Bill would allow Medicare coverage for self-treatment
A bill (H.R. 4375) introduced in Congress by Representative Tammy Baldwin
(D-WI) would allow Medicare to cover the cost of patient-administered
alternative treatments when they are cheaper than drugs that the program
would otherwise cover. The bill also directs the federal government
to research and list alternative treatments that would qualify for coverage.
Self-administered vitamin D tablets for dialysis patients are an example
of a treatment that could be covered by Medicare if the bill is signed
into law. The tablets cost about $8.50 per week, while the conventional
treatment-vitamin D injections administered by a health care professional-cost
$40-80 per week.
Whole Foods Magazine, June
2000.
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