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Old Sat Jun 2, 2007, 05:44 PM
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Medicare may restrict access to growth factors -- unless we speak up

What happened
In March 2007 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a "Public Health Advisory" about growth factors used to treat anemia resulting from chemotherapy. (Growth factors are also called ESAs, for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.)

The FDA's concerns were based on studies of patients with conditions other than bone marrow failure such as chronic kidney failure.

Many MDS patients are currently being treated with growth factors (Aranesp, Epogen, Procrit) to reduce or eliminate their need for transfusions. While the FDA's concerns may be legitimate for those other diseases, the findings do not appear to be relevant to bone marrow failure diseases. Scientific research continues to support the use of growth factors for patients with bone marrow failure diseases.
The problem
Despite the scientific evidence, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reviewed its coverage for growth factors and on May 14 proposed that growth factors no longer be covered for cancer, chronic kidney failure, and other diseases such as MDS.

The proposal is called "Proposed Coverage Decision Memorandum for the Use of Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs) in Cancer and Related Neoplastic Conditions (CAG-00383N)."

This proposal could affect all MDS patients. If you are on Medicare, this proposal could remove coverage you currently have. If you have other insurance, it could still affect you because many private insurers follow the CMS policies and could drop coverage for growth factors.
What you can do about it
There are three actions you can take. Instructions are in the next post below.
  1. Contact the CMS, which is accepting public comments on this issue through June 13.
  2. Contact your representatives in Washington, DC to tell them of your opposition to the CMS proposal.
  3. Spread the word that others should do the same.
This kind of advocacy campaign by patients can and does work. We urge all MDS patients and their family members in the U.S. to take these steps to let the CMS and Congress know your opinion.
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