Blog Archive

VALID v. VITAL: Which bill will win in the fight to reform IVD testing?

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” gap=”35″][vc_column][vc_column_text]With the deadline for the reauthorization of the Medical Device User Fee Amendments (MDUFA) looming in September, many observers expect that the push for reform in…

Has Medicare Advantage achieved its promises?

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” gap=”35″][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Medicare Advantage program (also known as Medicare Part C) has long been touted for its potential to lower costs, expand consumer choice, and improve health…

Highlights of the February meeting of the Northern Virginia Health Policy Forum

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” gap=”35″][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Northern Virginia Health Policy Forum convenes monthly to provide opportunities for health policy professionals to learn from each other and from guest speakers. February’s session…

CMS Finalizes Policies for Additional GME Slots, Organ Procurement Payment, & Decides Against Changes to 1115 Waiver Days (CMS-1752-FC3)

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” gap=”35″][vc_column][vc_column_text]On the evening of December 17, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a follow-up to its final rule, Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment…

President’s Blog: CMS Is Not Prepared for Aduhelm

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” gap=”35″][vc_column][vc_column_text]Two years ago, in my role as Chairman of the Board of the Alliance for Aging Research, I wrote about the failure of CMS to adequately…

New EO Addresses Price Transparency, Hospital Consolidation, and Drug Pricing

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On July 9, 2021, the Biden Administration issued an executive order (EO), “Promoting Competition in the American Economy,” to address corporate consolidation, lack of competition and high prices…

CMS Proposes Further Updates for Exchange Health Plans Starting 2022, Including Fees, Enrollment, and 1332 Waivers (CMS-9906-P)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On the evening of June 28, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Department of the Treasury put a proposed rule on display[1] that includes…

MedPAC Releases June Report to Congress

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On June 15, 2021, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) released one of their two annual Reports to Congress.[1],[2] The report includes recommendations to revise Medicare Advantage (MA)…

MACPAC Releases June Report to Congress

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On June 15, 2021, the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) released one of their two annual Reports to Congress.[1],[2] The June…

CMS Extends & Modifies Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model (CMS-5529-F)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On April 29, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted the final rule Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model Three-Year Extension and Changes to Episode…

CMS Proposes FY 2022 Payment Policies for Hospitals, Extending Add-on Payments, Adding GME Slots, and Repealing Market-Based Data Collection

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” gap=”35″][vc_column][vc_column_text]On the evening of April 27, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its proposed rule, Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute…

White House Releases Funding Request for FY2022, Including Investments in Public Health, Health Equity, and Opioid Treatment

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Budget Proposal Hearing Summaries from Appropriation Subcommittees April 15, 2021: House Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services (HHS), Education, & Related Agencies · Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro…

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