Rep. Van Duyne Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Improve Access to Diagnostic Services at Home

Washington, D.C.- Yesterday, Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (TX-24) introduced legislation to provide Medicare beneficiaries with more flexibility for care through an update to Medicare reimbursement for portable diagnostic services to include ultrasound procedures. The Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity (PURE) Actwas introduced in the House by Representatives Beth Van Duyne (R-TX-24), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-01), and Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), and in the Senate by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH).

"Our bill offers an important step to modernize our health care system and ensure seniors receive the high-quality care they deserve," said Congresswoman Van Duyne. "The Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity Act (PURE Act) will expand access to lifesaving portable ultrasound services and remove the burdensome red tape facing North Texas medical providers, allowing them to provide better, more flexible care. By recognizing portable ultrasounds under Medicare's reimbursement structure, we will improve care for vulnerable populations and prevent unnecessary hospital visits, lowering costs for patients and taxpayers."

"Portable ultrasounds play a critical role in diagnosing potentially life-threatening conditions," said Senator Cornyn."By ensuring providers can be reimbursed for the transportation and set up of these exams, our legislation will help Medicare beneficiaries receive more efficient and effective care."

"Our seniors need access to timely and medically appropriate services, regardless of where they reside," said Congressman Schneider. "I am proud to help introduce the PURE Act to promote greater access to diagnostic services for individuals who require an ultrasound at home and help reduce unnecessary, avoidable hospitalizations."

"I am proud to support the Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity Act of 2024, which ensures that seniors, especially those in rural areas, have access to critical healthcare services like ultrasound technology," said Congresswoman Miller-Meeks. "This bill levels the playing field for Medicare patients and increases access to x-ray, ultrasound, and EKG screenings to make sure beneficiaries get the at-home care they need, no matter where they live. I thank Rep. Van Duyne for her leadership."

"When patients need lifesaving ultrasound services but can't reach a hospital, they're often left without other options. The Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity Act closes that gap by enabling portable ultrasounds to reach patients directly at their bedsides, allowing for rapid diagnosis of serious conditions like blood clots, heart failure, and abdominal disease," said Congresswoman Trahan. "This bipartisan, bicameral legislation leverages cutting-edge portable ultrasound technology to make health care more accessible and affordable for those in our communities who need it most."

"APDA applauds Sen. Cornyn, Sen. Hassan, Rep. Van Duyne, Rep. Schneider, Rep. Miller-Meeks and Rep. Trahan for their bipartisan leadership to improve and expand access to portable ultrasound exams while lowering the cost of care for patients. The PURE Act will help ensure our members can continue to meet the growing demand across the country for portable diagnostic services to allow seniors and our most vulnerable to receive the treatment they need in the comfort of their own homes," said Tamara Schwartz, President of the American Portable Diagnostics Association (APDA).

BACKGROUND:

The legislation aims to recognize portable ultrasound procedures and provide the same transportation reimbursement that Medicare currently allows for portable x-ray services. Advances in technology have made portable ultrasound machines more compact and lightweight with improved imaging capabilities. This has led to an increased demand for these high-quality imaging services to be administered at the bedside enabling the rapid diagnosis of patients for a range of acute and chronic conditions, including blood clots, heart failure, or abdominal disease. Yet, outdated Medicare policy has not kept pace to allow providers of portable diagnostic services to receive reimbursement for ultrasound procedures.

Click HEREfor bill text.

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