Andrew Fish, executive director of AdvaMedDx, a division of the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) focused on diagnostics policy matters, released the following statement on the introduction in the U.S. House of Representatives of the Modernizing Our Drug and Diagnostics Evaluation and Regulatory Network (MODDERN) Cures Act, which is designed to address flaws in Medicare’s current system for reimbursing medical diagnostics tests:

“Diagnostic tests are critical to modern health care, impacting patients at all stages of care – from diagnosis and treatment to prognosis and follow up care.

“Unfortunately, innovative new technologies including molecular and genetic assays based on the human genome are being reimbursed under Medicare’s flawed and outdated Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule, stifling investment and further progress in new tests that are crucial to patient care.

“AdvaMedDx applauds Congressmen Lance for his leadership in recognizing the important role diagnostics play in patient care and the need to ensure continued innovation in this area.

“The MODDERN Cures Act would reform diagnostics payment for new tests by establishing new payment-setting criteria that incorporates elements of market value and takes into account the contribution of diagnostics to health care outcomes. Modernizing Medicare’s current reimbursement systems for diagnostics will create meaningful incentive for manufacturers and help ensure timely patient access to advanced diagnostics.

“We look forward to working with Congress and other stakeholders to advance this important piece of patient care legislation.”