Indy Standard

U.S. Senators Todd Young and Alex Padilla have introduced the Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at expediting access to innovative medical technologies for older Americans. The legislation seeks to address the current delay of approximately 5.7 years that seniors face between FDA authorization of breakthrough technologies and Medicare coverage.

The proposed bill aims to establish a more efficient pathway for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide transitional coverage for new and emerging medical device innovations to Medicare beneficiaries.

Senator Young emphasized the need for this legislation by stating, "Bureaucratic red tape is preventing millions of seniors in America from accessing medical advancements that have the potential to reduce health care costs, cure diseases, and save lives. Our bipartisan bill would streamline Medicare coverage of these advancements to better ensure patients receive timely access to breakthrough technologies."

Senator Padilla highlighted the importance of timely access, saying, "Timely access to lifesaving breakthrough medical advancements is essential to protect millions of patients in need. This critical bipartisan legislation would ensure Medicare covers cutting-edge devices shortly after FDA authorization to better diagnose, prevent, and treat life-threatening illnesses. I will keep working across the aisle to support health care innovation and expand access to care for rural and underserved communities."

The legislation builds on Senator Young’s ongoing efforts to enhance access for Americans to innovative medical breakthroughs.