1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I am deeply concerned about the recent revelations regarding Extremity Care and its influence on Medicare policy decisions. The company's substantial donations to political causes, coupled with the delay in implementing crucial Medicare rules, raise serious questions about potential corruption and the misuse of taxpayer funds. Extremity Care, a company selling expensive bandages to Medicare, has made significant political contributions. They donated $5 million to the MAGA Inc. super PAC in February, and now they've secretly contributed $2.5 million towards a new White House ballroom. These actions coincide with delays in implementing rules that would have restricted Medicare coverage for their products. The financial implications are staggering. Medicare spending on skin substitutes has skyrocketed from $256 million in 2019 to over $10 billion in 2024. Extremity Care's products, like Coll-e-Derm and CompleteFT, cost thousands of dollars per square inch. This explosive growth in spending is alarming and potentially endangers the financial stability of Medicare and the wellbeing of seniors. I urge you to initiate a thorough investigation into these matters. We need to examine the connection between Extremity Care's political donations and the delay of the Medicare rule implementation until at least January 1, 2026. It's crucial to determine if there has been any improper influence on policy decisions that affect millions of Medicare beneficiaries. Furthermore, I request your support for implementing stricter regulations on Medicare coverage for high-cost skin substitutes. The proposed rule capping payments at $806 per square inch seems reasonable and could save billions in Medicare spending. We must prioritize the financial sustainability of Medicare and the health of our seniors over the profits of companies like Extremity Care. Time is of the essence. Every day this issue remains unaddressed, millions of taxpayer dollars are potentially being misspent. Please act swiftly to protect the integrity of our healthcare system and ensure that Medicare funds are used efficiently and ethically for the benefit of all Americans.