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Washington patients, and physicians to discuss the policy changes taking place that will improve Washingtonians access to health services and reduce burden on Washington providers. During the discussion, participants…

DelBene ‘Breakthrough’ Legislation Advanced by Ways & Means Committee

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, the House Ways & Means Committee marked up the Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act (H.R. 1691), bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Brad Wenstrup (OH-02) to provide Medicare beneficiaries with faster access to safe, effective breakthrough medical devices. The bill was approved 36-5. The bill would…

DelBene Introduces Updated Prior Authorization Reform Bill

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) introduced an updated Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act along with Representatives Mike Kelly (PA-16), Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-08) and Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) and Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (KS), Kyrsten Sinema (AZ), John Thune (SD), and Sherrod Brown (OH). The bipartisan legislation would help get seniors the care they need and…

DelBene, Obernolte Celebrate Full Committee Passage of the HOLD Act

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously passed the Honor Our Living Donors (HOLD) Act (H.R. 6020) that Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Jay Obernolte (CA-23) introduced. The HOLD Act will allow more living donors to qualify for wage, travel, and caregiver reimbursements when donating organs. “No one should have to choose between a paycheck and donating a…

Lawmakers Urge Health Regulators to Develop Kidney Screening Recommendations

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Congressional Kidney Caucus Co-Chairs Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-08) led a bipartisan group of 44 members of Congress urging federal health regulators to develop a screening recommendation for people at high risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular…

DelBene Highlights Efforts to Lower Health Care Costs at Bothell Senior Center

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) hosted a forum at the Northshore Senior Center in Bothell to hear concerns from residents and highlight her work in Congress to lower health care costs. Last week marked the 14th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, the historic law that has allowed millions of Americans to access affordable, high-quality health care coverage while protecting…

Kidney Caucus Co-Chairs Statement on National Donor Day

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Congressional Kidney Caucus Co-Chairs Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Larry Bucshon, MD (IN-08) released the following statement on National Donor Day. “Today we honor all those who have selflessly donated organs and tissue to save the lives of their families, friends, and fellow Americans. As Co-Chairs of the Congressional Kidney Caucus, we give special recognition to living donors…