SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — H.D. Smith has voiced its support for the Fairness in Medicare Bidding Act, which seeks to repeal the Medicare durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program included in the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA).

The pharmaceutical distributor and health care products wholesaler said Monday that the bill (H.R. 1041), introduced by Reps. Jason Altmire (D., Pa.) and Glenn Thompson (R., Pa.), has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce, House Appropriations and House ways and Means Committees.

"We applaud the efforts of Reps. Altmire and Thompson in introducing this legislation that will help ensure marketplace competition, patient access and quality of care for home medical equipment suppliers and consumers," Ron Lanton, government affairs counsel at H.D. Smith, said in a statement.

The DMEPOS program created as part of MMA was intended to reduce the Medicare excess product cost while assuring beneficiary access to quality care providers, according to H.D. Smith. However, the distributor said the program’s "unclear standards" have had a negative impact on competition among home medical equipment suppliers and resulted in fewer players in that market, decreased patient access and quality care, and "the potential for additional strain on the Medicare system."

"H.R. 1041 provides a commonsense solution to ensure an open and fair marketplace that can provide patients the health care options they need for their medical care and quality of life," Lanton commented.