PALO ALTO, C.A. –U.S. Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18), Chairwoman of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee,sent a letter urging the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to reexamine and reduce the monthly premium costs for Medicare Part B enrollees in 2022.

"CMS is on track to propose increased Part B premiums by 14.5%, the largest annual increase in the program's history. The increase is largely due to the sky high cost of a new drug to treat Alzheimer's (Aduhelm)," said Eshoo. "Biogen, the drug's manufacturer, initially listed the drug with an average astronomical cost of $56,000 per year. Biogen recently announced it would reduce the price of the drug by 50 percent, and I'm urging CMS to roll back the premium hike based on the lowering of the cost of the drug."

A PDF of the letter can be found here and the text of the letter is below:

Dear Administrator Brooks-LaSure,

I'm writing to you about the currently proposed 14.5 percent increase to Medicare Part B monthly premiums in 2022. This increase of standard monthly premiums by $21.60 for 2022 is the largest annual increase in the program's history and it comes at a time when seniors are already facing significant ongoing challenges as a result of the pandemic. I commend Secretary Becerra's directive to CMS to reexamine this substantial increase in Medicare Part B premiums for 2022, and I urge you to reconsider these prices.

As Chairwoman of the Health Subcommittee, I support Medicare coverage of drugs that treat debilitating and life-threatening diseases such as Alzheimer's. In June 2021, I was pleased to see accelerated approval for Aduhelm, the first Alzheimer's therapy in nearly two decades. Biogen, Aduhelm's manufacturer, initially listed the drug with an average cost of $56,000 per year, and this price was reflected in CMS's calculations that resulted in the 14.5 percent increase Part B premiums that was announced in November.

Aduhlem justifiably received heavy criticism by Alzheimer's experts and health advocates due to its risk of dangerous side effects and lack of substantial evidence for clinical benefit. Citing market concerns, Biogen recently announced it would reduce the price of the drug on January 1^st by 50 percent, adjusting its cost to an average of $28,200 per year. In light of Biogen's announcement to significantly reduce Aduhelm's price, I believe it is now appropriate for CMS to reevaluate the previously proposed Medicare Part B price hike for 2022.

I urge you to reexamine and reduce Medicare Part B premiums for 2022 to ensure American seniors are not asked to pay more than they can afford. I also stand ready to work with you to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries continue to afford fundamental access to life-saving health care.

Sincerely,

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