Arlington, VA— In comments submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the American Consumer Institute (ACI) highlighted serious concerns over the proposal to include urology, tracheostomy, and ostomy supplies in the competitive bidding process (CBP).
These specialized medical products require individualized fitting and care, making them ill-suited for a system that prioritizes the lowest bid over quality and access. Evidence shows that CBP has historically reduced supplier participation, especially in rural and vulnerable communities, and has failed to ensure the availability of critical supplies. For patients dependent on these complex medical devices, the consequences of ill-fitting or low-quality products can be severe—leading to infections, hospitalizations, and diminished quality of life. ACI believes that cost containment should not come at the expense of patient safety, access, and innovation.
Read the full letter below
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The American Consumer Institute is a nonprofit education and research organization.