--- title: Supporting a Streamlined Pathway for Medicare Patients to Access Innovative Medical Technologies - Patients Rising description: creating a streamlined pathway for Medicare patients to access innovative medical technologies image: https://www.patientsrising.org/hubfs/medicare-2.jpg --- [![Patients Rising](https://www.patientsrising.org/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/PatientsRising-u4m/templates/images/patients_rising_logo.png?width=120&height=900&name=patients_rising_logo.png "Patients Rising")](https://www.patientsrising.org/) - Policy Center - - [Policy Framework ](https://www.patientsrising.org/policy) - [Affordability ](https://www.patientsrising.org/policy/affordability) - [Accountability ](https://www.patientsrising.org/policy/accountability) - [Innovation ](https://www.patientsrising.org/policy/innovation) - [Federal Healthcare Policy ](https://www.patientsrising.org/policy/federal) - [Learning Center ](https://www.patientlearningcenter.org/) - - [LEAD Education ](https://www.patientlearningcenter.org/lead) - [Our Community ](https://www.patientsrising.org/our-community) - [Patient Senate ](https://www.patientsrising.org/patient-senate) - Insights - - [All Posts ](https://www.patientsrising.org/advocacy-updates) - [PR Magazine ](https://www.patientsrising.org/pr-magazine) - [Patient Stories ](https://www.patientsrising.org/advocacy-updates/tag/patient-stories) - [Medical Bankruptcy in America ](https://www.patientsrising.org/medical-bankruptcy-america) - [State of the Patient Podcast ](https://www.patientsrising.org/state-of-the-patient-podcast) - Get Involved - - [Share Your Story ](https://www.patientsrising.org/storyshare) - [Become an Advocate ](https://www.patientsrising.org/become-an-advocate) - [Join the Patient Senate ](https://www.patientsrising.org/patient-senate) - [Join Our Community ](https://www.patientsrising.org/community) - [Events ](https://www.patientsrising.org/events) - - [State of the Patient Summit & Rise Awards ](https://www.patientsrising.org/events/summit-and-rise-awards) - [Advocacy Fly-ins ](https://www.patientsrising.org/patients-rising-fly-in) - [Virtual Lunch n' Learns ](https://www.patientsrising.org/events) - Virtual Town Halls - About Us - - [Our Mission ](https://www.patientsrising.org/about-patients-rising) - [Our Principles ](https://www.patientsrising.org/patients-rising-principles) - [Our Team ](https://www.patientsrising.org/team) - [Our Board of Directors ](https://www.patientsrising.org/board) - [Our Advisory Councils ](https://www.patientsrising.org/advisory-council) - [Partners and Coalitions ](https://www.patientsrising.org/partners) - Corporate Partnerships - [Funding & Financial Reports ](https://www.patientsrising.org/financial-transparency) [Donate ](https://patientsrising.org/?form=support-patientsrising) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. [Medicare & Medicaid](https://www.patientsrising.org/advocacy-updates/tag/medicare-medicaid) Nov 07, 2024 Supporting a Streamlined Pathway for Medicare Patients to Access Innovative Medical Technologies Written by [Admin](https://www.patientsrising.org/advocacy-updates/author/admin) SHARE Link copied! [This letter](https://www.patientsrising.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/HR-1691-Stakeholder-Letter-Fall-2024_House.pdf) supports H.R. 1691, creating a streamlined pathway for Medicare patients to access innovative medical technologies. It highlights the significant positive impact of medical technologies, such as helping shrink hospital stays, reduce deaths from certain diseases, and lower fatalities from heart disease and stroke. However, the letter states that despite these advancements, access to innovative medical technologies remains a major barrier for Medicare patients. A recent study showed nearly 6 years can pass between FDA market authorization and Medicare coverage for these technologies. To address this, the letter explains that H.R. 1691 would provide temporary Medicare coverage for FDA-authorized breakthrough technologies. This would allow patients quicker access to these innovations while still giving the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) time to collect evidence to support permanent coverage decisions. The letter also supports ensuring H.R. 1691 includes coverage for innovative diagnostic technologies, as these are essential for getting Medicare patients the right treatments. Overall, the letter urges Congress to support H.R. 1691 in order to provide Medicare patients more timely access to new, beneficial medical technologies and diagnostics. [Read the letter](https://www.patientsrising.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/HR-1691-Stakeholder-Letter-Fall-2024_House.pdf)   Tags: [Medicare & Medicaid](https://www.patientsrising.org/advocacy-updates/tag/medicare-medicaid) ## Related Posts [View All News ](https://www.patientsrising.org/advocacy-updates) [State Policy](https://www.patientsrising.org/advocacy-updates/tag/state-policy) Oct 02, 2025 [UPL: Colorado’s first-in-the-nation price control sparks patient fear, outrage](https://www.patientsrising.org/advocacy-updates/upl-colorados-first-in-the-nation-price-control-sparks-patient-fear-outrage) [Read More ](https://www.patientsrising.org/advocacy-updates/upl-colorados-first-in-the-nation-price-control-sparks-patient-fear-outrage) [State Policy](https://www.patientsrising.org/advocacy-updates/tag/state-policy) Jun 09, 2025 [Washington Times: Ohio’s Senior Care at a Crossroads: The Case for PACE](https://www.patientsrising.org/advocacy-updates/washington-times-ohio-senior-care-pace) [Read More ](https://www.patientsrising.org/advocacy-updates/washington-times-ohio-senior-care-pace) [Medicare & Medicaid](https://www.patientsrising.org/advocacy-updates/tag/medicare-medicaid) Mar 17, 2025 [Patients urge U.S. Senate to confirm Dr. Oz as CMS Administrator](https://www.patientsrising.org/advocacy-updates/dr-oz-cms-administrator) [Read More ](https://www.patientsrising.org/advocacy-updates/dr-oz-cms-administrator) ## Get Updates In Your Inbox Sign up for updates about our patient education, support and advocacy programs and initiatives. 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