The WOCN® Society Supports Bipartisan Bill to Protect Access to Ostomy & Urological Supplies

MOUNT LAUREL TOWNSHIP, N.J., Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN^®) today announced its support for the Access to Medical Supplies Act, H.R. 10787, bipartisan legislation that would exclude ostomy and urological supplies from Medicare's Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program for five years. Building on its longstanding efforts to protect patient access to medically necessary supplies, the Society has prepared resources to help its 6,500+ members urge their representatives to cosponsor the bill.

Introduced by Representatives Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC), and Brad Schneider (D-IL), the legislation would exclude these supplies from competitive bidding from January 1, 2028, through December 31, 2032. It would also require a technical expert panel and a demonstration project to assess the impact of including these supplies in the program, with safeguards designed to preserve access to clinically appropriate products.

For individuals living with an ostomy or managing urinary dysfunction, product selection requires careful clinical assessment. Ostomy pouching systems, skin barriers, urinary catheters, and related supplies must meet each patient's specific medical and functional needs. Restricting access to appropriate products can increase the risk of leakage, skin breakdown, infections, and potentially avoidable hospitalizations, while compromising patients' independence and quality of life.

"Nurses see firsthand how access to the right supplies affects a patient's health, independence, and daily life," said Christine Berke, MSN, APRN-NP, AGPCNP-BC, CWOCN-AP, WOCN® Society President. "We have spent years educating policymakers about the clinical needs of the patients who rely on these products. This legislation represents an important step toward protecting their access, and we urge our members to help Congress understand why these protections matter."

The Society has consistently opposed the inclusion of ostomy and urological supplies in competitive bidding, emphasizing that efforts to reduce Medicare spending must account for patient safety, clinical necessity, and continuity of care. Although the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a rule in November 2025 providing for their inclusion, WOCN has continued working with Congress, CMS, and other organizations, such as the Society for Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA), to prevent disruptions in patient access.

These efforts have included submitting formal comments to CMS, joining coalition communications to Congress, meeting with CMS officials, congressional offices, and mobilizing nurses to share their clinical perspectives with policymakers. The Society has also developed educational materials explaining the potential consequences of competitive bidding and the importance of individualized product selection.

"SUNA members care for the patients who rely on urinary catheters and ostomy supplies every day, and we see what is at stake when access to the right product is put at risk," said Nicole Zhang, PhD, RN, FAUNA, President of the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA). "For our patients, the right supply is not a preference. It is what keeps them independent, out of the emergency department, and living their lives. SUNA stands with WOCN in urging Congress to cosponsor H.R.10787, so that access to clinically appropriate urological and ostomy supplies is protected while the evidence is gathered."

Nurses are encouraged to share their experience caring for patients who depend on these products and help policymakers understand how coverage and procurement decisions affect care. To learn more about WOCN's advocacy efforts and access educational resources, visit wocn.org/competitive-bidding.

About WOCN®

Founded in 1968, the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®) is the largest and most recognized professional nursing community dedicated to advancing the practice and delivery of expert healthcare to individuals with wound, ostomy, and continence care needs. Through relevant education, effective advocacy, cutting-edge science, a supportive network, and a patient-centric approach, the Society enables professional growth for more than 6,500 members and aids in improving patient outcomes. Visit wocn.org.

About SUNA

The Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA) is the national professional association for urologic nursing, founded in 1970 as the American Urological Association Allied and renamed SUNA in 1995. SUNA's mission is empowering health care professionals to improve the quality of life for urology patients and caregivers, and its vision is optimal outcomes for all patients through high-quality care. Through education, research, evidence-based clinical practice, and advocacy, SUNA supports registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, and other urologic health professionals who care for patients across the lifespan with urologic conditions. Visit suna.org. 

SOURCE WOCN Society