U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Jeanne Shaheen have reintroduced a bipartisan bill aimed at increasing access to Prescription Digital Therapeutics (PDTs). This legislation seeks to expand Medicare coverage to include PDTs, which are software-based treatments for diseases.
Senator Capito emphasized the potential of PDTs in addressing health challenges, stating, “Prescription Digital Therapeutics are an excellent example of how innovative technology can address some of the health challenges providers and patients continue to face.” She added that the act would allow more patients with various conditions to efficiently access necessary care.
Senator Shaheen highlighted the importance of reducing barriers to innovative treatments, particularly for those dealing with opioid and mental health issues. “Our bipartisan legislation reduces outdated barriers to increase access to innovative treatments that can help Granite Staters fighting diseases get better,” she said. She expressed pride in leading this initiative alongside Senator Capito, aiming to align these digital therapies with traditional treatments for Medicare patients.
The Access to Prescription Digital Therapeutics Act proposes that PDTs be evaluated similarly to traditional drugs. These treatments undergo safety and efficacy testing through randomized clinical trials and receive evaluation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before being prescribed by healthcare providers.
The full text of the legislation is available online.
