Rep. Payne, Jr. Introduces Bill to Reduce Amputations Nationwide

Washington, D.C. — Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. introduced the Amputation Reduction and Compassion (ARC) Act today.  The bipartisan bill requires Medicare and Medicaid to fully cover screening tests for beneficiaries who are at-risk of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).

“There are too many Americans who could experience a preventable amputation from PAD,” said Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr.  “PAD is treatable if we can get people screened and catch it early.  We need to support and promote more screenings so we can save limbs and lives.”

Rep. Payne, Jr. is a strong supporter of efforts to reduce PAD-related amputations nationwide.  He co-founded the Congressional PAD Caucus to raise awareness of PAD and include it in federal government health care priorities.  PAD occurs when blood flow is reduced to the arms and legs because arteries become narrowed or blocked with fatty deposits.  It is a similar condition to the one that causes heart attacks, which is why PAD sufferers have a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes.  Today, 21 million Americans have or are at risk for PAD and an estimated 200,000 of them will need an amputation.  But these amputations could be prevented if PAD is screened and diagnosed early.