EPO manufacturers and cancer societies have at least two lawmakers in their pocket in reference to anemia drugs. Representatives Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) introduced legislation that would overturn a decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to limit the circumstances under which Medicare will pay for anti-anemia treatments of cancer patients using pharmaceutical EPO. Legislation takes the form of a Congressional Review Act joint resolution, a rarely used tool that allows Congress to overturn regulatory decisions made by federal agencies.
The lawmakers allies in Congress, the American Society for Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology and the cancer treatment center company US Oncology also are participating in the effort. The CMS policy affects the use of the drugs only for cancer patients, hence the fraternal organizations' involvement. The resolution is meant to serve as a reminder that special interests with a stake in Medicare coverage have friends in Congress.
Congress has been intensifying its scrutiny of Medicare spending on pharmaceutical EPO, which represents the single largest drug expense for the program. Some other key lawmakers view the manufacturers of EPO skeptically, citing Medicare's rising spending on the drugs. Earlier in the year, U.S. Oncology reported in their first quarter SEC Form 10-K report that cancer patients are suddenly using a lot less anemia drugs and as a result U.S. Oncology will bank $8-10 million a year less than expected.
CMS Wants More Proof Before Reconsidering ESA Decision
http://www.bioworld.com/servlet/com....&forceid=45568
Groups Ask Congress Not To Intervene In CMS Decision On Anemia Drugs
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/86023.php
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