Matsui Applauds Inclusion of IVIG Demo in House-Passed Medicare Part B Improvement Act

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) delivered the following remarks on the House floor during consideration of H.R. 3178, the Medicare Part B Improvement Act, which included a provision to extend the Medicare IVIG demonstration project. The IVIG demonstration project was originally created by the Medicare IVIG Access Act, co-authored by Rep. Matsui and Rep. Brady, and passed into law in 2013: "Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3178, the Medicare Part B Improvement Act, and specifically a provision to extend the IVIG demonstration project that Chairman Brady and I worked on together. "I have long been a champion of those impacted by primary immunodeficiency disease, which includes more than 300 rare genetic diseases, all of which keep the immune system from functioning properly. A mild infection can cause serious problems and even death for these patients. "Thanks to the IVIG demo, Medicare beneficiaries with immunodeficiency diseases are now able to receive in-home IVIG therapy, meaning they can avoid community settings of care, which can be very important to people with compromised immune systems. "I'm pleased that this provision was included in the Medicare Part B Improvement Act. I urge support of this important bill."

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