Rep. Murphy Probes CMS’ Proposal to Restrict Access to “Life-Saving Mental Health Drugs”

In a letter to CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner, House Energy & Commerce Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Tim Murphy (PA-18) questions the agency’s decision to eliminate protected access to mental health drugs on Medicare Part D plans. “The Proposed Rule fails to address the Agency’s past acknowledgement that Medicare beneficiaries require access to medications in therapeutic classes where different drugs are not interchangeable,” Rep. Murphy writes. “The CMS proposal appears not to be grounded in a concern over beneficiary health. Instead, the proposal seeks to increase profits through increased rebate-negotiating leverage for private Prescription Drug Plans Sponsors or insurers.”

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