On behalf of the Alpha-1 Foundation and entire patient community, we are thrilled with the announcement of the reintroduction of the John W. Walsh Home Infusion Bill. Thank you to Congresswoman Salazar for her continued support in sponsoring this important initiative and commitment to Alphas nationwide. We are proud of the perseverance of the community in securing co-sponsors to move the bill forward. We are excited for the action this term and to working together towards success,” exclaimed Scott Santarella, Alpha-1 Foundation President and CEO.
March 26, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME) reintroduced the John W. Walsh Alpha-1 Home Infusion Act. If passed, certain Medicare beneficiaries living with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency would be able to receive essential augmentation infusions at home. Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Burgess Owens (R-UT), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC),Young Kim (R-CA), David Rouzer (R-NC), and Paul Tonko (D-NY) are original cosponsors of the bill.
“Access to home-based care reduces healthcare costs while giving people dignity and peace of mind as they receive quality care in their home,” said Rep. Salazar. “I am proud to lead this legislation, which would make life easier for Medicare patients struggling with this rare genetic disease.”
Alpha-1, also known as genetic COPD, is a hereditary condition that, without treatment by FDA-approved augmentation therapies, may result in serious lung disease in adults and/or liver disease in infants, children, and adults. Therapy slows but does not reverse the progression of the lung destruction associated with this disorder.
“Many immunocompromised Alpha-1 patients were unable to access critical, safe, and effective therapies during the pandemic due to outdated Medicare restrictions on home infusion,” said Rep. Pingree. “The bipartisan John W. Walsh Alpha-1 Home Infusion Act will ensure that patients living with Alpha-1 can receive the life-saving care they need— comfortably and affordably at home. This commonsense, game-changing legislation will not only improve health outcomes and quality of life, it will also help reduce overall health care costs. It’s exactly the kind of meaningful, patient-centered policy the American people deserve from their elected leaders.”
“Thank you to Congresswoman Salazar for making this legislation a reality in the 119th congressional session. We are grateful for the reintroduction of The John W. Walsh Alpha-1 Home Infusion Act for patient access to home infusions for our rare disease community. The Alpha-1 Foundation has worked tirelessly so that neither age nor disability will interfere with the continuation of care when transitioning to the Medicare system. The John W. Walsh Alpha-1 Home Infusion Act will cement the next step forward in improving the lives of Alphas for generations to come, alleviating the burdens that comes with a diagnosis of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and the resulting costs,” said Scott Santarella, President and CEO, Alpha-1 Foundation.
Rep. Maria Salazar has been a leader in rare disease and mental health legislation, previously introducing and passing into law The Summer Barrow Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act, to fund mental health and substance abuse treatment.
The full text of the bill can be found here. For a one pager on the bill, click here.
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