On July 13, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year (CY) 2024 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems Proposed Rule [CMS-1786-P],...more
We hope that you, like Congress, enjoyed some time off last week and are ready to dive in—for a few days at least. As we previously reminded you, the House is only in session 12 days in July, then away for August recess, and...more
7/11/2023
/ Ambulatory Surgery Centers ,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ,
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Drug Pricing ,
Hospitals ,
Medicare ,
MPFS ,
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) ,
Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) ,
Payment Systems ,
Physician Fee Schedule ,
Request For Information ,
Section 340B ,
U.S. Treasury
Calendar Crunch -
The House and the Senate just began a two-week recess for the July 4 holiday. Looking into the future, there are very few working days left on the calendar leading up to the end of the fiscal year. The...more
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) hosted the inaugural CMS Health Equity Conference on June 7–8, 2023, on the campus of historically Black Howard University in Washington, DC. In...more
Work Before July 4 Recess -
This is the last week before Congress heads out for a two-week July 4 recess, and appropriations work in Congress is ramping up.
The Senate Appropriations Committee will hold its first full...more
Can House Republicans Find Unity?
Last week, 11 members from the Republican Freedom Caucus voted against a rule to proceed to several messaging bills on federal regulations and gas stoves. These 11 members voted against...more
Debt Limit Extended . . . Now What?
Late last week, Congress reached a bipartisan, bicameral deal to suspend the debt ceiling into 2025. Over the weekend, President Biden signed the bill into law, preventing the United...more
6/6/2023
/ Biden Administration ,
Debt ,
Health Care Providers ,
Health Savings Accounts ,
Healthcare ,
HELP ,
Medicaid ,
New Legislation ,
Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Telehealth
All Eyes on Debt Limit Votes in the House -
Over the weekend, President Biden and Speaker of the House McCarthy (R-CA) reached a deal to raise the debt limit for two years (until 2025). The deal, dubbed the Fiscal...more
Debt Limit Debate Continues -
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen previously announced that the government could run out of money to fund government operations “potentially as early as June 1” unless Congress acts to address...more
The proposed rule would make transparency-related updates to state directed payments (SDPs). It would also require states to submit an annual payment analysis that compares managed care plans’ payment rates for routine...more
On May 3, 2023 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published the proposed rule Medicaid Program; Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services. The proposed rule seeks to increase transparency in payment rates,...more
Debt-Limit Discussions and Ending the PHE -
On Tuesday, President Biden will meet with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader...more
Lots of Healthcare Activity in Congress -
Activity in Congress focusing on healthcare issues has increased over the last few weeks and is not slowing down anytime soon. This week, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and...more
5/1/2023
/ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Drug Pricing ,
Health Care Providers ,
Healthcare ,
HELP ,
Medicaid ,
Pharmaceutical Industry ,
Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) ,
Prescription Drugs ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Proposed Rules ,
State Medicaid Programs ,
Transparency
A Busy Week in Congress -
This week will be very busy on Capitol Hill. Six hearings will focus specifically on healthcare. The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a legislative hearing to review 17 pieces of...more