Letter to the Hon. Xavier Bicerra - Rep. Delgado Calls on Administration to Lower Medicare Costs for Seniors

Letter

Dear Secretary Becerra:

I write to urge the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take action to lower the proposed increase in Medicare Part B premiums for 2022.

As you know, the Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval for Aduhelm for treatment of Alzheimer's disease in June 2021. This controversial decision came despite the fact that the FDA's Advisory Committee did not recommend approval of this drug, and there is limited evidence about the drug's effectiveness in treating Alzheimer's. Many private insurers and the Department of Veterans Affairs have so far refused to cover this drug on their formularies. Further, the drug was initially priced at the exorbitant rate of $56,000 per year.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced in November that Medicare Part B premium rates for 2022 would increase by $21.60. This 14.5 percent increase is the largest Part B premium increase in the history of Medicare. CMS specifically referenced the possible Medicare coverage of Aduhelm as a reason for this large increase. Anticipating the cost of Aduhelm and other Alzheimer's drugs accounted for more than half of the premium increase.

As you know, the manufacturer of Aduhelm recently cut the list price of this drug in half. Further, the FDA's accelerated approval process still requires additional trials to see if there is any clinical benefit to this new drug. It is possible that Aduhelm will never receive a National Coverage Determination by Medicare. Given these factors, it is not acceptable to place the burden of this uncertainty on American seniors. That's why I urge HHS to lower the 2022 Medicare Part B premium increase.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for older Americans, and rising prices have been especially difficult for seniors on a fixed income. Now is not the time to raise healthcare costs for seniors. Families and seniors deserve access to the lowest cost prescription drug prices, lower health care costs, and access to quality, dependable care.

I urge you to use your authority to reduce the premium increase under Medicare Part B. Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.

Sincerely,

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