New 2009 Version of SAAAVE Act Introduced in Congress

Recently the “Screening Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Very Efficiently (SAAVE) Act of 2009, H.R. 1213, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Gene Green (D-TX) and John Shimkus (R-IL). The purpose of the new bill to make corrections to the original SAAAVE Act that was included in the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act and became effective on January 1, 2007.

The original law provides a one-time ultrasound screening for at-risk Medicare beneficiaries, including men who have ever smoked and men and women with a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), as part of the Welcome to Medicare Physical Exam. This provision was endorsed by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). If utilized, the law could prevent over 15,000 deaths each year from ruptured AAAs based on American Heart Association statistics. The law was supported by the National Aneurysm Alliance, a broad coalition of medical professional organizations (including SVU), foundations, patient advocates and medical technology manufacturers.

AAA Screening Facts

AAA screening is simple, non-invasive, effective and inexpensive ­ the average cost is less than $100. It is estimated that over one million Americans have AAAs and at least 95% of these can be successfully treated if detected prior to rupture. But because AAAs are almost always asymptomatic, the problem goes largely undetected and is untreated. AAAs occur in the body’s largest blood vessel, the aorta. The walls of the aorta weaken and the artery begins to bulge. After several years of very slow enlargement, the aorta eventually ruptures, causing potentially fatal internal bleeding. If detected, a physician can monitor small AAAs and begin treating the risk factors such as high blood pressure and smoking. Large or rapidly growing aneurysms can be treated by an open surgical procedure or less invasive procedures such as endovascular stent grafts. AAA screening is a sound investment compared to the enormous cost of emergency surgery and rehabilitation.

Problem

But because AAA screening was tied to the Welcome to Medicare Physical Exam, which is only available during the first year of Medicare eligibility, many at-risk beneficiaries were not screened. Less than 10,000 beneficiaries were screened in 2007. Also, many primary care providers and patients were not aware that this benefit is available. In addition, this condition may not occur until after 65, particularly in women.

Solution

The SAAAVE Act of 2009, HR 1213, would unlink the AAA screening benefit from the Welcome to Medicare Physical Exam and extend the one-time benefit to at-risk 65-75 year old Medicare beneficiaries.

Call to Action for SVU Members

SVU urges its members to contact their U.S. Representative and encourage them to sign-on as a co-sponsor of “Screening Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Very Efficiently (SAAVE) Act of 2009,” H.R. 1213. We need a lot of member help to get many more U.S. Representatives to sign on as a co-sponsor of the new bill, H.R. 1213.

See separate sample letter for you to send to your U.S. Representative.

To find out the names of your U.S. Representative, click here: http://www.house.gov/. To call your representative’s office to find their fax number or e-mail address, call the US Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your Representative’s office.