The Epilepsy Foundation applauds the Administration for pulling back harmful provisions proposed last November that would have impeded access to life-changing, oftentimes life-saving, anticonvulsants for the 1.1 million Medicare beneficiaries living with epilepsy.
| LANDOVER, Md., May 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Epilepsy Foundation applauds the Administration for pulling back harmful provisions proposed last November that would have impeded access to life-changing, oftentimes life-saving, anticonvulsants for the 1.1 million Medicare beneficiaries living with epilepsy. In the finalized Medicare Part D rule released Thursday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) codified the existing Medicare Six Protected Classes policy — affirming the policy’s importance for people with complex acute and chronic health conditions, including epilepsy. “The epilepsy community spoke up loudly against this proposal and we are grateful that the Administration heard us,” said Philip M. Gattone, M.Ed., president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation. “For people living with epilepsy, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ anticonvulsant, and treatment is highly individualized. People with epilepsy need access to the full range of anticonvulsants so that they — along with their healthcare provider — can identify and remain on the medication(s) that helps them achieve seizure control. Preserving this important policy will enable that to happen.” CMS established the Six Protected Classes policy to ensure that Medicare Part D beneficiaries living with serious and complex health care needs — such as epilepsy, HIV, mental illness, cancer, and organ transplants — have meaningful and timely access to the full range of approved medications necessary to manage their conditions and maintain their quality of life. Since November 2018, when the proposed rule to weaken the Six Protected Classes Policy was published, the Foundation engaged in a multi-faceted advocacy campaign to educate the public, lawmakers, and members of the Administration about the importance of preserving the original intent of the policy. “We are incredibly grateful to the epilepsy community for their support and for staying engaged on this issue, as well as to our coalition partners and members of Congress who expressed concerns,” said Gattone. Epilepsy advocates took action by submitting more than 870 comments to the Department of Health and Human Services on the proposed rule and by sending 3,671 letters to their U.S. Representatives and Senators asking Congress to help stop the rule. Together, these actions helped the Administration understand the importance of the Six Protected Classes policy. About Epilepsy About the Epilepsy Foundation
SOURCE Epilepsy Foundation |
View original content:
