Sec. 2. Findings; purpose
191 words·~1 min read·
/bill/113/hr/3320/ih/section-2A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Congress finds the following: Ventricular assistance devices are mechanical blood pumps that surgeons attach to a damaged or weakened native heart to assist in pumping blood. Under its coverage policy as of the date of the enactment of this Act, the Medicare program covers ventricular assist devices for Medicare beneficiaries that meet certain criteria after open-heart surgery, that are approved and listed as candidates for heart transplant by a Medicare-approved heart transplant center, and for those who are not eligible for a heart transplant.
The Medicare program does not currently cover Medicare beneficiaries for ventricular assist devices who are— undergoing an evaluation to determine their candidacy for heart transplantation; or potential heart transplant candidates, but who are currently not eligible for heart transplantation because of a contraindication that may be favorably modified by the use of a ventricular assist device. Approximately 40 percent of patients who receive a ventricular assist device are not eligible for a heart transplant initially, but may become eligible as the ventricular support improves their overall health.
The purpose of this Act is to ensure Medicare beneficiaries with heart failure have appropriate access to ventricular assist devices.