Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), chairman of the Populist Caucus called for a delay to competitive bidding in an April 14 letter to White House Office of Health Reform Director Nancy-Ann DeParle.

In the letter, Braley raised concerns with CMS’s interim final rule to implement round one of competitive bidding program, and requested her to rescind it, according to a statement from the VGM Group.

“As a founding member and the chairman of the Populist Caucus, I am optimistic that Congressman Braley will get a favorable response out of DeParle’s office,” said John Gallagher, vice president of government relations for The VGM Group, Inc.  

The Populist Caucus is comprised of members with diverse backgrounds that are trying to unite congress members around key middle-class economic issues, including affordable access to quality healthcare.

In addition to his letter to DeParle, Braley also co-signed the letter from Rep. Betty Sutton (D-Ohio) to various Obama administration members also urging the rescission of CMS’s final rule.