WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Crenshaw (TX-02) joined Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Congresswoman Carol Miller (WV-01), and Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) in introducing the bipartisan Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act.
The legislation would extend a waiver issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for 5 years, which allowed Medicare patients to receive essential medications by mail or have caregivers and family members pick them up on their behalf.
During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), CMS permitted independent physicians to mail medications directly to Medicare patients or have them delivered by a caregiver or family member if the patient was unable to visit the office in person. This decision has since been reversed, resulting in those with serious conditions like cancer—now facing significant challenges in obtaining their prescribed medications promptly.
For patients in rural areas, traveling to a doctor’s office can mean an arduous journey, particularly for those without reliable transportation or who are too ill to travel safely. This legislation would ensure they can continue receiving medications by mail or through those responsible for their care.
“When bureaucratic red tape from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) prevents patients from receiving critical care, the government is failing to serve the interests of the American people. This policy change cuts through that nonsense, making sure independent doctors can mail essential medications directly to their patients—especially critical for homebound seniors and those in rural areas,” said Congressman Crenshaw.
"My district in East Tennessee is extremely rural, so for many folks, getting to their healthcare specialist or a pharmacy to pick up a prescription is difficult enough as it is. Now imagine having to undergo this task if you're elderly with cancer," said Congresswoman Harshbarger. "The ability to be able to mail these crucial medications to our most vulnerable was one of the few silver linings that came out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it's our responsibility as lawmakers to make the lives of our most vulnerable easier, not more difficult. This legislation accomplishes just that."
“Increasing access to care is vital, and few places is it more important than for cancer survivors. As a breast cancer survivor, I know the difficult realities that patients, their families, and caregivers face along their journey of survivorship – and my goal is to remove as many as possible,” said Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz. “The Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act, which I am proud to co-lead with Rep. Harshbarger, will pull down another obstacle for survivors to access the drugs they need. Our legislation would make it clear that physicians can deliver medicines to their patients by mail without fear of violating federal law, ensuring Medicare beneficiaries have timely access to them. Seniors, cancer survivors, and many others should not have to face additional hurdles to receiving the care and treatment they need, when they need it."
“It is vital that people who are dealing with old age or life-threatening illnesses can easily access necessary prescriptions. CMS’ current restrictions make it more challenging for Medicare beneficiaries to obtain medication by limiting pick-up only to the patients themselves. In my home state of West Virginia, it can take hours for a patient just to get to their nearest physician and they simply do not have that kind of time to waste when it comes to their health. That’s why I am glad to join Congresswoman Harshbarger in reintroducing the Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act which allows patients to receive their prescriptions either through mail or by having a family member or caregiver pick up the medication on their behalf. This bill removes any barriers that prevents Medicare patients from fully accessing life-sustaining treatment,” said Congresswoman Miller.
“Seniors deserve reliable and affordable access to the medications they need to stay healthy. We’re working to cut through unnecessary red tape and ensure that our seniors can access life-saving treatments without delays. This bipartisan effort is about putting the health and well-being of our seniors first," said Congressman Soto.
To view a summary of the bill, click HERE.
Click HERE to view bill text.