Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2021

Medicare Observation Stays. The Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2021 (H.R. 3650 and S. 2048): Proposals to count time spent in observation status toward the three-day prior inpatient stay required under Medicare for coverage of a subsequent stay in a skilled nursing facility. Drug Costs. Proposals to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, allow for the reimportation of drugs, require manufacturer rebates for drugs used under Medicare Parts B and D for the amount prices rise above the rate of inflation, restructure the benefit, and cap beneficiary out-of-pocket costs in Part D. Drug Costs. Pharmaceutical Research and Transparency Act of 2022 (S. 4037): Proposal to amend the Public Health Service Act and the Security Exchange Act to require pharmaceutical manufacturers to report their costs related to clinical trials and research and development. Drug Costs. Discounted Drugs for Clinical Trials Act (S. 4026): Proposal to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to grant eligible researchers access to drugs or biologic products for research purposes at a price no higher than the cost to the manufacturer. Drug Costs. Generic Substitution Non-Interference Act (H.R. 7473): Proposal would block so-called Dispense-As-Written campaigns where drug manufacturers incentivize health care providers to specify a brand drug on a prescription to block generic substitution at the pharmacy. These campaigns increase drug spending by encouraging overuse of brand drugs when cheaper, equally effective generic alternative is available. Drug Costs. The Price Relief, Innovation and Competition for Essential Drugs (PRICED) Act, (S. 583): Proposal to reduce the period after Food and Drug Administration approval where a brand manufacturer could exclusively market their drug in the United States from 12 years to five years. This reduced exclusivity period would hasten the introduction of lower cost biosimilars to the market, helping bring down cost for consumers. Drug savings. More Help for Seniors Act of 2021 (H.R. 2464): Proposal to expand eligibility for low-income subsidies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit by raising the maximum allowable income for beneficiaries to qualify from 150 percent to 200 percent of the federal poverty line. Seniors Securing Access to Vital and Essential Prescription Drugs Act (H.R. 383): Proposals to discount the treatment of eligible retirement plans in determining the eligibility of individuals for premium and cost sharing subsidies under Part D of the Medicare program. The Lowering Medicare Premiums and Prescription Drug Costs Act (S. 1844): Proposals to eliminate the Medicare Part D low-income subsidy programs asset test and raise the income eligibility levels to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Medicare Prescription Drugs. The Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3): Proposals to allow Medicare to negotiate prices with drug makers, cap prices at inflation in Part B and D, cap beneficiary out-of-pocket costs in Part D. Medicare Reform. Assuring Medicares Promise Act (H.R. 8323): Proposal to close the loophole for wealthy individuals to bypass paying net investment income tax (NIIT) and would direct the revenue to the Hospital Insurance Fund, which pays for Medicare Part A that covers inpatient care in hospitals. Medicare reform. Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376): Proposals to add dental, hearing and vision and a total out-of-pocket cap to Medicare. Proposals to means test Medicare. Proposals to create vouchers for hearing, dental and vision benefits. Medicare Dental Coverage. Medicare Dental Benefit Act (S. 97 and H.R. 502): Proposal to add a dental benefit to Medicare. Medicare Hearing Coverage. The Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2021 (H.R. 1118): Proposal to expand Medicare coverage to include hearing aids and services for seniors under Part B of the Medicare program. Medicare premiums (No bill): Proposals to lower the cost of the 2022 Medicare Part B premium that was inappropriately raised to cover the overestimated cost of the Alzheimers drug Aduhelm. Medicaid. Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376): Proposals to expand Medicaid home and community-based services and the Medicare savings programs. COVID funding (H.R. 7007): Proposal to enact COVID relief supplemental appropriations legislation to provide additional federal funding to develop and distribute COVID vaccines, test kits and treatments to keep seniors and other vulnerable populations safe. Public Health emergency (No bill): Proposals to ensure the transition out of the public health emergency doesnt create enrollment or coverage gaps for Medicare eligible individuals. Medicare Privatization (No bill): Proposal to create transparency around Medicare Advantage plans use of prior authorization. Medicare Privatization (No bill): Proposals to create reimbursement policies in traditional Medicare that mimic those used by private health insurance plans.

Client expense: $230,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Administration on Aging, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

Medicare Observation Stays. The Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2021 (H.R. 3650 and S. 2048): Proposals to count time spent in hospital observation status toward the three-day prior inpatient stay required under Medicare for coverage of a subsequent stay in a skilled nursing facility. Drug Costs. The Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376): Proposals to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, allow for the reimportation of drugs, require manufacturer rebates for drugs used under Medicare Parts B and D for the amount prices rise above the rate of inflation, restructure the benefit, and cap beneficiary out-of-pocket costs in Part D. Medicare reform. The Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376): Proposals to add dental, hearing and vision and a total out-of-pocket cap to Medicare. Proposal to create temporary dental voucher. Proposals to means test Medicare. Medicare Dental Coverage. The Medicare Dental Benefit Act (S. 97 and H.R. 502): Proposal to add a dental benefit to Medicare. Drug savings. The More Help for Seniors Act of 2021 (H.R. 2464) and the Seniors Securing Access to Vital and Essential Prescription Drugs Act (H.R. 3831): Proposals to expand eligibility for low-income subsidies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit by raising the maximum allowable income for beneficiaries to qualify from 150 percent to 200 percent of the federal poverty line. Medicare Part B Premium Increase (No bill): Proposals to mitigate the 2022 Medicare Part B premium increase, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services decision on whether to cover Aduhelm under Part B, and to reinstate the reasonable prescription drug pricing clause that was established by the National Institutes of Health in 1989. Medicare Prescription Drugs. The Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3): Proposals to allow Medicare to negotiate prices with drug makers, cap prices at inflation in Part B and D, cap beneficiary out-of-pocket costs in Part D. Medicare Hearing Coverage. The Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2021 (H.R. 1118): Proposal to expand Medicare coverage to include hearing aids and services for seniors under Part B of the Medicare program. Shoring up Medicare Act. Proposal to close loopholes in the Net Investment Income Tax and redirect the revenue into the Medicare Trust Fund. Medicaid. The Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376) and the Better Care Better Jobs Act (S. 2210 and H.R. 4131): Proposals to expand home- and community- based services and the Medicare savings programs. Medicaid. Public Health Emergency (No bill): Proposals to require four months of notice prior to ending the public health emergency.

Medicare Observation Stays. The Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2021 (H.R. 3650 and S. 2048): Proposals to count time spent in observation status toward the three-day prior inpatient stay required under Medicare for coverage of a subsequent stay in a skilled nursing facility. Drug Costs. Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376): Proposals to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, allow for the reimportation of drugs, require manufacturer rebates for drugs used under Medicare Parts B and D for the amount prices rise above the rate of inflation, restructure the benefit, and cap beneficiary out-of-pocket costs in Part D. Medicare reform. Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376): Proposals to add dental, hearing and vision and a total out-of-pocket cap to Medicare. Proposal to create temporary dental voucher. Proposals to means test Medicare. Medicare Dental Coverage. Medicare Dental Benefit Act (S. 97 and H.R. 502): Proposal to add a dental benefit to Medicare. Drug savings. More Help for Seniors Act of 2021 (H.R. 2464): Proposal to expand eligibility for low-income subsidies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit by raising the maximum allowable income for beneficiaries to qualify from 150 percent to 200 percent of the federal poverty line. Seniors Securing Access to Vital and Essential Prescription Drugs Act (H.R. 383): Proposals to discount the treatment of eligible retirement plans in determining the eligibility of individuals for premium and cost sharing subsidies under Part D of the Medicare program. The Lowering Medicare Premiums and Prescription Drug Costs Act (S. 1844): Proposals to eliminate the asset test and raise the income eligibility levels to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Medicare Part B Premium Increase (No bill): Proposals to mitigate the 2022 Medicare Part B premium increase, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services decision on whether to cover Aduhelm under Part B, and to reinstate the reasonable prescription drug pricing clause that was established by the National Institutes of Health in 1989. Medicare Prescription Drugs. The Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3): Proposals to allow Medicare to negotiate prices with drug makers, cap prices at inflation in Part B and D, cap beneficiary out-of-pocket costs in Part D. Medicare Hearing Coverage. The Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2021 (H.R. 1118): Proposal to expand Medicare coverage to include hearing aids and services for seniors under Part B of the Medicare program. Medicaid. Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376): Proposals to expand home- and community- based services and the Medicare savings programs.

Medicare Observation Stays. The Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2021 (H.R. 3650 and S. 2048): Proposals to count time spent in observation status toward the three-day prior inpatient stay required under Medicare for coverage of a subsequent stay in a skilled nursing facility. Drug Costs. Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376): Proposals to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, allow for the reimportation of drugs, require manufacturer rebates for drugs used under Medicare Parts B and D for the amount prices rise above the rate of inflation, restructure the benefit, and cap beneficiary out-of-pocket costs in Part D. Medicare reform. Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376): Proposals to add dental, hearing and vision and a total out-of-pocket cap to Medicare. Proposals to means test Medicare. Proposals to create vouchers for hearing, dental and vision benefits. Medicare Dental Coverage. Medicare Dental Benefit Act (S. 97 and H.R. 502): Proposal to add a dental benefit to Medicare. Drug savings. More Help for Seniors Act of 2021 (H.R. 2464): Proposal to expand eligibility for low-income subsidies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit by raising the maximum allowable income for beneficiaries to qualify from 150 percent to 200 percent of the federal poverty line. Seniors Securing Access to Vital and Essential Prescription Drugs Act (H.R. 383): Proposals to discount the treatment of eligible retirement plans in determining the eligibility of individuals for premium and cost sharing subsidies under Part D of the Medicare program. The Lowering Medicare Premiums and Prescription Drug Costs Act (S. 1844): Proposals to eliminate the asset test and raise the income eligibility levels to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Medicare Prescription Drugs. The Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3): Proposals to allow Medicare to negotiate prices with drug makers, cap prices at inflation in Part B and D, cap beneficiary out-of-pocket costs in Part D. Medicare Hearing Coverage. The Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2021 (H.R. 1118): Proposal to expand Medicare coverage to include hearing aids and services for seniors under Part B of the Medicare program. Medicaid. Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376): Proposals to expand home- and community- based services and the Medicare savings programs.

Additional Coronavirus Health Care Relief. Advancing Connectivity during the Coronavirus to Ensure Support for Seniors (ACCESS) Act, S. 57 and H.R. 596: Proposals to authorize an emergency supplemental appropriation of $50 million for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Telehealth Resource Center to assist nursing facilities receiving funding through Medicare or Medicaid in expanding their use of telehealth services; establish a grant program authorizing HHS to award grants to nursing facilities to enable residents to participate in virtual visits with loved ones while the health risk of in-person visits remains high during the pandemic; and require the Secretary of HHS to issue guidance on additional ways to improve access to telehealth services in nursing facilities during the pandemic. Medicare Observation Stays. The Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2021, H.R. 3650 and S. 2048: Proposals to count time spent in observation status toward the three-day prior inpatient stay required under Medicare for coverage of a subsequent stay in a skilled nursing facility. Drug Costs. Fair Accountability and Innovative Research Drug Pricing Act, S. 898: Proposal to require drug manufacturers to notify the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and submit a transparency and justification report 30 days before they increase the price of certain drugs that cost at least $100 by more than 10 percent in one year or 25 percent over three years. The report will require manufacturers to provide a justification for each price increase; manufacturing, research and development costs for the qualifying drug; net profits attributable to the qualifying drug; marketing and advertising spending on the qualifying drug; and other information as deemed appropriate. Medicaid Financing. Coronavirus Medicaid Response Act, S. 439 and H.R. 1353: Proposal to establish an automatic connection between the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) and state unemployment levels to fund Medicaid and its providers during difficult economic times. COVID Drug Database. The Taxpayer Research and Coronavirus Knowledge Act of 2021, H.R. 1391 and S. 482: Proposals to require a single user-friendly database of federal biomedical investments in COVID-19 vaccines, drugs, therapies, medical devices, or other products. Medicare Prescription Drugs. The Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, H.R. 3: Proposals to allow Medicare to negotiate prices with drug makers, cap prices at inflation in Part B and D, cap beneficiary out-of-pocket costs in Part D. Medicare Hearing Coverage. The Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2021 (H.R. 1118): Proposal to expand Medicare coverage to include hearing aids and services for seniors under Part B of the Medicare program. Medicare Disability Wait. (No bill) Stop the Wait Act: Proposal to eliminate two provisions that delay the start of both Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare benefits for disabled individuals, making the commencement of benefits contemporaneous with the decision that a person is disabled.

Coronavirus Health Care Relief. P.L. 117-2, the American Rescue Plan Act: Proposals to increase the Medicaid federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP); expand Medicare coverage for COVID related services; increase FMAP funding specifically for Medicaid home and community-based services; improve nursing home oversight, provide funding for COVID testing; ensure tele-visitation for nursing home residents; lift caps on Medicaid drug inflation rebates; eliminate cost sharing for COVID treatment; and funding to carry out the Defense Production Act for medical supplies and equipment such as testing, personal protective equipment (PPE) and vaccines. Additional Coronavirus Health Care Relief. S. 57 and H.R. 596, Advancing Connectivity during the Coronavirus to Ensure Support for Seniors (ACCESS) Act: Proposals to authorize an emergency supplemental appropriation of $50 million for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Telehealth Resource Center to assist nursing facilities receiving funding through Medicare or Medicaid in expanding their use of telehealth services; establish a grant program authorizing HHS to award grants to nursing facilities to enable residents to participate in virtual visits with loved ones while the health risk of in-person visits remains high during the pandemic; and require the Secretary of HHS to issue guidance on additional ways to improve access to telehealth services in nursing facilities during the pandemic. Medicare Observation Stays. (No bill): Proposals to count time spent in observation status toward the three-day prior inpatient stay required under Medicare for coverage of a subsequent stay in a skilled nursing facility. Drug Costs. S. 898, Fair Accountability and Innovative Research Drug Pricing Act. Proposal to require drug manufacturers to notify the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and submit a transparency and justification report 30 days before they increase the price of certain drugs that cost at least $100 by more than 10 percent in one year or 25 percent over three years. The report will require manufacturers to provide a justification for each price increase; manufacturing, research and development costs for the qualifying drug; net profits attributable to the qualifying drug; marketing and advertising spending on the qualifying drug; and other information as deemed appropriate. Medicaid Financing. S. 439 and H.R. 1353, Coronavirus Medicaid Response Act: Proposal to establish an automatic connection between the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) and state unemployment levels to fund Medicaid and its providers during difficult economic times. COVID Drug Database. H.R. 1391 and S. 482, the Taxpayer Research and Coronavirus Knowledge Act of 2021: Proposals to require a single user-friendly database of federal biomedical investments in COVID-19 vaccines, drugs, therapies, medical devices, or other products. Medicare Prescription Drugs. (No bill): Proposals to allow Medicare to negotiate prices with drug makers, cap prices at inflation in Part B and D, cap beneficiary out-of-pocket costs in Part D. Medicare Hearing Coverage. H.R. 1118, the Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2021: Proposal to expand Medicare coverage to include hearing aids and services for seniors under Part B of the Medicare program. Medicare Disability Wait. (No bill) Stop the Wait Act: Proposal to eliminate two provisions that delay the start of both Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare benefits for disabled individuals, making the commencement of benefits contemporaneous with the decision that a person is disabled.