On January 6th, CMS issued a proposed rule that would result in foundational changes to Medicare Part D and negatively impact America’s seniors, and other constituencies. Most disturbingly (if not surprisingly) it reveals the Administration’s authentic view of Part D by attempting an unprecedented level of government interference with what was intended to be a competitive, market-based proposition.
On Monday, CMS Administrator Marilyn B. Tavenner said the agency would not pursue the proposal. “Given the complexities of these issues and stakeholder input, we do not plan to finalize these proposals at this time.”
Translation -- The draft rule is dead.
Senator Mitch McConnell said he was “pleasantly surprised to see the Obama administration backtracking on a number of proposals that would undermine the highly successful Medicare drug program.”
Senator Ron Wyden also welcomed the administration’s decision to drop some of the Medicare proposals. In a letter to Ms. Tavenner last month, Mr. Wyden and 19 other committee members said the proposals would “disrupt care for millions of beneficiaries and unnecessarily interfere with a successful program.”
For a more detailed look at the now moribund CMS proposals, see Bizarro Part D.
Congratulations are due to Administrator Tavernner for acknowledging that the proposed CMS rule was a mistake – and to shelve it.
