House Proceeding on Sep 30th, 2009 :: 2:12:45 to 2:16:20
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2:12:30 to 2:12:46( Edit History Discussion )

Jerry Moran: not increase patient safety or expand access for thos patients. in conclusion, mr. speaker, i urge passage of this bill to protect medicare's beneficiaries to access to necessary medications and supplies from their trusted pharmacists.

2:12:45 to 2:16:20( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Wally Herger

2:12:47 to 2:13:08( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: i yield back. mr. terry: i ask unanimous consent to allow the ways and means committee, wally herger, to manage our remaining time. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. terry: continue to reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from new jersey, mr. pallone. mr. pallone: mr. speaker, i will have to continue to reserve at this time.

2:13:09 to 2:13:29( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: i may have additional speakers. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from california. mr. herger: mr. speaker, i rise in support of very simply delays the quality accreditation requirements for pharmacies until no sooner than

2:13:30 to 2:13:50( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: january 1, 2010. without this legislation, accreditation requirement would go into effect tomorrow and many armacies would not be able to supply our medicare beneficiaries with need durable medical equipment such as diabetes testing strips or canes.

2:13:51 to 2:14:11( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: i heard from a number of independent pharmacies in my rural northern california district who have expressed serious concerns about the cost of complying with this new regulation in many cases these pharmacies are the only source of basic medical supplies for miles

2:14:12 to 2:14:33( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: around and they are already strapped for cash because of reimbursement charges at the federal and state level. along with many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, i have taken the position that state regulated pharmacies should be completely exempted from the accreditation requirement. at a minimum i believe al

2:14:34 to 2:14:55( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: members can support a short delay in the deadline. certain eligiblerofessionals such as physicians are exempt from their requirements for d.m.e. supplies to be accredited as the compliant with quality standards. although pharmacies themselves would be exempt for purposes of

2:14:56 to 2:15:17( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: d.m.e., it's the physical pharmacy that has the medicare provider number and the center for medicare and medicaid services, c.m.s., did not exempt pharmacies from the accreditation requirement. mr. speaker, we must make it a priority to reduce waste, fraud,

2:15:18 to 2:15:38( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: and abuse in medicare and we need strong quality standards for d.m.a. suppliers. there are simply too many cases of fly-by-night suppliers who have defrauded the medicare program and the taxpayers by submitting millions of dollars in fake claims for power wheelchairs and other high end

2:15:39 to 2:16:00( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: d.m.e. however most pharmacies do very little d.m.e. business, moly involving small items like diabetes testing supplies. in addition, pharmacies are regulated at the state level so those that nange in -- engage in questionable activities can be identified and prosecuted.

2:16:01 to 2:16:20( Edit History Discussion )

Wally Herger: that the quality accreditation program with reasonable exems for pharmacies will great -- exemption for pharmacies will greatly reduce the $1 billion medicare spent in 2007 in improper payments for medical equipment and supplies. i will continue to support the