Competitive Bidding Demonstration Project  

This page will be devoted to information about the Competitive Bidding Demonstration Project, currently slated to take place in the San Diego, California area.  

Message from Linda Masin, ASCLS-MT President, dated 12/27/2007

The demise of competitive bidding did not happen in the Medicare bill despite enormous pressure by the laboratory groups.  Please understand that our own Senator Baucus had a key role in this bill. However, the environment in DC right now is more of a status quo, lame duck kind of deal and making changes was extremely difficult.  In my humble opinion-it is politics at its' worst right now.  Everything had to be budget neutral and even the physician fee schedule increase is only temporarily addressed until summer 08 as is the pathology grandfather clause.  I believe Max's office heard us clearly.  At this point, I would like to say thanks to all of you who voiced your issues and thanks to Max's office for listening and hearing us.  It is a rather tough deal going on as far as progress right now.  You can find out more about competitive bidding at CMS.  www.cms.hhs.gov

Message from Linda Masin, ASCLS-MT President, dated 12/10/2007

Dear ASCLS- MT members,

Your voice is needed NOW.  Please contact Senator Max Baucus and voice your support of INCLUDING the repeal of competitive bidding for laboratory services in the Medicare Bill that is in the works.  Today is a critical day and you need to send your message today. At this time, it is NOT included. The Senate Finance Committee is currently working on this.

Here is a suggestion to get you started:

Dear Senator Max Baucus,

As a Montana Constituent, I would like you to know that the laboratory community in Montana overwhelmingly requests that you include the repeal of Competitive Bidding for laboratory services in Medicare Bill that is in the works.   We believe competitive bidding is BAD for Montana ; hurts quality, competition, and patient care.  We do not believe it will save money in the long run.

Thank you so very much for your consideration of this matter.

Sincerely, XXXX

http://baucus.senate.gov/contact/emailForm.cfm?subj=issue

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