Osteoporosis is a threat to an estimated 44 million Americans. Eighty percent of those affected by this disease are women and most rely on Medicare for their health care needs.

The Medicare Fracture Prevention and Osteoporosis Test Act, which I cosponsored, would increase access to quality osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis and treatment. It also calls for a reversal of cuts to Medicare reimbursement for imaging procedures that are essential to diagnosing osteoporosis.  Preventive care is the most cost effective investment we can make.  “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is now more true than ever.

As Congress looks at various proposals to improve the Medicare system, we must consider ways to improve patient choice and lower costs, while being careful to preserve the program for this and future generations.