DelBene, Marshall, Bucshon, and O'Halleran Applaud CMS for Securing Medicare Payments on Innovative Cancer Therapies

Statement

Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Roger Marshall (KS-01), Larry Bucshon (IN-08), and Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01) issued the following statement after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that secures access to groundbreaking cancer treatment.

"CMS' final rule will now fully cover CAR T-cell therapy providing lifesaving access to innovative cancer treatments for America's seniors. New and existing immunotherapies are part of a rapidly advancing field that is delivering hope for patients diagnosed with deadly cancers. In most cases, CAR T-cell recipients have exhausted their other treatment options and receiving this cutting-edge treatment will provide them and their families with renewed hope."

Earlier this year, the four Representatives urged CMS to establish an appropriate Medicare reimbursement for CAR T-cell therapy. The Representatives had previously met with their local hospitals and patient advocate organizations that underscored how the current reimbursement levels were insufficient to adequately cover the cost of treating these patients and how it was impacting patient access. This rule will provide predictable payments to help broaden seniors' access to CAR T-cell therapy.

"Over the past several years, we have advocated for access to CAR T-cell therapy and its promise of delivering 21st century cures. Establishing a new dedicated payment for CAR T-cell therapy helps hospitals treat their patients and paves the way for future similar treatments. We applaud CMS for delivering these lifesaving treatments to America's seniors."