John W. Walsh Alpha-1 Home Infusion Act of 2025
John W. Walsh Alpha-1 Home Infusion Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# John W. Walsh Alpha-1 Home Infusion Act of 2025 — Plain Language Summary **What the bill would do:** This bill would expand Medicare coverage to include at-home treatment for people with a serious genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. People with this condition lack a protective protein in their lungs, which puts them at high risk for emphysema and other diseases. The bill specifically allows Medicare to cover "augmentation therapy"—a treatment that replaces the missing protein—when patients receive it at home rather than at a medical facility. **Who it affects and key provisions:** The bill applies to Medicare beneficiaries (primarily seniors and some disabled individuals) who have severe hereditary AAT deficiency with emphysema.
Treatment would need to be administered by qualified home infusion therapy suppliers while patients are under the care of a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. By enabling at-home treatment, the bill aims to make therapy more convenient and accessible for patients with this rare genetic disease. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee (HR 2343 in the 119th Congress), sponsored by Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL). It has not yet been voted on by the full House.
CRS Official Summary
John W. Walsh Alpha-1 Home Infusion Act of 2025This bill provides for Medicare coverage of treatment for alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency (a protein deficiency that raises the risk of lung and other diseases). Specifically, the bill provides for coverage of at-home augmentation therapy for beneficiaries with emphysema as a result of severe hereditary AAT deficiency. Treatment must be provided through qualified home infusion therapy suppliers; beneficiaries must be under the care of a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.