DENVER, July 31, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Coram, Inc., a leading national provider of specialty infusion services, announced its support and endorsement of H.R. 5791, The Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Consolidated Coverage Act of 2006.
This bi-partisan bill, which was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 13, 2006 by lead sponsors Kay Granger (R-TX), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Randy Kuhl (R-NY) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), states that Medicare will cover home infusion therapy under Medicare Part B, including all of the drugs, supplies, equipment and professional pharmacy and nursing services necessary to provide safe and effective treatment.
"Providing healthcare services is about providing the highest quality patient care in the safest, most appropriate setting," said Coram President and CEO John J. Arlotta. "It also is about continuously driving costs and inefficiencies out of the system. Today, Medicare beneficiaries are often forced to receive infusion services in costlier, less appropriate settings, away from the comfort and relative safety of their home. In addition, these services are accompanied by many unnecessary expenses placed upon the entire system."
In regard to the passage of H.R. 5791, Mr. Arlotta stated that "Medicare beneficiaries will enjoy full access to appropriate home infusion services. In addition, significant administrative and utilization expenses could be removed from the system, resulting in major cost savings opportunities."
Coram actively supports the efforts of the National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) to gain broad bi-partisan congressional support for H.R. 5791, as well as to secure bi-partisan sponsorship of a companion bill in the U.S. Senate.
To learn more about H.R. 5791, please visit www.nhianet.org.
To voice your own support of H.R. 5791, please contact your U.S. representative and senator. For assistance with contacting your U.S. representative or senator, please visit www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.
About Coram
Coram is a leading national provider of home infusion and specialty pharmaceutical distribution services. With over 70 full-service branch pharmacies, the company offers both national presence and comprehensive local coverage. Coram's 25 years of experience, clinical expertise and commitment to positive outcomes has earned it a reputation for excellence among patients, clinicians and payors nationwide. The company is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. For more information about Coram, visit www.coramhc.com or call 1.800.CoramHC.