Federal Court Suit Filed To Lift Medicare Coverage Bar On Off-Label, "Medically Necessary" Drugs, USA

 

The Medicare Rights Center filed suit in federal district court today, asking a judge to declare unlawful the Bush Administration's refusal to allow Medicare coverage of a broad range of medically necessary "off-label" drugs.
"Too many people are being forced to go without needed medications because of the Bush Administration's misreading of the Medicare Part D statute," said Robert M. Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center, a national consumer advocacy group. "The administration is defying the intent of Congress, and keeping people from the medicine they need by its refusal to allow coverage of prescriptions that patients' doctors insist are needed."

"Without coverage of off-label prescriptions," the suits alleges, "people face increased suffering. And Medicare often bears increased costs because of the need for more drastic care, such as emergency hospitalizations, that results when people do not receive the medicines that they need."

Medicare Rights Center (MRC) is the largest independent source of health care information and assistance in the United States for people with Medicare. Founded in 1989, MRC helps older adults and people with disabilities get good, affordable health care.

Federal Court Suit Filed To Lift Medicare Coverage Bar On Off-Label, "Medically Necessary" Drugs, USA

Medicare Rights Center

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