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Medicare And Alzheimer's Drugs: Grassroots Campaign Opposing Coverage Aims To ‘Take On Big Pharma’

 
• By Cathy Kelly

Nearly 5,000 comments from individuals on CMS’ proposal to restrict coverage of Alzheimer’s drugs argue that Aduhelm should never have been approved and should not be covered. The outpouring is surprising in light of expectations there would be a flood of patient comments urging broader coverage.

Medicare Premium Hike Sparked Rancor Against Pharma Prices • Source: Alamy

In a twist, a grassroots letter writing campaign has produced thousands of comments from individuals to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services arguing against Medicare coverage for Alzheimer’s drugs like Biogen, Inc. and Eisai Co., Ltd.’s Aduhelm.

Organized by national community activist organization More Perfect Union, the campaign has resulted in approximately 4,700 submissions to CMS regarding the agency’s draft national coverage determination that allows Medicare coverage...

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