Cassidy Introduces Legislation to Improve Access, Lower Costs for Wound CARE

WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced theSkin Substitute Access and Payment Reform Act of 2025to update and reform Medicare’s payment system for skin substitute products—advanced biological therapies used to treat chronic, non-healing wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers.
“Under the current Medicare payment system, treatment for non-healing wounds can cost more than an ambulance ride. Tens ofmillions of Americans depend on these treatments—there is no excuse for letting price gouging exploit their need for such care. My bill modernizes reimbursement rules, lowers costs, and ensures patients get the care they need without reducing access,”said Dr. Cassidy.
The Skin Substitute Access and Payment Reform Act of 2025 would:
Background
Each year, more than 10.5 million Medicare beneficiaries require care for chronic wounds, which pose serious health risks and can lead to complications including amputation. Skin substitute products improve healing and patient outcomes, but the current Medicare payment system has struggled with inconsistent pricing and incentives that favor more expensive products, driving up costs for seniors and taxpayers.
###