AdvaMed Applauds House Introduction of the Health Tech Investment Act

AdvaMed, the Medtech Association, today commended Representatives John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA), Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Scott Peters (D-CA) and Angie Craig (D-MN) for introducing the Health Tech Investment Act (H.R. 6197), bipartisan legislation that seeks to improve health outcomes for Medicare patients through creation of a clear and consistent reimbursement pathway for a subset of the most innovative U.S. Food and Drug Administration-authorized artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled medical devices that provide more information than the clinician would have otherwise.

The bill mirrors legislation, S. 1399, introduced in the Senate by Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) earlier this year.   

From interpreting medical images efficiently and effectively to detecting diseases earlier, AI has the power to significantly reshape and enhance patient care. However, adoption of AI medical devices faces significant barriers due to inconsistent Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reimbursement policies. By establishing a pathway to long-term, stable reimbursement for a subset of some of the most innovative AI-enabled medical devices that help assure the right treatments for the right patients based on their individual conditions, the Health Tech Investment Act can help to improve access to enhanced diagnostic accuracy and better patient outcomes and drive more cost efficiencies across the health care system. 

Scott Whitaker, President and CEO of AdvaMed, said: “We thank Representatives Joyce, Van Duyne, Obernolte, Schneider, Peters, and Craig for their leadership with this legislation, which will help ensure that AI-enabled medtech reaches its fullest potential. For medical technology to benefit patients at scale, health systems and innovators need the clear, consistent, and stable reimbursement policy this legislation would provide.”  
 
Rich Fabian, Acting Chair of the Imaging Division, said: “Breakthroughs in AI-enabled medical devices are already transforming patient care, but without certainty of payment, innovative medical technology will remain out of reach for many Americans. If passed, the Health Tech Investment Act would make these critical technologies accessible to even more health care professionals and the patients who rely on them.”