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Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019
Legislative Progress
Momentum (last 30 days)
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0 actions · 0 new cosponsors · 0 votes
Speed vs cohort
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260d open
vs 9,062 other HR bills in the 116th — cohort avg 39d
Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies regarding prices for drugs covered under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Current law prohibits the CMS from doing so.
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Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Introduced in House
Congress.gov source codes: 1000, Intro-H
Bills with similar content found using semantic analysis.
Sources: Congress.gov
2021 · first_quarter · Health Issues
The Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148, P.L. 111-152): Expanding coverage and improving Medicare benefits; Providing needed protections to guard against insurance practices that unfairly limit, deny or rescind coverage based on health status; public and private health insurers should encourage preventive health care by providing full coverage, with no cost-sharing, for preventive services recommended by an expert advisory group, such as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force; Ensuring access to primary care physicians; and beginning to bend the cost curve; Prohibiting insurers from excluding or charging excessive rates to children based on pre-existing conditions, which later will be expanded to all persons; Covering young adults on their parents' plans; Eliminating lifetime and annual limits on health insurance coverage; Requiring that health insurers spend more on patient care and less on administration; support enactment of S. 248, the Empowering States to Innovate Act, which amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) to: (1) allow states to apply for waivers of certain health insurance coverage requirements in such Act (including requirements for the establishment of qualified health plans and health insurance exchanges) for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014 (currently, January 1, 2017), and (2) require the waiver application process to begin not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act; Phasing out the Medicare Part D doughnut hole; Eliminating patient cost-sharing for preventive services offered by Medicare or private insurers; Increasing Medicare and Medicaid payments to primary care physicians; Supporting the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to help physicians and patients make care decisions based on the best available evidence; Supporting the Center on Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to fund pilots of delivery models to improve outcomes and reduce costs, including patient-centered medical homes; Advocated against a December 2018 ruling by a federal judge in Texas that the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unconstitutional. Access to Primary Care in the Context of Comprehensive Healthcare Reform Legislation (H.R. 3962/H.R. 3590/H.R. 4872): Provide sliding scale subsidies based on income to buy coverage from qualified plans; Qualified plans should: provide evidence-based benefits, including preventive services; and be prohibited from excluding persons with pre-existing conditions, charging them more, cherry-picking enrollees, or cancelling or failing to renew coverage; Expand Medicaid to cover all persons below the Federal Poverty Level and ensure fair payments to participating physicians; As coverage becomes affordable, all persons should participate and coverage should be guaranteed; Responsibility for financing should be shared by individuals, employers and government. Medicare payment models that re-align incentives to support effective, efficient, patient-centered, coordinated care. Priority should be given to models designed to support the value of services provided by primary care physicians as well as to models that would create incentives, across physician specialties and sites of services, to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of care provided. Policy criteria for selecting the most promising models for pilot testing should be developed, in consultation with outside experts; The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), which has shown great promise in meeting the policy objectives suggested above, should be among the models selected for broader testing on a national pilot basis; the use of the medical home model for treatment or services under private health plans, the requirement of health plans to provide incentives to promote and report on medical home services provided, the establishment of community health teams and a primary care extension program to educate and support primary care practices in the delivery of medical home services, and the establishment of a demonstration project to educate physicians and other clinicians in training in the competencies required to deliver care consistent with the medical home care model. Medicare Payments to Physicians: Urged that Congress provide incentives to physicians who transform their practices into Advanced Alternative Payment Models and continue to provide stability for physicians in the MIPS program. Specifically, Congress should extend the five percent Qualified Alternative Payment Model participant bonus beyond the 2022 performance year, replace the zero percent baseline payment updates under Medicare with positive updates. Urged congressional committees with jurisdiction over Medicare to exercise their oversight authority and urge CMS to expedite approval of more Advanced APMS, particularly those that work for small and specialty practices and to simplify the scoring structure and reporting requirements under the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in order to fulfill Congress intent of a more streamlined program that reduces burdens on physicians; Supported S.2648, the Rural ACO Improvement Act, amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve the benchmarking process for the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) to ensure that all ACOs have an equal opportunity to share in savings regardless of their geographic location; Provided recommendations to CMS on the Merit-based Incentive Payment System Value Pathway (MVP), which aims to reduce reporting burden and complexity within MIPS while improving the accuracy and effectiveness of performance measurement. The College noted specifically that a robust, multi-year transition period will be critical to the success of the MVP, that it does not support making the MVP mandatory, that CMS should continue to support numerous reporting mechanisms, including qualified registries and clinical data registries, which have been instrumental in developing specialty-specific performance measures, among other things. Urged support for H.R. 8505, a bill to provide for a one-year waiver of budget neutrality adjustments under the Medicare physician fee schedule; Urged that any legislation to hold some Medicare physician payment codes harmless from budget neutrality do so for just one year and to allow evaluation and management increases, along with GPC1X codes to go into effect. Administrative Tasks on Physicians and Patients: Congress should accelerate its efforts to reduce administrative burdens on clinicians and patients, including: streamlining the prior authorization process, better integrating clinical data into clinicians electronic health records (EHRs), and working with CMS in their effort to overhaul clinical documentation guidelines; Urged Congress to cosponsor and pass the Safe Step Act (H.R. 2279), to require health insurers to provide an exceptions process for any medication step therapy protocol based on clinical decision-making, medical necessity, and other patient needs. Prescription Drug Costs: The College advocated for greater transparency in drug pricing, the elimination of anti-competitive industry practices that create barriers to generics coming to market, the importance of accounting for value in payment and coverage for prescriptions, and providing authority to the federal government to negotiate drug discounts under the Medicare Part D program. Specifically, the College urged Congress to pass the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 (H.R. 275/S. 62) from the 116th Congress, which allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate covered Part D drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries. Also urged that Congress pass the Reforming Evergreening and Manipulation that Extends Drug Years, REMEDY Act (S. 1209), from the 116th Congress, to aid in the approval of more generic drug applications by the FDA and therefore improve patient access to those medications. Also urged that Congress pass the Prescription Drug STAR Act (H.R. 2113), and the Fair Accountability and Innovative Research (FAIR) Drug Pricing Act (H.R. 2296/S. 1391), from the 116th Congress, to promote greater drug pricing transparency. Firearms-Related Injury and Death: The College advocated for lawmakers to pass measures to strengthen the criminal background check system, ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines, prevent the unlawful transfer of firearms to those who cannot legally purchase them, and remove restrictions on, and provide dedicated funding for, research by federal agencies on prevention of firearms-related injuries and death. Specifically, the College urged passage of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 8), from the 116th Congress, which would strengthen the accuracy and reporting of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as well as expand Brady background checks to cover all firearm sales, including unlicensed firearms sellers currently not required to use background checks, and the Gun Violence Prevention Research Act (H.R. 674/S. 184), from the 116th Congress, which would authorize funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to study firearms safety and gun violence prevention. Also urged Congress to pass the Violence Against Women (VAWA) Reauthorization Act of 2021, which passed the House in 2021, to provide protections for domestic violence victims by restricting access to firearms by those deemed a threat to them. Also urged Congress to pass the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 (S. 66/H.R. 1296), from the 116th Congress, to ban the sale of semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines. Urged support for the enactment of extreme risk protection orders (ERPO) to allow families and law enforcement to obtain a ruling from an impartial judge within 72 hours to temporarily remove guns from individuals at imminent risk of using them to harm themselves or others, with due process. Immigration: The College advocated against family separation at the U.S. border. Specifically, the College urged support for bills from the 116th Congress such as H.R. 541 - the Keep Families Together Act, which would help ensure that children are not separated from their parents when families unlawfully cross over the border into the United States and would ensure that the Department of Homeland Security would not be able to implement the zero tolerance policy that separated families at the border under the last administration; urged congressional oversight of family separation policies. Also urged that Congress pass H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2019, which would provide a pathway to U.S. citizenship for undocumented children who came to the United States due to the action of their parents, also known as Dreamers. Graduate Medical Education: Urged that Congress support medical education training and debt relief for primary care physicians and other specialties facing shortages by passing the following legislation from the 116th Congress: the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2019 (S. 348, H.R. 1763), to lift the GME caps as needed to permit training an adequate number of primary care physicians, including internal medicine specialists, and physicians in other specialties facing shortages; passing the Resident Education Deferred Interest Act (H.R. 1554), to save physicians in residency programs thousands of dollars in interest on their loans and help incentivize the opening of practices in underserved areas; pass legislation to combine DGME and IME into a single, more functional payment program, and broaden the GME financing structure to include all payers; support funding for GME/IME and programs within the Veterans Health Administration that provide graduate medical education to ensure that physicians are adequately trained with the skills needed to treat an aging population. Urged Congress to pass the Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 (H.R. 3414), which would provide Medicare support for an additional 1,000 graduate medical education (GME) positions over five years in hospitals that have, or are in the process of establishing, accredited residency programs in addiction medicine, addiction psychiatry, or pain medicine. Urged Congress to pass S. 1203 and H.R. 2441, the What You Can Do For Your Country Act, which would improve and reform the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Vaccines: Urged Congress to pass the Vaccines Act (HR 2862), from the 116th Congress, which would provide federal funding for vaccine hesitancy surveillance at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and outline a national public messaging campaign informed by this research to help improve vaccination rates. Physician Fee Schedule: Commented to CMS and to Congress to fully implement payment increases for all evaluation and management codes, as finalized by CMS, and as scheduled for implementation on Jan. 1, 2021. Reduce the documentation burden for E/M services by allowing choice of medical decision making or time, and work to develop additional clarity and guidance on acceptable documentation to operationalize these important proposals; examination room desktop computers should be counted as a direct medical equipment cost; care management should be promoted by increasing the values of services like Transitional Care Management (TCM) and Chronic Care Management and implementing Principle Care Management (PCM) codes; require additional survey and review for any requests to increase non-outpatient E/M or other services; work with the physician community prior to finalizing any policy affecting eligibility to participate in the Medicare program; Urged congressional committees of jurisdiction to support: Higher physician work relative value units (RVUs) for new and established office visit codes, leading to increased payments for them, Reduced documentation requirements for office visit codes, which enables physicians to select and document for each visit based on medical decision-making or total time, Expanded and improved payment for care management services. Urged Congress to support waiving budget neutrality, applicable to the calendar year 2021 physician fee schedule. COVID-19: Urged congressional appropriators to provide the highest possible funding level for research, prevention, control, and treatment of illnesses associated with the virus that is commensurate with the public health emergency that the virus represents. Urged the administration to explore regulatory and other actions that would make COVID-19 testing free-of-charge to patients covered by both public and private insurance plans, including ACA-compliant plans offered through the insurance exchanges, and to waive co-pays and deductibles for patients seeing physicians for symptoms that may be indicative of COVID-19 or who are hospitalized for treatment. Urged CMS to utilize a national disaster recovery program that would pay doctors 110% of Medicare rates for caring for uninsured patients who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Expressed support to Congress and the administration for a variety of COVID-related bills from the 116th Congress as follows: the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, H.R. 6201, and other stimulus reforms related to COVID-19 including: Emergency paid leave benefits, paid sick days for public health emergencies, coverage of testing for COVID-19, waiving of cost sharing under Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and CHIP, increasing the federal FMAP under Medicaid, providing reimbursement for CPT codes 99441 - 99443, which are telephone evaluation and management services, expediting entrance of international medical graduates who are citizens of other nations (non-US IMGs) into the country and ensuring that lawfully present non-U.S. IMGs are not negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, funding for physician practices under the Public Health and Social Service Emergency Fund (PHSSEF), providing tax relief, grants, and loans to small and medium size practices impacted by COVID-19, increasing funding for personal protective equipment (PPE), ensuring Medicaid pay parity with Medicare for primary care services; Urged HHS and Congress to make a targeted allocation out of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) to support primary care physicians and their practices, sufficient to keep their doors open, by offsetting lost revenue from the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to the targeted allocation for rural hospitals; Urged support for the Student Loan Forgiveness for Frontline Health Workers Act, H.R. 6720, introduced May 5, 2020 by Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) which would eliminate graduate school debt for healthcare workers, including physicians and medical students, who are providing direct patient care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; Urged support for H.R. 7059, the Coronavirus Provider Protection Act, which extend liability protections to those who provide care in good faith during the COVID-19 public health emergency (plus a reasonable time, such as 60 days, after the emergency declaration ends), and not in situations of gross negligence or willful misconduct. The College also urged that pay parity between telephone claims and in-person visits and between all telehealth and in-person visits be maintained after the PHE is lifted. This extension-either continued by CMS or mandated by Congress-should last at least through the end of 2021, or until such a time when effective vaccines and treatments are widely available, with an option to extend it even further, or consider making permanent, based on the experience and learnings of patients and physicians who are utilizing these visits. Urged Congress to support a targeted allocation from the Provider Relief Fund specifically for primary care services. Priorities for the Biden Administration: Urged the Biden Administration to identify and appoint physicians to health care leadership positions within his Administration. Implement approval, distribution, and funding of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine based on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Provide support to physicians and other frontline health care workers, including ensuring access and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) to health care workers. Fund COVID-19 testing and contact tracing efforts. Reverse regulations that allow the sale of extended short-term, limited duration plans, association health plans. Take action to defend the Affordable Care Act from any litigation, including California v. Texas, that would undermine coverage and patient protections. Expand premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions. Establish a federal public option to inject competition into the health insurance marketplace. Expand Medicaid eligibility and oppose expansion waivers that limit benefits and apply high cost sharing. Permanently increase payment for Medicaid primary care services to the level of Medicare. Restore the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, consistent with a recent ruling from a federal judge, and identify executive actions that can be taken to ensure that it is not vulnerable to being eliminated in the future. Pursue executive actions to preserve the principles of patient autonomy regarding reproductive decision-making rights. Reverse the Title X gag rule and restore funding to family planning clinics. Establish universal access to at least six weeks of paid family and medical leave that is flexible to accommodate care for a diverse array of family structures, including updating the Family Medical and Leave Act to include grandparents or in-laws. Re-introduce and pass the George Floyd Act and other legislation focused on eliminating racism and police violence. Rejoin the Paris Agreement. Telehealth: Urged Congress to continue existing Public Health Emergency flexibilities and waivers-including pay parity for audio-only phone calls-to support making telehealth an ongoing and continued part of medical care now and in the future, allowing time for further evaluation on which ones should be maintained as is, revised or expanded. Urged Congress to permanently extend the policy to waive geographical and originating-site restrictions after the conclusion of the PHE. Urged Congress or CMS to continue to provide flexibility in the Medicare and Medicaid programs for physician practices to reduce or waive cost-sharing requirements for telehealth services, while also making up the difference between these waived copays and the Medicare allowed amount of the service. Urged Congress or CMS to extend the interim policy to allow Remote Patient Monitoring services to be furnished to patients without an established relationship. Urged support for the Temporary Reciprocity to Ensure Access to Treatment Act or the TREAT Act (S. 168/H.R. 708), which would provide temporary licensing reciprocity for telehealth and interstate health care treatment. American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act (H.R. 1319): Urged support for various provisions within the ARP to provide incentives for states to expand Medicaid by temporarily increasing the states base FMAP by five percentage points for two years for states that newly expand Medicaid. Urged support for allowing states, for five years, to extend Medicaid eligibility (and CHIP eligibility) to women for 12 months postpartum. Urged support to require Medicaid coverage of COVID-19 vaccines and treatment without beneficiary cost sharing with vaccines matched at a 100 percent federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) through one year after the end of the PHE. Urged support for $46 billion to HHS to detect, diagnose, trace, and monitor COVID-19 infections, and for other activities necessary to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Urged support to subsidize the health coverage of people earning up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) under the ACA and those on unemployment insurance for a period of two years. Urged support for waiving VA cost sharing and copayments for medical treatment until September 30, 2021.
Client expense: $170,367 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), President of the U.S., SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS)
2021 · first_quarter · Health Issues
The Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148, P.L. 111-152): Expanding coverage and improving Medicare benefits; Providing needed protections to guard against insurance practices that unfairly limit, deny or rescind coverage based on health status; public and private health insurers should encourage preventive health care by providing full coverage, with no cost-sharing, for preventive services recommended by an expert advisory group, such as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force; Ensuring access to primary care physicians; and beginning to bend the cost curve; Prohibiting insurers from excluding or charging excessive rates to children based on pre-existing conditions, which later will be expanded to all persons; Covering young adults on their parents' plans; Eliminating lifetime and annual limits on health insurance coverage; Requiring that health insurers spend more on patient care and less on administration; support enactment of S. 248, the Empowering States to Innovate Act, which amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) to: (1) allow states to apply for waivers of certain health insurance coverage requirements in such Act (including requirements for the establishment of qualified health plans and health insurance exchanges) for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014 (currently, January 1, 2017), and (2) require the waiver application process to begin not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act; Phasing out the Medicare Part D doughnut hole; Eliminating patient cost-sharing for preventive services offered by Medicare or private insurers; Increasing Medicare and Medicaid payments to primary care physicians; Supporting the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to help physicians and patients make care decisions based on the best available evidence; Supporting the Center on Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to fund pilots of delivery models to improve outcomes and reduce costs, including patient-centered medical homes; Advocated against a December 2018 ruling by a federal judge in Texas that the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unconstitutional. Access to Primary Care in the Context of Comprehensive Healthcare Reform Legislation (H.R. 3962/H.R. 3590/H.R. 4872): Provide sliding scale subsidies based on income to buy coverage from qualified plans; Qualified plans should: provide evidence-based benefits, including preventive services; and be prohibited from excluding persons with pre-existing conditions, charging them more, cherry-picking enrollees, or cancelling or failing to renew coverage; Expand Medicaid to cover all persons below the Federal Poverty Level and ensure fair payments to participating physicians; As coverage becomes affordable, all persons should participate and coverage should be guaranteed; Responsibility for financing should be shared by individuals, employers and government. Medicare payment models that re-align incentives to support effective, efficient, patient-centered, coordinated care. Priority should be given to models designed to support the value of services provided by primary care physicians as well as to models that would create incentives, across physician specialties and sites of services, to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of care provided. Policy criteria for selecting the most promising models for pilot testing should be developed, in consultation with outside experts; The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), which has shown great promise in meeting the policy objectives suggested above, should be among the models selected for broader testing on a national pilot basis; the use of the medical home model for treatment or services under private health plans, the requirement of health plans to provide incentives to promote and report on medical home services provided, the establishment of community health teams and a primary care extension program to educate and support primary care practices in the delivery of medical home services, and the establishment of a demonstration project to educate physicians and other clinicians in training in the competencies required to deliver care consistent with the medical home care model. Medicare Payments to Physicians: Urged that Congress provide incentives to physicians who transform their practices into Advanced Alternative Payment Models and continue to provide stability for physicians in the MIPS program. Specifically, Congress should extend the five percent Qualified Alternative Payment Model participant bonus beyond the 2022 performance year, replace the zero percent baseline payment updates under Medicare with positive updates. Urged congressional committees with jurisdiction over Medicare to exercise their oversight authority and urge CMS to expedite approval of more Advanced APMS, particularly those that work for small and specialty practices and to simplify the scoring structure and reporting requirements under the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in order to fulfill Congress intent of a more streamlined program that reduces burdens on physicians; Supported S.2648, the Rural ACO Improvement Act, amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve the benchmarking process for the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) to ensure that all ACOs have an equal opportunity to share in savings regardless of their geographic location; Provided recommendations to CMS on the Merit-based Incentive Payment System Value Pathway (MVP), which aims to reduce reporting burden and complexity within MIPS while improving the accuracy and effectiveness of performance measurement. The College noted specifically that a robust, multi-year transition period will be critical to the success of the MVP, that it does not support making the MVP mandatory, that CMS should continue to support numerous reporting mechanisms, including qualified registries and clinical data registries, which have been instrumental in developing specialty-specific performance measures, among other things. Urged support for H.R. 8505, a bill to provide for a one-year waiver of budget neutrality adjustments under the Medicare physician fee schedule; Urged that any legislation to hold some Medicare physician payment codes harmless from budget neutrality do so for just one year and to allow evaluation and management increases, along with GPC1X codes to go into effect. Administrative Tasks on Physicians and Patients: Congress should accelerate its efforts to reduce administrative burdens on clinicians and patients, including: streamlining the prior authorization process, better integrating clinical data into clinicians electronic health records (EHRs), and working with CMS in their effort to overhaul clinical documentation guidelines; Urged Congress to cosponsor and pass the Safe Step Act (H.R. 2279), to require health insurers to provide an exceptions process for any medication step therapy protocol based on clinical decision-making, medical necessity, and other patient needs. Prescription Drug Costs: The College advocated for greater transparency in drug pricing, the elimination of anti-competitive industry practices that create barriers to generics coming to market, the importance of accounting for value in payment and coverage for prescriptions, and providing authority to the federal government to negotiate drug discounts under the Medicare Part D program. Specifically, the College urged Congress to pass the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 (H.R. 275/S. 62) from the 116th Congress, which allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate covered Part D drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries. Also urged that Congress pass the Reforming Evergreening and Manipulation that Extends Drug Years, REMEDY Act (S. 1209), from the 116th Congress, to aid in the approval of more generic drug applications by the FDA and therefore improve patient access to those medications. Also urged that Congress pass the Prescription Drug STAR Act (H.R. 2113), and the Fair Accountability and Innovative Research (FAIR) Drug Pricing Act (H.R. 2296/S. 1391), from the 116th Congress, to promote greater drug pricing transparency. Firearms-Related Injury and Death: The College advocated for lawmakers to pass measures to strengthen the criminal background check system, ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines, prevent the unlawful transfer of firearms to those who cannot legally purchase them, and remove restrictions on, and provide dedicated funding for, research by federal agencies on prevention of firearms-related injuries and death. Specifically, the College urged passage of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 8), from the 116th Congress, which would strengthen the accuracy and reporting of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as well as expand Brady background checks to cover all firearm sales, including unlicensed firearms sellers currently not required to use background checks, and the Gun Violence Prevention Research Act (H.R. 674/S. 184), from the 116th Congress, which would authorize funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to study firearms safety and gun violence prevention. Also urged Congress to pass the Violence Against Women (VAWA) Reauthorization Act of 2021, which passed the House in 2021, to provide protections for domestic violence victims by restricting access to firearms by those deemed a threat to them. Also urged Congress to pass the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 (S. 66/H.R. 1296), from the 116th Congress, to ban the sale of semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines. Urged support for the enactment of extreme risk protection orders (ERPO) to allow families and law enforcement to obtain a ruling from an impartial judge within 72 hours to temporarily remove guns from individuals at imminent risk of using them to harm themselves or others, with due process. Immigration: The College advocated against family separation at the U.S. border. Specifically, the College urged support for bills from the 116th Congress such as H.R. 541 - the Keep Families Together Act, which would help ensure that children are not separated from their parents when families unlawfully cross over the border into the United States and would ensure that the Department of Homeland Security would not be able to implement the zero tolerance policy that separated families at the border under the last administration; urged congressional oversight of family separation policies. Also urged that Congress pass H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2019, which would provide a pathway to U.S. citizenship for undocumented children who came to the United States due to the action of their parents, also known as Dreamers. Graduate Medical Education: Urged that Congress support medical education training and debt relief for primary care physicians and other specialties facing shortages by passing the following legislation from the 116th Congress: the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2019 (S. 348, H.R. 1763), to lift the GME caps as needed to permit training an adequate number of primary care physicians, including internal medicine specialists, and physicians in other specialties facing shortages; passing the Resident Education Deferred Interest Act (H.R. 1554), to save physicians in residency programs thousands of dollars in interest on their loans and help incentivize the opening of practices in underserved areas; pass legislation to combine DGME and IME into a single, more functional payment program, and broaden the GME financing structure to include all payers; support funding for GME/IME and programs within the Veterans Health Administration that provide graduate medical education to ensure that physicians are adequately trained with the skills needed to treat an aging population. Urged Congress to pass the Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 (H.R. 3414), which would provide Medicare support for an additional 1,000 graduate medical education (GME) positions over five years in hospitals that have, or are in the process of establishing, accredited residency programs in addiction medicine, addiction psychiatry, or pain medicine. Urged Congress to pass S. 1203 and H.R. 2441, the What You Can Do For Your Country Act, which would improve and reform the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Vaccines: Urged Congress to pass the Vaccines Act (HR 2862), from the 116th Congress, which would provide federal funding for vaccine hesitancy surveillance at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and outline a national public messaging campaign informed by this research to help improve vaccination rates. Physician Fee Schedule: Commented to CMS and to Congress to fully implement payment increases for all evaluation and management codes, as finalized by CMS, and as scheduled for implementation on Jan. 1, 2021. Reduce the documentation burden for E/M services by allowing choice of medical decision making or time, and work to develop additional clarity and guidance on acceptable documentation to operationalize these important proposals; examination room desktop computers should be counted as a direct medical equipment cost; care management should be promoted by increasing the values of services like Transitional Care Management (TCM) and Chronic Care Management and implementing Principle Care Management (PCM) codes; require additional survey and review for any requests to increase non-outpatient E/M or other services; work with the physician community prior to finalizing any policy affecting eligibility to participate in the Medicare program; Urged congressional committees of jurisdiction to support: Higher physician work relative value units (RVUs) for new and established office visit codes, leading to increased payments for them, Reduced documentation requirements for office visit codes, which enables physicians to select and document for each visit based on medical decision-making or total time, Expanded and improved payment for care management services. Urged Congress to support waiving budget neutrality, applicable to the calendar year 2021 physician fee schedule. COVID-19: Urged congressional appropriators to provide the highest possible funding level for research, prevention, control, and treatment of illnesses associated with the virus that is commensurate with the public health emergency that the virus represents. Urged the administration to explore regulatory and other actions that would make COVID-19 testing free-of-charge to patients covered by both public and private insurance plans, including ACA-compliant plans offered through the insurance exchanges, and to waive co-pays and deductibles for patients seeing physicians for symptoms that may be indicative of COVID-19 or who are hospitalized for treatment. Urged CMS to utilize a national disaster recovery program that would pay doctors 110% of Medicare rates for caring for uninsured patients who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Expressed support to Congress and the administration for a variety of COVID-related bills from the 116th Congress as follows: the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, H.R. 6201, and other stimulus reforms related to COVID-19 including: Emergency paid leave benefits, paid sick days for public health emergencies, coverage of testing for COVID-19, waiving of cost sharing under Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and CHIP, increasing the federal FMAP under Medicaid, providing reimbursement for CPT codes 99441 - 99443, which are telephone evaluation and management services, expediting entrance of international medical graduates who are citizens of other nations (non-US IMGs) into the country and ensuring that lawfully present non-U.S. IMGs are not negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, funding for physician practices under the Public Health and Social Service Emergency Fund (PHSSEF), providing tax relief, grants, and loans to small and medium size practices impacted by COVID-19, increasing funding for personal protective equipment (PPE), ensuring Medicaid pay parity with Medicare for primary care services; Urged HHS and Congress to make a targeted allocation out of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) to support primary care physicians and their practices, sufficient to keep their doors open, by offsetting lost revenue from the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to the targeted allocation for rural hospitals; Urged support for the Student Loan Forgiveness for Frontline Health Workers Act, H.R. 6720, introduced May 5, 2020 by Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) which would eliminate graduate school debt for healthcare workers, including physicians and medical students, who are providing direct patient care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; Urged support for H.R. 7059, the Coronavirus Provider Protection Act, which extend liability protections to those who provide care in good faith during the COVID-19 public health emergency (plus a reasonable time, such as 60 days, after the emergency declaration ends), and not in situations of gross negligence or willful misconduct. The College also urged that pay parity between telephone claims and in-person visits and between all telehealth and in-person visits be maintained after the PHE is lifted. This extension-either continued by CMS or mandated by Congress-should last at least through the end of 2021, or until such a time when effective vaccines and treatments are widely available, with an option to extend it even further, or consider making permanent, based on the experience and learnings of patients and physicians who are utilizing these visits. Urged Congress to support a targeted allocation from the Provider Relief Fund specifically for primary care services. Priorities for the Biden Administration: Urged the Biden Administration to identify and appoint physicians to health care leadership positions within his Administration. Implement approval, distribution, and funding of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine based on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Provide support to physicians and other frontline health care workers, including ensuring access and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) to health care workers. Fund COVID-19 testing and contact tracing efforts. Reverse regulations that allow the sale of extended short-term, limited duration plans, association health plans. Take action to defend the Affordable Care Act from any litigation, including California v. Texas, that would undermine coverage and patient protections. Expand premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions. Establish a federal public option to inject competition into the health insurance marketplace. Expand Medicaid eligibility and oppose expansion waivers that limit benefits and apply high cost sharing. Permanently increase payment for Medicaid primary care services to the level of Medicare. Restore the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, consistent with a recent ruling from a federal judge, and identify executive actions that can be taken to ensure that it is not vulnerable to being eliminated in the future. Pursue executive actions to preserve the principles of patient autonomy regarding reproductive decision-making rights. Reverse the Title X gag rule and restore funding to family planning clinics. Establish universal access to at least six weeks of paid family and medical leave that is flexible to accommodate care for a diverse array of family structures, including updating the Family Medical and Leave Act to include grandparents or in-laws. Re-introduce and pass the George Floyd Act and other legislation focused on eliminating racism and police violence. Rejoin the Paris Agreement. Telehealth: Urged Congress to continue existing Public Health Emergency flexibilities and waivers-including pay parity for audio-only phone calls-to support making telehealth an ongoing and continued part of medical care now and in the future, allowing time for further evaluation on which ones should be maintained as is, revised or expanded. Urged Congress to permanently extend the policy to waive geographical and originating-site restrictions after the conclusion of the PHE. Urged Congress or CMS to continue to provide flexibility in the Medicare and Medicaid programs for physician practices to reduce or waive cost-sharing requirements for telehealth services, while also making up the difference between these waived copays and the Medicare allowed amount of the service. Urged Congress or CMS to extend the interim policy to allow Remote Patient Monitoring services to be furnished to patients without an established relationship. Urged support for the Temporary Reciprocity to Ensure Access to Treatment Act or the TREAT Act (S. 168/H.R. 708), which would provide temporary licensing reciprocity for telehealth and interstate health care treatment. American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act (H.R. 1319): Urged support for various provisions within the ARP to provide incentives for states to expand Medicaid by temporarily increasing the states base FMAP by five percentage points for two years for states that newly expand Medicaid. Urged support for allowing states, for five years, to extend Medicaid eligibility (and CHIP eligibility) to women for 12 months postpartum. Urged support to require Medicaid coverage of COVID-19 vaccines and treatment without beneficiary cost sharing with vaccines matched at a 100 percent federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) through one year after the end of the PHE. Urged support for $46 billion to HHS to detect, diagnose, trace, and monitor COVID-19 infections, and for other activities necessary to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Urged support to subsidize the health coverage of people earning up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) under the ACA and those on unemployment insurance for a period of two years. Urged support for waiving VA cost sharing and copayments for medical treatment until September 30, 2021.
2020 · second_quarter · Health Issues
21st Century Cures Act 2.0 ---RFI from House Energy and Commerce Committee 340B Drug Discount Program ---340B Pause Act (Discussion Draft House/Senate) ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---Program Implementation & Oversight Biodefense Research, Development and Procurement Issues (Nonfunding) ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---Executive Order on Modernizing Influenza Vaccines ---Gene editing ---Implementation of 21st Century Cures Act of 2016 ---Implementation of Medical Countermeasure Innovation Act of 2016 ---Implementation of Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation (PAHPAI) Act of 2019 ---National Biodefense Strategy ---Tropical Disease Priority Review Voucher (PRV) Program Biosimilars ---H.R.1499: Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act of 2019 ---Biosimilar Copay ---Brazil Biologics Regulations ---BSUFA ---Canada Biologics Regulations ---Coding ---Implementation and Reauthorization of the Biosimilar User Fee Act of 2017 ---Implementation of CREATES Act of 2019 ---India Biologics Regulations ---Interchangeability and Pharmacy Substitution ---Mexico Biologics Regulations ---Naming ---Reimbursement Climate Change ---RFI from House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic ---H.R.4100/S.1712: DISARM Act of 2019 ---H.R.5076/S.1872: Protecting Seniors through Immunizations Act of 2019 ---H.R.6206: Pandemic Response and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act of 2020 ---H.R.6260/S.3545: Reciprocity Ensures Streamlined Use of Lifesaving Treatments for Coronavirus Patients Act of 2020 ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---H.R.7288: The Taxpayer Research and Coronavirus Knowledge (TRACK) Act ---COVID-19 Vaccine and Therapeutic Development ---Drug Supply Chain Management ---Healthcare Disparities ---Home Administration of Part B Drugs ---Liability ---Medicare reimbursement policies ---Patient Cost-Sharing and Smoothing ---Pricing-related Provisions ---R&D Funding for Medical Countermeasures ---Restrictions on Intellectual Property Rights ---Senate HELP Pandemic Preparedness White Paper Drug Evaluation and Review ---S.1617: Second Look at Drug Patents Act of 2019 ---S.3872: Promising Pathway Act ---Compassionate Use/Expanded Access ---Expedited Pathways ---Priority Review Voucher Programs Drug Manufacturing, Quality & Distribution ---Drug Shortages ---Drug Supply Chain Management Drug Patenting ---H.R.1046/S.377: Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 ---S.1416/H.R.4398/H.R.3991/H.R.5133: Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2019 Drug Pricing ---H.R.1046/S.377: Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 ---H.R.1093/S.378: Stop Price Gouging Act of 2019 ---H.R.1425: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act of 2020 ---H.R.2069/S.474: Stopping the Pharmaceutical Industry from Keeping drugs Expensive (SPIKE) Act of 2019 ---H.R.2113: Prescription Drug STAR Act of 2019 ---H.R.2376/S.1227: Prescription Pricing for the People Act of 2019 ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---H.R.7288: The Taxpayer Research and Coronavirus Knowledge (TRACK) Act ---S.1416/H.R.4398/H.R.3991/H.R.5133: Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2019 ---S.2543: Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 ---CMMI Authority ---General ---HHS Blueprint to lower drug prices and reduce out of pocket costs ---Implementation of CREATES Act of 2019 ---International Pricing Index Proposal ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---Potential Administration Executive Orders ---Pricing-related Provisions Foreign Drug Data Protection Laws ---Regulatory Harmonization Funding for Antimicrobial Resistance Programs ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act of 2020 Funding for Biodefense/Biomedical/Emergency Preparedness Research, Development and Procurement ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---Health Defense Operations Funding Designation ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Funding for FDA ---Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Funding for Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) - Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Funding for National Institutes of Health ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vaccine Programs ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---Funding for 2020-21 Influenza Season Preparedness and Response ---Funding for Routine Immunization Infrastructure during Pandemic ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Funding for the HHS Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Medicaid ---H.R.5741: Strengthening Innovation in Medicare and Medicaid Act of 2020 ---S.2543: Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 ---Alternative payment arrangements for gene therapies ---Average Manufacturer Price Calculations ---Pricing and Rebates Medicare Expansion ---H.R.5741: Strengthening Innovation in Medicare and Medicaid Act of 2020 Orphan Drug Issues ---H.R.4439/S.4010: Creating Hope Reauthorization Act of 2019 ---H.R.4712: Fairness in Orphan Drug Exclusivity Act of 2019 ---Tax Credit Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review ---H.R.4439/S.4010: Creating Hope Reauthorization Act of 2019 Reimbursement and Coverage of Innovative Products ---H.R.275: Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 ---H.R.5122: To prohibit further action on the proposed rule regarding testing of Medicare Part B Prescription Drug Models ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---S.2326: New Opportunities for Value that Extend Lives (NOVEL) Act of 2019 ---S.2543: Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 ---Administration Rebate Rule ---CMMI Authority ---HHS Blueprint to lower drug prices and reduce out of pocket costs ---Home Administration of Part B Drugs ---International Pricing Index Proposal ---Medicare Part B Physician-Administered Products ---Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program ---Patient Cost-Sharing and Smoothing ---Protected Classes ---Step Therapy ---Support of Patient Premiums and Cost-Sharing Obligations ---Surprise Billing ---Value-based Contracting and Communications The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ---Implementation of United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ---IP Provisions Trade and Foreign Drug Price Controls US-China Trade Agreement ---IP Provisions US-EU Trade Agreement ---IP Provisions US-Japan Trade Agreement ---IP Provisions US-Kenya Trade Agreement ---IP Provisions US-UK Trade Agreement ---IP Provisions Vaccines and Infectious Diseases ---H.R.2862/S.1619: Vaccine Awareness Campaign to Champion Immunization Nationally and Enhance Safety (VACCINES) Act of 2019 ---H.R.4100/S.1712: DISARM Act of 2019 ---H.R.5076/S.1872: Protecting Seniors through Immunizations Act of 2019 ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---Adult Immunization Education ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---Maternal Immunization ---Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act of 2020 ---Vaccine and Anti-Microbial Resistance Product Development and Incentives ---Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
2020 · second_quarter · Health Issues
21st Century Cures Act 2.0 ---RFI from House Energy and Commerce Committee 340B Drug Discount Program ---340B Pause Act (Discussion Draft House/Senate) ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---Program Implementation & Oversight Biodefense Research, Development and Procurement Issues (Nonfunding) ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---Executive Order on Modernizing Influenza Vaccines ---Gene editing ---Implementation of 21st Century Cures Act of 2016 ---Implementation of Medical Countermeasure Innovation Act of 2016 ---Implementation of Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation (PAHPAI) Act of 2019 ---National Biodefense Strategy ---Tropical Disease Priority Review Voucher (PRV) Program Biosimilars ---H.R.1499: Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act of 2019 ---Biosimilar Copay ---Brazil Biologics Regulations ---BSUFA ---Canada Biologics Regulations ---Coding ---Implementation and Reauthorization of the Biosimilar User Fee Act of 2017 ---Implementation of CREATES Act of 2019 ---India Biologics Regulations ---Interchangeability and Pharmacy Substitution ---Mexico Biologics Regulations ---Naming ---Reimbursement Climate Change ---RFI from House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic ---H.R.4100/S.1712: DISARM Act of 2019 ---H.R.5076/S.1872: Protecting Seniors through Immunizations Act of 2019 ---H.R.6206: Pandemic Response and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act of 2020 ---H.R.6260/S.3545: Reciprocity Ensures Streamlined Use of Lifesaving Treatments for Coronavirus Patients Act of 2020 ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---H.R.7288: The Taxpayer Research and Coronavirus Knowledge (TRACK) Act ---COVID-19 Vaccine and Therapeutic Development ---Drug Supply Chain Management ---Healthcare Disparities ---Home Administration of Part B Drugs ---Liability ---Medicare reimbursement policies ---Patient Cost-Sharing and Smoothing ---Pricing-related Provisions ---R&D Funding for Medical Countermeasures ---Restrictions on Intellectual Property Rights ---Senate HELP Pandemic Preparedness White Paper Drug Evaluation and Review ---S.1617: Second Look at Drug Patents Act of 2019 ---S.3872: Promising Pathway Act ---Compassionate Use/Expanded Access ---Expedited Pathways ---Priority Review Voucher Programs Drug Manufacturing, Quality & Distribution ---Drug Shortages ---Drug Supply Chain Management Drug Patenting ---H.R.1046/S.377: Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 ---S.1416/H.R.4398/H.R.3991/H.R.5133: Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2019 Drug Pricing ---H.R.1046/S.377: Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 ---H.R.1093/S.378: Stop Price Gouging Act of 2019 ---H.R.1425: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act of 2020 ---H.R.2069/S.474: Stopping the Pharmaceutical Industry from Keeping drugs Expensive (SPIKE) Act of 2019 ---H.R.2113: Prescription Drug STAR Act of 2019 ---H.R.2376/S.1227: Prescription Pricing for the People Act of 2019 ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---H.R.7288: The Taxpayer Research and Coronavirus Knowledge (TRACK) Act ---S.1416/H.R.4398/H.R.3991/H.R.5133: Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2019 ---S.2543: Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 ---CMMI Authority ---General ---HHS Blueprint to lower drug prices and reduce out of pocket costs ---Implementation of CREATES Act of 2019 ---International Pricing Index Proposal ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---Potential Administration Executive Orders ---Pricing-related Provisions Foreign Drug Data Protection Laws ---Regulatory Harmonization Funding for Antimicrobial Resistance Programs ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act of 2020 Funding for Biodefense/Biomedical/Emergency Preparedness Research, Development and Procurement ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---Health Defense Operations Funding Designation ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Funding for FDA ---Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Funding for Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) - Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Funding for National Institutes of Health ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vaccine Programs ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---Funding for 2020-21 Influenza Season Preparedness and Response ---Funding for Routine Immunization Infrastructure during Pandemic ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Funding for the HHS Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Medicaid ---H.R.5741: Strengthening Innovation in Medicare and Medicaid Act of 2020 ---S.2543: Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 ---Alternative payment arrangements for gene therapies ---Average Manufacturer Price Calculations ---Pricing and Rebates Medicare Expansion ---H.R.5741: Strengthening Innovation in Medicare and Medicaid Act of 2020 Orphan Drug Issues ---H.R.4439/S.4010: Creating Hope Reauthorization Act of 2019 ---H.R.4712: Fairness in Orphan Drug Exclusivity Act of 2019 ---Tax Credit Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review ---H.R.4439/S.4010: Creating Hope Reauthorization Act of 2019 Reimbursement and Coverage of Innovative Products ---H.R.275: Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 ---H.R.5122: To prohibit further action on the proposed rule regarding testing of Medicare Part B Prescription Drug Models ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---S.2326: New Opportunities for Value that Extend Lives (NOVEL) Act of 2019 ---S.2543: Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 ---Administration Rebate Rule ---CMMI Authority ---HHS Blueprint to lower drug prices and reduce out of pocket costs ---Home Administration of Part B Drugs ---International Pricing Index Proposal ---Medicare Part B Physician-Administered Products ---Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program ---Patient Cost-Sharing and Smoothing ---Protected Classes ---Step Therapy ---Support of Patient Premiums and Cost-Sharing Obligations ---Surprise Billing ---Value-based Contracting and Communications The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ---Implementation of United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ---IP Provisions Trade and Foreign Drug Price Controls US-China Trade Agreement ---IP Provisions US-EU Trade Agreement ---IP Provisions US-Japan Trade Agreement ---IP Provisions US-Kenya Trade Agreement ---IP Provisions US-UK Trade Agreement ---IP Provisions Vaccines and Infectious Diseases ---H.R.2862/S.1619: Vaccine Awareness Campaign to Champion Immunization Nationally and Enhance Safety (VACCINES) Act of 2019 ---H.R.4100/S.1712: DISARM Act of 2019 ---H.R.5076/S.1872: Protecting Seniors through Immunizations Act of 2019 ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---Adult Immunization Education ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---Maternal Immunization ---Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act of 2020 ---Vaccine and Anti-Microbial Resistance Product Development and Incentives ---Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
2020 · third_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Policies to enhance patient access to medicines in Medicaid including rebate, waiver policy and funding issues; Policies to enhance patient access to medicines in Medicare; Review of proposed rule regarding testing of Medicare part B prescription drug models; Discussions related to rebates and Medicare part D - provisions related to the HHS-OIG Rebate Safe Harbor; Proposals related to amending the protected classes in Medicare; Medicare payment proposals; S. 62, The Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices Act - provisions related to Part D and drug pricing negotiation; S. 99, H.R. 448, The Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act - provisions related to Part D and drug pricing negotiation; H.R. 275, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 - provisions related to Part D and drug pricing negotiation; S. 551, Recovering Excessive Funds for Unused and Needless Drugs (REFUND) Act - provisions related to prescription drug vial sizes and rebates; H.R. 4649 Capping Drug Costs for Seniors Act - provisions related to Part D redesign; H.R. 7839, Continuing Access to In-Home IVIG Act - provisions related to patient access; H.R.7783, S.4179, Plasma Donation Awareness Act - provisions related to plasma donation access; H.R. 6218, S. 3457, Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act - provisions related to home infusion payment;
Client expense: $1,190,000 · Firm income: Not reported
| Democratic |
| MN |
| Brad Sherman | Democratic | CA |
| Carolyn B. Maloney | Democratic | NY |
| Chellie Pingree | Democratic | ME |
| Chris Pappas | Democratic | NH |
| Daniel Lipinski | Democratic | IL |
| David N. Cicilline | Democratic | RI |
| Debbie Wasserman Schultz | Democratic | FL |
| Eleanor Holmes Norton | Democratic | DC |
| Elijah E. Cummings | Democratic | MD |
| Elissa Slotkin | Democratic | MI |
| Francis Rooney | Republican | FL |
| Harley Rouda | Democratic | CA |
| Janice D. Schakowsky | Democratic | IL |
| Jefferson Van Drew | Republican | NJ |
| Kathy Castor | Democratic | FL |
| Lisa Blunt Rochester | Democratic | DE |
| Lucille Roybal-Allard | Democratic | CA |
| Mark Pocan | Democratic | WI |
| Matt Cartwright | Democratic | PA |
| Mike Quigley | Democratic | IL |
| Nanette Diaz Barragán | Democratic | CA |
| Peter A. DeFazio | Democratic | OR |
| Rashida Tlaib | Democratic | MI |
| Raul Ruiz | Democratic | CA |
| Raúl M. Grijalva | Democratic | AZ |
| Ro Khanna | Democratic | CA |
| Rosa L. DeLauro | Democratic | CT |
| Ruben Gallego | Democratic | AZ |
| Salud O. Carbajal | Democratic | CA |
| Stephen F. Lynch | Democratic | MA |
| Steve Cohen | Democratic | TN |
| William R. Keating | Democratic | MA |
| Yvette D. Clarke | Democratic | NY |
Client expense: $92,741 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), President of the U.S., SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS)
Client expense: $3,320,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Natl Security Council (NSC), Office of the Vice President of the United States, SENATE, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
Client expense: $3,320,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Natl Security Council (NSC), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Vice President of the United States, Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), State, Dept of (DOS), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, White House Office
2020 · third_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
H.R. 107, Burgess: Rebate cap, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 275, Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 366, Insulin Access for All Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1034, D. Collins/S. 640, Kennedy: Phair Pricing Act - Share the savings, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1035, Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1332, Fair Care Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1346, Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1384, Medicare for All Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1781, Payment Commission Data Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1788, Limits the penalty for Part B late enrollment to 15 percent and twice the period of no enrollment, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 2087, Reporting drug pricing information to Medicare, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 2113, Prescription STAR Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R.3, Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 62, Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 99, Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 205, Right Rebate Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 377/H.R. 1046, Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 470, Medicare at 50 Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 474, Stopping the Pharmaceutical Industry from Keeping drugs Expensive (SPIKE) Act of 2019 , regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 475, RxCAP Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 476, Creating Transparency to Have Drug Rebates Unlocked (C-THRU Act) of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 551, REFUND Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 691, Expands Part D OOP assistance for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 801/H.R. 1781, Allows MedPAC and MACPAC to have access to information on drug rebates, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 981, Medicare-X Choice Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. Pending rule to change the Rebate Safe Harbor, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1839, Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 2452, Medicare for America Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 3107, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 3327, Drug Price Transparency for Medicare Patients Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 1261/H.R. 2463, Choose Medicare Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 1497, Health Care Price Check Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 2081, a bill to require drug manufacturers to provide rebates for drugs furnished under Medicare Part B for which the growth in average sales price has exceeded inflation, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 2543, Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical provisions. H.R. 19/S.3129 , Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 6218/S. 3457, Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions No Bill, Reimbursement for and patient access to Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies.
Client expense: $1,600,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), SENATE, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2020 · second_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
H.R. 107, Burgess: Rebate cap, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 275, Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 366, Insulin Access for All Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1034, D. Collins/S. 640, Kennedy: Phair Pricing Act - Share the savings, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1035, Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1332, Fair Care Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1346, Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1384, Medicare for All Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1781, Payment Commission Data Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1788, Limits the penalty for Part B late enrollment to 15 percent and twice the period of no enrollment, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 2087, Reporting drug pricing information to Medicare, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 2113, Prescription STAR Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R.3, Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 62, Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 99, Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 205, Right Rebate Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 377/H.R. 1046, Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 470, Medicare at 50 Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 474, Stopping the Pharmaceutical Industry from Keeping drugs Expensive (SPIKE) Act of 2019 , regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 475, RxCAP Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 476, Creating Transparency to Have Drug Rebates Unlocked (C-THRU Act) of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 551, REFUND Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 691, Expands Part D OOP assistance for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 801/H.R. 1781, Allows MedPAC and MACPAC to have access to information on drug rebates, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 981, Medicare-X Choice Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. Pending rule to change the Rebate Safe Harbor, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1839, Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 2452, Medicare for America Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 3107, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 3327, Drug Price Transparency for Medicare Patients Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 1261/H.R. 2463, Choose Medicare Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 1497, Health Care Price Check Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 2081, a bill to require drug manufacturers to provide rebates for drugs furnished under Medicare Part B for which the growth in average sales price has exceeded inflation, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 2543, Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical provisions. H.R. 19/S.3129 , Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 6218/S. 3457, Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions No Bill, Reimbursement for and patient access to Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies.
Client expense: $2,160,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), SENATE, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2020 · fourth_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
H.R. 107, Burgess: Rebate cap, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 275, Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 366, Insulin Access for All Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1034, D. Collins/S. 640, Kennedy: Phair Pricing Act - Share the savings, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1035, Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1332, Fair Care Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1346, Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1384, Medicare for All Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1781, Payment Commission Data Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1788, Limits the penalty for Part B late enrollment to 15 percent and twice the period of no enrollment, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 2087, Reporting drug pricing information to Medicare, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 2113, Prescription STAR Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R.3, Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 62, Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 99, Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 205, Right Rebate Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 377/H.R. 1046, Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 470, Medicare at 50 Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 474, Stopping the Pharmaceutical Industry from Keeping drugs Expensive (SPIKE) Act of 2019 , regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 475, RxCAP Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 476, Creating Transparency to Have Drug Rebates Unlocked (C-THRU Act) of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 551, REFUND Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 691, Expands Part D OOP assistance for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 801/H.R. 1781, Allows MedPAC and MACPAC to have access to information on drug rebates, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 981, Medicare-X Choice Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. Pending rule to change the Rebate Safe Harbor, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1839, Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 2452, Medicare for America Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 3107, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 3327, Drug Price Transparency for Medicare Patients Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 1261/H.R. 2463, Choose Medicare Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 1497, Health Care Price Check Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 2081, a bill to require drug manufacturers to provide rebates for drugs furnished under Medicare Part B for which the growth in average sales price has exceeded inflation, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 2543, Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical provisions. H.R. 19/S.3129 , Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 6218/S. 3457, Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions No Bill, Reimbursement for and patient access to Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies. Most Favored Nation (MFN) Model - (CMS-5528-IFC)
Client expense: $1,090,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), SENATE, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2020 · fourth_quarter · Small Business
H.R. 3 - Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 This bill establishes several programs and requirements relating to the prices of prescription drugs. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 25 - The Fair Tax Act To promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the states. NSBA supports H.R. 116 - Investing in Main Street Act The bill amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to increase from 5 percent to 15 percent of its capital and surplus, the amount a national bank, a member bank of the Federal Reserve System, a nonmember insured bank (to the extent permitted under applicable state law), or a federal savings association may invest in one or more small business investment companies (SBICs), or in any entity established to invest solely in SBICs. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 128 - Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act H.R. 128 allows the SBA Office of Advocacy to examine the role of small business in international economies and to represent small business views before foreign governments and international entities. NSBA is monitoring. H.R.133 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Omnibus spending bill which included $900 billion in COVID relief, specifically a new round of lending under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). NSBA supports the small business provisions. H.R. 190 - Expanding Contracting Opportunities for Small Business Act H.R. 190 raises the dollar amount of sole-source awards so that they are closer in line with the size of current contracts being awarded in the procurement landscape. NSBA supports. H.R. 206 - Encouraging Small Business Innovators Act H.R. 206 makes a series of changes to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, making them easier for small firms to use. NSBA supports. H.R. 216 - Main Street Certainty Act of 2019 Legislation to make permanent the 20-percent pass-through deduction from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. NSBA supports. H.R. 218 - The Death Tax Repeal Act This bill repeals the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes. NSBA supports. H.R. 222 - Death Tax Repeal Act of 2019 This bill repeals the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes. NSBA supports. H.R. 226 - Clarity on Small Business Participation in Category Management Act H.R. 226 requires the SBA to report federal spending made through designated best-in-class vehicles, and to report on the dollars spent through these vehicles awarded to small businesses. NSBA supports. H.R. 227 - Incentivizing Fairness in Subcontracting Act Bill allows large prime contractors to take credit for subcontracting to small businesses at lower tiers, provided that prime contractors keep records substantiating subcontracting credit claimed at lower tiers, and creates a new dispute process for small subcontractors to bring non-payment issues to the agencys small business advocate (Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization). NSBA supports. H.R. 246 - Stimulating Innovation through Procurement Act The bill requires SBA to coordinate with the senior procurement executives of federal agencies participating in a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program or a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program to assist small businesses participating in such programs with commercializing research. NSBA supports. H.R. 275 - Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 Bill requires the federal government to negotiate lower drug prices for seniors enrolled in the Medicare Part D program. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 448 - The Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act Bill makes a series of changes relating to the prices of prescription drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit and Medicare Advantage (MA) prescription drug plans (PDPs). NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 582 - The Raise the Wage Act This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the federal minimum wage for regular employees over a 7-year period, for tipped employees, and for newly hired employees who are less than 20 years old. NSBA opposes. H.R. 593 - Small Business Owners' Tax Simplification Act of 2019H.R. 593 introduces a number of provisions to benefit small businesses, such as aligning estimated payment deadlines and tax filing thresholds, as well as tackling inconsistencies in reporting requirements. NSBA supports. H.R. 1046 - The Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 Bill would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate drug prices and, if drug companies refuse to negotiate in good faith, it would enable the Secretary to issue a competitive license to another company to produce the medication as a generic. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1084 - Family Savings Act of 2019 It includes a variety of provisions aimed at making it easier for smaller businesses to offer tax-qualified retirement savings plans to their employees, encouraging individuals to participate in retirement plans, and promoting savings for nonretirement expenses. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1185 - The Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act Legislation which provide workers with up to 12 weeks of partial income while taking family leave. NSBA opposes. H.R.1384 - Medicare for All Act of 2019 H.R. 1384 would create a single-payer, government-funded health care program within two years, eliminating the age 65 threshold for Medicare eligibility. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1420 - Energy Efficient Government Technology Act This bill sets forth requirements with respect to increasing the energy efficiency of information technologies and data centers within the federal government. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1534 - Federal Employee Paid Leave Act of 2019 Bill would provide federal employees with 12 weeks paid leave for all instances covered by FMLA. NSBA opposes. H.R. 1644 - Save the Internet Act of 2019 Bill would restore net neutrality rules recently repealed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). NSBA supports. H.R. 1648 - Small Business Advanced Cybersecurity Enhancements Act of 2019 Amends the Small Business Act to provide for the establishment of an enhanced cybersecurity assistance and protections for small businesses. NSBA supports. H.R. 1649 - Small Business Development Center Cyber Training Act This bill amends the Small Business Act to require the Small Business Administration to establish a program for certifying employees of small business development centers to provide cybersecurity planning assistance to small businesses. NSBA supports. H.R. 1760 - Advanced Nuclear Fuel Availability Act This bill directs the Office of Nuclear Energy in the Department of Energy to develop and deploy high-assay low-enriched uranium for domestic commercial use and to develop a schedule for recovering costs associated with such development. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1768 - Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 a diesel emissions reduction program under which the Environmental Protection Agency provides grants, rebates, or loans for replacing diesel engines or retrofitting the engines with pollution control technologies. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1784 - Healthy Families Act Legislation that would allow workers to annually accrue up 56 hours of paid sick leave or seven days of paid sick leave each year. NSBA opposes. H.R. 1909 - The HALOS Act This bill directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to revise Regulation D, which exempts certain offerings from SEC registration requirements but prohibits general solicitation or general advertising with respect to such offerings. NSBA supports. H.R. 1922 - Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2019 This bill repeals provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, as added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, that limit payments for medications from health savings accounts, medical savings accounts, health flexible spending arrangements, and health reimbursement arrangements to only prescription drugs or insulin (thus allowing distributions from such accounts for over-the-counter drugs). The bill also allows the accounts to be used for menstrual care products. NSBA supports. H.R. 1927 - Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2019 This bill modifies the scope of judicial review of agency actions to authorize courts reviewing agency actions to decide de novo (without giving deference to the agency's interpretation) all relevant questions of law, including the interpretation of: (1) constitutional and statutory provisions, and (2) rules made by agencies. NSBA supports. H.R. 1933 - Online Sales Simplicity and Small Business Relief Act of 2019 This bill prohibits states from imposing a sales tax collection duty on certain remote sellers. A "remote seller" is a person without a physical presence in a state who makes a sale in the state. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2114 - Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act of 2019 The bill authorizes the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide financial assistance to states for the implementation, review, and revision of a state energy security plan that assesses the state's existing circumstances and proposes methods to strengthen the ability of the state to have a reliable, secure, and resilient energy infrastructure. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2331 - The SBA Cyber Awareness Act It require the SBA to report annually to the Congress on the state of its information technology (IT) and cybersecurity systems, the methods it could use to improve cybersecurity, any IT equipment or systems it has that were produced by an entity doing business principally in China, and any recent cybersecurity risks or incidents and subsequent responses. NSBA supports. H.R. 2345 - Clarifying the Small Business Runway Extension Act Amend the Small Business Act to clarify the intention of Congress that the Administrator of the Small Business Administration is subject to certain requirements with respect to establishing size standards for small business concerns. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2513 - The Corporate Transparency Act of 2019 Bill would amend the Bank Secrecy Act to require an applicant seeking to form a corporation or limited liability company (LLC) to disclose the beneficial owners of the entity. NSBA opposes the small business requirements section of the bill. H.R. 2603 - the Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Act Gives the Northern Mariana Islands full access to SBA grant and microloan programs. NSBA supports. H.R. 3630 - The No Surprises Act This bill expands restrictions on charging health care plan holders out-of-network rates for certain services. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 3666 - STRONGER Patents Act of 2019 Measure would make it easier and more affordable for patent holders to enforce their patents. NSBA supports. H.R. 4069 - The Modern Worker Empowerment Act Amend the FLSA to adopt a common-law test to define the term employee. The bill would have the effect of harmonizing the definition of employee for purposes of federal law and thereby minimizing the uncertainty surrounding the determination as to whether an individual is an employee or independent contractor. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 4387 - To establish Growth Accelerator Fund Competition within the Small Business Administration H.R. 4387 codifies the SBA-initiated Growth Accelerator Fund Competition within the SBA for four years. The program awards $50,000 prizes to the nations most innovative small business accelerators and incubators. NSBA supports. H.R. 4405 - Women's Business Centers Improvements Act of 2019 The Womens Business Centers Improvements Act strengthens the WBC program to ensure that women entrepreneurs across the country have access to the vital counseling and technical training services that can take them from startup to success. NSBA supports. H.R. 4406 - Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes the Small Business Development Center Program through FY2023 and otherwise revises the program. NSBA supports. H.R. 4407 - SCORE for Small Business Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2022 the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) program, outlines the duties of the SCORE Association, and requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to cooperate with the association to carry out the program. NSBA supports. H.R. 4863 - United States Export Finance Agency Act of 2019 To promote the competitiveness of the United States, to reform and reauthorize the United States Export Finance Agency. NSBA supports. H.R. 4907 - TRUST Act The bill establishes bipartisan commissions to make recommendations on each trust fund, and those recommendations would receive a fast-tracked vote in Congress. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 4931 - Incubator Act of 2019 The purposes for this Act are to support the growth and success of business incubators throughout the country and to stimulate widespread business development and economic growth. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 5065 - the Prison to Proprietorship Act for Formerly Incarcerated Act H.R. 5065 provides re-entry entrepreneurship counseling and training services for formerly incarcerated individuals. NSBA supports. H.R. 5078 - the Prison to Proprietorship Act H.R. 5078 provides re-entry entrepreneurship counseling and training services for qualified, non-violent and soon to be released incarcerated individuals. NSBA supports. H.R. 5130 - the Capturing All Small Businesses Act of 2019 H.R. 5130 modifies the Small Business Administrations (SBAs) size calculation for employee based firms, allowing them more time to build their competitiveness. NSBA supports. H.R. 5146 - the Unlocking Opportunities for Small Businesses Act of 2019 H.R. 5146 would allow small businesses to leverage past performance experience obtained as part of joint ventures and subcontracts, which otherwise wouldnt be an option, Small businesses that wish to perform as prime contractors are often faced with a dilemma. NSBA supports. H.R. 5377 - Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act This bill increases the tax deduction for state and local taxes in 2019 to $20,000 for persons filing a joint tax return if the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer does not exceed $100 million. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 6312 - COVID-19 RELIEF for Small Businesses Act of 2020 Legislation that would provide relief to small businesses facing consequences from the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 6333 - To establish a Small Business Financial Assistance Program to support small businesses during the COVID-19 emergency, and for other purposes. This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to establish a Small Business Financial Assistance Program to provide loans and loan guarantees to small businesses. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 6349 - Continuity of Business Operations Support Act of 2020 This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide grants to small business development centers, women's business centers, and chapters of the Service Corps of Retired Executives to educate and advise small businesses on specified matters related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 6361 - Relief for Small Businesses and Nonprofits Act Bill to provide loan and obligation payment relief for small businesses and non-profits affected by the COVID-19 emergency, and for other purposes. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 6367 - Entrepreneurial Development COVID-19 Response Act of 2020 This bill requires the Small Business Administration to award grants for small business development centers, women's business centers, and chapters of the Service Corps of Retired Executives to provide small businesses with specified assistance related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). NSBA is monitoring. H.R.6395 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 This bill authorizes FY2021 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities. NSBA opposes the beneficial ownership provisions. H.R. 6396 - To provide tax and regulatory relief and health care flexibility to individuals and businesses affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. NSBA is monitoring. H.R.8900 - Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021, and Other Extensions Act Bill moves the government funding deadline from Dec. 11 to Dec. 18, in addition to providing a one-week extension for certain health programs. NSBA supports. S. 92 - Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2019 The REINS Act seeks to restore authority to Congress by allowing lawmakers to have final say on regulations with an estimated economic impact of more than $100 million. NSBA supports. S. 215 - Death Tax Repeal Act of 2019 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and (2) make permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and the lifetime gift tax exemption. The bill also provides for an inflation adjustment to such exemption amount. NSBA supports. S. 463 - The Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act Legislation which provide workers with up to 12 weeks of partial income while taking family leave. NSBA opposes. S. 673 - Expanding Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses Act of 2019 Bill increases the size of sole source contract awards for women owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, HUBZone, and socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses, and implements a new eligibility determination process to ensure sole source awards are made to eligible firms. NSBA supports. S. 682 -Save the Internet Act of 2019 Bill would restore net neutrality rules recently repealed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). NSBA supports. S. 771 - Small Business Cyber Training Act of 2019 This bill amends the Small Business Act to require the Small Business Administration to establish a program for certifying employees of small business development centers to provide cybersecurity planning assistance to small businesses. NSBA supports. S. 840 - Healthy Families Act Legislation that would allow workers to annually accrue up 56 hours of paid sick leave or seven days of paid sick leave each year. NSBA opposes. S. 909 - Separation of Powers Restoration Act This bill modifies the scope of judicial review of agency actions to authorize courts reviewing agency actions to decide de novo (without giving deference to the agency's interpretation) all relevant questions of law, including the interpretation of: (1) constitutional and statutory provisions, and (2) rules made by agencies. NSBA supports. S. 996 - Microloan Program Enhancement Act of 2019 Bill modifies the microloan program of the Small Business Administration. NSBA supports. S. 1089 - Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2019 This bill repeals provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, as added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, that limit payments for medications from health savings accounts, medical savings accounts, health flexible spending arrangements, and health reimbursement arrangements to only prescription drugs or insulin (thus allowing distributions from such accounts for over-the-counter drugs). The bill also allows the accounts to be used for menstrual care products. NSBA supports. S. 1120 - The Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act Bill requires federal agencies to analyze the full impact of a proposed regulation on small businesses during the rulemaking process. NSBA supports. S. 1149 - Main Street Certainty Act of 2019 Legislation to make permanent the 20-percent pass-through deduction from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. NSBA supports. S. 1981 - The Women and Minority Equity Investment Act of 2019 Allows women-owned federal contracting firms to take investment by women-owned equity firms and still meet the 51 percent unconditionally owned and controlled standard set by SBA to participate in the WOSB/EDWOSB program. NSBA is monitoring. S.2082 - Support Technology and Research for Our Nation's Growth and Economic Resilience Patents Act Measure would make it easier and more affordable for patent holders to enforce their patents. NSBA supports. S. 2156 - S Corporation Modernization Act Legislation that would make several pro-growth reforms to help S corporations operate more easily, which would improve their ability to raise capital. NSBA supports. S. 2189 - Veteran Small Business Export Promotion Act The Veteran Small Business Export Promotion Act would make permanent the U.S. Small Business Administrations (SBA) current policy of waiving up-front fees for veterans applying for its Export Express, Export Working Capital and International Trade loans of $150,000 or less. NSBA supports. S. 2350 - Online Sales Simplicity and Small Business Relief Act of 2019 This bill prohibits states from imposing a sales tax collection duty on a remote seller for any sale that occurred prior to June 21, 2018. A "remote seller" is a person without a physical presence in a state who makes a sale in the state. NSBA is monitoring. S. 2535 - Enhancing Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century Act This bill requires the Department of Commerce to conduct an assessment and analysis of the reasons underlying the decreasing rate of formation of new businesses (i.e., startups) in the United States. NSBA supports. S. 2543 - Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 Amends titles XI, XVIII, and XIX of the Social Security Act to lower prescription drug prices in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, to improve transparency related to pharmaceutical prices and transactions, to lower patients' out-of-pocket costs, and to ensure accountability to taxpayers, and for other purposes. NSBA is monitoring. S. 2563 - ILLICIT CASH Act To improve laws relating to money laundering. NSBA opposed TITLE IV of the bill regarding beneficial ownership. S. 2733 - TRUST Act The bill establishes bipartisan commissions to make recommendations on each trust fund, and those recommendations would receive a fast-tracked vote in Congress. NSABA is monitoring. S. 3508 - Disaster Protection for Workers' Credit Act of 2020 Legislation will provide for an immediate four-month moratorium on all negative credit reporting and longer protections for people who face lasting financial hardship from the outbreak. The bill will also provide free, unlimited credit reports and credit scores for a year from the end of the crisis. Beyond this crisis, the bill extends these protections to people impacted by future major disasters. NSBA is monitoring. S. 3515 - New Business Preservation Act The New Business Preservation Act which would create a new program at the Treasury Department that will partner with states to invest in promising new businesses alongside private investors in areas of the country that do not currently attract significant equity investment in new businesses. NSBA is monitoring. S. 3518 - COVID-19 Recovery Grants for Small Businesses Act This bill requires the Small Business Administration to provide economic injury grants to certain small businesses, private nonprofit organizations, and small agricultural cooperatives that have suffered a substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). NSBA is monitoring. S. 3519 - A bill to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to subsidize payments on loans guaranteed under the 7(a) and 504 loan programs or made using funds under the microloan program, and for other purposes. This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to pay the principal, interest, and any associated fees owed on certain loans made to small businesses for a six month period. NSBA is monitoring. S. 3524 - Coronavirus Credit Expansion Act This bill increases the maximum loan amount for a small business disaster loan made in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), and it requires the Small Business Administration to expedite the loan approval process for such loans. NSBA supports. S. 3531 - Small Business Relief from Communicable Disease Induced Economic Hardship Act of 2020 This bill expands the definition of a disaster for which the Small Business Administration (SBA) may provide disaster loans to small business concerns to include communicable diseases for which the government issues a travel alert or travel warning, and it authorizes the SBA to make interest free disaster loans to small businesses affected by a disaster for which the government issues a public health emergency. NSBA is monitoring. S.3541 - A bill to modify requirements relating to small business disaster loans made in response to COVID-19, and for other pu
Client expense: $24,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank), Federal Reserve System, Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Intl Trade Administration (ITA), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2020 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
H.R. 3, Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 H.R. 19/S. 3129, Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 H.R. 275, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 H.R. 448/S. 99, Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act H.R. 748/ S. 3548, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act H.R. 1346, Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act of 2019 H.R. 1384, Medicare for All Act of 2019 H.R. 1398/S. 172, Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2019 H.R. 1425, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act H.R. 1865, Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 H.R. 1922/S. 1089, Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2019 H.R. 1985, Family Savings for Kids and Seniors Act H.R. 2207, Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2019 H.R. 3030, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Extension Act of 2019 H.R. 6074, Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 H.R. 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act H.R. 6800, Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act H.R. 7617, Defense, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2021 S. 12, Health Savings Act of 2019 S. 61, Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act of 2019 S. 62, Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices Act of 2019 S. 64, Preserve Access to Affordable Generics and Biosimilars Act S. 80, Jobs and Premium Protection Act, including provisions relating to repeal of the annual fee on health insurance providers enacted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act S. 178, UIGHUR Act of 2019, including provisions relating to substitute amendment regarding COVID-19 relief package S. 340, Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act of 2019 S. 344, Hatch-Waxman Integrity Act of 2019 S. 470, Medicare at 50 Act S. 684, Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2019 S. 692, Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2019 S. 1416, Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2019 S. 1541, Tobacco-Free Youth Act S. 1895, Lower Health Care Costs Act S. 2543, Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 S. 2897, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Reauthorization Act S. 3200, Chronic Disease Management Act of 2020 S. 3548, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act S. 4317, Safeguarding Americas Frontline Employees To Offer Work Opportunities Required to Kickstart the Economy (SAFE TO WORK) Act Potential legislation similar to H.R. 2911/S. 1697, Small Business Healthcare Relief Act (114th Cong.) Proposed regulation on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS notice of benefit and payment parameters for 2020 (84 Fed. Reg. 227-321, January 24, 2019) Proposed regulations on Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; interoperability and patient access for Medicare advantage organization and Medicaid managed care plans, state Medicaid agencies, CHIP agencies and CHIP managed care entities, issuers of qualified health plans in the federally-facilitated exchanges and health care providers; supplement and extension of comment period (84 Fed, Reg. 16,834, April 23, 2019) Proposed regulation on Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS notice of benefit and payment parameters for 2021; notice requirement for non-federal governmental plans (85 Fed. Reg. 7,088-7,159, February 6, 2020) Various issues relating to Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148) and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-152), including the employer-sponsored health care system, implementation of regulatory process, delivery system reform, health savings account (HSAs), health reimbursement account (HRAs), and flexible spending account (FSAs) changes, medical malpractice reform, the impact on small business, section 1557 on nondiscrimination, incompleteness or inaccuracy of cost impact analysis, lack of quantified benefit analysis, and need for empirical data sources on which to base costs and benefits, protect Medicare Part Ds Non-Interference Clause from repeal, proposed rule regarding section 1557; Public Health Services Act (P.L.78-410), Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) (P.L. 93-406), regarding regulatory process and legislative corrections to ERISA preemption, changes to Medicare Advantage and Parts B, C, and D, including rebates and non-interference with prescription drug prices, entitlement reform, health information technology, telemedicine services in Medicare, and coordination and disease management programs; association health plans; importation of foreign pharmaceuticals into the United States and preemptive authority of federal food and drug regulations; balance or surprise billing and related issues; single-payer health care options; health reimbursement arrangements and other account-based group health plans; Health and Human Services international pricing index (IPI) model; legislation addressing mental health parity; inclusion of prescription drug pricing on 2019 congressional agenda; reauthorization of the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI); potential premium reduction/reinsurance program to reduce health insurance premiums; proposals to expand Medicare including Medicare Buy-In and the development of a public option; Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system for CY 2020; drug pricing including most-favored nations proposals, international pricing index, importation and mandatory rebates; potential healthcare pricing proposals, including a medicaid rebate cap, spread pricing, and inflation penalty; comments on Medicare and State Healthcare Programs: fraud and abuse; revisions to safe harbors under the anti-kickback statute, and civil monetary penalty rules regarding beneficiary inducements; comments on Medicare Program; modernizing and clarifying the physician self-referral regulations; comments on CMS proposed Medicaid fiscal accountability regulation; comments on CMS proposed transparency in coverage rule; comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on the declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act for medical countermeasures against COVID-19, as amended on April 10, 2020 and June 8, 2020 (Declaration), Section 319F-3 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6d); comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on CMS-2393-P: Medicaid Program; Medicaid fiscal accountability regulation; comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on the Administrations proposed rule to eliminate drug manufacturer rebates in Part D; transparency in coverage; issues relating to the coronavirus pandemic, including testing, liability protection, and temporary COBRA subsidies; Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (PHSSEF); health insurance coverage during the coronavirus pandemic; health legislative priorities for the potential Phase 4 coronavirus relief package; provisions relating to Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSA) in the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136); FCCs COVID-19 Telehealth Program; Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) temporary rule regarding Prioritization and Allocation of Certain Scarce or Threatened Health and Medical Resources for Domestic Use; distribution of COVID-19 vaccines; comments on notice of proposed rulemaking: securing updated and necessary statutory evaluations timely (SUNSET); reform of the World Health Organization (WHO); continued U.S. membership in the World Health Organization; COVID-19 liability issues; Phase IV COVID-19 relief legislation and civil liability issues affecting the business community
Client expense: $22,290,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Natl Security Council (NSC), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Copyright Office, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2020 · fourth_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
H.R. 803 / S. 988, Improving Transparency and Accuracy in Medicare Part D Drug Spending Act; H.R. 1034 / S. 640, Phair Pricing Act of 2019; H.R. 1035, Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act, S. 475, Creating Transparency to Have Drug Rebates Unlocked (C-THRU) Act, S. 476, Reducing Existing Costs Associated with Pharmaceuticals for Seniors (RxCAP) Act; H.R. 107, To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to sunset the limit on the maximum rebate amount for single source drugs and innovator multiple source drugs; H.R.448 / S. 99, Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act; H.R. 275, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019; H.R. 1346, Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act of 2019; H.R. 366, Insulin Access for All Act of 2019; S. 62, Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices Act of 2019; S. 205 / H.R. 937, Right Rebate Act of 2019; H.R. 1046 / S. 377, Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019; H.R. 1781 / S. 801, the Payment Commission Data Act of 2019; H.R. 2113, Prescription Drug Sunshine, Transparency, Accountability and Reporting (STAR) Act of 2019; H.R. 2115, To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to provide greater transparency of discounts provided by drug manufacturers; Proposed rule, "Modernizing Part D and Medicare Advantage to Lower Drug Prices and Reduce Out-of-Pocket Expenses, CMS-4180-P"; Proposed rule, "Fraud and Abuse; Removal of Safe Harbor Protection for Rebates Involving Prescription Pharmaceuticals and Creation of New Safe Harbor Protection for Certain Point-of-Sale Reductions in Price on Prescription Pharmaceuticals and Certain Pharmacy Benefit Manager Service Fees, OIG-0936-P"; Proposed rule, Medicaid Program; Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) Managed Care - CMS-2408-P; H.R. 1323, Rural Hospital Frontier Fairness Act; S. 551, REFUND Act of 2019; S. 691, Medicare Extra Rx HELP Act of 2019; S. 773, Telehealth Innovation and Improvement Act of 2019; S. 814, Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act of 2019; H.R. 1384 / S. 1129, Medicare for All Act of 2019; H.R. 3417, The Beneficiary Education Tools, Telehealth, and Extenders Reauthorization Act of 2019; H.R. 3408, Shop Rx Act of 2019; S. 1384, Prescription Drug Rebate Reform Act of 2019; H.R. 2113, Prescription Drug STAR Act; H.R. 2115, Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act S. 2447, the Phair Relief Act; S. 2771, the Protecting Home Oxygen and Medical Equipment Act of 2019; S. 1861 / H.R. 3924, the Streamlining Part D Appeals Process Act; H.R. 4946, the Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Pharmacies Act of 2019; H.R. 5281, the Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act of 2019; H.R. 5442, the Lowest Price for Patients Act; Report language for H.R.1865, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act; Pharmacist Provider Status draft legislation
Client expense: $330,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Natl Drug Control Policy (NDCP), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), White House Office
Medicare Part A, B and D AMP Cap H.R 3 S.2543 - Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 H.R. 1046/S.377 - Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 Innovative pharmaceuticals (including cell, gene and radioligand therapies), Biosimilars and Generics Drug Pricing Outcomes Based Contracts/value based arrangements Medicaid H.R.275 - Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 H.R.448 - Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act H.R.19 - Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 H.R.107 - To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to sunset the limit on the maximum rebate amount for single source drugs and innovator multiple source drugs H.R.4455 - BIOSIM Act H.R.4619 - Pharmaceutical Rebates for Excessive Pricing Above Inflation Act HR. 3772 - The Medicare Diagnostic Radiopharmaceutical Payment Equity Act of 2019 HR. 4597 - Acting to Cancel Copays and Ensure Substantial Savings for Biosimilars Act of 2019 S.3466 - ACCESS for Biosimilars Act of 2020 HR. 6179 - Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2020 HR. 4629 - Star Rating for Biosimilars Act S. 3129 - Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 S. 3384 - Lowering Prescription Drug Prices for America's Seniors and Families Act of 2020 S. 3457 - Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act H.R.5741 - Strengthening Innovation in Medicare and Medicaid Act Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) drug policy issues and regulatory policy issues Transparency policy issues Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) policy issues ANPRM; Medicare Program; International Pricing Index Model for Medicare Part B Drugs (CMS-5528-ANPRM) Removal of Safe Harbor Protection for Rebates to Plans or PBMs Involving Prescription Pharmaceuticals and Creation of New Safe Harbor Protection (RIN 0936-AA08) Proposed Rule; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2021; Notice Requirement for Non-Federal Governmental Plans (CMS-9916-P) Reimbursement for cell therapy products S. 3353/H.R. 5534 - Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act Patient Cost-Sharing and Smoothing S. 4134 - Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2020 S. 102 - Prescription Drug Price Relief Act of 2019 CMS Proposed Rule: Medicaid Program; Establishing Minimum Standards in Medicaid State Drug Utilization Review (DUR) and Supporting Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) or Drugs Covered in Medicaid, Revising Medicaid Rebate and Third Party Liability (TPL) Requirements (CMS-2482-P) H.R. 8624 - Protecting Access to Innovation During COVID-19 Act H.R. 8702 - Holding Providers Harmless From Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act of 2020 S. 1895 - Lower Health Care Costs Act S. 4199 - Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2020 S. 4274 - Legalizing Drug Discounts for Seniors Act of 2020 Anti-Kickback Statute policy issues Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) policy issues Medicaid rebates and waiver policy issues Medicare prescription drug payments cards and related issues ASP reporting policy issues Non-covered drugs policy issues Drug wastage rebates policy issues
Client expense: $660,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
2020 · fourth_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
21st Century Cures Act 2.0 ---RFI from House Energy and Commerce Committee Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic ---H.R.4100/S.1712: DISARM Act of 2019 ---COVID-19 Pricing-Related Provisions ---Immunization information systems ---Implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 ---Implementation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 ---In-Home Administration of Part B Drugs ---Patient Cost-Sharing and Smoothing ---Preventive Monoclonal Antibody Coverage Drug Pricing ---H.R.3: Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 ---H.R.19/S.3129: Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 ---H.R.275: Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 ---H.R.488/S.99: Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 ---H.R.1046/S.377: Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 ---S.1416/H.R.4398/H.R.3991/H.R.5133: Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2019 ---CMMI Authority ---COVID-19 Pricing-Related Provisions ---Executive Order on Lowering Drug Prices by Putting America First (Most Favored Nation, or MFN, EO) ---General ---Implementation of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 2020 ---International Pricing Index Proposal ---Most Favored Nation (MFN) Model interim final rule (MFN Rule) Medicaid ---H.R.5741: Strengthening Innovation in Medicare and Medicaid Act of 2020 ---S.3013: Encouraging Innovation Benefit Design to Lower Costs for Seniors Act of 2019 ---Alternative payment arrangements for gene therapies ---Average Manufacturer Price Calculations ---Drug Benefit Design ---Pricing and Rebates ---Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Rule Reimbursement and Coverage of Innovative Products ---H.R.3: Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 ---H.J.Res.107: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.J.Res.110: Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.275: Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 ---H.R.488/S.99: Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 ---H.R.1520: Further Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.5741: Strengthening Innovation in Medicare and Medicaid Act of 2020 ---H.R.8337: The Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021 and Other Extensions Act ---H.R.8900: Further Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021, and Other Extensions Act ---S.2326: New Opportunities for Value that Extend Lives (NOVEL) Act of 2019 ---Administration Rebate Rule ---CMMI Authority ---Executive Order on Lowering Drug Prices by Putting America First (Most Favored Nation, or MFN, EO) ---In-Home Administration of Part B Drugs ---International Pricing Index Proposal ---Medicare Part B Physician-Administered Products ---Most Favored Nation (MFN) Model interim final rule (MFN Rule) ---Patient Cost-Sharing and Smoothing ---Protected Classes ---Support of Patient Premiums and Cost-Sharing Obligations ---Value-Based Contracting and Communications ---Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Rule Vaccines and Infectious Diseases ---H.R.5076/S.1872: Protecting Seniors through Immunizations Act of 2019
Client expense: $3,180,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), State, Dept of (DOS), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2020 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
21st Century Cures Act 2.0 ---RFI from House Energy and Commerce Committee 340B Drug Discount Program ---Program Implementation & Oversight Biodefense Research, Development and Procurement Issues (Nonfunding) ---Implementation of Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation (PAHPAI) Act of 2019 ---Implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 ---Implementation of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 2020 ---Implementation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 Biosimilars ---H.R.1499: Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act of 2019 ---Biosimilar Copay ---Reimbursement Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic ---H.R.133: Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---H.R.4100/S.1712: DISARM Act of 2019 ---H.R.7661: Coronavirus Emerging Growth Companies (EGC) Extension Act of 2020 ---H.R.8080: Health STATISTICS Act of 2020 ---S.4317: SAFE TO WORK Act ---COVID-19 Lessons Learned ---COVID-19 Pricing-Related Provisions ---COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution ---Drug Supply Chain Management ---Immunization information systems ---Implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 ---Implementation of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 2020 ---Implementation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 ---In-Home Administration of Part B Drugs ---Operation Warp Speed ---Patient Cost-Sharing and Smoothing ---PREP Act COVID-19 declaration coverage for private sector procurement ---Preventive Monoclonal Antibody Coverage Diversity & Inclusion Drug Evaluation and Review ---COVID-19 Lessons Learned ---Implementation of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) VI ---Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) VII Priorities ---Priority Review Voucher Programs Drug Importation ---H.R.1046/S.377: Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 ---General Drug Manufacturing, Quality & Distribution ---H.R.133: Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---H.R.7767: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for credits against tax for domestic medical and drug manufacturing and advanced medical manufacturing equipment ---Drug Shortages ---Executive Order on Buy American Drug Patenting ---H.R.1046/S.377: Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 ---H.R.1499: Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act of 2019 ---H.R.3991: Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Through Improvements to Patent Litigation Act of 2019 ---S.1416/H.R.4398/H.R.3991/H.R.5133: Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2019 ---S.1617: Second Look at Drug Patents Act of 2019 Drug Pricing ---H.R.3: Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 ---H.R.19/S.3129: Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 ---H.R.275: Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 ---H.R.488/S.99: Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 ---H.R.1046/S.377: Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 ---H.R.1425: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act of 2020 ---H.R.1499: Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act of 2019 ---H.R.3991: Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Through Improvements to Patent Litigation Act of 2019 ---S.1416/H.R.4398/H.R.3991/H.R.5133: Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2019 ---S.1617: Second Look at Drug Patents Act of 2019 ---CMMI Authority ---COVID-19 Pricing-Related Provisions ---Executive Order on Lowering Drug Prices by Putting America First (Most Favored Nation, or MFN, EO) ---General ---Implementation of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 2020 ---International Pricing Index Proposal ---Most Favored Nation (MFN) Model interim final rule (MFN Rule) Funding for Antimicrobial Resistance Programs ---H.J.Res.107: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.J.Res.110: Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.133: Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---H.R.1520: Further Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.8337: The Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021 and Other Extensions Act ---H.R.8900: Further Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021, and Other Extensions Act ---S.4760:Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act of 2020 ---Implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 ---Implementation of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 2020 Funding for Biodefense/Biomedical/Emergency Preparedness Research, Development and Procurement ---H.J.Res.107: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.J.Res.110: Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.133: Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---H.R.1520: Further Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.8337: The Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021 and Other Extensions Act ---H.R.8900: Further Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021, and Other Extensions Act ---Funding for Strategic National Stockpile ---Health Defense Operations Funding Designation ---Implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 ---Implementation of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 2020 Funding for FDA ---H.J.Res.107: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.J.Res.110: Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.133: Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---H.R.1520: Further Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.8337: The Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021 and Other Extensions Act ---H.R.8900: Further Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021, and Other Extensions Act ---Implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 ---Implementation of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 2020 Funding for Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) - Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) ---H.J.Res.107: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.J.Res.110: Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.133: Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---H.R.1520: Further Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.8337: The Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021 and Other Extensions Act ---H.R.8900: Further Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021, and Other Extensions Act Funding for National Institutes of Health ---H.J.Res.107: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.J.Res.110: Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.133: Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---H.R.1520: Further Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.8337: The Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021 and Other Extensions Act ---H.R.8900: Further Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021, and Other Extensions Act ---Implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 ---Implementation of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 2020 Funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vaccine Programs ---H.J.Res.107: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.J.Res.110: Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.133: Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---H.R.1520: Further Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.8337: The Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021 and Other Extensions Act ---H.R.8900: Further Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021, and Other Extensions Act ---Funding for 2020-21 Influenza Season Preparedness and Response ---Funding for Routine Immunization Infrastructure during Pandemic ---Implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 ---Implementation of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 2020 Funding for the HHS Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy ---H.J.Res.107: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.J.Res.110: Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.133: Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---H.R.1520: Further Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.8337: The Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021 and Other Extensions Act ---H.R.8900: Further Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021, and Other Extensions Act Medicaid ---H.R.5741: Strengthening Innovation in Medicare and Medicaid Act of 2020 ---S.3013: Encouraging Innovation Benefit Design to Lower Costs for Seniors Act of 2019 ---Alternative payment arrangements for gene therapies ---Average Manufacturer Price Calculations ---Drug Benefit Design ---Pricing and Rebates ---Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Rule Orphan Drug Issues ---H.J.Res.107: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.J.Res.110: Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.1520: Further Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.4439/S.4010: Creating Hope Reauthorization Act of 2019 ---H.R.4712: Fairness in Orphan Drug Exclusivity Act of 2019 ---H.R.8337: The Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021 and Other Extensions Act ---H.R.8900: Further Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021, and Other Extensions Act Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review ---H.J.Res.107: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.J.Res.110: Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.133: Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---H.R.1520: Further Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.4439/S.4010: Creating Hope Reauthorization Act of 2019 ---H.R.8337: The Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021 and Other Extensions Act ---H.R.8900: Further Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021, and Other Extensions Act Reimbursement and Coverage of Innovative Products ---H.R.3: Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 ---H.J.Res.107: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.J.Res.110: Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.275: Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 ---H.R.488/S.99: Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 ---H.R.1520: Further Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act of FY 2021 ---H.R.5741: Strengthening Innovation in Medicare and Medicaid Act of 2020 ---H.R.8337: The Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021 and Other Extensions Act ---H.R.8900: Further Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2021, and Other Extensions Act ---S.2326: New Opportunities for Value that Extend Lives (NOVEL) Act of 2019 ---Administration Rebate Rule ---CMMI Authority ---Executive Order on Increasing Drug Importation to Lower Prices for American Patients ---Executive Order on Lowering Drug Prices by Putting America First (Most Favored Nation, MFN EO) ---In-Home Administration of Part B Drugs ---International Pricing Index Proposal ---Medicare Part B Physician-Administered Products ---Patient Cost-Sharing and Smoothing ---Protected Classes ---Support of Patient Premiums and Cost-Sharing Obligations ---Value-Based Contracting and Communications ---Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Rule The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ---Implementation of United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ---IP Provisions US-China Trade Agreement ---IP Provisions US-UK Trade Agreement ---IP Provisions Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Tax ---H.R.1973/S.1654: Vaccine Access Improvement Act of 2019 Vaccines and Infectious Diseases ---H.R.133: Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---H.R.4100/S.1712: DISARM Act of 2019 ---H.R.5076/S.1872: Protecting Seniors through Immunizations Act of 2019 ---S.4760: Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act of 2020 ---Adult Immunization Education ---Implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 ---Implementation of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 2020 ---Implementation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 ---Maternal Immunization ---Operation Warp Speed ---Preventive Monoclonal Antibody Coverage ---Vaccine and Anti-Microbial Resistance Product Development and Incentives ---Vaccine Injury Compensation Program ---Vaccine Quality Measure ---Vaccine Safety
Client expense: $3,180,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), State, Dept of (DOS), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2020 · fourth_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
assist client with issues pertaining to medicare and medicaid. HR6674 Medicare Crisis Program 2020; S3864 Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act of 2020; HR6811 WIC Act 2020; HR6445,S3563 Food Assistance for Kids and Families during COVID 2020.HR 6281, S3500 Medicare Wage Index Parity Act 2020; HR 4618 Medicare Hearing Act;HR913 Clinical Treatment Act 2019; HR1264 Payment Commission Data Act 2019; HR1390 Mobile Health Record Act; HR1394 Medigap Consumer Protection 2019; HR1409 Transparency in all Healthcare Pricing Act 2019; HR1425 Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act; S470 Medicaid at 50 Act; S773 Telehealth Innovation and Improvement Act; S377 Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act 2019; S618 Medicare Choices Empowerment and Protection Act.; S1114 Medicare Adv Quality Payment Relief Act; H.R.2564 Medicare Enrollment Protection Act; H.R.275 Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019;H.R.884 Medicare Mental Health Access Act; H.R.3127 Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act; H.R.1384 Medicare for All Act of 2019.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $11,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
The Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148, P.L. 111-152): Expanding coverage and improving Medicare benefits; Providing needed protections to guard against insurance practices that unfairly limit, deny or rescind coverage based on health status; public and private health insurers should encourage preventive health care by providing full coverage, with no cost-sharing, for preventive services recommended by an expert advisory group, such as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force; Ensuring access to primary care physicians; and beginning to bend the cost curve; Prohibiting insurers from excluding or charging excessive rates to children based on pre-existing conditions, which later will be expanded to all persons; Covering young adults on their parents' plans; Eliminating lifetime and annual limits on health insurance coverage; Requiring that health insurers spend more on patient care and less on administration; support enactment of S. 248, the Empowering States to Innovate Act, which amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) to: (1) allow states to apply for waivers of certain health insurance coverage requirements in such Act (including requirements for the establishment of qualified health plans and health insurance exchanges) for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014 (currently, January 1, 2017), and (2) require the waiver application process to begin not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act; Phasing out the Medicare Part D doughnut hole; Eliminating patient cost-sharing for preventive services offered by Medicare or private insurers; Increasing Medicare and Medicaid payments to primary care physicians; Supporting the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to help physicians and patients make care decisions based on the best available evidence; Supporting the Center on Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to fund pilots of delivery models to improve outcomes and reduce costs, including patient-centered medical homes; Advocated against a December 2018 ruling by a federal judge in Texas that the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unconstitutional. Access to Primary Care in the Context of Comprehensive Healthcare Reform Legislation (H.R. 3962/H.R. 3590/H.R. 4872): Provide sliding scale subsidies based on income to buy coverage from qualified plans; Qualified plans should: provide evidence-based benefits, including preventive services; and be prohibited from excluding persons with pre-existing conditions, charging them more, cherry-picking enrollees, or cancelling or failing to renew coverage; Expand Medicaid to cover all persons below the Federal Poverty Level and ensure fair payments to participating physicians; As coverage becomes affordable, all persons should participate and coverage should be guaranteed; Responsibility for financing should be shared by individuals, employers and government. Medicare payment models that re-align incentives to support effective, efficient, patient-centered, coordinated care. Priority should be given to models designed to support the value of services provided by primary care physicians as well as to models that would create incentives, across physician specialties and sites of services, to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of care provided. Policy criteria for selecting the most promising models for pilot testing should be developed, in consultation with outside experts; The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), which has shown great promise in meeting the policy objectives suggested above, should be among the models selected for broader testing on a national pilot basis; the use of the medical home model for treatment or services under private health plans, the requirement of health plans to provide incentives to promote and report on medical home services provided, the establishment of community health teams and a primary care extension program to educate and support primary care practices in the delivery of medical home services, and the establishment of a demonstration project to educate physicians and other clinicians in training in the competencies required to deliver care consistent with the medical home care model. Medicare Payments to Physicians: Urged that Congress provide incentives to physicians who transform their practices into Advanced Alternative Payment Models and continue to provide stability for physicians in the MIPS program. Specifically, Congress should extend the five percent Qualified Alternative Payment Model participant bonus beyond the 2022 performance year, replace the zero percent baseline payment updates under Medicare with positive updates. Urged congressional committees with jurisdiction over Medicare to exercise their oversight authority and urge CMS to expedite approval of more Advanced APMS, particularly those that work for small and specialty practices and to simplify the scoring structure and reporting requirements under the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in order to fulfill Congress intent of a more streamlined program that reduces burdens on physicians; Supported S.2648, the Rural ACO Improvement Act, amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve the benchmarking process for the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) to ensure that all ACOs have an equal opportunity to share in savings regardless of their geographic location; Provided recommendations to CMS on the Merit-based Incentive Payment System Value Pathway (MVP), which aims to reduce reporting burden and complexity within MIPS while improving the accuracy and effectiveness of performance measurement. The College noted specifically that a robust, multi-year transition period will be critical to the success of the MVP, that it does not support making the MVP mandatory, that CMS should continue to support numerous reporting mechanisms, including qualified registries and clinical data registries, which have been instrumental in developing specialty-specific performance measures, among other things. Urged support for H.R. 8505, a bill to provide for a one-year waiver of budget neutrality adjustments under the Medicare physician fee schedule; Urged that any legislation to hold some Medicare physician payment codes harmless from budget neutrality do so for just one year and to allow evaluation and management increases, along with GPC1X codes to go into effect. Administrative Tasks on Physicians and Patients: Congress should accelerate its efforts to reduce administrative burdens on clinicians and patients, including: streamlining the prior authorization process, better integrating clinical data into clinicians electronic health records (EHRs), and working with CMS in their effort to overhaul clinical documentation guidelines; Urged Congress to cosponsor and pass the Safe Step Act (H.R. 2279), to require health insurers to provide an exceptions process for any medication step therapy protocol based on clinical decision-making, medical necessity, and other patient needs. Prescription Drug Costs: The College advocated for greater transparency in drug pricing, the elimination of anti-competitive industry practices that create barriers to generics coming to market, the importance of accounting for value in payment and coverage for prescriptions, and providing authority to the federal government to negotiate drug discounts under the Medicare Part D program. Specifically, the College urged Congress to pass the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 (H.R. 275/S. 62), which allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate covered Part D drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries, and the Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act of 2019, (H.R. 965/S. 340), which would improve patient access to alternative low-cost prescription drugs and biological products by preventing prescription drug manufacturers from misusing the FDAs Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) process to make it difficult for competing generics to be brought to the market. Also urged that Congress pass the Reforming Evergreening and Manipulation that Extends Drug Years, REMEDY Act (S. 1209), to aid in the approval of more generic drug applications by the FDA and therefore improve patient access to those medications. Also urged that Congress pass the Prescription Drug STAR Act (H.R. 2113), and the Fair Accountability and Innovative Research (FAIR) Drug Pricing Act (H.R. 2296/S. 1391), to promote greater drug pricing transparency; Expressed appreciation to the House speaker for introduction of H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, noting encouragement for its provisions to empower the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices and to cap out-of-pocket costs for seniors enrolled in the Medicare Part D program. Commented to the FDA on its prescription drug reimportation proposed rule noting that while the College is generally supportive of drug importation as laid out in the proposed rule as a means to control the cost of prescription drugs, the FDA must guarantee that the design and implementation of the rule includes numerous measures and safeguards to ensure patient safety. By limiting the origin of imported drugs to Canadian-certified and FDA-approved and registered drugs and entities, the College believes the proposed rule meets the required U.S. standards to assure high-quality drugs and patient safety. Any final drug importation system must also be one that is a closed system and has a tightly controlled and documented supply chain to assure authenticity and avoid degradation of the drug. Workforce, Medical and Health Services Research, Public Health Initiatives: Congress should ensure funding in FY 2021 for federal programs/initiatives designed to support primary care including Title VII Health Professions grants and the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). Equally important is the need to fund essential health services and medical research by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and public health programs supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Firearms-Related Injury and Death: The College advocated for lawmakers to pass measures to strengthen the criminal background check system, ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines, prevent the unlawful transfer of firearms to those who cannot legally purchase them, and remove restrictions on, and provide dedicated funding for, research by federal agencies on prevention of firearms-related injuries and death. Specifically, the College urged passage of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 8), which would strengthen the accuracy and reporting of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as well as expand Brady background checks to cover all firearm sales, including unlicensed firearms sellers currently not required to use background checks, and the Gun Violence Prevention Research Act (H.R. 674/S. 184), which would authorize funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to study firearms safety and gun violence prevention. Also urged Congress to pass the Violence Against Women (VAWA) Reauthorization Act of 2019 (H.R. 1585), to provide protections for domestic violence victims by restricting access to firearms by those deemed a threat to them. Also urged Congress to pass the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 (S. 66/H.R. 1296), to ban the sale of semi-automatic weapons and high capacity magazines. Immigration: The College advocated against family separation at the U.S. border. Specifically, the College urged support for H.R. 541 - the Keep Families Together Act, which would help ensure that children are not separated from their parents when families unlawfully cross over the border into the United States and would ensure that the Department of Homeland Security would not be able to implement the zero tolerance policy that separated families at the border last summer; urged congressional oversight of family separation policies. Also urged that Congress pass H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2019, which would provide a pathway to U.S. citizenship for undocumented children who came to the United States due to the action of their parents, also known as Dreamers. Expressed concern to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with the recent U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) policy change to no longer accept or adjudicate non-military deferred action requests including those for individuals with serious medical conditions; Urged USCIS to reverse this decision immediately and resume consideration of deferred action requests for medical reasons; Opposed the proposed rule, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media. This rule would change the process to extend the period of authorized stay in the United States for certain categories of nonimmigrants by eliminating the long-standing "duration of status and replacing it with a specific end date. The College urged the Department of Homeland Security to exclude physicians in the Department of States (DOS) Exchange Visitor Program in J-1 visa status from this rule change because it will otherwise disrupt the training of thousands of physicians - physicians who already have been thoroughly vetted, already are serving on our nations health care teams, and already are carefully monitored during their time in the U.S. Graduate Medical Education: Urged that Congress support medical education training and debt relief for primary care physicians and other specialties facing shortages by passing the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2019 (S. 348, H.R. 1763), to lift the GME caps as needed to permit training an adequate number of primary care physicians, including internal medicine specialists, and physicians in other specialties facing shortages; passing the Resident Education Deferred Interest Act (H.R. 1554), to save physicians in residency programs thousands of dollars in interest on their loans and help incentivize the opening of practices in underserved areas; pass legislation to combine DGME and IME into a single, more functional payment program, and broaden the GME financing structure to include all payers; support funding for GME/IME and programs within the Veterans Health Administration that provide graduate medical education to ensure that physicians are adequately trained with the skills needed to treat an aging population. Urged Congress to pass the Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 (H.R. 3414), which would provide Medicare support for an additional 1,000 graduate medical education (GME) positions over five years in hospitals that have, or are in the process of establishing, accredited residency programs in addiction medicine, addiction psychiatry, or pain medicine. Urged Congress to pass S. 1203 and H.R. 2441, the What You Can Do For Your Country Act, which would improve and reform the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Vaccines: Urged Congress to pass the Vaccines Act (HR 2862), which would provide federal funding for vaccine hesitancy surveillance at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and outline a national public messaging campaign informed by this research to help improve vaccination rates; Supported H.R. 592, recognizing the anniversary of the eradication of smallpox and the importance of vaccination in the United States and worldwide; Urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reconsider its decision to not vaccinate families in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) against influenza (flu). Urged Congress to support payments for vaccines, as finalized by CMS, and set for implementation on Jan. 1, 2021. Surprise Medical Billing: Urged Congress to pass legislation that would protect patients from surprise out-of-network medical bills in both emergency and non-emergency settings that includes the following principles: hold patients harmless from surprise medical bills for out-of-network services, address narrow insurance networks, abandon efforts to establish an in-network median rate for services in these settings and instead opt for an independent dispute resolution process to determine payment. Appropriations: Urged Congress to fund Title VII, Section 747, Primary Care Training and Enhancement (PCTE) at $71 million for fiscal year 2021; Fund the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) at $460 million for fiscal year 2021; Fund the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) at $830 million for fiscal year 2021; Fund the Title X Family Planning Program at $400 million for fiscal year 2021 and include language to remove barriers to care that interfere with the patient-physician relationship; Fund Research on Prevention of Firearms-related Injuries and Deaths at $50 million for Fiscal Year 2021; Fund the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at $44.7 billion for fiscal year 2021; Fund the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at $8.3 billion for fiscal year 2021; Urged the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to support provisions in any final FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act to prevent cuts to the Military Health Service and the military medical workforce without requiring appropriate congressional oversight and review. Physician Fee Schedule: Commented to CMS and to Congress to fully implement payment increases for all evaluation and management codes, as finalized by CMS, and as scheduled for implementation on Jan. 1, 2021. Reduce the documentation burden for E/M services by allowing choice of medical decision making or time, and work to develop additional clarity and guidance on acceptable documentation to operationalize these important proposals; examination room desktop computers should be counted as a direct medical equipment cost; care management should be promoted by increasing the values of services like Transitional Care Management (TCM) and Chronic Care Management and implementing Principle Care Management (PCM) codes; require additional survey and review for any requests to increase non-outpatient E/M or other services; work with the physician community prior to finalizing any policy affecting eligibility to participate in the Medicare program; Urged congressional committees of jurisdiction to support: Higher physician work relative value units (RVUs) for new and established office visit codes, leading to increased payments for them, Reduced documentation requirements for office visit codes, which enables physicians to select and document for each visit based on medical decision-making or total time, Expanded and improved payment for care management services. Urged Congress to support waiving budget neutrality, applicable to the calendar year 2021 physician fee schedule. COVID-19: Urged congressional appropriators to provide the highest possible funding level for research, prevention, control, and treatment of illnesses associated with the virus that is commensurate with the public health emergency that the virus represents. Urged the administration to explore regulatory and other actions that would make COVID-19 testing free-of-charge to patients covered by both public and private insurance plans, including ACA-compliant plans offered through the insurance exchanges, and to waive co-pays and deductibles for patients seeing physicians for symptoms that may be indicative of COVID-19 or who are hospitalized for treatment. Urged CMS to utilize a national disaster recovery program that would pay doctors 110% of Medicare rates for caring for uninsured patients who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Expressed support to Congress and the administration for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, H.R. 6201, and other stimulus reforms related to COVID-19 including: Emergency paid leave benefits, paid sick days for public health emergencies, coverage of testing for COVID-19, waiving of cost sharing under Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and CHIP, increasing the federal FMAP under Medicaid, providing reimbursement for CPT codes 99441 - 99443, which are telephone evaluation and management services, expediting entrance of international medical graduates who are citizens of other nations (non-US IMGs) into the country and ensuring that lawfully present non-U.S. IMGs are not negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, funding for physician practices under the Public Health and Social Service Emergency Fund (PHSSEF), providing tax relief, grants, and loans to small and medium size practices impacted by COVID-19, increasing funding for personal protective equipment (PPE), ensuring Medicaid pay parity with Medicare for primary care services; Urged HHS and Congress to make a targeted allocation out of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) to support primary care physicians and their practices, sufficient to keep their doors open, by offsetting lost revenue from the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to the targeted allocation for rural hospitals; Urged support for the Student Loan Forgiveness for Frontline Health Workers Act, H.R. 6720, introduced May 5, 2020 by Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) which would eliminate graduate school debt for healthcare workers, including physicians and medical students, who are providing direct patient care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; Urged support for H.R. 7059, the Coronavirus Provider Protection Act, which extend liability protections to those who provide care in good faith during the COVID-19 public health emergency (plus a reasonable time, such as 60 days, after the emergency declaration ends), and not in situations of gross negligence or willful misconduct. The College also urged that pay parity between telephone claims and in-person visits and between all telehealth and in-person visits be maintained after the PHE is lifted. This extension-either continued by CMS or mandated by Congress-should last at least through the end of 2021, or until such a time when effective vaccines and treatments are widely available, with an option to extend it even further, or consider making permanent, based on the experience and learnings of patients and physicians who are utilizing these visits. Urged Congress to support a targeted allocation from the Provider Relief Fund specifically for primary care services. Priorities for New Administration: Urged the incoming Biden Administration to identify and appoint physicians to health care leadership positions within your Administration. Implement approval, distribution, and funding of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine based on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Provide support to physicians and other frontline health care workers, including ensuring access and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) to health care workers. Fund COVID-19 testing and contact tracing efforts. Reverse regulations that allow the sale of extended short-term, limited duration plans, association health plans. Take action to defend the Affordable Care Act from any litigation, including California v. Texas, that would undermine coverage and patient protections. Expand premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions. Establish a federal public option to inject competition into the health insurance marketplace. Expand Medicaid eligibility and oppose expansion waivers that limit benefits and apply high cost sharing. Permanently increase payment for Medicaid primary care services to the level of Medicare. Restore the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, consistent with a recent ruling from a federal judge, and identify executive actions that can be taken to ensure that it is not vulnerable to being eliminated in the future. Pursue executive actions to preserve the principles of patient autonomy regarding reproductive decision-making rights. Reverse the Title X gag rule and restore funding to family planning clinics. Establish universal access to at least six weeks of paid family and medical leave that is flexible to accommodate care for a diverse array of family structures, including updating the Family Medical and Leave Act to include grandparents or in-laws. Re-introduce and pass the George Floyd Act and other legislation focused on eliminating racism and police violence. Rejoin the Paris Agreement.
Client expense: $241,204 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), President of the U.S., SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS)
2020 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
The Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148, P.L. 111-152): Expanding coverage and improving Medicare benefits; Providing needed protections to guard against insurance practices that unfairly limit, deny or rescind coverage based on health status; public and private health insurers should encourage preventive health care by providing full coverage, with no cost-sharing, for preventive services recommended by an expert advisory group, such as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force; Ensuring access to primary care physicians; and beginning to bend the cost curve; Prohibiting insurers from excluding or charging excessive rates to children based on pre-existing conditions, which later will be expanded to all persons; Covering young adults on their parents' plans; Eliminating lifetime and annual limits on health insurance coverage; Requiring that health insurers spend more on patient care and less on administration; support enactment of S. 248, the Empowering States to Innovate Act, which amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) to: (1) allow states to apply for waivers of certain health insurance coverage requirements in such Act (including requirements for the establishment of qualified health plans and health insurance exchanges) for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014 (currently, January 1, 2017), and (2) require the waiver application process to begin not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act; Phasing out the Medicare Part D doughnut hole; Eliminating patient cost-sharing for preventive services offered by Medicare or private insurers; Increasing Medicare and Medicaid payments to primary care physicians; Supporting the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to help physicians and patients make care decisions based on the best available evidence; Supporting the Center on Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to fund pilots of delivery models to improve outcomes and reduce costs, including patient-centered medical homes; Advocated against a December 2018 ruling by a federal judge in Texas that the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unconstitutional. Access to Primary Care in the Context of Comprehensive Healthcare Reform Legislation (H.R. 3962/H.R. 3590/H.R. 4872): Provide sliding scale subsidies based on income to buy coverage from qualified plans; Qualified plans should: provide evidence-based benefits, including preventive services; and be prohibited from excluding persons with pre-existing conditions, charging them more, cherry-picking enrollees, or cancelling or failing to renew coverage; Expand Medicaid to cover all persons below the Federal Poverty Level and ensure fair payments to participating physicians; As coverage becomes affordable, all persons should participate and coverage should be guaranteed; Responsibility for financing should be shared by individuals, employers and government. Medicare payment models that re-align incentives to support effective, efficient, patient-centered, coordinated care. Priority should be given to models designed to support the value of services provided by primary care physicians as well as to models that would create incentives, across physician specialties and sites of services, to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of care provided. Policy criteria for selecting the most promising models for pilot testing should be developed, in consultation with outside experts; The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), which has shown great promise in meeting the policy objectives suggested above, should be among the models selected for broader testing on a national pilot basis; the use of the medical home model for treatment or services under private health plans, the requirement of health plans to provide incentives to promote and report on medical home services provided, the establishment of community health teams and a primary care extension program to educate and support primary care practices in the delivery of medical home services, and the establishment of a demonstration project to educate physicians and other clinicians in training in the competencies required to deliver care consistent with the medical home care model. Medicare Payments to Physicians: Urged that Congress provide incentives to physicians who transform their practices into Advanced Alternative Payment Models and continue to provide stability for physicians in the MIPS program. Specifically, Congress should extend the five percent Qualified Alternative Payment Model participant bonus beyond the 2022 performance year, replace the zero percent baseline payment updates under Medicare with positive updates. Urged congressional committees with jurisdiction over Medicare to exercise their oversight authority and urge CMS to expedite approval of more Advanced APMS, particularly those that work for small and specialty practices and to simplify the scoring structure and reporting requirements under the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in order to fulfill Congress intent of a more streamlined program that reduces burdens on physicians; Supported S.2648, the Rural ACO Improvement Act, amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve the benchmarking process for the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) to ensure that all ACOs have an equal opportunity to share in savings regardless of their geographic location; Provided recommendations to CMS on the Merit-based Incentive Payment System Value Pathway (MVP), which aims to reduce reporting burden and complexity within MIPS while improving the accuracy and effectiveness of performance measurement. The College noted specifically that a robust, multi-year transition period will be critical to the success of the MVP, that it does not support making the MVP mandatory, that CMS should continue to support numerous reporting mechanisms, including qualified registries and clinical data registries, which have been instrumental in developing specialty-specific performance measures, among other things. Urged support for H.R. 8505, a bill to provide for a one-year waiver of budget neutrality adjustments under the Medicare physician fee schedule; Urged that any legislation to hold some Medicare physician payment codes harmless from budget neutrality do so for just one year and to allow evaluation and management increases, along with GPC1X codes to go into effect. Administrative Tasks on Physicians and Patients: Congress should accelerate its efforts to reduce administrative burdens on clinicians and patients, including: streamlining the prior authorization process, better integrating clinical data into clinicians electronic health records (EHRs), and working with CMS in their effort to overhaul clinical documentation guidelines; Urged Congress to cosponsor and pass the Safe Step Act (H.R. 2279), to require health insurers to provide an exceptions process for any medication step therapy protocol based on clinical decision-making, medical necessity, and other patient needs. Prescription Drug Costs: The College advocated for greater transparency in drug pricing, the elimination of anti-competitive industry practices that create barriers to generics coming to market, the importance of accounting for value in payment and coverage for prescriptions, and providing authority to the federal government to negotiate drug discounts under the Medicare Part D program. Specifically, the College urged Congress to pass the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 (H.R. 275/S. 62), which allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate covered Part D drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries, and the Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act of 2019, (H.R. 965/S. 340), which would improve patient access to alternative low-cost prescription drugs and biological products by preventing prescription drug manufacturers from misusing the FDAs Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) process to make it difficult for competing generics to be brought to the market. Also urged that Congress pass the Reforming Evergreening and Manipulation that Extends Drug Years, REMEDY Act (S. 1209), to aid in the approval of more generic drug applications by the FDA and therefore improve patient access to those medications. Also urged that Congress pass the Prescription Drug STAR Act (H.R. 2113), and the Fair Accountability and Innovative Research (FAIR) Drug Pricing Act (H.R. 2296/S. 1391), to promote greater drug pricing transparency; Expressed appreciation to the House speaker for introduction of H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, noting encouragement for its provisions to empower the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices and to cap out-of-pocket costs for seniors enrolled in the Medicare Part D program. Commented to the FDA on its prescription drug reimportation proposed rule noting that while the College is generally supportive of drug importation as laid out in the proposed rule as a means to control the cost of prescription drugs, the FDA must guarantee that the design and implementation of the rule includes numerous measures and safeguards to ensure patient safety. By limiting the origin of imported drugs to Canadian-certified and FDA-approved and registered drugs and entities, the College believes the proposed rule meets the required U.S. standards to assure high-quality drugs and patient safety. Any final drug importation system must also be one that is a closed system and has a tightly controlled and documented supply chain to assure authenticity and avoid degradation of the drug. Workforce, Medical and Health Services Research, Public Health Initiatives: Congress should ensure funding in FY 2021 for federal programs/initiatives designed to support primary care including Title VII Health Professions grants and the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). Equally important is the need to fund essential health services and medical research by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and public health programs supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Firearms-Related Injury and Death: The College advocated for lawmakers to pass measures to strengthen the criminal background check system, ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines, prevent the unlawful transfer of firearms to those who cannot legally purchase them, and remove restrictions on, and provide dedicated funding for, research by federal agencies on prevention of firearms-related injuries and death. Specifically, the College urged passage of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 8), which would strengthen the accuracy and reporting of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as well as expand Brady background checks to cover all firearm sales, including unlicensed firearms sellers currently not required to use background checks, and the Gun Violence Prevention Research Act (H.R. 674/S. 184), which would authorize funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to study firearms safety and gun violence prevention. Also urged Congress to pass the Violence Against Women (VAWA) Reauthorization Act of 2019 (H.R. 1585), to provide protections for domestic violence victims by restricting access to firearms by those deemed a threat to them. Also urged Congress to pass the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 (S. 66/H.R. 1296), to ban the sale of semi-automatic weapons and high capacity magazines. Immigration: The College advocated against family separation at the U.S. border. Specifically, the College urged support for H.R. 541 - the Keep Families Together Act, which would help ensure that children are not separated from their parents when families unlawfully cross over the border into the United States and would ensure that the Department of Homeland Security would not be able to implement the zero tolerance policy that separated families at the border last summer; urged congressional oversight of family separation policies. Also urged that Congress pass H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2019, which would provide a pathway to U.S. citizenship for undocumented children who came to the United States due to the action of their parents, also known as Dreamers. Expressed concern to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with the recent U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) policy change to no longer accept or adjudicate non-military deferred action requests including those for individuals with serious medical conditions; Urged USCIS to reverse this decision immediately and resume consideration of deferred action requests for medical reasons; Opposed the proposed rule, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media. This rule would change the process to extend the period of authorized stay in the United States for certain categories of nonimmigrants by eliminating the long-standing "duration of status and replacing it with a specific end date. The College urged the Department of Homeland Security to exclude physicians in the Department of States (DOS) Exchange Visitor Program in J-1 visa status from this rule change because it will otherwise disrupt the training of thousands of physicians - physicians who already have been thoroughly vetted, already are serving on our nations health care teams, and already are carefully monitored during their time in the U.S. Graduate Medical Education: Urged that Congress support medical education training and debt relief for primary care physicians and other specialties facing shortages by passing the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2019 (S. 348, H.R. 1763), to lift the GME caps as needed to permit training an adequate number of primary care physicians, including internal medicine specialists, and physicians in other specialties facing shortages; passing the Resident Education Deferred Interest Act (H.R. 1554), to save physicians in residency programs thousands of dollars in interest on their loans and help incentivize the opening of practices in underserved areas; pass legislation to combine DGME and IME into a single, more functional payment program, and broaden the GME financing structure to include all payers; support funding for GME/IME and programs within the Veterans Health Administration that provide graduate medical education to ensure that physicians are adequately trained with the skills needed to treat an aging population. Urged Congress to pass the Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 (H.R. 3414), which would provide Medicare support for an additional 1,000 graduate medical education (GME) positions over five years in hospitals that have, or are in the process of establishing, accredited residency programs in addiction medicine, addiction psychiatry, or pain medicine. Urged Congress to pass S. 1203 and H.R. 2441, the What You Can Do For Your Country Act, which would improve and reform the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Vaccines: Urged Congress to pass the Vaccines Act (HR 2862), which would provide federal funding for vaccine hesitancy surveillance at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and outline a national public messaging campaign informed by this research to help improve vaccination rates; Supported H.R. 592, recognizing the anniversary of the eradication of smallpox and the importance of vaccination in the United States and worldwide; Urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reconsider its decision to not vaccinate families in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) against influenza (flu). Urged Congress to support payments for vaccines, as finalized by CMS, and set for implementation on Jan. 1, 2021. Surprise Medical Billing: Urged Congress to pass legislation that would protect patients from surprise out-of-network medical bills in both emergency and non-emergency settings that includes the following principles: hold patients harmless from surprise medical bills for out-of-network services, address narrow insurance networks, abandon efforts to establish an in-network median rate for services in these settings and instead opt for an independent dispute resolution process to determine payment. Appropriations: Urged Congress to fund Title VII, Section 747, Primary Care Training and Enhancement (PCTE) at $71 million for fiscal year 2021; Fund the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) at $460 million for fiscal year 2021; Fund the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) at $830 million for fiscal year 2021; Fund the Title X Family Planning Program at $400 million for fiscal year 2021 and include language to remove barriers to care that interfere with the patient-physician relationship; Fund Research on Prevention of Firearms-related Injuries and Deaths at $50 million for Fiscal Year 2021; Fund the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at $44.7 billion for fiscal year 2021; Fund the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at $8.3 billion for fiscal year 2021; Urged the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to support provisions in any final FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act to prevent cuts to the Military Health Service and the military medical workforce without requiring appropriate congressional oversight and review. Physician Fee Schedule: Commented to CMS and to Congress to fully implement payment increases for all evaluation and management codes, as finalized by CMS, and as scheduled for implementation on Jan. 1, 2021. Reduce the documentation burden for E/M services by allowing choice of medical decision making or time, and work to develop additional clarity and guidance on acceptable documentation to operationalize these important proposals; examination room desktop computers should be counted as a direct medical equipment cost; care management should be promoted by increasing the values of services like Transitional Care Management (TCM) and Chronic Care Management and implementing Principle Care Management (PCM) codes; require additional survey and review for any requests to increase non-outpatient E/M or other services; work with the physician community prior to finalizing any policy affecting eligibility to participate in the Medicare program; Urged congressional committees of jurisdiction to support: Higher physician work relative value units (RVUs) for new and established office visit codes, leading to increased payments for them, Reduced documentation requirements for office visit codes, which enables physicians to select and document for each visit based on medical decision-making or total time, Expanded and improved payment for care management services. Urged Congress to support waiving budget neutrality, applicable to the calendar year 2021 physician fee schedule. COVID-19: Urged congressional appropriators to provide the highest possible funding level for research, prevention, control, and treatment of illnesses associated with the virus that is commensurate with the public health emergency that the virus represents. Urged the administration to explore regulatory and other actions that would make COVID-19 testing free-of-charge to patients covered by both public and private insurance plans, including ACA-compliant plans offered through the insurance exchanges, and to waive co-pays and deductibles for patients seeing physicians for symptoms that may be indicative of COVID-19 or who are hospitalized for treatment. Urged CMS to utilize a national disaster recovery program that would pay doctors 110% of Medicare rates for caring for uninsured patients who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Expressed support to Congress and the administration for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, H.R. 6201, and other stimulus reforms related to COVID-19 including: Emergency paid leave benefits, paid sick days for public health emergencies, coverage of testing for COVID-19, waiving of cost sharing under Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and CHIP, increasing the federal FMAP under Medicaid, providing reimbursement for CPT codes 99441 - 99443, which are telephone evaluation and management services, expediting entrance of international medical graduates who are citizens of other nations (non-US IMGs) into the country and ensuring that lawfully present non-U.S. IMGs are not negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, funding for physician practices under the Public Health and Social Service Emergency Fund (PHSSEF), providing tax relief, grants, and loans to small and medium size practices impacted by COVID-19, increasing funding for personal protective equipment (PPE), ensuring Medicaid pay parity with Medicare for primary care services; Urged HHS and Congress to make a targeted allocation out of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) to support primary care physicians and their practices, sufficient to keep their doors open, by offsetting lost revenue from the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to the targeted allocation for rural hospitals; Urged support for the Student Loan Forgiveness for Frontline Health Workers Act, H.R. 6720, introduced May 5, 2020 by Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) which would eliminate graduate school debt for healthcare workers, including physicians and medical students, who are providing direct patient care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; Urged support for H.R. 7059, the Coronavirus Provider Protection Act, which extend liability protections to those who provide care in good faith during the COVID-19 public health emergency (plus a reasonable time, such as 60 days, after the emergency declaration ends), and not in situations of gross negligence or willful misconduct. The College also urged that pay parity between telephone claims and in-person visits and between all telehealth and in-person visits be maintained after the PHE is lifted. This extension-either continued by CMS or mandated by Congress-should last at least through the end of 2021, or until such a time when effective vaccines and treatments are widely available, with an option to extend it even further, or consider making permanent, based on the experience and learnings of patients and physicians who are utilizing these visits. Urged Congress to support a targeted allocation from the Provider Relief Fund specifically for primary care services. Priorities for New Administration: Urged the incoming Biden Administration to identify and appoint physicians to health care leadership positions within your Administration. Implement approval, distribution, and funding of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine based on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Provide support to physicians and other frontline health care workers, including ensuring access and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) to health care workers. Fund COVID-19 testing and contact tracing efforts. Reverse regulations that allow the sale of extended short-term, limited duration plans, association health plans. Take action to defend the Affordable Care Act from any litigation, including California v. Texas, that would undermine coverage and patient protections. Expand premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions. Establish a federal public option to inject competition into the health insurance marketplace. Expand Medicaid eligibility and oppose expansion waivers that limit benefits and apply high cost sharing. Permanently increase payment for Medicaid primary care services to the level of Medicare. Restore the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, consistent with a recent ruling from a federal judge, and identify executive actions that can be taken to ensure that it is not vulnerable to being eliminated in the future. Pursue executive actions to preserve the principles of patient autonomy regarding reproductive decision-making rights. Reverse the Title X gag rule and restore funding to family planning clinics. Establish universal access to at least six weeks of paid family and medical leave that is flexible to accommodate care for a diverse array of family structures, including updating the Family Medical and Leave Act to include grandparents or in-laws. Re-introduce and pass the George Floyd Act and other legislation focused on eliminating racism and police violence. Rejoin the Paris Agreement.
Client expense: $91,236 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), President of the U.S., SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS)
2020 · fourth_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
H.R. 107, Burgess: Rebate cap, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 275, Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 366, Insulin Access for All Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1034, D. Collins/S. 640, Kennedy: Phair Pricing Act - Share the savings, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1035, Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1332, Fair Care Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1346, Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1384, Medicare for All Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1781, Payment Commission Data Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1788, Limits the penalty for Part B late enrollment to 15 percent and twice the period of no enrollment, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 2087, Reporting drug pricing information to Medicare, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 2113, Prescription STAR Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R.3, Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 62, Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 99, Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 205, Right Rebate Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 377/H.R. 1046, Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 470, Medicare at 50 Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 474, Stopping the Pharmaceutical Industry from Keeping drugs Expensive (SPIKE) Act of 2019 , regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 475, RxCAP Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 476, Creating Transparency to Have Drug Rebates Unlocked (C-THRU Act) of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 551, REFUND Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 691, Expands Part D OOP assistance for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 801/H.R. 1781, Allows MedPAC and MACPAC to have access to information on drug rebates, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 981, Medicare-X Choice Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. Pending rule to change the Rebate Safe Harbor, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1839, Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 2452, Medicare for America Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 3107, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 3327, Drug Price Transparency for Medicare Patients Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 1261/H.R. 2463, Choose Medicare Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 1497, Health Care Price Check Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 2081, a bill to require drug manufacturers to provide rebates for drugs furnished under Medicare Part B for which the growth in average sales price has exceeded inflation, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 2543, Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical provisions. H.R. 19/S.3129 , Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 6218/S. 3457, Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions No Bill, Reimbursement for and patient access to Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies. Most Favored Nation (MFN) Model - (CMS-5528-IFC)
Client expense: $1,090,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), SENATE, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2020 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
H.R. 3 Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 H.R. 275 Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 H.R. 448 Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act H.R. 1046 Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 H.R. 5304 PBM Transparency in Prescription Drug Costs Act H.R. 5172 NOPAIN Act S. 2543 Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 H.R. 3055 Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Further Health Extenders Act of 2019 S. 3979 A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Defense to temporarily waive cost-sharing amounts under the TRICARE pharmacy benefits program during certain declared emergencies. H.R. 6573 Help our Heroes Access Medicine Act of 2020 H.R.6395 - William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 S. 4322 Safely Back to School and Back to Work Act
Client expense: $280,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · fourth_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
H.R. 275 Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 H.R. 448 Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act H.R. 1046 Medicare Negotiation and Competive Licensing Act of 2019
Client expense: $280,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · fourth_quarter · Pharmacy
H.R. 1614 A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to establish additional registration requirements for prescribers of opioids, and for other purposes; John S. McCain Opioid Addiction Prevention Act S. 724 A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to establish additional registration requirements for prescribers of opioids, and for other purposes; John S. McCain Opioid Addiction Prevention Act S.340 CREATES Act of 2019 H.R. 985 FAST Generics Act of 2019 S.640 Phair Pricing Act of 2019 S. 97 Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act S. 61 Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act of 2019 H.R. 1034 Phair Pricing Act of 2019 H.R. 965 CREATES Act of 2019 H.R. 1478 Affordable Insulin Act of 2019 H.R. 447 Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act H.R. 1499 Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act H.R. 3417 The Beneficiary Education Tools, Telehealth, and Extenders Re-authorization Act of 2019 H.R. 2296 Fair Accountability and Innovative Research Drug Pricing (FAIR Drug Pricing) Act of 2019 H.R. 1607 Fairness to Pet Owners Act H.R. 3379 Priced Relief, Innovation, and Competition for Essential Drugs (PRICED) Act H.R. 478 Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act of 2019 H.R. 3 Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 H.R. 275 Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 H.R. 448 Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act H.R. 1046 Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 H.R. 5304 PBM Transparency in Prescription Drug Costs Act H.R. 5172 NOPAIN Act S. 2543 Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 S. Rept. 116-120 Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 S. 2247 Phair Relief Act of 2019 S. 3070 Preventing Pill Mills Through Data Sharing Act H.R. 3055 Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Further Health Extenders Act of 2019 H.R. 19 Lower Costs, More Cures Act on 2019 S. 3129 Lower Costs, More Cures Act on 2019 H.R. 748 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act H.R. 6573 Help our Heroes Access Medicine Act of 2020 H.R. 6557 MAIL Act S. 3979 A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Defense to temporarily waive cost-sharing amounts under the TRICARE pharmacy benefits program during certain declared emergencies. H.R.6395 - William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 H.R. 4806 DEBAR Act of 2019 H.R. 3878 Block, Report, and Suspend Suspicious Shipments Act of 2019 H.R. 4812 Ensuring Compliance Against Drug Diversion Act H.R. 4814 Suspicious Order Identification Act of 2019 H.R. 8061 Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act S. 3548 The CARES Act H.R. 6800 The HEROES Act
Client expense: $280,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · third_quarter · Health Issues
H.R. 3, Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 H.R. 19/S. 3129, Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 H.R. 275, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 H.R. 448/S. 99, Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act H.R. 748/ S. 3548, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act H.R. 1346, Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act of 2019 H.R. 1384, Medicare for All Act of 2019 H.R. 1398/S. 172, Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2019 H.R. 1425, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act H.R. 1865, Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 H.R. 1922/S. 1089, Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2019 H.R. 1985, Family Savings for Kids and Seniors Act H.R. 2207, Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2019 H.R. 3030, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Extension Act of 2019 H.R. 6074, Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 H.R. 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act H.R. 6800, Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act H.R. 7617, Defense, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2021 S. 12, Health Savings Act of 2019 S. 61, Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act of 2019 S. 62, Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices Act of 2019 S. 64, Preserve Access to Affordable Generics and Biosimilars Act S. 80, Jobs and Premium Protection Act, including provisions relating to repeal of the annual fee on health insurance providers enacted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act S. 178, UIGHUR Act of 2019, including provisions relating to substitute amendment regarding COVID-19 relief package S. 340, Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act of 2019 S. 344, Hatch-Waxman Integrity Act of 2019 S. 470, Medicare at 50 Act S. 684, Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2019 S. 692, Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2019 S. 1416, Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2019 S. 1541, Tobacco-Free Youth Act S. 1895, Lower Health Care Costs Act S. 2543, Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 S. 2897, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Reauthorization Act S. 3200, Chronic Disease Management Act of 2020 S. 4317, Safeguarding Americas Frontline Employees To Offer Work Opportunities Required to Kickstart the Economy (SAFE TO WORK) Act Potential legislation similar to H.R. 2911/S. 1697, Small Business Healthcare Relief Act (114th Cong.) Proposed regulation on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS notice of benefit and payment parameters for 2020 (84 Fed. Reg. 227-321, January 24, 2019) Proposed regulations on Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; interoperability and patient access for Medicare advantage organization and Medicaid managed care plans, state Medicaid agencies, CHIP agencies and CHIP managed care entities, issuers of qualified health plans in the federally-facilitated exchanges and health care providers; supplement and extension of comment period (84 Fed, Reg. 16,834, April 23, 2019) Proposed regulation on Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS notice of benefit and payment parameters for 2021; notice requirement for non-federal governmental plans (85 Fed. Reg. 7,088-7,159, February 6, 2020) Various issues relating to Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148) and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-152), including the employer-sponsored health care system, implementation of regulatory process, provider network adequacy, delivery system reform, health savings account (HSAs), health reimbursement account (HRAs), and flexible spending account (FSAs) changes, IPAB, employer mandate, reporting requirements for issuers and applicable large employers, premium stabilization programs, medical loss ratio, medical malpractice reform, exchanges, the impact on small business, the Small Business Tax Credit, section 1332 waivers, section 1557 on nondiscrimination, caps on compensation deductibility required under section 9014, incompleteness or inaccuracy of cost impact analysis, lack of quantified benefit analysis, and need for empirical data sources on which to base costs and benefits, the Cost Sharing Reduction (CSR) program, the section 9010 Health Insurance Providers Fee or Health Insurance Tax (HIT), 40% excise tax on high-cost employer-sponsored health coverage (Cadillac tax); medical device tax; protect Medicare Part Ds Non-Interference Clause from repeal, proposed rule regarding section 1557; Public Health Services Act (P.L.78-410), Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) (P.L. 93-406), regarding regulatory process and legislative corrections to ERISA preemption, changes to Medicare Advantage and Parts B, C, and D, including rebates and non-interference with prescription drug prices, entitlement reform, health information technology, telemedicine services in Medicare, and coordination and disease management programs; association health plans; importation of foreign pharmaceuticals into the United States and preemptive authority of federal food and drug regulations; balance or surprise billing and related issues; single-payer health care options; health reimbursement arrangements and other account-based group health plans; Health and Human Services international pricing index (IPI) model; legislation addressing mental health parity; inclusion of prescription drug pricing on 2019 congressional agenda; reauthorization of the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute; (PCORI); potential premium reduction/reinsurance program to reduce health insurance premiums; proposals to expand Medicare including Medicare Buy-In and the development of a public option; medical hospital outpatient prospective payment system for CY 2020; drug pricing including most-favored nations proposals, international pricing index, importation and mandatory rebates; potential healthcare pricing proposals, including a medicaid rebate cap, spread pricing, and inflation penalty; comments on Medicare and State Healthcare Programs: fraud and abuse; revisions to safe harbors under the anti-kickback statute, and civil monetary penalty rules regarding beneficiary inducements; comments on Medicare Program; modernizing and clarifying the physician self-referral regulations; comments on CMS proposed Medicaid fiscal accountability regulation; comments on CMS proposed transparency in coverage rule; comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on the declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act for medical countermeasures against COVID-19, as amended on April 10, 2020 and June 8, 2020 (Declaration), Section 319F-3 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6d); comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on CMS-2393-P: Medicaid Program; Medicaid fiscal accountability regulation; comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on the Administrations proposed rule to eliminate drug manufacturer rebates in Part D; transparency in coverage; issues relating to the coronavirus pandemic, including testing, liability protection, and temporary COBRA subsidies; Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (PHSSEF); health insurance coverage during the coronavirus pandemic; health legislative priorities for the potential Phase 4 coronavirus relief package; provisions relating to Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSA) in the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136); FCCs COVID-19 Telehealth Program; Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) temporary rule regarding Prioritization and Allocation of Certain Scarce or Threatened Health and Medical Resources for Domestic Use; reform of the World Health Organization (WHO); continued U.S. membership in the World Health Organization Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (P.L. 109-148, Division C), and COVID -19; potential legislation dealing with COVID-19 liability issues
Client expense: $20,000,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Bureau of Reclamation, Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), General Services Administration (GSA), Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Natl Security Council (NSC), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Copyright Office, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2020 · fourth_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Medicare Coverage of Dental Care: H.R. 576 and S. 22, Negotiation of Prescription Drug Prices: S. 99 and H.R. 448 and S. 62 and H.R. 275, Prescription Drug Importation: H.R. 447 and S. 97 and S. 61, Improving Access to Affordable Generics: S. 64. SS Immunization Act: H.R. 5076
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · third_quarter · Small Business
H.R. 3 - Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 This bill establishes several programs and requirements relating to the prices of prescription drugs. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 25 - The Fair Tax Act To promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the states. NSBA supports H.R. 116 - Investing in Main Street Act The bill amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to increase from 5 percent to 15 percent of its capital and surplus, the amount a national bank, a member bank of the Federal Reserve System, a nonmember insured bank (to the extent permitted under applicable state law), or a federal savings association may invest in one or more small business investment companies (SBICs), or in any entity established to invest solely in SBICs. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 128 - Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act H.R. 128 allows the SBA Office of Advocacy to examine the role of small business in international economies and to represent small business views before foreign governments and international entities. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 190 - Expanding Contracting Opportunities for Small Business Act H.R. 190 raises the dollar amount of sole-source awards so that they are closer in line with the size of current contracts being awarded in the procurement landscape. NSBA supports. H.R. 206 - Encouraging Small Business Innovators Act H.R. 206 makes a series of changes to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, making them easier for small firms to use. NSBA supports. H.R. 216 - Main Street Certainty Act of 2019 Legislation to make permanent the 20-percent pass-through deduction from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. NSBA supports. H.R. 218 - The Death Tax Repeal Act This bill repeals the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes. NSBA supports. H.R. 222 - Death Tax Repeal Act of 2019 This bill repeals the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes. NSBA supports. H.R. 226 - Clarity on Small Business Participation in Category Management Act H.R. 226 requires the SBA to report federal spending made through designated best-in-class vehicles, and to report on the dollars spent through these vehicles awarded to small businesses. NSBA supports. H.R. 227 - Incentivizing Fairness in Subcontracting Act Bill allows large prime contractors to take credit for subcontracting to small businesses at lower tiers, provided that prime contractors keep records substantiating subcontracting credit claimed at lower tiers, and creates a new dispute process for small subcontractors to bring non-payment issues to the agencys small business advocate (Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization). NSBA supports. H.R. 246 - Stimulating Innovation through Procurement Act The bill requires SBA to coordinate with the senior procurement executives of federal agencies participating in a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program or a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program to assist small businesses participating in such programs with commercializing research. NSBA supports. H.R. 275 - Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 Bill requires the federal government to negotiate lower drug prices for seniors enrolled in the Medicare Part D program. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 448 - The Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act Bill makes a series of changes relating to the prices of prescription drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit and Medicare Advantage (MA) prescription drug plans (PDPs). NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 582 - The Raise the Wage Act This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the federal minimum wage for regular employees over a 7-year period, for tipped employees, and for newly hired employees who are less than 20 years old. NSBA opposes. H.R. 593 - Small Business Owners' Tax Simplification Act of 2019 H.R. 593 introduces a number of provisions to benefit small businesses, such as aligning estimated payment deadlines and tax filing thresholds, as well as tackling inconsistencies in reporting requirements. NSBA supports. H.R. 1046 - The Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 Bill would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate drug prices and, if drug companies refuse to negotiate in good faith, it would enable the Secretary to issue a competitive license to another company to produce the medication as a generic. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1084 - Family Savings Act of 2019 It includes a variety of provisions aimed at making it easier for smaller businesses to offer tax-qualified retirement savings plans to their employees, encouraging individuals to participate in retirement plans, and promoting savings for nonretirement expenses. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1185 - The Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act Legislation which provide workers with up to 12 weeks of partial income while taking family leave. NSBA opposes. H.R.1384 - Medicare for All Act of 2019 H.R. 1384 would create a single-payer, government-funded health care program within two years, eliminating the age 65 threshold for Medicare eligibility. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1420 - Energy Efficient Government Technology Act This bill sets forth requirements with respect to increasing the energy efficiency of information technologies and data centers within the federal government. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1534 - Federal Employee Paid Leave Act of 2019 Bill would provide federal employees with 12 weeks paid leave for all instances covered by FMLA. NSBA opposes. H.R. 1644 - Save the Internet Act of 2019 Bill would restore net neutrality rules recently repealed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). NSBA supports. H.R. 1648 - Small Business Advanced Cybersecurity Enhancements Act of 2019 Amends the Small Business Act to provide for the establishment of an enhanced cybersecurity assistance and protections for small businesses. NSBA supports. H.R. 1649 - Small Business Development Center Cyber Training Act This bill amends the Small Business Act to require the Small Business Administration to establish a program for certifying employees of small business development centers to provide cybersecurity planning assistance to small businesses. NSBA supports. H.R. 1760 - Advanced Nuclear Fuel Availability Act This bill directs the Office of Nuclear Energy in the Department of Energy to develop and deploy high-assay low-enriched uranium for domestic commercial use and to develop a schedule for recovering costs associated with such development. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1768 - Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 a diesel emissions reduction program under which the Environmental Protection Agency provides grants, rebates, or loans for replacing diesel engines or retrofitting the engines with pollution control technologies. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1784 - Healthy Families Act Legislation that would allow workers to annually accrue up 56 hours of paid sick leave or seven days of paid sick leave each year. NSBA opposes. H.R. 1909 - The HALOS Act This bill directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to revise Regulation D, which exempts certain offerings from SEC registration requirements but prohibits general solicitation or general advertising with respect to such offerings. NSBA supports. H.R. 1922 - Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2019 This bill repeals provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, as added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, that limit payments for medications from health savings accounts, medical savings accounts, health flexible spending arrangements, and health reimbursement arrangements to only prescription drugs or insulin (thus allowing distributions from such accounts for over-the-counter drugs). The bill also allows the accounts to be used for menstrual care products. NSBA supports. H.R. 1927 - Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2019 This bill modifies the scope of judicial review of agency actions to authorize courts reviewing agency actions to decide de novo (without giving deference to the agency's interpretation) all relevant questions of law, including the interpretation of: (1) constitutional and statutory provisions, and (2) rules made by agencies. NSBA supports. H.R. 1933 - Online Sales Simplicity and Small Business Relief Act of 2019 This bill prohibits states from imposing a sales tax collection duty on certain remote sellers. A "remote seller" is a person without a physical presence in a state who makes a sale in the state. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2114 - Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act of 2019 The bill authorizes the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide financial assistance to states for the implementation, review, and revision of a state energy security plan that assesses the state's existing circumstances and proposes methods to strengthen the ability of the state to have a reliable, secure, and resilient energy infrastructure. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2331 - The SBA Cyber Awareness Act It require the SBA to report annually to the Congress on the state of its information technology (IT) and cybersecurity systems, the methods it could use to improve cybersecurity, any IT equipment or systems it has that were produced by an entity doing business principally in China, and any recent cybersecurity risks or incidents and subsequent responses. NSBA supports. H.R. 2345 - Clarifying the Small Business Runway Extension Act Amend the Small Business Act to clarify the intention of Congress that the Administrator of the Small Business Administration is subject to certain requirements with respect to establishing size standards for small business concerns. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2513 - The Corporate Transparency Act of 2019 Bill would amend the Bank Secrecy Act to require an applicant seeking to form a corporation or limited liability company (LLC) to disclose the beneficial owners of the entity. NSBA opposes the small business requirements section of the bill. H.R. 2603 - the Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Act Gives the Northern Mariana Islands full access to SBA grant and microloan programs. NSBA supports. H.R. 3630 - The No Surprises Act This bill expands restrictions on charging health care plan holders out-of-network rates for certain services. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 3666 - STRONGER Patents Act of 2019 Measure would make it easier and more affordable for patent holders to enforce their patents. NSBA supports. H.R. 4069 - The Modern Worker Empowerment Act Amend the FLSA to adopt a common-law test to define the term employee. The bill would have the effect of harmonizing the definition of employee for purposes of federal law and thereby minimizing the uncertainty surrounding the determination as to whether an individual is an employee or independent contractor. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 4387 - To establish Growth Accelerator Fund Competition within the Small Business Administration H.R. 4387 codifies the SBA-initiated Growth Accelerator Fund Competition within the SBA for four years. The program awards $50,000 prizes to the nations most innovative small business accelerators and incubators. NSBA supports. H.R. 4405 - Women's Business Centers Improvements Act of 2019 The Womens Business Centers Improvements Act strengthens the WBC program to ensure that women entrepreneurs across the country have access to the vital counseling and technical training services that can take them from startup to success. NSBA supports. H.R. 4406 - Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes the Small Business Development Center Program through FY2023 and otherwise revises the program. NSBA supports. H.R. 4407 - SCORE for Small Business Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2022 the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) program, outlines the duties of the SCORE Association, and requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to cooperate with the association to carry out the program. NSBA supports. H.R. 4863 - United States Export Finance Agency Act of 2019 To promote the competitiveness of the United States, to reform and reauthorize the United States Export Finance Agency. NSBA supports. H.R. 4907 - TRUST Act The bill establishes bipartisan commissions to make recommendations on each trust fund, and those recommendations would receive a fast-tracked vote in Congress. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 4931 - Incubator Act of 2019 The purposes for this Act are to support the growth and success of business incubators throughout the country and to stimulate widespread business development and economic growth. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 5065 - the Prison to Proprietorship Act for Formerly Incarcerated Act H.R. 5065 provides re-entry entrepreneurship counseling and training services for formerly incarcerated individuals. NSBA supports. H.R. 5078 - the Prison to Proprietorship Act H.R. 5078 provides re-entry entrepreneurship counseling and training services for qualified, non-violent and soon to be released incarcerated individuals. NSBA supports. H.R. 5130 - the Capturing All Small Businesses Act of 2019 H.R. 5130 modifies the Small Business Administrations (SBAs) size calculation for employee based firms, allowing them more time to build their competitiveness. NSBA supports. H.R. 5146 - the Unlocking Opportunities for Small Businesses Act of 2019 H.R. 5146 would allow small businesses to leverage past performance experience obtained as part of joint ventures and subcontracts, which otherwise wouldnt be an option, Small businesses that wish to perform as prime contractors are often faced with a dilemma. NSBA supports. H.R. 5377 - Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act This bill increases the tax deduction for state and local taxes in 2019 to $20,000 for persons filing a joint tax return if the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer does not exceed $100 million. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 6312 - COVID-19 RELIEF for Small Businesses Act of 2020 Legislation that would provide relief to small businesses facing consequences from the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 6333 - To establish a Small Business Financial Assistance Program to support small businesses during the COVID-19 emergency, and for other purposes. This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to establish a Small Business Financial Assistance Program to provide loans and loan guarantees to small businesses. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 6349 - Continuity of Business Operations Support Act of 2020 This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide grants to small business development centers, women's business centers, and chapters of the Service Corps of Retired Executives to educate and advise small businesses on specified matters related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 6361 - Relief for Small Businesses and Nonprofits Act Bill to provide loan and obligation payment relief for small businesses and non-profits affected by the COVID-19 emergency, and for other purposes. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 6367 - Entrepreneurial Development COVID-19 Response Act of 2020 This bill requires the Small Business Administration to award grants for small business development centers, women's business centers, and chapters of the Service Corps of Retired Executives to provide small businesses with specified assistance related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 6396 - To provide tax and regulatory relief and health care flexibility to individuals and businesses affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. NSBA is monitoring. S. 92 - Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2019 The REINS Act seeks to restore authority to Congress by allowing lawmakers to have final say on regulations with an estimated economic impact of more than $100 million. NSBA supports. S. 215 - Death Tax Repeal Act of 2019 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and (2) make permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and the lifetime gift tax exemption. The bill also provides for an inflation adjustment to such exemption amount. NSBA supports. S. 463 - The Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act Legislation which provide workers with up to 12 weeks of partial income while taking family leave. NSBA opposes. S. 673 - Expanding Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses Act of 2019 Bill increases the size of sole source contract awards for women owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, HUBZone, and socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses, and implements a new eligibility determination process to ensure sole source awards are made to eligible firms. NSBA supports. S. 682 -Save the Internet Act of 2019 Bill would restore net neutrality rules recently repealed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). NSBA supports. S. 771 - Small Business Cyber Training Act of 2019 This bill amends the Small Business Act to require the Small Business Administration to establish a program for certifying employees of small business development centers to provide cybersecurity planning assistance to small businesses. NSBA supports. S. 840 - Healthy Families Act Legislation that would allow workers to annually accrue up 56 hours of paid sick leave or seven days of paid sick leave each year. NSBA opposes. S. 909 - Separation of Powers Restoration Act This bill modifies the scope of judicial review of agency actions to authorize courts reviewing agency actions to decide de novo (without giving deference to the agency's interpretation) all relevant questions of law, including the interpretation of: (1) constitutional and statutory provisions, and (2) rules made by agencies. NSBA supports. S. 996 - Microloan Program Enhancement Act of 2019 Bill modifies the microloan program of the Small Business Administration. NSBA supports. S. 1089 - Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2019 This bill repeals provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, as added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, that limit payments for medications from health savings accounts, medical savings accounts, health flexible spending arrangements, and health reimbursement arrangements to only prescription drugs or insulin (thus allowing distributions from such accounts for over-the-counter drugs). The bill also allows the accounts to be used for menstrual care products. NSBA supports. S. 1120 - The Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act Bill requires federal agencies to analyze the full impact of a proposed regulation on small businesses during the rulemaking process. NSBA supports. S. 1149 - Main Street Certainty Act of 2019 Legislation to make permanent the 20-percent pass-through deduction from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. NSBA supports. S. 1981 - The Women and Minority Equity Investment Act of 2019 Allows women-owned federal contracting firms to take investment by women-owned equity firms and still meet the 51 percent unconditionally owned and controlled standard set by SBA to participate in the WOSB/EDWOSB program. NSBA is monitoring. S.2082 - Support Technology and Research for Our Nation's Growth and Economic Resilience Patents Act Measure would make it easier and more affordable for patent holders to enforce their patents. NSBA supports. S. 2156 - S Corporation Modernization Act Legislation that would make several pro-growth reforms to help S corporations operate more easily, which would improve their ability to raise capital. NSBA supports. S. 2189 - Veteran Small Business Export Promotion Act The Veteran Small Business Export Promotion Act would make permanent the U.S. Small Business Administrations (SBA) current policy of waiving up-front fees for veterans applying for its Export Express, Export Working Capital and International Trade loans of $150,000 or less. NSBA supports. S. 2350 - Online Sales Simplicity and Small Business Relief Act of 2019 This bill prohibits states from imposing a sales tax collection duty on a remote seller for any sale that occurred prior to June 21, 2018. A "remote seller" is a person without a physical presence in a state who makes a sale in the state. NSBA is monitoring. S. 2535 - Enhancing Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century Act This bill requires the Department of Commerce to conduct an assessment and analysis of the reasons underlying the decreasing rate of formation of new businesses (i.e., startups) in the United States. NSBA supports. S. 2543 - Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 Amends titles XI, XVIII, and XIX of the Social Security Act to lower prescription drug prices in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, to improve transparency related to pharmaceutical prices and transactions, to lower patients' out-of-pocket costs, and to ensure accountability to taxpayers, and for other purposes. NSBA is monitoring. S. 2563 - ILLICIT CASH Act To improve laws relating to money laundering. NSBA opposed TITLE IV of the bill regarding beneficial ownership. S. 2733 - TRUST Act The bill establishes bipartisan commissions to make recommendations on each trust fund, and those recommendations would receive a fast-tracked vote in Congress. NSABA is monitoring. S. 3508 - Disaster Protection for Workers' Credit Act of 2020 Legislation will provide for an immediate four-month moratorium on all negative credit reporting and longer protections for people who face lasting financial hardship from the outbreak. The bill will also provide free, unlimited credit reports and credit scores for a year from the end of the crisis. Beyond this crisis, the bill extends these protections to people impacted by future major disasters. NSBA is monitoring. S. 3515 - New Business Preservation Act The New Business Preservation Act which would create a new program at the Treasury Department that will partner with states to invest in promising new businesses alongside private investors in areas of the country that do not currently attract significant equity investment in new businesses. NSBA is monitoring. S. 3518 - COVID-19 Recovery Grants for Small Businesses Act This bill requires the Small Business Administration to provide economic injury grants to certain small businesses, private nonprofit organizations, and small agricultural cooperatives that have suffered a substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). NSBA is monitoring. S. 3519 - A bill to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to subsidize payments on loans guaranteed under the 7(a) and 504 loan programs or made using funds under the microloan program, and for other purposes. This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to pay the principal, interest, and any associated fees owed on certain loans made to small businesses for a six month period. NSBA is monitoring. S. 3524 - Coronavirus Credit Expansion Act This bill increases the maximum loan amount for a small business disaster loan made in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), and it requires the Small Business Administration to expedite the loan approval process for such loans. NSBA supports. S. 3531 - Small Business Relief from Communicable Disease Induced Economic Hardship Act of 2020 This bill expands the definition of a disaster for which the Small Business Administration (SBA) may provide disaster loans to small business concerns to include communicable diseases for which the government issues a travel alert or travel warning, and it authorizes the SBA to make interest free disaster loans to small businesses affected by a disaster for which the government issues a public health emergency. NSBA is monitoring. S.3541 - A bill to modify requirements relating to small business disaster loans made in response to COVID-19, and for other purposes. This bill establishes certain measures related to small business disaster loans made in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). NSBA is monitoring. S. 3551 - Small Business Access to Capital Act of 2020 Bill to help small businesses access capital and create jobs by reauthorizing the successful State Small Business Credit Initiative. NSBA is monitoring. S. 3554 - COVID-19 RELIEF for Small Businesses Act of 2020 This bill establishes measures to provide assistance to small businesses impacted by COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). NSBA is monitoring. S. 3565 - Small Business and Consumer Debt Collection Emergency Relief Act of 2020 Legislation that would protec
Client expense: $24,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank), Federal Reserve System, Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Intl Trade Administration (ITA), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2020 · third_quarter · Health Issues
H.R. 3, Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 H.R. 19/S. 3129, Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 H.R. 275, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 H.R. 448/S. 99, Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act H.R. 748/ S. 3548, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act H.R. 1346, Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act of 2019 H.R. 1384, Medicare for All Act of 2019 H.R. 1398/S. 172, Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2019 H.R. 1425, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act H.R. 1865, Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 H.R. 1922/S. 1089, Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2019 H.R. 1985, Family Savings for Kids and Seniors Act H.R. 2207, Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2019 H.R. 3030, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Extension Act of 2019 H.R. 6074, Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 H.R. 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act H.R. 6800, Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act H.R. 7617, Defense, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2021 S. 12, Health Savings Act of 2019 S. 61, Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act of 2019 S. 62, Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices Act of 2019 S. 64, Preserve Access to Affordable Generics and Biosimilars Act S. 80, Jobs and Premium Protection Act, including provisions relating to repeal of the annual fee on health insurance providers enacted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act S. 178, UIGHUR Act of 2019, including provisions relating to substitute amendment regarding COVID-19 relief package S. 340, Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act of 2019 S. 344, Hatch-Waxman Integrity Act of 2019 S. 470, Medicare at 50 Act S. 684, Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2019 S. 692, Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2019 S. 1416, Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2019 S. 1541, Tobacco-Free Youth Act S. 1895, Lower Health Care Costs Act S. 2543, Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 S. 2897, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Reauthorization Act S. 3200, Chronic Disease Management Act of 2020 S. 4317, Safeguarding Americas Frontline Employees To Offer Work Opportunities Required to Kickstart the Economy (SAFE TO WORK) Act Potential legislation similar to H.R. 2911/S. 1697, Small Business Healthcare Relief Act (114th Cong.) Proposed regulation on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS notice of benefit and payment parameters for 2020 (84 Fed. Reg. 227-321, January 24, 2019) Proposed regulations on Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; interoperability and patient access for Medicare advantage organization and Medicaid managed care plans, state Medicaid agencies, CHIP agencies and CHIP managed care entities, issuers of qualified health plans in the federally-facilitated exchanges and health care providers; supplement and extension of comment period (84 Fed, Reg. 16,834, April 23, 2019) Proposed regulation on Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS notice of benefit and payment parameters for 2021; notice requirement for non-federal governmental plans (85 Fed. Reg. 7,088-7,159, February 6, 2020) Various issues relating to Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148) and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-152), including the employer-sponsored health care system, implementation of regulatory process, provider network adequacy, delivery system reform, health savings account (HSAs), health reimbursement account (HRAs), and flexible spending account (FSAs) changes, IPAB, employer mandate, reporting requirements for issuers and applicable large employers, premium stabilization programs, medical loss ratio, medical malpractice reform, exchanges, the impact on small business, the Small Business Tax Credit, section 1332 waivers, section 1557 on nondiscrimination, caps on compensation deductibility required under section 9014, incompleteness or inaccuracy of cost impact analysis, lack of quantified benefit analysis, and need for empirical data sources on which to base costs and benefits, the Cost Sharing Reduction (CSR) program, the section 9010 Health Insurance Providers Fee or Health Insurance Tax (HIT), 40% excise tax on high-cost employer-sponsored health coverage (Cadillac tax); medical device tax; protect Medicare Part Ds Non-Interference Clause from repeal, proposed rule regarding section 1557; Public Health Services Act (P.L.78-410), Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) (P.L. 93-406), regarding regulatory process and legislative corrections to ERISA preemption, changes to Medicare Advantage and Parts B, C, and D, including rebates and non-interference with prescription drug prices, entitlement reform, health information technology, telemedicine services in Medicare, and coordination and disease management programs; association health plans; importation of foreign pharmaceuticals into the United States and preemptive authority of federal food and drug regulations; balance or surprise billing and related issues; single-payer health care options; health reimbursement arrangements and other account-based group health plans; Health and Human Services international pricing index (IPI) model; legislation addressing mental health parity; inclusion of prescription drug pricing on 2019 congressional agenda; reauthorization of the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute; (PCORI); potential premium reduction/reinsurance program to reduce health insurance premiums; proposals to expand Medicare including Medicare Buy-In and the development of a public option; medical hospital outpatient prospective payment system for CY 2020; drug pricing including most-favored nations proposals, international pricing index, importation and mandatory rebates; potential healthcare pricing proposals, including a medicaid rebate cap, spread pricing, and inflation penalty; comments on Medicare and State Healthcare Programs: fraud and abuse; revisions to safe harbors under the anti-kickback statute, and civil monetary penalty rules regarding beneficiary inducements; comments on Medicare Program; modernizing and clarifying the physician self-referral regulations; comments on CMS proposed Medicaid fiscal accountability regulation; comments on CMS proposed transparency in coverage rule; comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on the declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act for medical countermeasures against COVID-19, as amended on April 10, 2020 and June 8, 2020 (Declaration), Section 319F-3 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6d); comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on CMS-2393-P: Medicaid Program; Medicaid fiscal accountability regulation; comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on the Administrations proposed rule to eliminate drug manufacturer rebates in Part D; transparency in coverage; issues relating to the coronavirus pandemic, including testing, liability protection, and temporary COBRA subsidies; Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (PHSSEF); health insurance coverage during the coronavirus pandemic; health legislative priorities for the potential Phase 4 coronavirus relief package; provisions relating to Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSA) in the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136); FCCs COVID-19 Telehealth Program; Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) temporary rule regarding Prioritization and Allocation of Certain Scarce or Threatened Health and Medical Resources for Domestic Use; reform of the World Health Organization (WHO); continued U.S. membership in the World Health Organization Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (P.L. 109-148, Division C), and COVID -19; potential legislation dealing with COVID-19 liability issues
Client expense: $20,000,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Bureau of Reclamation, Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), General Services Administration (GSA), Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Natl Security Council (NSC), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Copyright Office, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2020 · third_quarter · Health Issues
H.R.34: 21st Century Cures Act 2.0 ---RFI from House Energy and Commerce Committee 340B Drug Discount Program ---Executive Order on Affordable Life-saving Medications ---H.R. 7614: Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---Program Implementation & Oversight Reimbursement and Coverage of Innovative Products ---Executive order on Lowering Drug Prices by Putting America First Drug Importation ---Executive Order on Increasing Drug Importation to Lower Prices for American Patients Antibiotic & Diagnostic Tax Credit Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum ---Biologics Regulations ---Intellectual Property Issues Biodefense Research, Development and Procurement Issues (Nonfunding) ---H.R.6074: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 2020 ---Implementation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 ---H.R. 748: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 ---H.R.4100/S.1712: DISARM Act of 2019 ---S.4760: Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act of 2020 ---S.4231: Preparing for the Next Pandemic Act of 2020 ---Strategic National Stockpile ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---H.R.7537: Infectious Disease Therapies Research and Innovation Act ---H.R.7556: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make a portion of research credit refundable for certain small businesses engaging in specified medical research. ---H.R.7555: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to add a new medical research component to the credit for increasing research activities. ---H.R.7537: Infectious Disease Therapies Research and Innovation Act ---Implementation of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation (PAHPAI) Act of 2019 ---Executive Order on Buy American ---Executive Order on Modernizing Influenza Vaccines ---Gene editing ---Implementation of 21st Century Cures Act of 2016 ---Implementation of Medical Countermeasure Innovation Act of 2016 ---MCM Manufacturing & Capacity ---MCM R&D Incentives ---National Biodefense Strategy ---Senate HELP Pandemic Preparedness White Paper ---Tropical Disease Priority Review Voucher (PRV) Program Biosimilars ---Biosimilar Copay ---BSUFA ---Implementation and Reauthorization of the Biosimilar User Fee Act of 2017 ---Reimbursement Climate Change ---RFI from House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic ---H.R.4100/S.1712: DISARM Act of 2019 ---H.R.5076/S.1872: Protecting Seniors through Immunizations Act of 2019 ---H.R.7917: IGNITE American Innovation Act ---H.R.6260/S.3545: Reciprocity Ensures Streamlined Use of Lifesaving Treatments for Coronavirus Patients Act of 2020 ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---S.4775: The Delivering Immediate Relief to America's Families, Schools and Small Business Act ---H.R.7288: The Taxpayer Research and Coronavirus Knowledge (TRACK) Act ---COVID-19 Vaccine and Therapeutic Development ---Coverage for Covid Tx ---Drug Supply Chain Management ---Funding for Countermeasure Injury Compensation Program ---Healthcare Disparities ---Home Administration of Part B Drugs ---Liability ---Medicare reimbursement policies ---Patient Cost-Sharing and Smoothing ---Pricing-related Provisions ---R&D Funding for Medical Countermeasures ---Restrictions on Intellectual Property Rights ---Senate HELP Pandemic Preparedness White Paper Drug Evaluation and Review ---S.1617: Second Look at Drug Patents Act of 2019 ---H.R.7269/S.3872: Promising Pathway Act ---Compassionate Use/Expanded Access ---Expedited Pathways ---Priority Review Voucher Programs Drug Manufacturing, Quality & Distribution ---Drug Shortages ---Drug Supply Chain Management ---Executive Order on Buy American Drug Patenting ---H.R.1046/S.377: Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 ---S.1416/H.R.4398/H.R.3991/H.R.5133: Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2019 Drug Pricing ---H.R.3: Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 ---H.R.488/S.99: Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 ---H.R.1046/S.377: Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 ---H.R.1093/S.378: Stop Price Gouging Act of 2019 ---H.R.1425: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act of 2020 ---S.1895: Lower Health Care Costs for Patients Act of 2019 ---H.R.1499: Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act of 2019 ---S.1617: Second Look at Drug Patents Act of 2019 ---H.R.19/S.3129: Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 ---H.R.2069/S.474: Stopping the Pharmaceutical Industry from Keeping drugs Expensive (SPIKE) Act of 2019 ---H.R.275: Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 ---H.R.1188/S.366: Forcing Limits on Abusive and Tumultuous prices (FLAT) prices Act of 2019 ---H.R.2113: Prescription Drug STAR Act of 2019 ---H.R.2376/S.1227: Prescription Pricing for the People Act of 2019 ---H.R.2387: Stop The Overuse of Petitions and Get Affordable Medicines to Enter Soon (STOP GAMES) Act of 2019 ---S.2543: Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 ---H.R.3199: Terminating the Extension of Rights Misappropriated (TERM) Act of 2019 ---H.R.3991: Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Through Improvements to Patent Litigation Act of 2019 ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---H.R.7288: The Taxpayer Research and Coronavirus Knowledge (TRACK) Act ---S.1416/H.R.4398/H.R.3991/H.R.5133: Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2019 ---H.R.7614: Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---H.R.6074: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 2020 ---CMMI Authority ---Executive Order on Buy American ---Executive Order on Access to Affordable Life-saving Medications ---Executive Order on Increasing Drug Importation to Lower Prices for American Patients ---Executive Order on Lowering Prices for Patients by Eliminating Kickbacks to Middlemen ---General ---International Pricing Index Proposal ---Most Favored Nation Executive Order ---Proposed Federal Price Caps on COVID-19 Therapeutics and Vaccines Foreign Drug Data Protection Laws ---Regulatory Harmonization Funding for Antimicrobial Resistance Programs ---S. 1624: Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools (HEALS) Act ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---H.R.6074: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 2020 ---H.R.7610: Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---H.R.7614: Labor, Health and Human services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---H.R.748: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 ---S.4760:Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act of 2020 Funding for Biodefense/Biomedical/Emergency Preparedness Research, Development and Procurement ---H.R. 8337: Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and other Extensions Act of 2020 ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---H.R.748: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 ---H.R.6074: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 2020 ---H.R.7614: Labor, Health and Human services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---S. 1624: Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools (HEALS) Act ---Health Defense Operations Funding Designation ---H.R.7537: Infectious Disease Therapies Research and Innovation Act ---H.R.7556: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make a portion of research credit refundable for certain small businesses engaging in specified medical research. ---H.R.7555: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to add a new medical research component to the credit for increasing research activities. ---H.R.7537: Infectious Disease Therapies Research and Innovation Act Funding for FDA ---H.R.7610: Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Funding for Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) - Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) ---H.R.7614: Labor, Health and Human services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Funding for National Institutes of Health ---H.R. 8337: Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and other Extensions Act of 2020 ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---H.R.748: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 ---H.R.6074: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 2020 Funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vaccine Programs ---H.R. 8337: Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and other Extensions Act of 2020 ---H.R.748: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---H.R.6074: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 2020 ---H.R.7614: Labor, Health and Human services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---Funding for 2020-21 Influenza Season Preparedness and Response ---Funding for Routine Immunization Infrastructure during Pandemic Funding for the HHS Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy ---H.R.7614: Labor, Health and Human services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Medicaid ---H.R.5741: Strengthening Innovation in Medicare and Medicaid Act of 2020 ---S.2543: Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 ---S.3013: Encouraging Innovation Benefit Design to Lower Costs for Seniors Act of 2019 ---Alternative payment arrangements for gene therapies ---Average Manufacturer Price Calculations ---Drug Benefit Design ---Pricing and Rebates ---Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Rule Medicare Expansion ---H.R.5741: Strengthening Innovation in Medicare and Medicaid Act of 2020 Orphan Drug Issues ---H.R.4439/S.4010: Creating Hope Reauthorization Act of 2019 ---H.R.4712: Fairness in Orphan Drug Exclusivity Act of 2019 ---Tax Credit Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review ---H.R. 8337: Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and other Extensions Act of 2020 ---H.R.4439/S.4010: Creating Hope Reauthorization Act of 2019 Reimbursement and Coverage of Innovative Products ---H.R.19/S.3129: Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 ---H.R.275: Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 ---H.R.3: Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 ---H.R.488/S.99: Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 ---H.R.5741: Strengthening Innovation in Medicare and Medicaid Act of 2020 ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---S.2326: New Opportunities for Value that Extend Lives (NOVEL) Act of 2019 ---S.2543: Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 ---Administration Rebate Rule ---CMMI Authority ---Executive Order on Lowering Drug Prices by Putting America First ---Executive Order on Access to Affordable Life-Saving Medications ---Executive Order on Lowering Prices for Patients by Eliminating Kickbacks to Middlemen ---In-Home Administration of Part B Drugs ---International Pricing Index Proposal ---Medicare Part B Physician-Administered Products ---Patient Cost-Sharing and Smoothing ---Protected Classes ---Step Therapy ---Support of Patient Premiums and Cost-Sharing Obligations ---Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Rule ---Value-based Contracting and Communications The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ---Implementation of United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ---IP Provisions Trade and Foreign Drug Price Controls US-China Trade Agreement ---IP Provisions US-UK Trade Agreement ---Digital Trade ---IP Provisions ---Market Access ---Regulatory Harmonization Vaccines and Infectious Diseases ---H.R.2862/S.1619: Vaccine Awareness Campaign to Champion Immunization Nationally and Enhance Safety (VACCINES) Act of 2019 ---H.R.4100/S.1712: DISARM Act of 2019 ---H.R.5076/S.1872: Protecting Seniors through Immunizations Act of 2019 ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---H.R.748: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 ---H.R.6074: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 2020 ---H.R.7614: Labor, Health and Human services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---S.4509: Vaccine And Coverage Certainty (VACC) Act ---Adult Immunization Education ---Countermeasure Injury Compensation Program ---Implementation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 ---MCM Manufacturing & Capacity ---MCM R&D Incentives ---Maternal Immunization ---Operation Warp Speed/ACTIV ---S.4760: Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act of 2020 ---Vaccine Injury Compensation Program ---Vaccine Quality Measure ---Vaccine Safety ---Vaccine and Anti-Microbial Resistance Product Development and Incentives
Client expense: $3,170,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Natl Security Council (NSC), Office of the Vice President of the United States, Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2020 · third_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Policies to enhance patient access to medicines in Medicaid including rebate, waiver policy and funding issues; Policies to enhance patient access to medicines in Medicare; Review of proposed rule regarding testing of Medicare part B prescription drug models; Discussions related to rebates and Medicare part D - provisions related to the HHS-OIG Rebate Safe Harbor; Proposals related to amending the protected classes in Medicare; Medicare payment proposals; S. 62, The Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices Act - provisions related to Part D and drug pricing negotiation; S. 99, H.R. 448, The Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act - provisions related to Part D and drug pricing negotiation; H.R. 275, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 - provisions related to Part D and drug pricing negotiation; S. 551, Recovering Excessive Funds for Unused and Needless Drugs (REFUND) Act - provisions related to prescription drug vial sizes and rebates; H.R. 4649 Capping Drug Costs for Seniors Act - provisions related to Part D redesign; H.R. 7839, Continuing Access to In-Home IVIG Act - provisions related to patient access; H.R.7783, S.4179, Plasma Donation Awareness Act - provisions related to plasma donation access; H.R. 6218, S. 3457, Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act - provisions related to home infusion payment;
Client expense: $1,160,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, White House Office
2020 · third_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
H.R. 107, To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to sunset the limit on the maximum rebate amount for single source drugs and innovator multiple source drugs H.R. 275, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 H.R. 1046, Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 S. 62, Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices Act of 2019 S. 476, Creating Transparency to Have Drug Rebates Unlocked (C-THRU) Act of 2019 S. 2543, Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019, including provisions relating to AMP cap and Medicare Part D rebate Issues relating to, Medicaid; Medicare; Medicare Part B; 340B reforms; 340B program integrity; 340B of the Public Health Services Act; Medicare Part D; Drug Pricing; Center for Medicare and Medicaid demonstrations; Part D inflationary rebate; International pricing reference.
Client expense: $980,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
2020 · third_quarter · Health Issues
H.R. 3, Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 H.R. 19/S. 3129, Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 H.R. 275, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 H.R. 448/S. 99, Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act H.R. 748/ S. 3548, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act H.R. 1346, Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act of 2019 H.R. 1384, Medicare for All Act of 2019 H.R. 1398/S. 172, Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2019 H.R. 1425, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act H.R. 1865, Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 H.R. 1922/S. 1089, Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2019 H.R. 1985, Family Savings for Kids and Seniors Act H.R. 2207, Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2019 H.R. 3030, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Extension Act of 2019 H.R. 6074, Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 H.R. 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act H.R. 6800, Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act H.R. 7617, Defense, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2021 S. 12, Health Savings Act of 2019 S. 61, Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act of 2019 S. 62, Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices Act of 2019 S. 64, Preserve Access to Affordable Generics and Biosimilars Act S. 80, Jobs and Premium Protection Act, including provisions relating to repeal of the annual fee on health insurance providers enacted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act S. 178, UIGHUR Act of 2019, including provisions relating to substitute amendment regarding COVID-19 relief package S. 340, Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act of 2019 S. 344, Hatch-Waxman Integrity Act of 2019 S. 470, Medicare at 50 Act S. 684, Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2019 S. 692, Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2019 S. 1416, Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2019 S. 1541, Tobacco-Free Youth Act S. 1895, Lower Health Care Costs Act S. 2543, Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 S. 2897, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Reauthorization Act S. 3200, Chronic Disease Management Act of 2020 S. 4317, Safeguarding Americas Frontline Employees To Offer Work Opportunities Required to Kickstart the Economy (SAFE TO WORK) Act Potential legislation similar to H.R. 2911/S. 1697, Small Business Healthcare Relief Act (114th Cong.) Proposed regulation on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS notice of benefit and payment parameters for 2020 (84 Fed. Reg. 227-321, January 24, 2019) Proposed regulations on Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; interoperability and patient access for Medicare advantage organization and Medicaid managed care plans, state Medicaid agencies, CHIP agencies and CHIP managed care entities, issuers of qualified health plans in the federally-facilitated exchanges and health care providers; supplement and extension of comment period (84 Fed, Reg. 16,834, April 23, 2019) Proposed regulation on Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS notice of benefit and payment parameters for 2021; notice requirement for non-federal governmental plans (85 Fed. Reg. 7,088-7,159, February 6, 2020) Various issues relating to Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148) and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-152), including the employer-sponsored health care system, implementation of regulatory process, provider network adequacy, delivery system reform, health savings account (HSAs), health reimbursement account (HRAs), and flexible spending account (FSAs) changes, IPAB, employer mandate, reporting requirements for issuers and applicable large employers, premium stabilization programs, medical loss ratio, medical malpractice reform, exchanges, the impact on small business, the Small Business Tax Credit, section 1332 waivers, section 1557 on nondiscrimination, caps on compensation deductibility required under section 9014, incompleteness or inaccuracy of cost impact analysis, lack of quantified benefit analysis, and need for empirical data sources on which to base costs and benefits, the Cost Sharing Reduction (CSR) program, the section 9010 Health Insurance Providers Fee or Health Insurance Tax (HIT), 40% excise tax on high-cost employer-sponsored health coverage (Cadillac tax); medical device tax; protect Medicare Part Ds Non-Interference Clause from repeal, proposed rule regarding section 1557; Public Health Services Act (P.L.78-410), Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) (P.L. 93-406), regarding regulatory process and legislative corrections to ERISA preemption, changes to Medicare Advantage and Parts B, C, and D, including rebates and non-interference with prescription drug prices, entitlement reform, health information technology, telemedicine services in Medicare, and coordination and disease management programs; association health plans; importation of foreign pharmaceuticals into the United States and preemptive authority of federal food and drug regulations; balance or surprise billing and related issues; single-payer health care options; health reimbursement arrangements and other account-based group health plans; Health and Human Services international pricing index (IPI) model; legislation addressing mental health parity; inclusion of prescription drug pricing on 2019 congressional agenda; reauthorization of the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute; (PCORI); potential premium reduction/reinsurance program to reduce health insurance premiums; proposals to expand Medicare including Medicare Buy-In and the development of a public option; medical hospital outpatient prospective payment system for CY 2020; drug pricing including most-favored nations proposals, international pricing index, importation and mandatory rebates; potential healthcare pricing proposals, including a medicaid rebate cap, spread pricing, and inflation penalty; comments on Medicare and State Healthcare Programs: fraud and abuse; revisions to safe harbors under the anti-kickback statute, and civil monetary penalty rules regarding beneficiary inducements; comments on Medicare Program; modernizing and clarifying the physician self-referral regulations; comments on CMS proposed Medicaid fiscal accountability regulation; comments on CMS proposed transparency in coverage rule; comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on the declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act for medical countermeasures against COVID-19, as amended on April 10, 2020 and June 8, 2020 (Declaration), Section 319F-3 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6d); comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on CMS-2393-P: Medicaid Program; Medicaid fiscal accountability regulation; comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on the Administrations proposed rule to eliminate drug manufacturer rebates in Part D; transparency in coverage; issues relating to the coronavirus pandemic, including testing, liability protection, and temporary COBRA subsidies; Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (PHSSEF); health insurance coverage during the coronavirus pandemic; health legislative priorities for the potential Phase 4 coronavirus relief package; provisions relating to Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSA) in the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136); FCCs COVID-19 Telehealth Program; Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) temporary rule regarding Prioritization and Allocation of Certain Scarce or Threatened Health and Medical Resources for Domestic Use; reform of the World Health Organization (WHO); continued U.S. membership in the World Health Organization Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (P.L. 109-148, Division C), and COVID -19; potential legislation dealing with COVID-19 liability issues
Client expense: $20,000,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Bureau of Reclamation, Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), General Services Administration (GSA), Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Natl Security Council (NSC), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Copyright Office, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
Medicare Part A, B and D AMP Cap H.R 3 S.2543 - Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 H.R. 1046/S.377 - Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 Innovative pharmaceuticals (including cell, gene and radioligand therapies), Biosimilars and Generics Drug Pricing Outcomes Based Contracts/value based arrangements Medicaid H.R.275 - Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 H.R.448 - Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act H.R.19 - Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 H.R.107 - To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to sunset the limit on the maximum rebate amount for single source drugs and innovator multiple source drugs H.R.4455 - BIOSIM Act H.R.4619 - Pharmaceutical Rebates for Excessive Pricing Above Inflation Act HR. 3772 - The Medicare Diagnostic Radiopharmaceutical Payment Equity Act of 2019 HR. 4597 - Acting to Cancel Copays and Ensure Substantial Savings for Biosimilars Act of 2019 S.3466 - ACCESS for Biosimilars Act of 2020 HR. 6179 - Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2020 HR. 4629 - Star Rating for Biosimilars Act S. 3129 - Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 S. 3384 - Lowering Prescription Drug Prices for America's Seniors and Families Act of 2020 S. 3457 - Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act H.R.5741 - Strengthening Innovation in Medicare and Medicaid Act Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) drug policy issues and regulatory policy issues Transparency policy issues Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) policy issues ANPRM; Medicare Program; International Pricing Index Model for Medicare Part B Drugs (CMS-5528-ANPRM) Removal of Safe Harbor Protection for Rebates to Plans or PBMs Involving Prescription Pharmaceuticals and Creation of New Safe Harbor Protection (RIN 0936-AA08) Proposed Rule; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2021; Notice Requirement for Non-Federal Governmental Plans (CMS-9916-P) Reimbursement for cell therapy products S. 3353/H.R. 5534 - Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act Patient Cost-Sharing and Smoothing S. 4134 - Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2020 S. 102 - Prescription Drug Price Relief Act of 2019 CMS Proposed Rule: Medicaid Program; Establishing Minimum Standards in Medicaid State Drug Utilization Review (DUR) and Supporting Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) or Drugs Covered in Medicaid, Revising Medicaid Rebate and Third Party Liability (TPL) Requirements (CMS-2482-P)
Client expense: $1,190,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2020 · third_quarter · Pharmacy
H.R. 1614 A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to establish additional registration requirements for prescribers of opioids, and for other purposes; John S. McCain Opioid Addiction Prevention Act S. 724 A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to establish additional registration requirements for prescribers of opioids, and for other purposes; John S. McCain Opioid Addiction Prevention Act S.340 CREATES Act of 2019 H.R. 985 FAST Generics Act of 2019 S.640 Phair Pricing Act of 2019 S. 97 Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act S. 61 Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act of 2019 H.R. 1034 Phair Pricing Act of 2019 H.R. 965 CREATES Act of 2019 H.R. 1478 Affordable Insulin Act of 2019 H.R. 447 Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act H.R. 1499 Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act H.R. 3417 The Beneficiary Education Tools, Telehealth, and Extenders Re-authorization Act of 2019 H.R. 2296 Fair Accountability and Innovative Research Drug Pricing (FAIR Drug Pricing) Act of 2019 H.R. 1607 Fairness to Pet Owners Act H.R. 3379 Priced Relief, Innovation, and Competition for Essential Drugs (PRICED) Act H.R. 478 Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act of 2019 H.R. 3 Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 H.R. 275 Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 H.R. 448 Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act H.R. 1046 Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 H.R. 5304 PBM Transparency in Prescription Drug Costs Act H.R. 5172 NOPAIN Act S. 2543 Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 S. Rept. 116-120 Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 S. 2247 Phair Relief Act of 2019 S. 3070 Preventing Pill Mills Through Data Sharing Act H.R. 3055 Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Further Health Extenders Act of 2019 H.R. 19 Lower Costs, More Cures Act on 2019 S. 3129 Lower Costs, More Cures Act on 2019 H.R. 748 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act H.R. 6573 Help our Heroes Access Medicine Act of 2020 H.R. 6557 MAIL Act S. 3979 A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Defense to temporarily waive cost-sharing amounts under the TRICARE pharmacy benefits program during certain declared emergencies. H.R.6395 - William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 H.R. 4806 DEBAR Act of 2019 H.R. 3878 Block, Report, and Suspend Suspicious Shipments Act of 2019 H.R. 4812 Ensuring Compliance Against Drug Diversion Act H.R. 4814 Suspicious Order Identification Act of 2019 H.R. 8061 Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act S. 3548 The CARES Act H.R. 6800 The HEROES Act
Client expense: $330,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · third_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
H.R. 275 Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 H.R. 448 Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act H.R. 1046 Medicare Negotiation and Competive Licensing Act of 2019
Client expense: $330,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · third_quarter · Health Issues
H.R. 3 Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 H.R. 275 Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 H.R. 448 Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act H.R. 1046 Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 H.R. 5304 PBM Transparency in Prescription Drug Costs Act H.R. 5172 NOPAIN Act S. 2543 Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 H.R. 3055 Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Further Health Extenders Act of 2019 S. 3979 A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Defense to temporarily waive cost-sharing amounts under the TRICARE pharmacy benefits program during certain declared emergencies. H.R. 6573 Help our Heroes Access Medicine Act of 2020 H.R.6395 - William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 S. 4322 Safely Back to School and Back to Work Act
Client expense: $330,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · third_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
assist client with issues pertaining to medicare and medicaid. HR6674 Medicare Crisis Program 2020; S3864 Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act of 2020; HR6811 WIC Act 2020; HR6445,S3563 Food Assistance for Kids and Families during COVID 2020.HR 6281, S3500 Medicare Wage Index Parity Act 2020; HR 4618 Medicare Hearing Act;HR913 Clinical Treatment Act 2019; HR1264 Payment Commission Data Act 2019; HR1390 Mobile Health Record Act; HR1394 Medigap Consumer Protection 2019; HR1409 Transparency in all Healthcare Pricing Act 2019; HR1425 Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act; S470 Medicaid at 50 Act; S773 Telehealth Innovation and Improvement Act; S377 Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act 2019; S618 Medicare Choices Empowerment and Protection Act.; S1114 Medicare Adv Quality Payment Relief Act; H.R.2564 Medicare Enrollment Protection Act; H.R.275 Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019;H.R.884 Medicare Mental Health Access Act; H.R.3127 Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act; H.R.1384 Medicare for All Act of 2019.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $11,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · third_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
H.R. 107, Burgess: Rebate cap, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 275, Medicare Prescription Drug Negotiation Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 366, Insulin Access for All Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1034, D. Collins/S. 640, Kennedy: Phair Pricing Act - Share the savings, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1035, Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1332, Fair Care Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1346, Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1384, Medicare for All Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1781, Payment Commission Data Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1788, Limits the penalty for Part B late enrollment to 15 percent and twice the period of no enrollment, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 2087, Reporting drug pricing information to Medicare, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 2113, Prescription STAR Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R.3, Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 62, Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 99, Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 205, Right Rebate Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 377/H.R. 1046, Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 470, Medicare at 50 Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 474, Stopping the Pharmaceutical Industry from Keeping drugs Expensive (SPIKE) Act of 2019 , regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 475, RxCAP Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 476, Creating Transparency to Have Drug Rebates Unlocked (C-THRU Act) of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 551, REFUND Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 691, Expands Part D OOP assistance for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 801/H.R. 1781, Allows MedPAC and MACPAC to have access to information on drug rebates, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 981, Medicare-X Choice Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. Pending rule to change the Rebate Safe Harbor, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. H.R. 1839, Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 2452, Medicare for America Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 3107, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 3327, Drug Price Transparency for Medicare Patients Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 1261/H.R. 2463, Choose Medicare Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 1497, Health Care Price Check Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions S. 2081, a bill to require drug manufacturers to provide rebates for drugs furnished under Medicare Part B for which the growth in average sales price has exceeded inflation, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions. S. 2543, Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical provisions. H.R. 19/S.3129 , Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions H.R. 6218/S. 3457, Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act, regarding all bio-pharmaceutical related provisions No Bill, Reimbursement for and patient access to Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies.
Client expense: $1,600,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), SENATE, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2020 · third_quarter · Health Issues
The Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148, P.L. 111-152): Expanding coverage and improving Medicare benefits; Providing needed protections to guard against insurance practices that unfairly limit, deny or rescind coverage based on health status; public and private health insurers should encourage preventive health care by providing full coverage, with no cost-sharing, for preventive services recommended by an expert advisory group, such as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force; Ensuring access to primary care physicians; and beginning to bend the cost curve; Prohibiting insurers from excluding or charging excessive rates to children based on pre-existing conditions, which later will be expanded to all persons; Covering young adults on their parents' plans; Eliminating lifetime and annual limits on health insurance coverage; Requiring that health insurers spend more on patient care and less on administration; support enactment of S. 248, the Empowering States to Innovate Act, which amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) to: (1) allow states to apply for waivers of certain health insurance coverage requirements in such Act (including requirements for the establishment of qualified health plans and health insurance exchanges) for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014 (currently, January 1, 2017), and (2) require the waiver application process to begin not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act; Phasing out the Medicare Part D doughnut hole; Eliminating patient cost-sharing for preventive services offered by Medicare or private insurers; Increasing Medicare and Medicaid payments to primary care physicians; Supporting the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to help physicians and patients make care decisions based on the best available evidence; Supporting the Center on Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to fund pilots of delivery models to improve outcomes and reduce costs, including patient-centered medical homes; Advocated against a December 2018 ruling by a federal judge in Texas that the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unconstitutional. Access to Primary Care in the Context of Comprehensive Healthcare Reform Legislation (H.R. 3962/H.R. 3590/H.R. 4872): Provide sliding scale subsidies based on income to buy coverage from qualified plans; Qualified plans should: provide evidence-based benefits, including preventive services; and be prohibited from excluding persons with pre-existing conditions, charging them more, cherry-picking enrollees, or cancelling or failing to renew coverage; Expand Medicaid to cover all persons below the Federal Poverty Level and ensure fair payments to participating physicians; As coverage becomes affordable, all persons should participate and coverage should be guaranteed; Responsibility for financing should be shared by individuals, employers and government. Pilot test Medicare payment models that re-align incentives to support effective, efficient, patient-centered, coordinated care. Priority should be given to models designed to support the value of services provided by primary care physicians as well as to models that would create incentives, across physician specialties and sites of services, to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of care provided. Policy criteria for selecting the most promising models for pilot testing should be developed, in consultation with outside experts; The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), which has shown great promise in meeting the policy objectives suggested above, should be among the models selected for broader testing on a national pilot basis; the use of the medical home model for treatment or services under private health plans, the requirement of health plans to provide incentives to promote and report on medical home services provided, the establishment of community health teams and a primary care extension program to educate and support primary care practices in the delivery of medical home services, and the establishment of a demonstration project to educate physicians and other clinicians in training in the competencies required to deliver care consistent with the medical home care model. Medicare Payments to Physicians: Urged that Congress provide incentives to physicians who transform their practices into Advanced Alternative Payment Models and continue to provide stability for physicians in the MIPS program. Specifically, Congress should extend the five percent Qualified Alternative Payment Model participant bonus beyond the 2022 performance year, replace the zero percent baseline payment updates under Medicare, to take effect in 2020, with positive updates. Urged congressional committees with jurisdiction over Medicare to exercise their oversight authority and urge CMS to expedite approval of more Advanced APMS, particularly those that work for small and specialty practices and to simplify the scoring structure and reporting requirements under the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in order to fulfill Congress intent of a more streamlined program that reduces burdens on physicians; Supported S.2648, the Rural ACO Improvement Act, amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve the benchmarking process for the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) to ensure that all ACOs have an equal opportunity to share in savings regardless of their geographic location; Provided recommendations to CMS on the Merit-based Incentive Payment System Value Pathway (MVP), which aims to reduce reporting burden and complexity within MIPS while improving the accuracy and effectiveness of performance measurement. The College noted specifically that a robust, multi-year transition period will be critical to the success of the MVP, that it does not support making the MVP mandatory, that CMS should continue to support numerous reporting mechanisms, including qualified registries and clinical data registries, which have been instrumental in developing specialty-specific performance measures, among other things. Administrative Tasks on Physicians and Patients: Congress should accelerate its efforts to reduce administrative burdens on clinicians and patients, including: streamlining the prior authorization process, better integrating clinical data into clinicians electronic health records (EHRs), and working with CMS in their effort to overhaul clinical documentation guidelines; Urged Congress to cosponsor and pass the Safe Step Act (H.R. 2279), to require health insurers to provide an exceptions process for any medication step therapy protocol based on clinical decision-making, medical necessity, and other patient needs. Prescription Drug Costs: The College advocated for greater transparency in drug pricing, the elimination of anti-competitive industry practices that create barriers to generics coming to market, the importance of accounting for value in payment and coverage for prescriptions, and providing authority to the federal government to negotiate drug discounts under the Medicare Part D program. Specifically, the College urged Congress to pass the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 (H.R. 275/S. 62), which allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate covered Part D drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries, and the Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act of 2019, (H.R. 965/S. 340), which would improve patient access to alternative low-cost prescription drugs and biological products by preventing prescription drug manufacturers from misusing the FDAs Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) process to make it difficult for competing generics to be brought to the market. Also urged that Congress pass the Reforming Evergreening and Manipulation that Extends Drug Years, REMEDY Act (S. 1209), to aid in the approval of more generic drug applications by the FDA and therefore improve patient access to those medications. Also urged that Congress pass the Prescription Drug STAR Act (H.R. 2113), and the Fair Accountability and Innovative Research (FAIR) Drug Pricing Act (H.R. 2296/S. 1391), to promote greater drug pricing transparency; Expressed appreciation to the House speaker for introduction of H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, noting encouragement for its provisions to empower the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices and to cap out-of-pocket costs for seniors enrolled in the Medicare Part D program. Commented to the FDA on its prescription drug reimportation proposed rule noting that while the College is generally supportive of drug importation as laid out in the proposed rule as a means to control the cost of prescription drugs, the FDA must guarantee that the design and implementation of the rule includes numerous measures and safeguards to ensure patient safety. By limiting the origin of imported drugs to Canadian-certified and FDA-approved and registered drugs and entities, the College believes the proposed rule meets the required U.S. standards to assure high-quality drugs and patient safety. Any final drug importation system must also be one that is a closed system and has a tightly controlled and documented supply chain to assure authenticity and avoid degradation of the drug. Workforce, Medical and Health Services Research, Public Health Initiatives: Congress should ensure funding in FY 2021 for federal programs/initiatives designed to support primary care including Title VII Health Professions grants and the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). Equally important is the need to fund essential health services and medical research by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and public health programs supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Firearms-Related Injury and Death: The College advocated for lawmakers to pass measures to strengthen the criminal background check system, ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines, prevent the unlawful transfer of firearms to those who cannot legally purchase them, and remove restrictions on, and provide dedicated funding for, research by federal agencies on prevention of firearms-related injuries and death. Specifically, the College urged passage of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 8), which would strengthen the accuracy and reporting of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as well as expand Brady background checks to cover all firearm sales, including unlicensed firearms sellers currently not required to use background checks, and the Gun Violence Prevention Research Act (H.R. 674/S. 184), which would authorize funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to study firearms safety and gun violence prevention. Also urged Congress to pass the Violence Against Women (VAWA) Reauthorization Act of 2019 (H.R. 1585), to provide protections for domestic violence victims by restricting access to firearms by those deemed a threat to them. Also urged Congress to pass the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 (S. 66/H.R. 1296), to ban the sale of semi-automatic weapons and high capacity magazines. Immigration: The College advocated against family separation at the U.S. border. Specifically, the College urged support for H.R. 541 - the Keep Families Together Act, which would help ensure that children are not separated from their parents when families unlawfully cross over the border into the United States and would ensure that the Department of Homeland Security would not be able to implement the zero tolerance policy that separated families at the border last summer; urged congressional oversight of family separation policies. Also urged that Congress pass H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2019, which would provide a pathway to U.S. citizenship for undocumented children who came to the United States due to the action of their parents, also known as Dreamers. Expressed concern to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with the recent U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) policy change to no longer accept or adjudicate non-military deferred action requests including those for individuals with serious medical conditions; Urged USCIS to reverse this decision immediately and resume consideration of deferred action requests for medical reasons; Advocated with regard to a complaint filed with the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General (OIG) on September 14, 2020 concerning Lack of Medical Care, Unsafe Work Practices, and Absence of Adequate Protection Against COVID-19 for Detained Immigrants and Employees Alike at the Irwin County Detention Center. The concerns raised in the complaint, if substantiated, would represent an alarming violation of patient autonomy and ethical standards governing informed consent, appropriate access to health care and appropriate protection against COVID-19, causing great harm. The College urged an immediate internal investigation followed by swift and decisive corrective action as warranted should the complaint be substantiated. Graduate Medical Education: Urged that Congress support medical education training and debt relief for primary care physicians and other specialties facing shortages by passing the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2019 (S. 348, H.R. 1763), to lift the GME caps as needed to permit training an adequate number of primary care physicians, including internal medicine specialists, and physicians in other specialties facing shortages; passing the Resident Education Deferred Interest Act (H.R. 1554), to save physicians in residency programs thousands of dollars in interest on their loans and help incentivize the opening of practices in underserved areas; pass legislation to combine DGME and IME into a single, more functional payment program, and broaden the GME financing structure to include all payers; support funding for GME/IME and programs within the Veterans Health Administration that provide graduate medical education to ensure that physicians are adequately trained with the skills needed to treat an aging population. Urged Congress to pass the Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 (H.R. 3414), which would provide Medicare support for an additional 1,000 graduate medical education (GME) positions over five years in hospitals that have, or are in the process of establishing, accredited residency programs in addiction medicine, addiction psychiatry, or pain medicine. Urged Congress to pass S. 1203 and H.R. 2441, the What You Can Do For Your Country Act, which would improve and reform the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Vaccines: Urged Congress to pass the Vaccines Act (HR 2862), which would provide federal funding for vaccine hesitancy surveillance at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and outline a national public messaging campaign informed by this research to help improve vaccination rates; Supported H.R. 592, recognizing the anniversary of the eradication of smallpox and the importance of vaccination in the United States and worldwide; Urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reconsider its decision to not vaccinate families in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) against influenza (flu). Urged Congress to support payments for vaccines, as finalized by CMS, and set for implementation on Jan. 1, 2021. Surprise Medical Billing: Urged Congress to pass legislation that would protect patients from surprise out-of-network medical bills in both emergency and non-emergency settings that includes the following principles: hold patients harmless from surprise medical bills for out-of-network services, address narrow insurance networks, abandon efforts to establish an in-network median rate for services in these settings and instead opt for an independent dispute resolution process to determine payment. Appropriations: Urged Congress to fund Title VII, Section 747, Primary Care Training and Enhancement (PCTE) at $71 million for fiscal year 2021; Fund the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) at $460 million for fiscal year 2021; Fund the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) at $830 million for fiscal year 2021; Fund the Title X Family Planning Program at $400 million for fiscal year 2021 and include language to remove barriers to care that interfere with the patient-physician relationship; Fund Research on Prevention of Firearms-related Injuries and Deaths at $50 million for Fiscal Year 2021; Fund the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at $44.7 billion for fiscal year 2021; Fund the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at $8.3 billion for fiscal year 2021; Urged the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to support provisions in any final FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act to prevent cuts to the Military Health Service and the military medical workforce without requiring appropriate congressional oversight and review. Physician Fee Schedule: Commented to CMS and to Congress to fully implement payment increases for all evaluation and management codes, as finalized by CMS, and as scheduled for implementation on Jan. 1, 2021. Reduce the documentation burden for E/M services by allowing choice of medical decision making or time, and work to develop additional clarity and guidance on acceptable documentation to operationalize these important proposals; examination room desktop computers should be counted as a direct medical equipment cost; care management should be promoted by increasing the values of services like Transitional Care Management (TCM) and Chronic Care Management and implementing Principle Care Management (PCM) codes; require additional survey and review for any requests to increase non-outpatient E/M or other services; work with the physician community prior to finalizing any policy affecting eligibility to participate in the Medicare program; Urged congressional committees of jurisdiction to support: Higher physician work relative value units (RVUs) for new and established office visit codes, leading to increased payments for them, Reduced documentation requirements for office visit codes, which enables physicians to select and document for each visit based on medical decision-making or total time, Expanded and improved payment for care management services. Urged Congress to support waiving budget neutrality, applicable to the calendar year 2021 physician fee schedule. COVID-19: Urged congressional appropriators to provide the highest possible funding level for research, prevention, control, and treatment of illnesses associated with the virus that is commensurate with the public health emergency that the virus represents. Urged the administration to explore regulatory and other actions that would make COVID-19 testing free-of-charge to patients covered by both public and private insurance plans, including ACA-compliant plans offered through the insurance exchanges, and to waive co-pays and deductibles for patients seeing physicians for symptoms that may be indicative of COVID-19 or who are hospitalized for treatment. Urged CMS to utilize a national disaster recovery program that would pay doctors 110% of Medicare rates for caring for uninsured patients who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Expressed support to Congress and the administration for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, H.R. 6201, and other stimulus reforms related to COVID-19 including: Emergency paid leave benefits, paid sick days for public health emergencies, coverage of testing for COVID-19, waiving of cost sharing under Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and CHIP, increasing the federal FMAP under Medicaid, providing reimbursement for CPT codes 99441 - 99443, which are telephone evaluation and management services, expediting entrance of international medical graduates who are citizens of other nations (non-US IMGs) into the country and ensuring that lawfully present non-U.S. IMGs are not negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, funding for physician practices under the Public Health and Social Service Emergency Fund (PHSSEF), providing tax relief, grants, and loans to small and medium size practices impacted by COVID-19, increasing funding for personal protective equipment (PPE), ensuring Medicaid pay parity with Medicare for primary care services; Urged HHS and Congress to make a targeted allocation out of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) to support primary care physicians and their practices, sufficient to keep their doors open, by offsetting lost revenue from the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to the targeted allocation for rural hospitals; Urged support for the Student Loan Forgiveness for Frontline Health Workers Act, H.R. 6720, introduced May 5, 2020 by Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) which would eliminate graduate school debt for healthcare workers, including physicians and medical students, who are providing direct patient care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; Urged support for H.R. 7059, the Coronavirus Provider Protection Act, which extend liability protections to those who provide care in good faith during the COVID-19 public health emergency (plus a reasonable time, such as 60 days, after the emergency declaration ends), and not in situations of gross negligence or willful misconduct. The College also urged that pay parity between telephone claims and in-person visits and between all telehealth and in-person visits be maintained after the PHE is lifted. This extension-either continued by CMS or mandated by Congress-should last at least through the end of 2021, or until such a time when effective vaccines and treatments are widely available, with an option to extend it even further, or consider making permanent, based on the experience and learnings of patients and physicians who are utilizing these visits. Urged Congress to support a targeted allocation from the Provider Relief Fund specifically for primary care services. Health IT and Telehealth: Urged that physicians be able to easily access accurate and reliable COVID-19 testing results from the various testing sites and labs. These results must contain the appropriate flags for review and should be received in standard formats, ideally within physicians existing health IT systems. The current eCase reporting to public health agencies process is time-consuming and duplicative, and EHR functionality to do eCase reporting varies widely across vendors and state public health departments. HHS should take a leadership role in making sure these programs and health IT standards projects are adopted and implemented consistently across the country. Ensure federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics can furnish telehealth services after the public health emergency.
Client expense: $264,513 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), President of the U.S., SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS)
2020 · third_quarter · Health Issues
The Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148, P.L. 111-152): Expanding coverage and improving Medicare benefits; Providing needed protections to guard against insurance practices that unfairly limit, deny or rescind coverage based on health status; public and private health insurers should encourage preventive health care by providing full coverage, with no cost-sharing, for preventive services recommended by an expert advisory group, such as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force; Ensuring access to primary care physicians; and beginning to bend the cost curve; Prohibiting insurers from excluding or charging excessive rates to children based on pre-existing conditions, which later will be expanded to all persons; Covering young adults on their parents' plans; Eliminating lifetime and annual limits on health insurance coverage; Requiring that health insurers spend more on patient care and less on administration; support enactment of S. 248, the Empowering States to Innovate Act, which amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) to: (1) allow states to apply for waivers of certain health insurance coverage requirements in such Act (including requirements for the establishment of qualified health plans and health insurance exchanges) for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014 (currently, January 1, 2017), and (2) require the waiver application process to begin not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act; Phasing out the Medicare Part D doughnut hole; Eliminating patient cost-sharing for preventive services offered by Medicare or private insurers; Increasing Medicare and Medicaid payments to primary care physicians; Supporting the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to help physicians and patients make care decisions based on the best available evidence; Supporting the Center on Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to fund pilots of delivery models to improve outcomes and reduce costs, including patient-centered medical homes; Advocated against a December 2018 ruling by a federal judge in Texas that the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unconstitutional. Access to Primary Care in the Context of Comprehensive Healthcare Reform Legislation (H.R. 3962/H.R. 3590/H.R. 4872): Provide sliding scale subsidies based on income to buy coverage from qualified plans; Qualified plans should: provide evidence-based benefits, including preventive services; and be prohibited from excluding persons with pre-existing conditions, charging them more, cherry-picking enrollees, or cancelling or failing to renew coverage; Expand Medicaid to cover all persons below the Federal Poverty Level and ensure fair payments to participating physicians; As coverage becomes affordable, all persons should participate and coverage should be guaranteed; Responsibility for financing should be shared by individuals, employers and government. Pilot test Medicare payment models that re-align incentives to support effective, efficient, patient-centered, coordinated care. Priority should be given to models designed to support the value of services provided by primary care physicians as well as to models that would create incentives, across physician specialties and sites of services, to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of care provided. Policy criteria for selecting the most promising models for pilot testing should be developed, in consultation with outside experts; The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), which has shown great promise in meeting the policy objectives suggested above, should be among the models selected for broader testing on a national pilot basis; the use of the medical home model for treatment or services under private health plans, the requirement of health plans to provide incentives to promote and report on medical home services provided, the establishment of community health teams and a primary care extension program to educate and support primary care practices in the delivery of medical home services, and the establishment of a demonstration project to educate physicians and other clinicians in training in the competencies required to deliver care consistent with the medical home care model. Medicare Payments to Physicians: Urged that Congress provide incentives to physicians who transform their practices into Advanced Alternative Payment Models and continue to provide stability for physicians in the MIPS program. Specifically, Congress should extend the five percent Qualified Alternative Payment Model participant bonus beyond the 2022 performance year, replace the zero percent baseline payment updates under Medicare, to take effect in 2020, with positive updates. Urged congressional committees with jurisdiction over Medicare to exercise their oversight authority and urge CMS to expedite approval of more Advanced APMS, particularly those that work for small and specialty practices and to simplify the scoring structure and reporting requirements under the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in order to fulfill Congress intent of a more streamlined program that reduces burdens on physicians; Supported S.2648, the Rural ACO Improvement Act, amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve the benchmarking process for the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) to ensure that all ACOs have an equal opportunity to share in savings regardless of their geographic location; Provided recommendations to CMS on the Merit-based Incentive Payment System Value Pathway (MVP), which aims to reduce reporting burden and complexity within MIPS while improving the accuracy and effectiveness of performance measurement. The College noted specifically that a robust, multi-year transition period will be critical to the success of the MVP, that it does not support making the MVP mandatory, that CMS should continue to support numerous reporting mechanisms, including qualified registries and clinical data registries, which have been instrumental in developing specialty-specific performance measures, among other things. Administrative Tasks on Physicians and Patients: Congress should accelerate its efforts to reduce administrative burdens on clinicians and patients, including: streamlining the prior authorization process, better integrating clinical data into clinicians electronic health records (EHRs), and working with CMS in their effort to overhaul clinical documentation guidelines; Urged Congress to cosponsor and pass the Safe Step Act (H.R. 2279), to require health insurers to provide an exceptions process for any medication step therapy protocol based on clinical decision-making, medical necessity, and other patient needs. Prescription Drug Costs: The College advocated for greater transparency in drug pricing, the elimination of anti-competitive industry practices that create barriers to generics coming to market, the importance of accounting for value in payment and coverage for prescriptions, and providing authority to the federal government to negotiate drug discounts under the Medicare Part D program. Specifically, the College urged Congress to pass the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 (H.R. 275/S. 62), which allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate covered Part D drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries, and the Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act of 2019, (H.R. 965/S. 340), which would improve patient access to alternative low-cost prescription drugs and biological products by preventing prescription drug manufacturers from misusing the FDAs Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) process to make it difficult for competing generics to be brought to the market. Also urged that Congress pass the Reforming Evergreening and Manipulation that Extends Drug Years, REMEDY Act (S. 1209), to aid in the approval of more generic drug applications by the FDA and therefore improve patient access to those medications. Also urged that Congress pass the Prescription Drug STAR Act (H.R. 2113), and the Fair Accountability and Innovative Research (FAIR) Drug Pricing Act (H.R. 2296/S. 1391), to promote greater drug pricing transparency; Expressed appreciation to the House speaker for introduction of H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, noting encouragement for its provisions to empower the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices and to cap out-of-pocket costs for seniors enrolled in the Medicare Part D program. Commented to the FDA on its prescription drug reimportation proposed rule noting that while the College is generally supportive of drug importation as laid out in the proposed rule as a means to control the cost of prescription drugs, the FDA must guarantee that the design and implementation of the rule includes numerous measures and safeguards to ensure patient safety. By limiting the origin of imported drugs to Canadian-certified and FDA-approved and registered drugs and entities, the College believes the proposed rule meets the required U.S. standards to assure high-quality drugs and patient safety. Any final drug importation system must also be one that is a closed system and has a tightly controlled and documented supply chain to assure authenticity and avoid degradation of the drug. Workforce, Medical and Health Services Research, Public Health Initiatives: Congress should ensure funding in FY 2021 for federal programs/initiatives designed to support primary care including Title VII Health Professions grants and the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). Equally important is the need to fund essential health services and medical research by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and public health programs supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Firearms-Related Injury and Death: The College advocated for lawmakers to pass measures to strengthen the criminal background check system, ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines, prevent the unlawful transfer of firearms to those who cannot legally purchase them, and remove restrictions on, and provide dedicated funding for, research by federal agencies on prevention of firearms-related injuries and death. Specifically, the College urged passage of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 8), which would strengthen the accuracy and reporting of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as well as expand Brady background checks to cover all firearm sales, including unlicensed firearms sellers currently not required to use background checks, and the Gun Violence Prevention Research Act (H.R. 674/S. 184), which would authorize funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to study firearms safety and gun violence prevention. Also urged Congress to pass the Violence Against Women (VAWA) Reauthorization Act of 2019 (H.R. 1585), to provide protections for domestic violence victims by restricting access to firearms by those deemed a threat to them. Also urged Congress to pass the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 (S. 66/H.R. 1296), to ban the sale of semi-automatic weapons and high capacity magazines. Immigration: The College advocated against family separation at the U.S. border. Specifically, the College urged support for H.R. 541 - the Keep Families Together Act, which would help ensure that children are not separated from their parents when families unlawfully cross over the border into the United States and would ensure that the Department of Homeland Security would not be able to implement the zero tolerance policy that separated families at the border last summer; urged congressional oversight of family separation policies. Also urged that Congress pass H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2019, which would provide a pathway to U.S. citizenship for undocumented children who came to the United States due to the action of their parents, also known as Dreamers. Expressed concern to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with the recent U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) policy change to no longer accept or adjudicate non-military deferred action requests including those for individuals with serious medical conditions; Urged USCIS to reverse this decision immediately and resume consideration of deferred action requests for medical reasons; Advocated with regard to a complaint filed with the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General (OIG) on September 14, 2020 concerning Lack of Medical Care, Unsafe Work Practices, and Absence of Adequate Protection Against COVID-19 for Detained Immigrants and Employees Alike at the Irwin County Detention Center. The concerns raised in the complaint, if substantiated, would represent an alarming violation of patient autonomy and ethical standards governing informed consent, appropriate access to health care and appropriate protection against COVID-19, causing great harm. The College urged an immediate internal investigation followed by swift and decisive corrective action as warranted should the complaint be substantiated. Graduate Medical Education: Urged that Congress support medical education training and debt relief for primary care physicians and other specialties facing shortages by passing the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2019 (S. 348, H.R. 1763), to lift the GME caps as needed to permit training an adequate number of primary care physicians, including internal medicine specialists, and physicians in other specialties facing shortages; passing the Resident Education Deferred Interest Act (H.R. 1554), to save physicians in residency programs thousands of dollars in interest on their loans and help incentivize the opening of practices in underserved areas; pass legislation to combine DGME and IME into a single, more functional payment program, and broaden the GME financing structure to include all payers; support funding for GME/IME and programs within the Veterans Health Administration that provide graduate medical education to ensure that physicians are adequately trained with the skills needed to treat an aging population. Urged Congress to pass the Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 (H.R. 3414), which would provide Medicare support for an additional 1,000 graduate medical education (GME) positions over five years in hospitals that have, or are in the process of establishing, accredited residency programs in addiction medicine, addiction psychiatry, or pain medicine. Urged Congress to pass S. 1203 and H.R. 2441, the What You Can Do For Your Country Act, which would improve and reform the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Vaccines: Urged Congress to pass the Vaccines Act (HR 2862), which would provide federal funding for vaccine hesitancy surveillance at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and outline a national public messaging campaign informed by this research to help improve vaccination rates; Supported H.R. 592, recognizing the anniversary of the eradication of smallpox and the importance of vaccination in the United States and worldwide; Urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reconsider its decision to not vaccinate families in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) against influenza (flu). Urged Congress to support payments for vaccines, as finalized by CMS, and set for implementation on Jan. 1, 2021. Surprise Medical Billing: Urged Congress to pass legislation that would protect patients from surprise out-of-network medical bills in both emergency and non-emergency settings that includes the following principles: hold patients harmless from surprise medical bills for out-of-network services, address narrow insurance networks, abandon efforts to establish an in-network median rate for services in these settings and instead opt for an independent dispute resolution process to determine payment. Appropriations: Urged Congress to fund Title VII, Section 747, Primary Care Training and Enhancement (PCTE) at $71 million for fiscal year 2021; Fund the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) at $460 million for fiscal year 2021; Fund the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) at $830 million for fiscal year 2021; Fund the Title X Family Planning Program at $400 million for fiscal year 2021 and include language to remove barriers to care that interfere with the patient-physician relationship; Fund Research on Prevention of Firearms-related Injuries and Deaths at $50 million for Fiscal Year 2021; Fund the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at $44.7 billion for fiscal year 2021; Fund the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at $8.3 billion for fiscal year 2021; Urged the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to support provisions in any final FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act to prevent cuts to the Military Health Service and the military medical workforce without requiring appropriate congressional oversight and review. Physician Fee Schedule: Commented to CMS and to Congress to fully implement payment increases for all evaluation and management codes, as finalized by CMS, and as scheduled for implementation on Jan. 1, 2021. Reduce the documentation burden for E/M services by allowing choice of medical decision making or time, and work to develop additional clarity and guidance on acceptable documentation to operationalize these important proposals; examination room desktop computers should be counted as a direct medical equipment cost; care management should be promoted by increasing the values of services like Transitional Care Management (TCM) and Chronic Care Management and implementing Principle Care Management (PCM) codes; require additional survey and review for any requests to increase non-outpatient E/M or other services; work with the physician community prior to finalizing any policy affecting eligibility to participate in the Medicare program; Urged congressional committees of jurisdiction to support: Higher physician work relative value units (RVUs) for new and established office visit codes, leading to increased payments for them, Reduced documentation requirements for office visit codes, which enables physicians to select and document for each visit based on medical decision-making or total time, Expanded and improved payment for care management services. Urged Congress to support waiving budget neutrality, applicable to the calendar year 2021 physician fee schedule. COVID-19: Urged congressional appropriators to provide the highest possible funding level for research, prevention, control, and treatment of illnesses associated with the virus that is commensurate with the public health emergency that the virus represents. Urged the administration to explore regulatory and other actions that would make COVID-19 testing free-of-charge to patients covered by both public and private insurance plans, including ACA-compliant plans offered through the insurance exchanges, and to waive co-pays and deductibles for patients seeing physicians for symptoms that may be indicative of COVID-19 or who are hospitalized for treatment. Urged CMS to utilize a national disaster recovery program that would pay doctors 110% of Medicare rates for caring for uninsured patients who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Expressed support to Congress and the administration for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, H.R. 6201, and other stimulus reforms related to COVID-19 including: Emergency paid leave benefits, paid sick days for public health emergencies, coverage of testing for COVID-19, waiving of cost sharing under Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and CHIP, increasing the federal FMAP under Medicaid, providing reimbursement for CPT codes 99441 - 99443, which are telephone evaluation and management services, expediting entrance of international medical graduates who are citizens of other nations (non-US IMGs) into the country and ensuring that lawfully present non-U.S. IMGs are not negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, funding for physician practices under the Public Health and Social Service Emergency Fund (PHSSEF), providing tax relief, grants, and loans to small and medium size practices impacted by COVID-19, increasing funding for personal protective equipment (PPE), ensuring Medicaid pay parity with Medicare for primary care services; Urged HHS and Congress to make a targeted allocation out of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) to support primary care physicians and their practices, sufficient to keep their doors open, by offsetting lost revenue from the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to the targeted allocation for rural hospitals; Urged support for the Student Loan Forgiveness for Frontline Health Workers Act, H.R. 6720, introduced May 5, 2020 by Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) which would eliminate graduate school debt for healthcare workers, including physicians and medical students, who are providing direct patient care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; Urged support for H.R. 7059, the Coronavirus Provider Protection Act, which extend liability protections to those who provide care in good faith during the COVID-19 public health emergency (plus a reasonable time, such as 60 days, after the emergency declaration ends), and not in situations of gross negligence or willful misconduct. The College also urged that pay parity between telephone claims and in-person visits and between all telehealth and in-person visits be maintained after the PHE is lifted. This extension-either continued by CMS or mandated by Congress-should last at least through the end of 2021, or until such a time when effective vaccines and treatments are widely available, with an option to extend it even further, or consider making permanent, based on the experience and learnings of patients and physicians who are utilizing these visits. Urged Congress to support a targeted allocation from the Provider Relief Fund specifically for primary care services. Health IT and Telehealth: Urged that physicians be able to easily access accurate and reliable COVID-19 testing results from the various testing sites and labs. These results must contain the appropriate flags for review and should be received in standard formats, ideally within physicians existing health IT systems. The current eCase reporting to public health agencies process is time-consuming and duplicative, and EHR functionality to do eCase reporting varies widely across vendors and state public health departments. HHS should take a leadership role in making sure these programs and health IT standards projects are adopted and implemented consistently across the country. Ensure federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics can furnish telehealth services after the public health emergency.
Client expense: $92,333 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), President of the U.S., SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS)
2020 · third_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
H.R. 803 / S. 988, Improving Transparency and Accuracy in Medicare Part D Drug Spending Act; H.R. 1034 / S. 640, Phair Pricing Act of 2019; H.R. 1035, Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act, S. 475, Creating Transparency to Have Drug Rebates Unlocked (C-THRU) Act, S. 476, Reducing Existing Costs Associated with Pharmaceuticals for Seniors (RxCAP) Act; H.R. 107, To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to sunset the limit on the maximum rebate amount for single source drugs and innovator multiple source drugs; H.R.448 / S. 99, Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act; H.R. 275, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019; H.R. 1346, Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act of 2019; H.R. 366, Insulin Access for All Act of 2019; S. 62, Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices Act of 2019; S. 205 / H.R. 937, Right Rebate Act of 2019; H.R. 1046 / S. 377, Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019; H.R. 1781 / S. 801, the Payment Commission Data Act of 2019; H.R. 2113, Prescription Drug Sunshine, Transparency, Accountability and Reporting (STAR) Act of 2019; H.R. 2115, To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to provide greater transparency of discounts provided by drug manufacturers; Proposed rule, "Modernizing Part D and Medicare Advantage to Lower Drug Prices and Reduce Out-of-Pocket Expenses, CMS-4180-P"; Proposed rule, "Fraud and Abuse; Removal of Safe Harbor Protection for Rebates Involving Prescription Pharmaceuticals and Creation of New Safe Harbor Protection for Certain Point-of-Sale Reductions in Price on Prescription Pharmaceuticals and Certain Pharmacy Benefit Manager Service Fees, OIG-0936-P"; Proposed rule, Medicaid Program; Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) Managed Care - CMS-2408-P; H.R. 1323, Rural Hospital Frontier Fairness Act; S. 551, REFUND Act of 2019; S. 691, Medicare Extra Rx HELP Act of 2019; S. 773, Telehealth Innovation and Improvement Act of 2019; S. 814, Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act of 2019; H.R. 1384 / S. 1129, Medicare for All Act of 2019; H.R. 3417, The Beneficiary Education Tools, Telehealth, and Extenders Reauthorization Act of 2019; H.R. 3408, Shop Rx Act of 2019; S. 1384, Prescription Drug Rebate Reform Act of 2019; H.R. 2113, Prescription Drug STAR Act; H.R. 2115, Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act S. 2447, the Phair Relief Act; S. 2771, the Protecting Home Oxygen and Medical Equipment Act of 2019; S. 1861 / H.R. 3924, the Streamlining Part D Appeals Process Act; H.R. 4946, the Ensuring Seniors Access to Local Pharmacies Act of 2019; H.R. 5281, the Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act of 2019; H.R. 5442, the Lowest Price for Patients Act; Report language for H.R.1865, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act; Pharmacist Provider Status draft legislation
Client expense: $330,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Natl Drug Control Policy (NDCP), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), White House Office
2020 · third_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Medicare Coverage of Dental Care: H.R. 576 and S. 22, Negotiation of Prescription Drug Prices: S. 99 and H.R. 448 and S. 62 and H.R. 275, Prescription Drug Importation: H.R. 447 and S. 97 and S. 61, Improving Access to Affordable Generics: S. 64. SS Immunization Act: H.R. 5076
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · second_quarter · Small Business
H.R. 3 - Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 This bill establishes several programs and requirements relating to the prices of prescription drugs. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 25 - The Fair Tax Act To promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the states. NSBA supports H.R. 116 - Investing in Main Street Act The bill amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to increase from 5 percent to 15 percent of its capital and surplus, the amount a national bank, a member bank of the Federal Reserve System, a nonmember insured bank (to the extent permitted under applicable state law), or a federal savings association may invest in one or more small business investment companies (SBICs), or in any entity established to invest solely in SBICs. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 128 - Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act H.R. 128 allows the SBA Office of Advocacy to examine the role of small business in international economies and to represent small business views before foreign governments and international entities. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 190 - Expanding Contracting Opportunities for Small Business Act H.R. 190 raises the dollar amount of sole-source awards so that they are closer in line with the size of current contracts being awarded in the procurement landscape. NSBA supports. H.R. 206 - Encouraging Small Business Innovators Act H.R. 206 makes a series of changes to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, making them easier for small firms to use. NSBA supports. H.R. 216 - Main Street Certainty Act of 2019 Legislation to make permanent the 20-percent pass-through deduction from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. NSBA supports. H.R. 218 - The Death Tax Repeal Act This bill repeals the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes. NSBA supports. H.R. 222 - Death Tax Repeal Act of 2019 This bill repeals the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes. NSBA supports. H.R. 226 - Clarity on Small Business Participation in Category Management Act H.R. 226 requires the SBA to report federal spending made through designated best-in-class vehicles, and to report on the dollars spent through these vehicles awarded to small businesses. NSBA supports. H.R. 227 - Incentivizing Fairness in Subcontracting Act Bill allows large prime contractors to take credit for subcontracting to small businesses at lower tiers, provided that prime contractors keep records substantiating subcontracting credit claimed at lower tiers, and creates a new dispute process for small subcontractors to bring non-payment issues to the agencys small business advocate (Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization). NSBA supports. H.R. 246 - Stimulating Innovation through Procurement Act The bill requires SBA to coordinate with the senior procurement executives of federal agencies participating in a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program or a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program to assist small businesses participating in such programs with commercializing research. NSBA supports. H.R.266 - Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act This bill responds to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak by providing additional funding for small business loans, health care providers, and COVID-19 testing. NSBA supports the small business provisions. H.R. 275 - Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 Bill requires the federal government to negotiate lower drug prices for seniors enrolled in the Medicare Part D program. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 448 - The Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act Bill makes a series of changes relating to the prices of prescription drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit and Medicare Advantage (MA) prescription drug plans (PDPs). NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 582 - The Raise the Wage Act This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the federal minimum wage for regular employees over a 7-year period, for tipped employees, and for newly hired employees who are less than 20 years old. NSBA opposes. H.R. 593 - Small Business Owners' Tax Simplification Act of 2019 H.R. 593 introduces a number of provisions to benefit small businesses, such as aligning estimated payment deadlines and tax filing thresholds, as well as tackling inconsistencies in reporting requirements. NSBA supports. H.R. 748 - Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) This bill responds to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak and its impact on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses. NSBA supports. H.R. 1046 - The Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 Bill would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate drug prices and, if drug companies refuse to negotiate in good faith, it would enable the Secretary to issue a competitive license to another company to produce the medication as a generic. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1084 - Family Savings Act of 2019 It includes a variety of provisions aimed at making it easier for smaller businesses to offer tax-qualified retirement savings plans to their employees, encouraging individuals to participate in retirement plans, and promoting savings for nonretirement expenses. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1185 - The Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act Legislation which provide workers with up to 12 weeks of partial income while taking family leave. NSBA opposes. H.R.1384 - Medicare for All Act of 2019 H.R. 1384 would create a single-payer, government-funded health care program within two years, eliminating the age 65 threshold for Medicare eligibility. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1420 - Energy Efficient Government Technology Act This bill sets forth requirements with respect to increasing the energy efficiency of information technologies and data centers within the federal government. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1534 - Federal Employee Paid Leave Act of 2019 Bill would provide federal employees with 12 weeks paid leave for all instances covered by FMLA. NSBA opposes. H.R. 1644 - Save the Internet Act of 2019 Bill would restore net neutrality rules recently repealed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). NSBA supports. H.R. 1648 - Small Business Advanced Cybersecurity Enhancements Act of 2019 Amends the Small Business Act to provide for the establishment of an enhanced cybersecurity assistance and protections for small businesses. NSBA supports. H.R. 1649 - Small Business Development Center Cyber Training Act This bill amends the Small Business Act to require the Small Business Administration to establish a program for certifying employees of small business development centers to provide cybersecurity planning assistance to small businesses. NSBA supports. H.R. 1760 - Advanced Nuclear Fuel Availability Act This bill directs the Office of Nuclear Energy in the Department of Energy to develop and deploy high-assay low-enriched uranium for domestic commercial use and to develop a schedule for recovering costs associated with such development. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1768 - Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 a diesel emissions reduction program under which the Environmental Protection Agency provides grants, rebates, or loans for replacing diesel engines or retrofitting the engines with pollution control technologies. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1784 - Healthy Families Act Legislation that would allow workers to annually accrue up 56 hours of paid sick leave or seven days of paid sick leave each year. NSBA opposes. H.R. 1909 - The HALOS Act This bill directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to revise Regulation D, which exempts certain offerings from SEC registration requirements but prohibits general solicitation or general advertising with respect to such offerings. NSBA supports. H.R. 1922 - Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2019 This bill repeals provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, as added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, that limit payments for medications from health savings accounts, medical savings accounts, health flexible spending arrangements, and health reimbursement arrangements to only prescription drugs or insulin (thus allowing distributions from such accounts for over-the-counter drugs). The bill also allows the accounts to be used for menstrual care products. NSBA supports. H.R. 1927 - Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2019 This bill modifies the scope of judicial review of agency actions to authorize courts reviewing agency actions to decide de novo (without giving deference to the agency's interpretation) all relevant questions of law, including the interpretation of: (1) constitutional and statutory provisions, and (2) rules made by agencies. NSBA supports. H.R. 1933 - Online Sales Simplicity and Small Business Relief Act of 2019 This bill prohibits states from imposing a sales tax collection duty on certain remote sellers. A "remote seller" is a person without a physical presence in a state who makes a sale in the state. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2114 - Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act of 2019 The bill authorizes the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide financial assistance to states for the implementation, review, and revision of a state energy security plan that assesses the state's existing circumstances and proposes methods to strengthen the ability of the state to have a reliable, secure, and resilient energy infrastructure. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2296 - The FAIR Drug Pricing Act of 2019 Bill would require certain drug manufacturers to submit documentation to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 30 days before increasing the price of a qualifying drug. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2331 - The SBA Cyber Awareness Act It require the SBA to report annually to the Congress on the state of its information technology (IT) and cybersecurity systems, the methods it could use to improve cybersecurity, any IT equipment or systems it has that were produced by an entity doing business principally in China, and any recent cybersecurity risks or incidents and subsequent responses. NSBA supports. H.R. 2345 - Clarifying the Small Business Runway Extension Act Amend the Small Business Act to clarify the intention of Congress that the Administrator of the Small Business Administration is subject to certain requirements with respect to establishing size standards for small business concerns. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2513 - The Corporate Transparency Act of 2019 Bill would amend the Bank Secrecy Act to require an applicant seeking to form a corporation or limited liability company (LLC) to disclose the beneficial owners of the entity. NSBA opposes the small business requirements section of the bill. H.R. 2603 - the Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Act Gives the Northern Mariana Islands full access to SBA grant and microloan programs. NSBA supports. H.R. 3630 - The No Surprises Act This bill expands restrictions on charging health care plan holders out-of-network rates for certain services. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 3666 - STRONGER Patents Act of 2019 Measure would make it easier and more affordable for patent holders to enforce their patents. NSBA supports. H.R. 4069 - The Modern Worker Empowerment Act Amend the FLSA to adopt a common-law test to define the term employee. The bill would have the effect of harmonizing the definition of employee for purposes of federal law and thereby minimizing the uncertainty surrounding the determination as to whether an individual is an employee or independent contractor. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 4387 - To establish Growth Accelerator Fund Competition within the Small Business Administration H.R. 4387 codifies the SBA-initiated Growth Accelerator Fund Competition within the SBA for four years. The program awards $50,000 prizes to the nations most innovative small business accelerators and incubators. NSBA supports. H.R. 4405 - Women's Business Centers Improvements Act of 2019 The Womens Business Centers Improvements Act strengthens the WBC program to ensure that women entrepreneurs across the country have access to the vital counseling and technical training services that can take them from startup to success. NSBA supports. H.R. 4406 - Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes the Small Business Development Center Program through FY2023 and otherwise revises the program. NSBA supports. H.R. 4407 - SCORE for Small Business Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2022 the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) program, outlines the duties of the SCORE Association, and requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to cooperate with the association to carry out the program. NSBA supports. H.R. 4863 - United States Export Finance Agency Act of 2019 To promote the competitiveness of the United States, to reform and reauthorize the United States Export Finance Agency. NSBA supports. H.R. 4907 - TRUST Act The bill establishes bipartisan commissions to make recommendations on each trust fund, and those recommendations would receive a fast-tracked vote in Congress. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 4931 - Incubator Act of 2019 The purposes for this Act are to support the growth and success of business incubators throughout the country and to stimulate widespread business development and economic growth. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 5065 - the Prison to Proprietorship Act for Formerly Incarcerated Act H.R. 5065 provides re-entry entrepreneurship counseling and training services for formerly incarcerated individuals. NSBA supports. H.R. 5078 - the Prison to Proprietorship Act H.R. 5078 provides re-entry entrepreneurship counseling and training services for qualified, non-violent and soon to be released incarcerated individuals. NSBA supports. H.R. 5130 - the Capturing All Small Businesses Act of 2019 H.R. 5130 modifies the Small Business Administrations (SBAs) size calculation for employee based firms, allowing them more time to build their competitiveness. NSBA supports. H.R. 5146 - the Unlocking Opportunities for Small Businesses Act of 2019 H.R. 5146 would allow small businesses to leverage past performance experience obtained as part of joint ventures and subcontracts, which otherwise wouldnt be an option, Small businesses that wish to perform as prime contractors are often faced with a dilemma. NSBA supports. H.R. 5377 - Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act This bill increases the tax deduction for state and local taxes in 2019 to $20,000 for persons filing a joint tax return if the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer does not exceed $100 million. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 5430 - the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act Bill to implement the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada attached as an Annex to the Protocol Replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement. NSBA supports. H.R. 6074 - Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2020 This bill provides $8.3 billion in emergency funding for federal agencies to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. NSBA supports. H.R. 6201 - The Families First Coronavirus Response Act This bill responds to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak by providing paid sick leave, tax credits, and free COVID-19 testing; expanding food assistance and unemployment benefits; and increasing Medicaid funding. NSBA supports. H.R. 6312 - COVID-19 RELIEF for Small Businesses Act of 2020 Legislation that would provide relief to small businesses facing consequences from the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 6333 - To establish a Small Business Financial Assistance Program to support small businesses during the COVID-19 emergency, and for other purposes. This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to establish a Small Business Financial Assistance Program to provide loans and loan guarantees to small businesses. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 6349 - Continuity of Business Operations Support Act of 2020 This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide grants to small business development centers, women's business centers, and chapters of the Service Corps of Retired Executives to educate and advise small businesses on specified matters related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 6361 - Relief for Small Businesses and Nonprofits Act Bill to provide loan and obligation payment relief for small businesses and non-profits affected by the COVID-19 emergency, and for other purposes. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 6367 - Entrepreneurial Development COVID-19 Response Act of 2020 This bill requires the Small Business Administration to award grants for small business development centers, women's business centers, and chapters of the Service Corps of Retired Executives to provide small businesses with specified assistance related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 6396 - To provide tax and regulatory relief and health care flexibility to individuals and businesses affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. NSBA is monitoring. H.R.7010 - Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 This bill modifies provisions related to the forgiveness of loans made to small businesses under the Paycheck Protection Program implemented in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). NSBA supports. S. 92 - Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2019 The REINS Act seeks to restore authority to Congress by allowing lawmakers to have final say on regulations with an estimated economic impact of more than $100 million. NSBA supports. S. 215 - Death Tax Repeal Act of 2019 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and (2) make permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and the lifetime gift tax exemption. The bill also provides for an inflation adjustment to such exemption amount. NSBA supports. S. 463 - The Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act Legislation which provide workers with up to 12 weeks of partial income while taking family leave. NSBA opposes. S. 673 - Expanding Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses Act of 2019 Bill increases the size of sole source contract awards for women owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, HUBZone, and socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses, and implements a new eligibility determination process to ensure sole source awards are made to eligible firms. NSBA supports. S. 682 -Save the Internet Act of 2019 Bill would restore net neutrality rules recently repealed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). NSBA supports. S. 771 - Small Business Cyber Training Act of 2019 This bill amends the Small Business Act to require the Small Business Administration to establish a program for certifying employees of small business development centers to provide cybersecurity planning assistance to small businesses. NSBA supports. S. 840 - Healthy Families Act Legislation that would allow workers to annually accrue up 56 hours of paid sick leave or seven days of paid sick leave each year. NSBA opposes. S. 909 - Separation of Powers Restoration Act This bill modifies the scope of judicial review of agency actions to authorize courts reviewing agency actions to decide de novo (without giving deference to the agency's interpretation) all relevant questions of law, including the interpretation of: (1) constitutional and statutory provisions, and (2) rules made by agencies. NSBA supports. S. 996 - Microloan Program Enhancement Act of 2019 Bill modifies the microloan program of the Small Business Administration. NSBA supports. S. 1089 - Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2019 This bill repeals provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, as added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, that limit payments for medications from health savings accounts, medical savings accounts, health flexible spending arrangements, and health reimbursement arrangements to only prescription drugs or insulin (thus allowing distributions from such accounts for over-the-counter drugs). The bill also allows the accounts to be used for menstrual care products. NSBA supports. S. 1120 - The Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act Bill requires federal agencies to analyze the full impact of a proposed regulation on small businesses during the rulemaking process. NSBA supports. S. 1149 - Main Street Certainty Act of 2019 Legislation to make permanent the 20-percent pass-through deduction from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. NSBA supports. S. 1981 - The Women and Minority Equity Investment Act of 2019 Allows women-owned federal contracting firms to take investment by women-owned equity firms and still meet the 51 percent unconditionally owned and controlled standard set by SBA to participate in the WOSB/EDWOSB program. NSBA is monitoring. S.2082 - Support Technology and Research for Our Nation's Growth and Economic Resilience Patents Act Measure would make it easier and more affordable for patent holders to enforce their patents. NSBA supports. S. 2156 - S Corporation Modernization Act Legislation that would make several pro-growth reforms to help S corporations operate more easily, which would improve their ability to raise capital. NSBA supports. S. 2189 - Veteran Small Business Export Promotion Act The Veteran Small Business Export Promotion Act would make permanent the U.S. Small Business Administrations (SBA) current policy of waiving up-front fees for veterans applying for its Export Express, Export Working Capital and International Trade loans of $150,000 or less. NSBA supports. S. 2350 - Online Sales Simplicity and Small Business Relief Act of 2019 This bill prohibits states from imposing a sales tax collection duty on a remote seller for any sale that occurred prior to June 21, 2018. A "remote seller" is a person without a physical presence in a state who makes a sale in the state. NSBA is monitoring. S. 2535 - Enhancing Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century Act This bill requires the Department of Commerce to conduct an assessment and analysis of the reasons underlying the decreasing rate of formation of new businesses (i.e., startups) in the United States. NSBA supports. S. 2543 - Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 Amends titles XI, XVIII, and XIX of the Social Security Act to lower prescription drug prices in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, to improve transparency related to pharmaceutical prices and transactions, to lower patients' out-of-pocket costs, and to ensure accountability to taxpayers, and for other purposes. NSBA is monitoring. S. 2563 - ILLICIT CASH Act To improve laws relating to money laundering. NSBA opposed TITLE IV of the bill regarding beneficial ownership. S. 2733 - TRUST Act The bill establishes bipartisan commissions to make recommendations on each trust fund, and those recommendations would receive a fast-tracked vote in Congress. NSABA is monitoring. S. 3508 - Disaster Protection for Workers' Credit Act of 2020 Legislation will provide for an immediate four-month moratorium on all negative credit reporting and longer protections for people who face lasting financial hardship from the outbreak. The bill will also provide free, unlimited credit reports and credit scores for a year from the end of the crisis. Beyond this crisis, the bill extends these protections to people impacted by future major disasters. NSBA is monitoring. S. 3515 - New Business Preservation Act The New Business Preservation Act which would create a new program at the Treasury Department that will partner with states to invest in promising new businesses alongside private investors in areas of the country that do not currently attract significant equity investment in new businesses. NSBA is monitoring. S. 3518 - COVID-19 Recovery Grants for Small Businesses Act This bill requires the Small Business Administration to provide economic injury grants to certain small businesses, private nonprofit organizations, and small agricultural cooperatives that have suffered a substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). NSBA is monitoring. S. 3519 - A bill to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to subsidize payments on loans guaranteed under the 7(a) and 504 loan programs or made using funds under
Client expense: $20,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank), Federal Reserve System, Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Intl Trade Administration (ITA), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2020 · second_quarter · Health Issues
21st Century Cures Act 2.0 ---RFI from House Energy and Commerce Committee 340B Drug Discount Program ---340B Pause Act (Discussion Draft House/Senate) ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---Program Implementation & Oversight Biodefense Research, Development and Procurement Issues (Nonfunding) ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---Executive Order on Modernizing Influenza Vaccines ---Gene editing ---Implementation of 21st Century Cures Act of 2016 ---Implementation of Medical Countermeasure Innovation Act of 2016 ---Implementation of Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation (PAHPAI) Act of 2019 ---National Biodefense Strategy ---Tropical Disease Priority Review Voucher (PRV) Program Biosimilars ---H.R.1499: Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act of 2019 ---Biosimilar Copay ---Brazil Biologics Regulations ---BSUFA ---Canada Biologics Regulations ---Coding ---Implementation and Reauthorization of the Biosimilar User Fee Act of 2017 ---Implementation of CREATES Act of 2019 ---India Biologics Regulations ---Interchangeability and Pharmacy Substitution ---Mexico Biologics Regulations ---Naming ---Reimbursement Climate Change ---RFI from House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic ---H.R.4100/S.1712: DISARM Act of 2019 ---H.R.5076/S.1872: Protecting Seniors through Immunizations Act of 2019 ---H.R.6206: Pandemic Response and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act of 2020 ---H.R.6260/S.3545: Reciprocity Ensures Streamlined Use of Lifesaving Treatments for Coronavirus Patients Act of 2020 ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---H.R.7288: The Taxpayer Research and Coronavirus Knowledge (TRACK) Act ---COVID-19 Vaccine and Therapeutic Development ---Drug Supply Chain Management ---Healthcare Disparities ---Home Administration of Part B Drugs ---Liability ---Medicare reimbursement policies ---Patient Cost-Sharing and Smoothing ---Pricing-related Provisions ---R&D Funding for Medical Countermeasures ---Restrictions on Intellectual Property Rights ---Senate HELP Pandemic Preparedness White Paper Drug Evaluation and Review ---S.1617: Second Look at Drug Patents Act of 2019 ---S.3872: Promising Pathway Act ---Compassionate Use/Expanded Access ---Expedited Pathways ---Priority Review Voucher Programs Drug Manufacturing, Quality & Distribution ---Drug Shortages ---Drug Supply Chain Management Drug Patenting ---H.R.1046/S.377: Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 ---S.1416/H.R.4398/H.R.3991/H.R.5133: Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2019 Drug Pricing ---H.R.1046/S.377: Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 ---H.R.1093/S.378: Stop Price Gouging Act of 2019 ---H.R.1425: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act of 2020 ---H.R.2069/S.474: Stopping the Pharmaceutical Industry from Keeping drugs Expensive (SPIKE) Act of 2019 ---H.R.2113: Prescription Drug STAR Act of 2019 ---H.R.2376/S.1227: Prescription Pricing for the People Act of 2019 ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---H.R.7288: The Taxpayer Research and Coronavirus Knowledge (TRACK) Act ---S.1416/H.R.4398/H.R.3991/H.R.5133: Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2019 ---S.2543: Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 ---CMMI Authority ---General ---HHS Blueprint to lower drug prices and reduce out of pocket costs ---Implementation of CREATES Act of 2019 ---International Pricing Index Proposal ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---Potential Administration Executive Orders ---Pricing-related Provisions Foreign Drug Data Protection Laws ---Regulatory Harmonization Funding for Antimicrobial Resistance Programs ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act of 2020 Funding for Biodefense/Biomedical/Emergency Preparedness Research, Development and Procurement ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---Health Defense Operations Funding Designation ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Funding for FDA ---Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Funding for Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) - Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Funding for National Institutes of Health ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vaccine Programs ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---Funding for 2020-21 Influenza Season Preparedness and Response ---Funding for Routine Immunization Infrastructure during Pandemic ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Funding for the HHS Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 Medicaid ---H.R.5741: Strengthening Innovation in Medicare and Medicaid Act of 2020 ---S.2543: Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 ---Alternative payment arrangements for gene therapies ---Average Manufacturer Price Calculations ---Pricing and Rebates Medicare Expansion ---H.R.5741: Strengthening Innovation in Medicare and Medicaid Act of 2020 Orphan Drug Issues ---H.R.4439/S.4010: Creating Hope Reauthorization Act of 2019 ---H.R.4712: Fairness in Orphan Drug Exclusivity Act of 2019 ---Tax Credit Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review ---H.R.4439/S.4010: Creating Hope Reauthorization Act of 2019 Reimbursement and Coverage of Innovative Products ---H.R.275: Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 ---H.R.5122: To prohibit further action on the proposed rule regarding testing of Medicare Part B Prescription Drug Models ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---S.2326: New Opportunities for Value that Extend Lives (NOVEL) Act of 2019 ---S.2543: Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 ---Administration Rebate Rule ---CMMI Authority ---HHS Blueprint to lower drug prices and reduce out of pocket costs ---Home Administration of Part B Drugs ---International Pricing Index Proposal ---Medicare Part B Physician-Administered Products ---Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program ---Patient Cost-Sharing and Smoothing ---Protected Classes ---Step Therapy ---Support of Patient Premiums and Cost-Sharing Obligations ---Surprise Billing ---Value-based Contracting and Communications The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ---Implementation of United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ---IP Provisions Trade and Foreign Drug Price Controls US-China Trade Agreement ---IP Provisions US-EU Trade Agreement ---IP Provisions US-Japan Trade Agreement ---IP Provisions US-Kenya Trade Agreement ---IP Provisions US-UK Trade Agreement ---IP Provisions Vaccines and Infectious Diseases ---H.R.2862/S.1619: Vaccine Awareness Campaign to Champion Immunization Nationally and Enhance Safety (VACCINES) Act of 2019 ---H.R.4100/S.1712: DISARM Act of 2019 ---H.R.5076/S.1872: Protecting Seniors through Immunizations Act of 2019 ---H.R.6800: Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) Act of 2020 ---Adult Immunization Education ---Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2021 ---Maternal Immunization ---Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act of 2020 ---Vaccine and Anti-Microbial Resistance Product Development and Incentives ---Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
Client expense: $3,320,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Natl Security Council (NSC), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Vice President of the United States, Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), State, Dept of (DOS), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2020 · second_quarter · Health Issues
H.R. 3, Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 H.R. 19/S. 3129, Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 H.R. 275, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 H.R. 448/S. 99, Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act H.R. 748/ S. 3548, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act H.R. 1346, Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act of 2019 H.R. 1384, Medicare for All Act of 2019 H.R. 1398/S. 172, Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2019 H.R. 1425, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act H.R. 1865, Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 H.R. 1922/S. 1089, Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2019 H.R. 1985, Family Savings for Kids and Seniors Act H.R. 2207, Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2019 H.R. 3030, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Extension Act of 2019 H.R. 6074, Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 H.R. 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act H.R. 6800, Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act S. 12, Health Savings Act of 2019 S. 61, Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act of 2019 S. 62, Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices Act of 2019 S. 64, Preserve Access to Affordable Generics and Biosimilars Act S. 80, Jobs and Premium Protection Act, including provisions relating to repeal of the annual fee on health insurance providers enacted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act S. 340, Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples (CREATES) Act of 2019 S. 344, Hatch-Waxman Integrity Act of 2019 S. 470, Medicare at 50 Act S. 684, Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2019 S. 692, Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2019 S. 1416, Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2019 S. 1541, Tobacco-Free Youth Act S. 1895, Lower Health Care Costs Act S. 2543, Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 S. 2897, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Reauthorization Act S. 3200, Chronic Disease Management Act of 2020 Potential legislation similar to H.R. 2911/S. 1697, Small Business Healthcare Relief Act (114th Cong.) Proposed regulation on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS notice of benefit and payment parameters for 2020 (84 Fed. Reg. 227-321, January 24, 2019) Proposed regulations on Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; interoperability and patient access for Medicare advantage organization and Medicaid managed care plans, state Medicaid agencies, CHIP agencies and CHIP managed care entities, issuers of qualified health plans in the federally-facilitated exchanges and health care providers; supplement and extension of comment period (84 Federal Register 16,834, April 23, 2019) Proposed regulations on Medicare modernizing and clarifying physician self-referral regulations (84 Fed. Reg. 55,766-55,847, October 17, 2019) Proposed regulation on Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS notice of benefit and payment parameters for 2021; notice requirement for non-federal governmental plans (85 Fed. Reg. 7,088-7,159, February 6, 2020) Various issues relating to Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148) and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-152), including the employer-sponsored health care system, implementation of regulatory process, provider network adequacy, delivery system reform, health savings account (HSAs), health reimbursement account (HRAs), and flexible spending account (FSAs) changes, IPAB, employer mandate, reporting requirements for issuers and applicable large employers, premium stabilization programs, medical loss ratio, medical malpractice reform, exchanges, the impact on small business, the Small Business Tax Credit, section 1332 waivers, section 1557 on nondiscrimination, caps on compensation deductibility required under section 9014, incompleteness or inaccuracy of cost impact analysis, lack of quantified benefit analysis, and need for empirical data sources on which to base costs and benefits, the Cost Sharing Reduction (CSR) program, the section 9010 Health Insurance Providers Fee or Health Insurance Tax (HIT), 40% excise tax on high-cost employer-sponsored health coverage (Cadillac tax); medical device tax; protect Medicare Part Ds Non-Interference Clause from repeal, proposed rule regarding section 1557; Public Health Services Act (P.L.78-410), Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) (P.L. 93-406), regarding regulatory process and legislative corrections to ERISA preemption, changes to Medicare Advantage and Parts B, C, and D, including rebates and non-interference with prescription drug prices, entitlement reform, health information technology, telemedicine services in Medicare, and coordination and disease management programs; association health plans; importation of foreign pharmaceuticals into the United States and preemptive authority of federal food and drug regulations; balance or surprise billing and related issues; single-payer health care options; health reimbursement arrangements and other account-based group health plans; Health and Human Services international pricing index (IPI) model; legislation addressing mental health parity; inclusion of prescription drug pricing on 2019 congressional agenda; reauthorization of the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute; (PCORI); potential premium reduction/reinsurance program to reduce health insurance premiums; medical hospital outpatient prospective payment system for CY 2020; drug pricing; potential healthcare pricing proposals, including a medicaid rebate cap, spread pricing, and inflation penalty; comments on Medicare and State Healthcare Programs: fraud and abuse; revisions to safe harbors under the anti-kickback statute, and civil monetary penalty rules regarding beneficiary inducements; comments on Medicare Program; modernizing and clarifying the physician self-referral regulations; comments on CMS proposed Medicaid fiscal accountability regulation; comments on CMS proposed transparency in coverage rule; comments on HHS notice of benefit and payment parameters for 2021; transparency in coverage; Medicaid fiscal accountability regulations; issues relating to the coronavirus pandemic, including testing, liability protection, and temporary COBRA subsidies; Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (PHSSEF); health insurance coverage during the coronavirus pandemic; health legislative priorities for the potential Phase 4 coronavirus relief package; provisions relating to Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSA) in the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136); FCCs COVID-19 Telehealth Program; Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) temporary rule regarding Prioritization and Allocation of Certain Scarce or Threatened Health and Medical Resources for Domestic Use
Client expense: $12,300,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Bureau of Reclamation, Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), General Services Administration (GSA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Natl Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Natl Security Council (NSC), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Copyright Office, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
Medicare Part A, B and D AMP Cap H.R 3 S.2543 - Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 H.R. 1046/S.377: Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 Innovative pharmaceuticals (including cell, gene and radioligand therapies), Biosimilars and Generics Drug Pricing Outcomes Based Contracts/value based arrangements Medicaid H.R.275 - Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 H.R.448 - Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act H.R.19 - Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 H.R.107 - To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to sunset the limit on the maximum rebate amount for single source drugs and innovator multiple source drugs H.R.4455 - BIOSIM Act H.R.4619 - Pharmaceutical Rebates for Excessive Pricing Above Inflation Act HR. 3772, the Medicare Diagnostic Radiopharmaceutical Payment Equity Act of 2019 HR. 4597 - Acting to Cancel Copays and Ensure Substantial Savings for Biosimilars Act of 2019 S.3466 - ACCESS for Biosimilars Act of 2020 HR. 6179 - Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2020 HR. 4629 - Star Rating for Biosimilars Act S. 3129: Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 S. 3384: Lowering Prescription Drug Prices for America's Seniors and Families Act of 2020 S. 3457: Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act - Provisions related to Medicare and prescription drug access H.R.5741 - Strengthening Innovation in Medicare and Medicaid Act Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) drug policy issues and regulatory policy issues Transparency policy issues Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) policy issues ANPRM; Medicare Program; International Pricing Index Model for Medicare Part B Drugs (CMS-5528-ANPRM) Removal of Safe Harbor Protection for Rebates to Plans or PBMs Involving Prescription Pharmaceuticals and Creation of New Safe Harbor Protection (RIN 0936-AA08) Proposed Rule; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2021; Notice Requirement for Non-Federal Governmental Plans (CMS-9916-P) Reimbursement for cell therapy products S. 3353/H.R. 5534, Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act Patient Cost-Sharing and Smoothing S. 4134, Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2020 S. 102, Prescription Drug Price Relief Act of 2019
Client expense: $780,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2020 · second_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Biosimilars Pass-Through Status in Part B Manufacturer Liability in the Medicare Part D Donut Hole H.R. 275 - Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 H.R. 107 - To amend Title XIX of the Social Security Act to Sunset the limit on the maximum rebate amount for single source drugs and innovator multiple source drugs CMS proposed removal of Safe Harbor Protection for Rebates Involving Prescription Pharmaceuticals CMS Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on International Pricing Index (IPI) Model H.R. 2113- Prescription Drug Sunshine, Transparency, Accountability, and reporting (STAR) Act Biosimilars Part B reimbursement issues H.R. 448 and S.99 - Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 Issues related to the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program Issues related to reform of the Medicare Part D Program
Client expense: $840,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · second_quarter · Health Issues
Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Act (S. 64); Regulatory exclusivity; Drug pricing; Medicare Part B international reference pricing; Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act of 2019 (H.R. 1499); Generic drug competition; Drug patent issues; Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019 (S. 1895); STOP Stalling Act (S. 1224); Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2019 (S. 1416); Preserve Access to Affordable Generics and Biosimilars Act (H.R.2375); Protecting Access to Biosimilars Act of 2019 (H.R.2011/S. 1140); Drug importation; State-Based, Market-Oriented, Prescription Drug Negotiations Act of 2019 (H.R. 2038); Transparent Drug Pricing Act of 2019 (S.977); Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 (H.R. 1046); Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 (H.R. 275); Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act (H.R. 448); Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 (H.R. 3); Creating Transparency to Have Drug Rebates Unlocked (C-THRU) Act of 2019 (S.476); Fair Care Act of 2019 (H.R.1332); Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 (S. 2543); Competition Prescription Act of 2019 (H.R. 3947); Fixing Global Freeloading Act (H.R. 2209); National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (S.1790); Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Through Promoting Competition Act of 2019 (HR 5133/HR 4398); STOP GAMES Act of 2019 (HR 2387); H.R.3666 - STRONGER Patents Act of 2019, H.R.19 - Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019, Pharmaceutical Independence Long-Term Readiness Reform Act (HR 4710); H.R. 3991 - Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Through Improvements to Patent Litigation Act of 2019; Purple Book Continuity Act of 2019 (H.R. 1520); Biologic Patent Transparency Act (S. 659); Orange Book Transparency Act of 2019 (H.R. 1503); Prescription Drug Affordability and Access Act (S. 3166); Biosimilars user fees legislation; Lowering Prescription Drug Prices for Americas Seniors and Families Act (S. 3384); Anticompetitive Exclusionary Conduct Prevention Act of 2020 (S. 3426); Second Look at Drug Patents Act of 2019 (S. 1617); Priority review vouchers; MODERN Labeling Act of 2020 (HR 5668); Recall Unsafe Drugs Act of 2020 (HR 5578); Buy American Executive Order; Compulsory licensing; Strengthening Innovation in Medicare and Medicaid Act (H.R. 5741), No Ban Act (H.R. 2214/S. 1123); Benefit and Payment Parameters; Notice Requirement for Non-Federal Governmental Plans (85 Fed. Reg. 7088); Medical Supply Chain Security Act (S. 3343); Strengthening America's Supply Chain and National Security Act (S. 3538 / H.R.6393) Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R. 6074), Drug recalls, registration and listing, expiration dating and shortages, and supply chain issues; Real world evidence; Presidential Proclamation 10052 of June 22, 2020; Taxpayer Research and Coronavirus Knowledge Act of 2020 (H.R.7288); Biosimilars user fee legislation; Reciprocity Ensures Streamlined Use of Lifesaving Treatments for Coronavirus Patients Act of 2020 (HR 6260/S.3545); Make Medications Affordable by Preventing Pandemic Pricegouging Act of 2020 (H.R.7296); Strategic National Stockpile; Data Sharing; National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (HR 4049); Endless Frontier Act (H.R.6978 / S. 3832); S.Res.625 - A resolution encouraging the Government and the people of the United States to "Buy American"; Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act (S.3933); Securing America From Epidemics Act (H.R.6334); The Heroes Act (H.R.6800); Securing America's Vaccines for Emergencies (HR 6399/S. 3715); Executive Order 13922; Executive Order 13911; Executive Order 13922; Domestic manufacturing incentives; Potential amendments to PREP Act; Bring Entrepreneurial Advancements To Consumers Here In North America Act (H.R. 6690); Protecting Americans with Preexisting Conditions Act of 2019 (H.R. 986); Bayh-Dole Act; TM Act of 2020 (S.3449 / HR 6196); Pharmaceutical Accountability, Responsibility, and Transparency Act (S.3781); Protecting Our Pharmaceutical Supply Chain from China Act of 2020 (S.3537)
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $420,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2020 · second_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
assist client with issues pertaining to medicare and medicaid. HR6674 Medicare Crisis Program 2020; S3864 Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act of 2020; HR6811 WIC Act 2020; HR6445,S3563 Food Assistance for Kids and Families during COVID 2020.HR 6281, S3500 Medicare Wage Index Parity Act 2020; HR 4618 Medicare Hearing Act;HR913 Clinical Treatment Act 2019; HR1264 Payment Commission Data Act 2019; HR1390 Mobile Health Record Act; HR1394 Medigap Consumer Protection 2019; HR1409 Transparency in all Healthcare Pricing Act 2019; HR1425 State Healthcare Premium Reduction Act; S470 Medicaid at 50 Act; S773 Telehealth Innovation and Improvement Act; S377 Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act 2019; S618 Medicare Choices Empowerment and Protection Act.; S1114 Medicare Adv Quality Payment Relief Act; H.R.2564 Medicare Enrollment Protection Act; H.R.275 Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019;H.R.884 Medicare Mental Health Access Act; H.R.3127 Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act; H.R.1384 Medicare for All Act of 2019.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $11,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · second_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Discussions regarding the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) implementation and expansion of the Accelerated and Advance Payments Program under the CARES Act HR 1384 Medicare for All Act of 2019 (all sections of full text)(oppose) Disproportionate Share Hospital payments (DSH) extensions for qualifying hospitals in spending bills Discussions pertaining to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) implementation and expansion of the Accelerated and Advance Payments Program under the CARES Act Monitored S 2543 Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act, Sec. 109 Monitored HR 3 Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 Monitored H.R. 275 Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 Monitored HR 2000 Medicare-X Choice Act of 2019 Monitored S 981 Medicare-X Choice Act of 2019 Monitored S 470 Medicare at 50 Act Monitored HR 1301 The Mental Health Telemedicine Expansion Act of 2019 Monitored HR 1559 The 340B Protection and Accountability Act of 2019 Monitored HR 1332 The Fair Care Act of 2019 Monitored CMS regulations and reporting requirements under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act Monitored proposed reduction on the amount of Medicare bad debt/uncompensated care payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $130,000
Government targets: Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · second_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
H.R. 107, To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to sunset the limit on the maximum rebate amount for single source drugs and innovator multiple source drugs H.R. 275, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 H.R. 1046, Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 S. 62, Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices Act of 2019 S. 476, Creating Transparency to Have Drug Rebates Unlocked (C-THRU) Act of 2019 S. 2543, Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019, including provisions relating to AMP cap and Medicare Part D rebate Issues relating to, Medicaid; Medicare; Medicare Part B; 340B reforms; Medicare Part D; Drug Pricing; Center for Medicare and Medicaid demonstrations; Part D inflationary rebate; International pricing reference.
Client expense: $2,620,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE
2020 · second_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Policies to enhance patient access to medicines in Medicaid including rebate, waiver policy and funding issues; Policies to enhance patient access to medicines in Medicare; Proposals related to amending the protected classes in Medicare; Medicare payment proposals; S. 62, The Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices Act - provisions related to Part D and drug pricing negotiation; S. 99, H.R. 448, The Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act - provisions related to Part D and drug pricing negotiation; H.R. 275, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 - provisions related to Part D and drug pricing negotiation; H.R. 6218, S. 3457, Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act - provisions related to home infusion payment; S. 377, H.R. 1046, Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 - provisions related to Part D, drug pricing negotiation and compulsory licensing; S. 551, Recovering Excessive Funds for Unused and Needless Drugs (REFUND) Act - provisions related to prescription drug vial sizes and rebates; S. 2543, The Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 - provisions related to lower prescription drug prices and transparency of pharmaceutical prices and transactions; H.R. 4649 Capping Drug Costs for Seniors Act - provisions related to Part D redesign;
Client expense: $1,330,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), SENATE
2020 · second_quarter · Pharmacy
Opioids (Epidemic, Deterrence, Economic Impact Zones); CREATES Act; Drug Pricing; PBM/Prescription Drug Costs Rx Rebates; Direct-to-Consumer Rx Advertising;Rx Rebates; Biosimilars; Drug approval; Drug patents, generic drugs, Part D Reform, Biosimilars, Civica RX H.R. 938 - 116th Congress (2019-2020) BLOCKING Act of 2019 Sponsor: Rep. Schrader, Kurt (D-OR-5) H.R.1520 - 116th Congress (2019-2020) Purple Book Continuity Act of 2019 Sponsor: Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-18] H.R.1503 - 116th Congress (2019-2020) Orange Book Transparency Act of 2019 Sponsor: Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2] H.R.1499 - 116th Congress (2019-2020) Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act of 2019 Sponsor: Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1] H.R.965 - 116th Congress (2019-2020) CREATES Act of 2019 Sponsor: Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1] H.R.3 - 116th Congress (2019-2020) Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 Sponsor: Rep. Pallone, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-6] H.R.275 - 116th Congress (2019-2020) Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019 Sponsor: Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large] H.R.448 - 116th Congress (2019-2020) Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act Sponsor: Rep. Cummings, Elijah E. [D-MD-7] S. 3902 - 116th Congress (2019-2020) Expanding Access to Low Cost Generics act of 2019 Sponsor: Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) HR 1046 - 116th Congress (2019-2020) Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act of 2019 Sponsor: Rep. Doggett, Lloyd (D-TX-35) S. 2546 - 116th Congress (2019-2020) Safe Step Act Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) H.R. 19 - 116th Congress First Session Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019 Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR-02) H.R. 5691 - 116th Congress Second Session Insulin Affordability Data Collection Act H.R. 5894 - 116th Congress Second Session Transparency in Prescription Drug Advertising Act Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) H.R. 5927 - 116th Congress Second Session Safe Medicine Act Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL-08) H.R. 5663 - 116th Congress Second Session Safeguarding Theraputics Act Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY-2)
Client expense: $104,240 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE