NCHR Comments on the CMS National Coverage Analysis of Seat Extenders for Wheelchairs

September 14, 2022: We strongly support the coverage of wheelchair seat extender systems through Medicare and encourage CMS quickly act on this decision. There are numerous direct medical benefits from the use of power seat elevation systems in power wheelchairs. Many preventable complications and secondary conditions are common among individuals who spend long periods of time unable to stand or walk, restricted to a bed, chair, or wheelchair.

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NCHR Public Comment on Genital Herpes Screening

September 12, 2022: We are writing to express our views on the USPSTF updates to its recommendations regarding asymptomatic serum screening for genital herpes (HSV-2). The National Center for Health Research (NCHR) is a nonprofit think tank that conducts, analyzes, and scrutinizes research on a range of health issues, with particular focus on which prevention […]

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NCHR Comments on the Calendar Year 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

September 8, 2022: We are encouraged to see policies in this Proposed Rule that would increase access to quality healthcare for millions of vulnerable Americans. NCHR supports the proposal for continued expansion of coverage for telemental health services. We also support the provision to cover substance use disorder (SUD) for Medicare beneficiaries.

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Diana Zuckerman Statement on the Role of FDA in Health Inequities Meeting of the National Academy of Medicine

July 26, 2022: The National Center for Health Research testified before a meeting of the National Academy of Medicine in July 2022 regarding federal policies that could improve health equity and decrease racial and ethnic disparities. There are many reasons for health inequities, but we focused on federal laws regarding diversity in clinical trials. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services requires research studies to include people representing diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. NIH, CDC, SAMHSA and other federal health agencies make an effort to abide by this law. The one exception among federal public health agencies is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which encourages but does not require diversity in clinical trials. The agency’s justification is American taxpayers don’t pay for the studies – the companies that make the products pay for the studies. However, taxpayers pay for FDA staff that regulate these products, and taxpayers also pay for the products themselves.

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