The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed the Lymphedema Treatment Act, H.R. 3630, which is co-led by U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th. The bill will ensure Medicare Part B coverage of doctor-prescribed compression garments, the clinically recognized treatment for lymphedema.

The bill, which was reintroduced in May 2021, is led by Reps. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill, and Buddy Carter, R-Ga., and co-led by Reps. Kelly and Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore. The bill passed by a vote of 402-13.

“Today my bill, the Lymphedema Treatment Act, passed the House with overwhelmingly bipartisan support,” Kelly said. “This bill will ensure lymphedema patients on Medicare get the treatment they deserve. Too often these patients cannot get their basic care covered by Medicare. Not anymore.”

The legislation will now move to the Senate.

Lymphedema is a chronic group of conditions characterized by swelling and discomfort in various parts of the body due to malfunctions in the lymphatic system. Between 1.5 and 3 million Medicare beneficiaries suffer from lymphedema. Patients undergoing cancer treatment are particularly susceptible to lymphedema.

Lymphedema can lead to infections, comorbidities and loss of function. Commercial insurance and state Medicaid programs cover compression therapy, but Medicare Part B does not cover most lymphedema treatments, Kelly said.