The Medicare program plans to use “competitive bidding” for ostomy and urological supplies. These supplies are very important medical products used every day by people with serious medical conditions to remain healthy, avoid infections, and live independently. Medical conditions that require daily use of ostomy and urological supplies include:
- Neuromuscular disease (i.e., spinal cord injury, stroke, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), cerebral palsy, etc.)
- Cancer (i.e., colorectal cancer, rectal cancer, bladder cancer)
- Inflammatory bowel disease (i.e., ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease)
Saving money should never come at the cost of a person’s health. Competitive bidding will make it more difficult for people to get the supplies they need. It will limit product choices and lower the quality of care.