NOTICE Act

S.452, Medicare Diabetes Prevention Act - Discussed bill with Senate. Discussed draft language on senior mental health with Senate HELP Committee staff. (no bill) Discussed Medicare Reform (no bill) Discussed Age Rating in the ACA and rate shock. (no bill)Labor, HHS Appropriations bill, 2015-Lobbied on preserving funding for the ACA; defended meaningful use of the ACA. (no bill) Discussed need to increase health information technology quality measurements and access to qualified systems. (no bill) H.R. 1099, To repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund - Lobbied against the repeal of the Prevention and Public Health Trust Fund, an important component in state and community efforts to prevent illness and promote health. Discussed Pre-existing Condition Insurance Program. (no bill) Discussed Accountable Care Organization and Medical Shared savings. (no bill) Discussed Rate Review. (no bill) Discussed Internal Appeals and External Review Process. (no bill) Discussed Medicare reimbursement issues. Lobbied in support of Medicare physician payment reform. Discussed legislation to make prescription drugs more affordable to older Americans. S. 1416/H.R. 2645 (112th Congress), Medigap Medical Loss Ratio Improvement Act of 2011. Discussed coverage for screening depression and screening and counseling for alcohol misuse. (no bill) Discussed consumer operated and oriented plan programs. (no bill) Discussed standards related to risk adjustment, reinsurance, and risk mitigation as they relate to exchanges. (no bill) H.R.2077, MLR Repeal Act of 2011 - Expressed opposition to the elimination of provision in the Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148)Discussed opposition to draft legislation regarding the elimination of grandfathered status. (no bill) Discussed association health plans with DOL, HHS and DOT. (no bill) Discussed quality and care coordination with HHS. (no bill) Discussed Essential Health Benefits with HHS. (no bill) Discussed employer affordability safe harbor. (no bill) Discussed health insurance exchanges - eligibility, enrollment, premium tax credits. (no bill) Discussed Basic Health Plans. (no bill) Discussed Medigap reform. (no bill) Discussed Pre-existing Condition Insurance Program. (no bill) Discussed role of grandfathered plans. (no bill) Discussed reauthorization of the Older Americans Act and other amendments to the OAA. (no bill) Discussed dual eligibles. (no bill) Discussed S.1119, Positive Aging Act of 2013. H.R. 2641, Farm Program bill-Discussed the severed nutrition programs from Farm Bill. S. 562, Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act - Discussed the bill for eventual endorsement. Discussed need to suport family caregivers and long-term services and supports. (no bill) Discussed repeal of medical device tax. (no bill) Discussed proposed regulation relating to Medicaid expansion coverage and minimum essential coverage. (no bill) Discussed Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion issues, including AARP comments on state 1115 waiver proposals to use premium assistance authority to expand Medicaid. (no bill) Discussed Medicare-Medicaid integration efforts and financial alignment demonstrations, other CMS demonstration initiatives. (no bill) H.R.3850/S. 1562, Discussed Older Americans Act reauthorization legislation. H.R.3662, the Mental Health Access Improvement Act - Sent letter of endorsement. H.R.4879, the Research for All Act - Sent letter of endorsement. S.2348, the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act - Sent letter of endorsement. Discussed legislation to address health disparities. (no bill) H.R.5294 - Discussed Health Equity & Accountability Act of 2014; no endorsement due to budget implications. H.J. Res. 124, Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 - Lobbied to protect various healthcare programs serving seniors from disproportionate reduction under Continuing Resolution.Discussed FTC participation in state scope of practice issues. Also sent follow-up items for their review. (no bill) Discussed Social Security programs. (no bill) Lobbied against cuts to the health care prevention fund. (no bill) Discussed deficit reduction issues dealing with Medicare and Medicaid including concerns over increasing Medicare's age of eligibility, chained CPI, and cuts to Medicaid. (no bill) Discussed Affordable Care Medicaid expansion issues. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services. Discussed Medicaid reform, Medicare-Medicaid integration efforts and financial alignment demonstrations, other CMS demonstration initiatives. (no bill) Discussed Medicaid expansion implementation, as included in the ACA (P.L. 111-140). Discussed Medicaid including concerns over cuts to Medicaid flexibility and Medicaid structural reforms to. (no bill) Discussed implementation of the Affordable Care Act, its provisions and H.R. 95 to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2015 - Lobbied to protect employment, health and human services and energy assistance programs for seniors, disabled and low income assistance. (no bill) Discussed Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion issues, including questions related to the use of premium assistance authority to expand Medicaid. (no bill) H.R. 1263, Excellence in Mental Health Act - Discussed the bill for eventual endorsement. Discussed Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion issues, including AARP comments on state 1115 waiver proposals to use premium assistance authority to expand Medicaid, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services. Discussed perspectives on proposed ideas for legislation to address health disparities with HHS and CMS officials. Discussed H.R. 3717, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act. Discussed Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion issues, including AARP comments on state 1115 waiver proposals to use premium assistance authority to expand Medicaid. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services. Discussed Medicare-Medicaid integration efforts and financial alignment demonstrations, other CMS demonstration initiatives. (no bill) Discussed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. (no bill) H.R. 2835/S. 1647, Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2013 - Urged co-sponsorship of these bills. Discussed hospital readmissions. (no bill) Discussed Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion issues, including AARP comments on state 1115 waiver proposals to use premium assistance authority to expand Medicaid. Discussed Medicare-Medicaid integration efforts and financial alignment demonstrations, other CMS demonstration initiatives. (no bill) H. R. 3850 - Discussed Older Americans Act reauthorization legislation. H.R. 5183, Better Care Act - Discussed legislation with staff regarding the bill. H.R. 5232, Notice of Observation Treatment & Implication for Care Eligibility (Notice Act) - Discussed legislation with staff.

Client expense: $2,380,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Administration on Aging, Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of the Census, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Highway Administration (FHA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Social Security Administration (SSA), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office

Pub.Law 111-148 & 111-152 - Discussed implementation of health care law that would reform the health care system to provide affordable quality health care, reduce drug costs and expand access to long-term services and supports. Discussed how to implement Medicaid provisions of Affordable Care Act. (PL. 111-148)S. 374, Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act - Lobbied in support of this legislation to eliminate the 190-day lifetime limit on Medicare coverage for in-patient psychiatric hospital services (112th). Discussed improving access to care for underserved population. (no bill) Discussed importance of maintaining low income subsididies and supports in Medicare. (no bill) Discussed the importance of coordinating services for those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid in order to ensure that beneficiaries receive all needed benefits but there is no duplication. (no bill) Discussed whether, and under what circumstances, managed care could effectively be used to provide benefits to dual eligible beneficiaries. (no bill) Discussed additional methods for fighting fraud and waste in Health Care. (no bill) Discussed Medigap and need for guaranteed issue for all populations and need to increase medical loss ratio. Discussed durable medical equipment bidding. (no bill) Lobbied for legislation to provide Medicare beneficiaries with additional opportunities to enroll in Medicare Part B.(no bill) Lobbied against the use of the Social Security account number on Government-issued identification cards issued in connection with Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP benefits and for other purposes. (no bill) Discussed support to curb waste and fraud from the Medicare and Medicaid programs. (no bill) H.R. 3630, Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 - Discussed the legislation as it pertained to SGR. Discussed Medicare Reform. (no bill) H.R. 2305/S. 1123, PRIME ACT (Preventing and Reducing Improper Medicare Expenditures) - Discussed support for bill and urged cosponsorship. Discussed the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit program and changes needed to further lower prescription drug costs. (no bill) H.R. 1588/S. 740, Medicare Drug Savings Act - Discussed the Medicare Drug Savings Act to require drug manufacturers to provide rebates for drugs provided to Medicare Part D low-income subsidy beneficiaries, including those who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Discussed potential improvements to the Medicare Savings Programs for low-income befeficiaries. (no bill) Discussed proposals that would establish per-capita caps under Medicaid as well as other Medicaid financing proposals including block grants and changes to the current FMAP structure. (no bill) H.R. 1717 - Discussed Medicare DMEPOS Market Pricing Program Act. Discussed implementation of regulations regarding minimum wage and overtime for home care workers and consumer-directed care. (no bill) Discussed the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit program and changes needed to further lower prescription drug costs and related agency proposed rule changes. (no bill) H. R. 1588/S.740 - Discussed the Medicare Drug Savings Act to require drug manufacturers to provide rebates for drugs provided to Medicare Part D low-income subsidy beneficiaries, including those who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. H.R.3830/S.1900 - Discussed pending U.S. trade agreement negotiations and trade promotional or "fast track" authority legislation and their potential impact on Medicare and Medicaid prescription drug programs. S. 2461 - Discussed Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) extension and CHIP Extension Act of 2014. Discussed Part D Payment for Drugs for Beneficiaries Enrolled in Hospice - Final 2014 CMS Guidance. H.R.5294, Health Equity & Accountability Act of 2014 - Addresses health care disparities; no endorsement due to budget impact. Medicare Advantage- Answered questions from some Hill offices. (no bill) Medicare Supplemental Insurance - Stated opposition to the elimination of first dollar coverage. (no bill)Discussed Medicare Graduate Nursing Education pilot design. (no bill) Discussed Prescription Drug Affordability. (no bill) Discussed Prescription Drug Shortages. (no bill) H.R. 3342, Affordable Medicines Utilization Act of 2011 - Lobbied to encourage state Medicaid programs to use safe, effective generic medications. H.R. 2576 - Discussion to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the calculation of modified adjusted gross income for purposes of determining eligibility for certain healthcare-related programs. Discussed opposition to caps on dual eligibles; discussed managed care and dual eligibles. (no bill) Discussed with CMS demonstration programs for dual eligibles and process related to the demonstrations, as well as other work of the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office, discussed consumer choice and continuity of care in Medicaid managed long-term services and supports programs, discussed focus groups on dual eligibles. Discussed Hospital & Critical Access Hospitals Conditions of Participation proposed regulations; requested that advanced practice registered nurses and physicians assistants be allowed the full scope of services in hospital admitting and visiting privileges. (no bill) Discussed Hospital Outpatient Therapeutic Services Final Rule underscoring that advanced practice registered nurses and physicians should be allowed to supervise such outpatient service clinics without physician oversight as long as in line with state scope of practice laws. (no bill) Discussed health disparities. (no bill) Discussed Medicaid reform, Medicare/Medicaid "dual eligibles" integration efforts and financial alignment demonstrations; and other CMS demonstration initiatives. (no bill) S. 3586, Recruiting Individuals to Drive Elders (RIDE) Act - Discussed Medicaid non-emergency transportation bill (112th). Discussed proposals that would establish per-capita caps under Medicaid as well as other Medicaid financing proposals including block grants and changes to the current FMAP structure. (no bill) Discussed extension of funding originally provided under the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act (P.L. 110-275) to State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs), Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRICs), and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) for Medicare outreach and enrollment counseling. (no bill) Discussed the prevention of cuts to beneficiaries in the Medicare program. (no bill) Discussed the prevention of an increase in the age of eligibility in the Medicare program. (no bill) Discussed the patch to the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) in the Medicare program. (no bill) Discussed concerns of block granting Medicaid. (no bill) Discussed the Kansas managed long-term services and supports waiver proposals and related implementation issues. (no bill). H.R.928/S.408, the Medicare Drug Savings Act - Discussed requirement for drug manufacturers to provide rebates for drugs provided to Medicare Part D low-income subsidy beneficiaries, including those who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Discussed Health Disparities. (no bill) Discussed medicare demonstration project replacing standard medicare cards with Smart Card technology. (no bill) H.R. 574 - The Medicare Physician Payment Innovation Act of 2013. Discussed Medicaid expansion and estate recovery. (no bill) Discussed Medicaid and asset transfers. (no bill) H.R.4994/S. 2553, Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act of 2014 - Discussed the bill and AARP support for the bill. Shared our letter of support. S. 2491, Discussed Medicare Protection Act. Discussed concern about CMS guidance on prescription drugs for medicare beneficiaries receiving hospice and coordination between hospice providers and medicare Part D sponsors. (no bill) H.R. 1179/S.569 - Submitted statement for the record for Senate Aging Committee hearing on Observation Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act and Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility Act (H.R. 5232). Discussed aging in place, HCBS, family caregiving. (no bill)H.R. 1179/S.569, Improving Access to Medicare Act - Discussed support of Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act and urged cosponsorship and advancement of the bill. Discussed CMS information regarding healthcare marketplaces. H.R. 2305/S.1123, Preventing and Reducing Improper Medicare and Medicaid Expenditures Act. Bill reduces waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid programs. Discussed Competitive bidding of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies. (no bill) Discussed repeal of Affordable Care Act provision making prescriptions necessary for over-the-counter drugs purchased with flexible spending accounts. (no bill) Discussed Medicare supplemental coverage. (no bill) Discussed the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit program and changes needed to further lower prescription drug cost. (no bill) Discussed potential improvements to the Medicare Savings Programs for low-income beneficiaries. (no bill) Discussed Recruiting Individuals to Drive Our Elders Act (RIDE) would increase state flexibility by giving states the option to receive federal assistance to reimburse their volunteer drivers for no-load miles. (no bill) Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 2015 - Lobbied to protect vital health and social services programs from enhanced reductions from the prior year baseline, and to prevent repeal of certain financial and health care-related regulation.(no bill) Discussed potential improvements to the Medicare Savings Programs for low-income beneficiares. (no bill) Discussed pending U.S. trade agreement negotiations, including trade promotional or 'fast track' authority, and their potential impact on Medicare and Medicaid prescription drug programs. (no bill) Discussed fraud, Medicare home healthcare, ways to find savings in Medicare without harming Medicare beneficiaries (care coordination, prescription drugs, waste, fraud and abuse). Discussed You've Earned A Say, ways to find savings in medicare without harming medicare beneficiaries (care coordination, prescription drugs, waste, fraud and abuse). PL.111-148 - Discussed implementation of provision to require reporting of nursing home staffing data based on payroll data. Discussed the draft legislation on Medicare fraud and abuse. Protecting the Integrity of Medicare Act. (no bill) Discussed the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit program and changes needed to further lower prescription drug costs and related agency proposed rule changes. (no bill) H.R. 1588/S.740 - Discussed the Medicare Drug Savings Act to require drug manufacturers to provide rebates for drugs provided to Medicare Part D low-income subsidy beneficiaries, including those who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. H.R. 3830/S. 1900 - Discussed pending U.S. trade agreement negotiations and trade promotional or "fast track" authority legislation and their potential impact on Medicare and Medicaid prescription drug programs. S. 2461 - Discussed Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Extension Act of 2014. Discussed Part D Payment for Drugs for Beneficiaries Enrolled in Hospice-Final 2014 CMS Guidance. Discussed the Protecting Integrity of Medicare Act. (no bill) H.R.5435, Home Infusion Site of Care Act - Sent letter of endorsement H.R. 5958 - Discussed the ACO Improvement Act. H.R. 5232 - Discussed and sent letter on the Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility Act. Met with Centers for Medicare and medicaid services to discuss three-day stay requirement for medicare skilled nursing coverage. H.J. Res. 124, Continuing Appropriations Resolution - Lobbied to protect funding levels for CMS program management under Continuing Resolution. Discussed coordination with hospice providers and Medicare Part D plans guidance for Medicare beneficiaries receiving hospice. (no bill) H.R. 1179/S. 569 - Discussed observation impace on Medicare beneficiaries, counting time in observation toward Medicare's three-day inpatient hospital stay requirement for Medicare skilled nursing facility coverage, and the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act (CMS & MedPAC). Discussed caucus for military/veteran family caregivers and support for family caregivers. (no bill) Discussed draft working paper on impact of observation on Medicare beneficiary out of pocket. (no bill)Discussed District of Columbia EPD Medicaid HCBS waiver. (no bill) H.R. 5232 - Discussed legislation and shared letter of support for the Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility (NOTICE) Act of 2014. Discussed Medicare Advantage. (no bill) Discussed H.R. 3616, Protecting Seniors from Healthcare Fraud Act. Discussed observation care and "two-midnight rule". (no bill) H.R. 1070, the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act - Discussed and sent letter of endorsement to bill. Discussed the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit program and changes needed to further lower prescription drug costs and related agency proposed rule changes. (no bill) H.R. 1588/S.740, Medicaid Drug Savings Act - Discussed the requirement for drug manufacturers to provide rebates for drugs provided to Medicare Part D low-income subsidy beneficiaries, including those who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Discussed potential improvements to the Medicare Savings Programs for low-income beneficiaries. (no bill) Discussed pending U.S. Trade agreement negotiations, including trade promotional or "fast track" authority, and their potential impact on Medicare and Medicaid prescription drug programs. (no bill) H.R. 2810/S.1871/H.R. 4015/S.2110 - Discussed SGR repeal and health care extender provisions, including the Qualified Individual low-income Medicare beneficiary assistance program. H.R. 4418, The Expanding Availability of Medicare Data Act - Sent letter of endorsement. Discussed Medicare data and billing transparency. (no bill) Discussed socio-economic risk adjustment. (no bill) S. 2240 - Discussed Medicare Choices Empowerment and Protection Act. H.R. 3024 - Discussed the Medicare Common Access Card Act. H.R. 4673-Discussed the Bundling and Coordinating Post Acute Care (BACPAC) Act and shared views on post-acute care return. Discussed Medicare expansion. (no bill) Discussed Medicaid Labs Spousal Impoverishment provisions (PL. 111-198). S. 2361, Discussed Stop Schemes and cons against Medicare and seniors. Discussed transparency in healthcare. (no bill) Discussed LTSS Hill briefing series. (no bill) Met with CMS on observation status. (no bill) Submitted comment letter to CMS on the FY2015 Medicare Hospice proposed regulation. Shared comment letter with some Hill staff. H.R. 4994/S.2553 - Shared letter of support for Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act and discussed the status of the bill. Discussed long-term survey and supports Hill briefings. (no bill) Submitted comment letter to CMS on the FY 2015 Medicare Home Health proposed regulation. Shared draft working paper on impact of observation on Medicare beneficiary out of pocket cost. (no bill) Responded to inquiry on observation. (no bill)

Observation Stay Legislation H.R. 1179/S. 569 entire legislation NOTICE Act H.R. 5232 entire legislation

Client expense: $30,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE