Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023

H.R.2665, Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act H.R.2389, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023 H.R.3561 - PATIENT Act of 2023 H.R. 3887, the Childrens Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2023 H.R. 3561, PATIENT Act of 2023 H.R. 5378, The Lower Costs, More Transparency Act S. 2719 Directing our Countrys Transfer of Residency Slots (DOCTORS) Act of 2023 S. 3196 - Ensuring Medicaid Continuity for Children in Foster Care Act H.R. 2829 Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 7397 -Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act H.R. 6929 & S.3565, Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act Fiscal Year 2025 Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) Appropriations Support Issues related to Section 203 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 Issues related to the Medicare/Medicaid dual eligible population Issues related to Medicare Site-neutral payment cuts Issues related to Medicaid DSH Cuts

Client expense: $870,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, White House Office

S. 260/H.R. 704 - Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 2583/S. 3481 - Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act H.R. 2713/S. 2418 - Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act S. 3939/H.R. 7665 - ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2024 H.R. 7623/S. 3967 - Telehealth Modernization Act H.R. 5163/ S. 3193 - Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act S. 923 - Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act H.R. 3305/S. 1606 - Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act H.R. 2663/S. 1176 - Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act S. 2085 - A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection screening tests H.R. 2407 - the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act H.R. 4189/S. 2016 - CONNECT for Health Act S. 1869 - Site-based Invoicing and Transparency Enhancement Act (SITE) Act H.R. 3623/S. 1586 - Educating Future Nurses Act H.R. 2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 2400/S. 1165 - Reentry Act of 2023 S.1378 - Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective Care (COMPLETE Care) Act H.R. 4822 - Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 H.R. 4779 - Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act Primary Care and Health Workforce Expansion Act S. 2840 - Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act S. 1976/H.R. 4104 - Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act Support implementation of Medicare code G2211 S. 3297/H.R. 6407 - Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2023 S. 3430 - Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act of 2023 S. 4338 - Pay PCPs Act of 2024 H.R. 8261 - Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act Issues related to Medicare Part B reform Skilled nursing facility admitting examination and assessment requirements Health plan coverage and program requirements, including provider non-discrimination, network adequacy and prior authorization Nursing faculty and workforce shortage Include nurses, APRNs, and nursing students in all national public health plans Rural health care issues, including rural workforce, COVID-19 vaccination, and reimbursement Addressing health equity Medication-Assisted Treatment (MATs) Issues relating to the mental and substance use disorder workforce Opioid epidemic COVID-19 Pandemic, including funding, personal protective equipment, testing and vaccines Extension of CMS waivers beyond the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Telehealth, remote patient monitoring and other forms of health technology Reducing regulatory burdens, including those relating to Medicare Conditions of Participation Medicare provider reimbursement Documentation of medical records Use of clinician home address on Medicare claims when providing telehealth services

Client expense: $470,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

S. 260/H.R. 704 - Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 2583/S. 3481 - Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act H.R. 2713/S. 2418 - Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act S. 3939/H.R. 7665 - ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2024 H.R. 7266/S. 3770 - Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act H.R. 7153/S. 3679 - Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act H.R. 7623/S. 3967 - Telehealth Modernization Act H.R. 7002/S. 2815 - Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act H.R. 5163/ S. 3193 - Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act H.R. 4534/S. 2245 - the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act H.R. 5829 - Health Care Practitioner Disaster Protection Act S. 923 - Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act H.R. 3768/S. 1851 - Midwives for MOMs Act H.R. 3305/S. 1606 - Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act H.R. 2411/S. 1150 - National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2023 H.R. 2663/S. 1176 - Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act H.R. 3523/S. 1710 - Perinatal Workforce Act S. 2085 - A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection screening tests H.R 2407 - the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act S. 2016 - CONNECT for Health Act S. 1869 - Site-based Invoicing and Transparency Enhancement Act (SITE) Act H.R. 3355 - Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program Reauthorization Act of 2023 S. 1627 - Providing Real-World Education and Clinical Experience by Precepting Tomorrows Nurses Act (PRECEPT) Nurses Act H.R. 3623/S. 1586 - Educating Future Nurses Act H.R. 3730/S. 198 - Rural Health Clinic Burden Reduction Act H.R. 2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 2400/S. 1165 - Reentry Act of 2023 S. 1378 - Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective Care (COMPLETE Care) Act H.Con.Res.42 - Honoring Mary Eliza Mahoney, America's first professionally trained Black nurse. S.Res.201/H.Res.375 - A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, to be observed from May 6 through May 12, 2023. H.R. 4822 - Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 H.R. 4779 - Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act Primary Care and Health Workforce Expansion Act S. 2840 - Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act S. 3297/H.R. 6407 - Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2023 Support funding for the National Health Service Corps S. 862 - Restoring Americas Health Care Workforce and Readiness Act S. 1976/H.R. 4104 - Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act S. 3430 - Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act of 2023 S.Res. 676/H.Res. 1208 - a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, to be observed from May 6 through May 12, 2024 S. 4338 - Pay PCPs Act of 2024 H.R. 9133/S. 4835 - Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act H.R. 6860/S. 5018 - the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act H.R. 10280 - Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act Issues related to Medicare Part B reform Issues related to enhancing access to care at home in rural and underserved communities Support for the creation of the Office of Caregiver Health Support a final rule prohibiting menthol cigarettes and cigars Support implementation of Medicare code G2211 Extending COVID-19 waivers related to nurse practitioners and critical access hospitals Skilled nursing facility admitting examination and assessment requirements Health plan coverage and program requirements, including provider non-discrimination, network adequacy and prior authorization Nursing faculty and workforce shortage Nursing education Include nurses, APRNs, and nursing students in all national public health plans Public health and nursing workforce infrastructure Rural health care issues, including rural workforce, COVID-19 vaccination, and reimbursement Addressing health equity Medication-Assisted Treatment (MATs) Issues relating to the mental and substance use disorder workforce Opioid epidemic COVID-19 Pandemic, including funding, personal protective equipment, testing and vaccines Provide resources to support nurses, APRNs, and nursing students mental health needs, especially for those responding to the pandemic Extension of CMS waivers beyond the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Use of telehealth to prescribe controlled substances under the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 [Public Law No: 110-425] Site specific restrictions on providers under DEA controlled substances policy Implementation of the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act Telehealth, remote patient monitoring and other forms of health technology Reducing regulatory burdens, including those relating to Medicare Conditions of Participation Medicare provider reimbursement Primary care payment reform Documentation of medical records Inclusion of NPs in the HPSA bonus program for clinicians practicing in primary care HPSAs Framework reform of the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Nursing Research Optimizing the Food and Drug Administration's Use of and Processes for Advisory Committees

Client expense: $470,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office

Q4 Lobbying Report (Oct.1 -Dec. 31) HCR Transparency (surprise medical bills; public posting of hospital charges) 340B Drug Pricing Program Resident Physician Shortage Act of 2023 (H.R. 2389) No Surprises Act regulations Food and Drug Amendments No Surprise Bills for New Moms Act (H.R. 3387) Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act (H.R. 2544) Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act (H.R. 3561) Medicaid VBPs for Patients (MVP) Act (H.R. 2666) Providers and Payers COMPETE Act (H.R. 3284) To amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to ensure transparency and oversight of the 340B drug discount program (H.R. 3290) Transparent PRICE Act (H.R. 3281/H.R. 2691)) Resident Physician Shortage Reduction (S. 1302) Medical Student Education Authorization Act (H.R. 3046) Save Americas Rural Hospitals Act (H.R. 833) Chronic Care Management Improvement Act (H.R. 2829) Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees Act (H.R. 2584) Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act (H.R. 2665) Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act (H.R. 977/S.470) FEMA re: COVID-19 related reimbursement Public Health Guidance Transparency and Accountability Act of 2023 (H.R. 4529) Public Health Emergency Congressional Review Act (H.R. 4381) CDC Leadership Accountability Act of 2023 (H.R. 3813) Preparing for All Hazards and Pathogens Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4421) Preparedness and Response Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4420) Childrens Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 3887) Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 (H.R. 4822) Providers and Payers COMPETE Act (H.R. 3284) Lower Costs, More Transparency Act (H.R. 5378 Transparency in Coverage Act (H.R. 4507) GOLD Card Act of 2023 (H.R. 4968) No Fees for EFTs Act (H.R.6487) Rural Health Care Facilities Revitalization Act (H.R. 5989) Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act (H.R. 7153) To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a definition of essential health system in statute (H.R. 7397) Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act (H.R. 7050) 340B PATIENTS Act (H.R. 7635) The 340B Affording Care for Communities and Ensuring a Strong Safety-net (ACCESS) Act (H.R. 8574) Improving Seniors Access to Timely Care Act (H.R. 8702/S.4532) The Preserving Emergency Access in Key Sites (PEAKS) Act (H.R. 7931) Rural Health Care Facilities Revitalization Act (H.R. 5989) MMM Accelerated and Advance Payment Program repayment flexibility Graduate Medical Education (GME) funding Telehealth flexibilities and payment Annual Prospective Payment System Rules Organ acquisition payment policies Californias Medicaid Hospital Quality Assurance Fee Program Medicare Advantage BUD FY 2025 Appropriations bills Nursing and allied health workforce funding FY 2025 budget request Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act (H.R. 6363) Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 5894) Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 (H.R. 7024) Extension of Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2024 (H.R. 7463) Submitted Comments Regulatory Comment Letters SUBJECT: CMS-10913, Medicare Part C Utilization Management Annual Data Submission and Audit Protocol Data Request; Notice, Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Federal Register (Vol 89, No 145), September 10, 2024

Client expense: $300,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA)

H.R.2389/S.1302 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023 H.R.7050 - Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act Issue: Support increased Medicare funding for graduate medical education (GME). Draft Bipartisan Senate Medicare GME Expansion proposal Issue: Support increased Medicare funding for GME. Oppose duplicative teaching health system and hospital reporting and policies that increase regulatory burden. H.R.751 - Fair Access in Residency Act Issue: Oppose legislative interference in residency training program requirements and policies requiring the Medicare program to consider specific physician licensing exams for residency program applications. H.R.834/S.230 - Rural Physician Workforce Production Act Issue: Oppose legislation redesigning Medicare GME payment formulas that reduce current DGME/IME payments to teaching hospitals. GME Data Transparency Act of 2024 Issue: Educate Congress on teaching health system and hospital GME data collection practices and concerns related to duplicative reporting requirements. H.R.2584/S.2768 - Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act Issue: Support legislation providing protection for health care workers by creating a criminal offense for knowingly assaulting or intimidating hospital workers and providing grants to reduce violence in hospitals. H.R.5378 - Lower Costs, More Transparency Act Issue: Oppose legislation that pays for workforce investments and mitigation of DSH cuts paid for by cuts to hospital outpatient departments. H.R.5013 - Value in Health Care Act Issue: Support legislation that ensures the continued move to value-based care. H.R.8235 - Rural Physician Workforce Preservation Act Issue: Educate Congress about the likely impact of legislation that would alter the distribution of Medicare-supported GME slots from the CAA, 2021 and 2023. Issue: Educate Congress on status of CMS distribution of the 1,000 new GME slots authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L.116-260). Support CMS changing its distribution methodology to end the practice of super prioritization. Issue: Support Medicare GME per resident amount and cap-setting technical corrections and administrative relief. Issues: Support lifting cap on number of residents Medicare will count when determining teaching hospitals' Medicare Direct Graduate Medical Education (DGME) and Indirect Medical Education (IME) payments. Issue: Oppose reduction of Medicare DGME/IME payments. Issue: Oppose the redesign of Medicare Indirect Medical Education financing and redistribution. Issue: Oppose establishing nationality-based restrictions on medical residencies supported by Medicare. Issue: Support creation of new Medicare outpatient IME payment in addition to existing Medicare IME payment inpatient methodology. Oppose policies to create budget neutral IME payments for outpatient services. Draft Senate Finance Medicare Physician Fee Schedule request for information Issue: Support efforts to reform the Medicare physician fee schedule. H.R.2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act Issue: Support legislation that reforms the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule by providing an annual inflation-based payment update based on the Medicare Economic Index (MEI). S.4338 - Pay PCPs Act Issue: Respond to Senate request for information on hybrid payments for Medicare physicians. P.L.118-42 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 10445 - Further Continuing Appropriations and Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2025 P.L. 118-158 American Relief Act, 2025 Issues: Oppose reduction in Medicare hospital outpatient department reimbursement for drug administration and other services. Oppose site-neutral expansion to excepted off-campus provider-based departments (PBDs). Oppose creation of National Provider Number/unique identifier for off-campus hospital outpatient departments. Oppose Medicare hospital, and provider cuts. Support mitigation of Medicare Physician Fee Schedule cuts. Support delaying or eliminating scheduled cuts to the Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) program. Support extension of alternative payment model (APM) bonus. Support allowing hospitals to count costs and reimbursements for Medicaid patients with third-party coverage towards their DSH cap. Support extensions of Acute Hospital at Home program waiver of 24/7 nursing requirement and Medicare telehealth waivers and efforts to expand patient access to telehealth. H.R.2665 - The Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act Issue: Support elimination of two years of scheduled reductions to the Medicaid DSH program. H.R.9351 - The Save Our Safety-Net Hospitals (SOS) Act Issue: Support allowing hospitals to count costs and reimbursements for Medicaid patients with third-party coverage towards their DSH cap. Issue: Educate Congress on role of academic medicine as it relates to price transparency or disclosure initiatives. Issue: Protect patients from delays in care by streamlining and standardizing prior authorization under the Medicare Advantage program and providing program oversight and transparency. Issue: Support necessary changes and improvements to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). Issue: Educate Congress and policymakers on the financial challenges facing teaching hospitals and health systems, medical schools, and faculty practices and the impact on patients access to care and the nations health. Issue: Educate Congress on potential financial implications of entitlement reform on teaching hospitals and health systems, medical schools, and faculty practices and the impact on patients access to care and the nations health. Issue: Support policies to close the Medicaid coverage gap and ensure access to coverage in non-expansion states, as well as financial incentives to help states maintain existing expansions. Support mandatory 12-month Medicaid coverage for post-partum individuals. Issue: Oppose efforts by states to impose work or other community engagement activities as a requirement for continued Medicaid eligibility or coverage for certain Medicaid beneficiaries. Issue: Support waiving budget neutrality requirements associated with the E/M code changes or temporarily holding harmless physicians and other health care professionals. Issue: Support extension of Acute Hospital at Home program waiver of 24/7 nursing requirement. Issue: Support extension of Medicare telehealth waivers and efforts to expand patient access to telehealth. Issue: Support policy to permanently remove requirement for Medicare beneficiaries to be seen in-person every six months for telehealth visits for mental health services. H.R.1397 - The Telehealth Improvement for Kids Essential Services Act Issue: Support providing states with guidance to increase telehealth access in Medicaid and CHIP. Issue: Support increased access to behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services under Medicare and Medicaid. Support the removal of regulatory barriers to telehealth-enabled mental health care, including electronic interprofessional consults (eConsults). H.R.2377/S.1000 - The Saving Access to Laboratory Services (SALSA) Act Issue: Support legislation to modify Medicare payment rates for clinical diagnostic laboratory services to avoid statutory cuts to these payments. Issue: Support authorization of Medicare advance and accelerated payments in the wake of cyberattacks on providers. H.R.2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 Issue: Support removing cost-sharing obligations from the chronic care management (CCM) code in Medicare.

Client expense: $632,324 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

Expand Patient Access and Telehealth: Urged Congress to pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, which requires insurers to implement a clear and transparent process for a patient or physician to request an exception to a step therapy protocol. The bill lays out five exceptions to fail first protocols and requires that a group health plan grant an exemption. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and group health insurers have developed a series of price management tools to curb the rising cost of prescription drugs. Supported H.R. 2829, the Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023, that would remove the co-pay charged to patients who utilize chronic care management services. It would waive the beneficiary coinsurance to manage chronic care conditions and improve patients health. Supported the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, H.R. 3440 and S. 1636. This bipartisan legislation would ensure rural and underserved community healthcare providers can permanently offer telehealth services, including audio-only telehealth appointments, that are set to expire in December 2024. The legislation would: 1) allow payment parity for audio-only health services for clinically appropriate appointments; 2) permanently waive the geographic restriction allowing patients to be treated from their homes; 3) permanently allow rural health clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers to serve as distance sites for providing telehealth services; 4) lift the restrictions on store and forward technologies for telehealth; and 5) allow Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to directly bill for telehealth services. Supported the Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act, which would extend these flexibilities for two years until the end of 2026. Also supported the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, H.R. 3440, and the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024, H.R. 7623, which facilitate access to care via telehealth permanently. Supported CONNECT for Health Act of 2023, H.R. 4189 and S. 2016, to permanently remove all geographic restrictions on telehealth services and expand originating sites to include the home and other sites. That legislation would: 1) help providers transition to the goals of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) through using telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM) without most of the 42 U.S.C. Section 1834(m) telehealth restrictions; 2) allow telehealth and RPM to be used by qualifying participants in alternative payment models, without most of the 1834(m) restrictions; 3) permit the use of remote patient monitoring for certain patients with chronic conditions; 4) allow, as originating sites, telestroke evaluation and management sites, Native American health service facilities, and dialysis facilities for home dialysis patients in certain cases; and 5) permit further telehealth and RPM in community health centers and rural health clinics. Medicare Payments to Physicians (H.R. 2474): Urged Congress to pass H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, which preserves access to care for Medicare beneficiaries by providing an annual inflation update equal to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) for Medicare physician payments. Unlike other health care sectors, Medicare payment rates for physicians have not been updated based on the MEI. As a result, from 2001 to 2021, Medicare physician payments have decreased by 20 percent when adjusted for inflation. Supported H.R. 6545, the Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This bill includes an important provision that would allocate 3 percent to the 2024 Medicare conversion factor, which would represent a 1.75 percent increase to the approved level. H.R. 6545 also includes several provisions from H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023, that ACP supports. It would raise the budget neutrality threshold to $53 million and would use cumulative increases in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) to update the threshold every five years afterwards. Supported H.R. 6683, the Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023. That bill averts a 3.4 percent across-the-board cut to physician payment for 2024. ACP supports a similar bill, S. 5035, introduced by Sen. Boozman. ACP supported extending the work geographic practice costs index to improve the accuracy of geographic adjustment factors. Supported H.R. 6366 that would extend the work geographic practice costs index for another year to 1.00 for any locality where the index would be less than 1.00. We support aspects of legislation recently introduced by Senators Whitehouse and Cassidy, the Pay Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) Act, S. 4338, that would expand and accelerate the adoption of a hybrid per member per month (PMPM) payment model outside of the PFS. We believe this type of model can enhance innovation and improve the delivery of chronic care in primary care practices. ACP supported Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventive Health Savings Act, H.R. 766, to enable CBO to capture cost-savings associated with preventive health care legislation beyond existing 10-year window, for two additional 10-year periods. Support Value-Based Care: Urged support of the Value in Health Care Act of 2023. The bill provides a multi-year commitment to reforming care delivery by extending MACRAs 5 percent advanced alternative payment models (APM) incentives that are scheduled to expire at the end of the year. It also gives the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) authority to adjust APM qualifying thresholds so that the current one-size-fits-all approach does not serve as a disincentive to including rural, underserved, primary care or specialty practices in APMs. The bill removes revenue-based distinctions that disadvantage rural and safety net providers, which is critical to improving access to care and improving health equity. The bill also improves financial benchmarks so that APM participants are not penalized for their own success. To allow more clinicians to continue the transition to value, the bill establishes a voluntary track for accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the Medicare Shared Savings Program to take on higher levels of risk and provides technical assistance for clinicians new to APMs. Lastly, the bill seeks to provide parity between APMs and the Medicare Advantage (MA) program by studying ways to increase alignment that will ease burdens on physicians and ensure that both APMs and MA are attractive and sustainable options. ACP supports extending incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models through 2026. This approach would help to maintain incentives that support physicians transition from a volume-based fee-for-service health care system to one that is based on the value and quality outcomes of health care delivered to the patient. Supported H.R. 6369 by Rep. Kim Schrier to extend incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models. ACP supports H.R. 5395, the SURS Extension Act, which would extend the Quality Payment Program-Small Practice, Underserved, and Rural Support (QPP-SURS) program for fiscal years 2024-2029. This program was established under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and has provided direct assistance to eligible clinicians required to participate in MIPS. ACP supports efforts to streamline the number of quality measures physicians must report on and enhance stakeholder engagement. Supported the Fewer Burdens for Better Care Act of 2023, which would emphasize multi-stakeholder input, with a 30-day comment period for stakeholders to comment on the removal of measures from the Medicare program. Pricing Transparency/Consolidation: Supported several provisions of H.R. 5378, Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, which are consistent with our policy and would improve access to and affordability of health care for patients. This bill brings together H.R. 4822, Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023, H.R. 3561, Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act of 2023 or the PATIENT Act of 2023 and other related bills reported out of Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Education and Workforce Committees. Supported requiring disclosure of changes in hospital or health facility ownership to reveal when private equity firms acquire hospitals, larger physician practices or nursing homes, promote price transparency among hospitals, health plans and pharmacy benefit managers and promote site neutrality for Medicare and Medicare beneficiaries. We further supported the reauthorization and funding increases included for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, Community Health Center program and National Health Service Corps. Supported Section 4 of H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act, which aims to increase PBM data reporting to enhance transparency for Medicare Part D. Specifically, it would set out new requirements for PBMs to report data on rebates and administrative fees to HHS. It would also require that HHS deidentify the data and make it publicly available so that policy makers and the public will have a better understanding of how rebates and administrative fees impact the costs of drug plans. The Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148, P.L. 111-152): Urged legislation to extend permanently the premium tax subsidies afforded under the ACA. Supported H.R. 1692, the Health Care Affordability Act of 2023, by Rep. Underwood to permanently extend the premium tax credit subsidies under the ACA. The law provides consumers with subsidies (premium tax credits) that lower costs for households with incomes between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). It expands the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below 138 percent of the FPL. Supportive of S. 8, Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act to expand the eligibility of taxpayers for the refundable tax credit for coverage under a qualified health plan and increase cost-sharing subsidies under the ACA. We support similar legislation introduced by Sen. Shaheen in the Senate. FY2025 Appropriations: Urged Congress to support funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's programs in the FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill as well as funding shared evenly between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct public health research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention. Advocated for funding for the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA); Title Vi, Section 747, Primary Care Training and Enhancement (PCTE), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); National Health Service Corps (NHSC); Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH). Urged Congress to include report language in the FY2025 Labor HHS appropriations bill to direct the GAO to conduct a study encompassing the last decade of CMS estimates of new and revised code utilizations. ACP believes CMS has overestimated utilizations, thus adversely affecting available funds in the Medicare physician fee schedule for other code usage. While the House and Senate bills included language, we prefer the stronger House version language. Urged Congress to support year-end Continuing Resolution (CR) that contained PBM reform, averting Medicare physician payment cuts by 2.5%, provided bonus payment to physicians participating in APMs, and extended telehealth flexibilities adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic for 2 years. Also advocated that streamlined prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage plans be included in the CR. Women's Health: Urged HHS to support Title X funding and ensure unencumbered access to affordable, comprehensive, evidence-based reproductive health care; eliminate medically unnecessary restrictions and inappropriate political interference in the patient-physician relationship; and protect funding for and ensures consistent treatment of qualified service sites. Supported H.R. 459 and S. 323, the Secure Access for Essential Reproductive (SAFER) Health Act. This legislation would strengthen current health privacy laws to ensure that abortion-related health data cannot be shared without patient consent. It prohibits health care providers and insurance plans from disclosing in legal proceedings an individual's personal health information related to an abortion or pregnancy without the individual's valid authorization. The prohibition applies to federal, state, local, and tribal proceedings, including civil, criminal, administrative, and legislative proceedings. The bill provides limited exceptions such as if the information is necessary to investigate physical harm to the individual. We support the Senate Title X spending for pregnancy and family planning over the Houses bill, which eliminates funding in its bill. Primary Care and the Physician Workforce: Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R. 2389, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023, which increases the number of Medicare supported direct graduate medical education (DGME) and indirect medical education (IME) positions by 14,000 over seven years; Support efforts of the bipartisan Senate Working Group to add 10,000 GME slots in legislation; Cosponsor and pass S. 665, the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act, to allow states to sponsor foreign-trained physicians to work in medically underserved areas in exchange for a waiver of the physicians' two-year foreign residence requirement; Cosponsor and pass H.R. 1202/S. 704, the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, to make it possible for residents to defer interest on their loans; Support inclusion in FY2024 appropriations legislation funding for Title VII Primary Care and Training Enhancement (PCTE) at $71 million to support and expand the pipeline for individuals training in primary care. Supported H.R.4986/S. 2577, which would refinance the interest rate for all existing federal student loans to zero percent. Further, it would cap interest rates for future student loan borrowers, while considering their financial needs. Prescription Drug Reform: Reviewed proposals to implement guidance by HHS for implementation of Inflation Reduction Act's prescription drug negotiation provisions. Supported H.R. 4895, the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act, to expand the number of prescription drugs which Medicare can negotiate under the Inflation Reduction Act from 20 to 50 starting in 2029. Supported H.R. 5385, the Medicare PBM Accountability Act. This legislation aims to lower the costs of prescription drugs for seniors covered by Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. It would require PBMs to submit annual reports to the Secretary of HHS on PBMs cost savings incurred from rebates, discounts, and price concessions. Supported H.R. 1352, the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2023. This legislation would encourage adoption of biosimilars in Medicare and improve biosimilar accessibility, by establishing a new pilot program - a voluntary, shared savings demonstration program - for providers of biosimilars in Medicare Part B. Supported H.R. 5386, the Cutting Copays Act. This legislation would eliminate cost-sharing for generic drugs for LIS beneficiaries, helping to incentivize the use of generic drugs. Supported H.R. 3009/S. 2362, the Drug Shortage Prevention Act of 2023, to require that manufacturers of over-the-counter and prescription drugs notify Food & Drug Administration when they are unlikely to meet demand. Social Determinants of Healthcare/DEI: Opposed the Educate Act, H.R. 7725/S. 4115, that will amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit graduate medical schools from receiving Federal financial assistance if such schools adopt certain policies and requirements relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Firearm Safety: (S.117): Urged Congress to support the Handgun Permit to Purchase Act (S. 117), legislation that would authorize grants to states to support handgun purchaser licensing programs. To qualify for the grants, states must require gun purchasers to be at least the age of 2I and be subject to a criminal background check. Urged Congress to support the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, H.R. 715, and the Background Check Expansion Act, S. 494 and Ethans Law, H.R. 660 and S. 173, requiring gun owners to safely and securely store their firearms. Supported the Keep Americans Safe Act, H.R. 625 and S. 298, which would ban the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of high-capacity gun magazines that hold more than fifteen rounds. Supported the Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act, H.R. 768 and S. 247 empowering family members and law enforcement to prevent gun violence by petitioning a court to temporarily separate an at-risk individual from firearms. Supported the FY2024 funding gun violence prevention research contained in FY24 Senate Labor-HHS-Ed appropriations bill for inclusion in any final FY24 appropriations bills. Administrative Burden: Urged Congress to codify many of these proposed improvements to the prior authorization process in the reintroduced the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, S.4532. This legislation was passed by the House in the last Congress and would reduce burdens associated with prior authorization in Medicare Advantage (MA) by: l) protecting beneficiaries from any disruptions in care due to prior authorization requirements as they transition between MA plans; 2) requiring all MA plans adopt electronic prior authorization capabilities to streamline the process for prior authorization approval; and 3) standardizing the process and procedures for reporting electronic prior authorization criteria to MA plans. Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, to ensure patient access to appropriate treatments based on clinical decision-making and medical necessity rather than arbitrary step therapy protocols. Data Privacy: Supported American Privacy Rights Act, H.R. 8818, nations first comprehensive federal consumer data privacy framework. Bill was considered by House Energy and Commerce and would expand data privacy protections to entities not currently subject to HIPAA privacy protections. ACP asked for provisions enabling consumers to opt-out of allowing companies to use algorithms based on their personal data, allow states to further protect their residents and fully inform subjects of the nature and risks of the research. Scope of Practice: Opposed the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, H.R. 1770/ S. 2477, which would expand Medicare coverage to permanently include select services provided by a pharmacist. Healthcare Worker Safety: Supported H.R. 6364, the Medicare Telehealth Privacy Act of 2023. This bill would ensure that HHS will not publicly post the addresses of participating telehealth practitioners to provide privacy protections for physicians so that they can effectively treat and care for patients via telehealth. Clinical Labs: Supported the provision in H.R. 6366 that would delay payment reductions and data reporting periods for the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA). Legislation could improve patient access to laboratory tests used to diagnose, monitor, prevent, and manage diseases for Medicare beneficiaries. Cures 2.0: Reviewed and supported Cures 2.0 legislation.

Client expense: $242,106 · 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), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Expand Patient Access and Telehealth: Urged Congress to pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, which requires insurers to implement a clear and transparent process for a patient or physician to request an exception to a step therapy protocol. The bill lays out five exceptions to fail first protocols and requires that a group health plan grant an exemption. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and group health insurers have developed a series of price management tools to curb the rising cost of prescription drugs. Supported H.R. 2829, the Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023, that would remove the co-pay charged to patients who utilize chronic care management services. It would waive the beneficiary coinsurance to manage chronic care conditions and improve patients health. Supported the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, H.R. 3440 and S. 1636. This bipartisan legislation would ensure rural and underserved community healthcare providers can permanently offer telehealth services, including audio-only telehealth appointments, that are set to expire in December 2024. The legislation would: 1) allow payment parity for audio-only health services for clinically appropriate appointments; 2) permanently waive the geographic restriction allowing patients to be treated from their homes; 3) permanently allow rural health clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers to serve as distance sites for providing telehealth services; 4) lift the restrictions on store and forward technologies for telehealth; and 5) allow Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to directly bill for telehealth services. Supported the Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act, which would extend these flexibilities for two years until the end of 2026. Also supported the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, H.R. 3440, and the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024, H.R. 7623, which facilitate access to care via telehealth permanently. Supported CONNECT for Health Act of 2023, H.R. 4189 and S. 2016, to permanently remove all geographic restrictions on telehealth services and expand originating sites to include the home and other sites. That legislation would: 1) help providers transition to the goals of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) through using telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM) without most of the 42 U.S.C. Section 1834(m) telehealth restrictions; 2) allow telehealth and RPM to be used by qualifying participants in alternative payment models, without most of the 1834(m) restrictions; 3) permit the use of remote patient monitoring for certain patients with chronic conditions; 4) allow, as originating sites, telestroke evaluation and management sites, Native American health service facilities, and dialysis facilities for home dialysis patients in certain cases; and 5) permit further telehealth and RPM in community health centers and rural health clinics. Medicare Payments to Physicians (H.R. 2474): Urged Congress to pass H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, which preserves access to care for Medicare beneficiaries by providing an annual inflation update equal to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) for Medicare physician payments. Unlike other health care sectors, Medicare payment rates for physicians have not been updated based on the MEI. As a result, from 2001 to 2021, Medicare physician payments have decreased by 20 percent when adjusted for inflation. Supported H.R. 6545, the Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This bill includes an important provision that would allocate 3 percent to the 2024 Medicare conversion factor, which would represent a 1.75 percent increase to the approved level. H.R. 6545 also includes several provisions from H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023, that ACP supports. It would raise the budget neutrality threshold to $53 million and would use cumulative increases in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) to update the threshold every five years afterwards. Supported H.R. 6683, the Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023. That bill averts a 3.4 percent across-the-board cut to physician payment for 2024. ACP supports a similar bill, S. 5035, introduced by Sen. Boozman. ACP supported extending the work geographic practice costs index to improve the accuracy of geographic adjustment factors. Supported H.R. 6366 that would extend the work geographic practice costs index for another year to 1.00 for any locality where the index would be less than 1.00. We support aspects of legislation recently introduced by Senators Whitehouse and Cassidy, the Pay Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) Act, S. 4338, that would expand and accelerate the adoption of a hybrid per member per month (PMPM) payment model outside of the PFS. We believe this type of model can enhance innovation and improve the delivery of chronic care in primary care practices. ACP supported Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventive Health Savings Act, H.R. 766, to enable CBO to capture cost-savings associated with preventive health care legislation beyond existing 10-year window, for two additional 10-year periods. Support Value-Based Care: Urged support of the Value in Health Care Act of 2023. The bill provides a multi-year commitment to reforming care delivery by extending MACRAs 5 percent advanced alternative payment models (APM) incentives that are scheduled to expire at the end of the year. It also gives the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) authority to adjust APM qualifying thresholds so that the current one-size-fits-all approach does not serve as a disincentive to including rural, underserved, primary care or specialty practices in APMs. The bill removes revenue-based distinctions that disadvantage rural and safety net providers, which is critical to improving access to care and improving health equity. The bill also improves financial benchmarks so that APM participants are not penalized for their own success. To allow more clinicians to continue the transition to value, the bill establishes a voluntary track for accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the Medicare Shared Savings Program to take on higher levels of risk and provides technical assistance for clinicians new to APMs. Lastly, the bill seeks to provide parity between APMs and the Medicare Advantage (MA) program by studying ways to increase alignment that will ease burdens on physicians and ensure that both APMs and MA are attractive and sustainable options. ACP supports extending incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models through 2026. This approach would help to maintain incentives that support physicians transition from a volume-based fee-for-service health care system to one that is based on the value and quality outcomes of health care delivered to the patient. Supported H.R. 6369 by Rep. Kim Schrier to extend incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models. ACP supports H.R. 5395, the SURS Extension Act, which would extend the Quality Payment Program-Small Practice, Underserved, and Rural Support (QPP-SURS) program for fiscal years 2024-2029. This program was established under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and has provided direct assistance to eligible clinicians required to participate in MIPS. ACP supports efforts to streamline the number of quality measures physicians must report on and enhance stakeholder engagement. Supported the Fewer Burdens for Better Care Act of 2023, which would emphasize multi-stakeholder input, with a 30-day comment period for stakeholders to comment on the removal of measures from the Medicare program. Pricing Transparency/Consolidation: Supported several provisions of H.R. 5378, Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, which are consistent with our policy and would improve access to and affordability of health care for patients. This bill brings together H.R. 4822, Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023, H.R. 3561, Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act of 2023 or the PATIENT Act of 2023 and other related bills reported out of Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Education and Workforce Committees. Supported requiring disclosure of changes in hospital or health facility ownership to reveal when private equity firms acquire hospitals, larger physician practices or nursing homes, promote price transparency among hospitals, health plans and pharmacy benefit managers and promote site neutrality for Medicare and Medicare beneficiaries. We further supported the reauthorization and funding increases included for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, Community Health Center program and National Health Service Corps. Supported Section 4 of H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act, which aims to increase PBM data reporting to enhance transparency for Medicare Part D. Specifically, it would set out new requirements for PBMs to report data on rebates and administrative fees to HHS. It would also require that HHS deidentify the data and make it publicly available so that policy makers and the public will have a better understanding of how rebates and administrative fees impact the costs of drug plans. The Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148, P.L. 111-152): Urged legislation to extend permanently the premium tax subsidies afforded under the ACA. Supported H.R. 1692, the Health Care Affordability Act of 2023, by Rep. Underwood to permanently extend the premium tax credit subsidies under the ACA. The law provides consumers with subsidies (premium tax credits) that lower costs for households with incomes between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). It expands the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below 138 percent of the FPL. Supportive of S. 8, Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act to expand the eligibility of taxpayers for the refundable tax credit for coverage under a qualified health plan and increase cost-sharing subsidies under the ACA. We support similar legislation introduced by Sen. Shaheen in the Senate. FY2025 Appropriations: Urged Congress to support funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's programs in the FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill as well as funding shared evenly between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct public health research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention. Advocated for funding for the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA); Title Vi, Section 747, Primary Care Training and Enhancement (PCTE), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); National Health Service Corps (NHSC); Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH). Urged Congress to include report language in the FY2025 Labor HHS appropriations bill to direct the GAO to conduct a study encompassing the last decade of CMS estimates of new and revised code utilizations. ACP believes CMS has overestimated utilizations, thus adversely affecting available funds in the Medicare physician fee schedule for other code usage. While the House and Senate bills included language, we prefer the stronger House version language. Urged Congress to support year-end Continuing Resolution (CR) that contained PBM reform, averting Medicare physician payment cuts by 2.5%, provided bonus payment to physicians participating in APMs, and extended telehealth flexibilities adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic for 2 years. Also advocated that streamlined prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage plans be included in the CR. Women's Health: Urged HHS to support Title X funding and ensure unencumbered access to affordable, comprehensive, evidence-based reproductive health care; eliminate medically unnecessary restrictions and inappropriate political interference in the patient-physician relationship; and protect funding for and ensures consistent treatment of qualified service sites. Supported H.R. 459 and S. 323, the Secure Access for Essential Reproductive (SAFER) Health Act. This legislation would strengthen current health privacy laws to ensure that abortion-related health data cannot be shared without patient consent. It prohibits health care providers and insurance plans from disclosing in legal proceedings an individual's personal health information related to an abortion or pregnancy without the individual's valid authorization. The prohibition applies to federal, state, local, and tribal proceedings, including civil, criminal, administrative, and legislative proceedings. The bill provides limited exceptions such as if the information is necessary to investigate physical harm to the individual. We support the Senate Title X spending for pregnancy and family planning over the Houses bill, which eliminates funding in its bill. Primary Care and the Physician Workforce: Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R. 2389, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023, which increases the number of Medicare supported direct graduate medical education (DGME) and indirect medical education (IME) positions by 14,000 over seven years; Support efforts of the bipartisan Senate Working Group to add 10,000 GME slots in legislation; Cosponsor and pass S. 665, the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act, to allow states to sponsor foreign-trained physicians to work in medically underserved areas in exchange for a waiver of the physicians' two-year foreign residence requirement; Cosponsor and pass H.R. 1202/S. 704, the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, to make it possible for residents to defer interest on their loans; Support inclusion in FY2024 appropriations legislation funding for Title VII Primary Care and Training Enhancement (PCTE) at $71 million to support and expand the pipeline for individuals training in primary care. Supported H.R.4986/S. 2577, which would refinance the interest rate for all existing federal student loans to zero percent. Further, it would cap interest rates for future student loan borrowers, while considering their financial needs. Prescription Drug Reform: Reviewed proposals to implement guidance by HHS for implementation of Inflation Reduction Act's prescription drug negotiation provisions. Supported H.R. 4895, the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act, to expand the number of prescription drugs which Medicare can negotiate under the Inflation Reduction Act from 20 to 50 starting in 2029. Supported H.R. 5385, the Medicare PBM Accountability Act. This legislation aims to lower the costs of prescription drugs for seniors covered by Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. It would require PBMs to submit annual reports to the Secretary of HHS on PBMs cost savings incurred from rebates, discounts, and price concessions. Supported H.R. 1352, the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2023. This legislation would encourage adoption of biosimilars in Medicare and improve biosimilar accessibility, by establishing a new pilot program - a voluntary, shared savings demonstration program - for providers of biosimilars in Medicare Part B. Supported H.R. 5386, the Cutting Copays Act. This legislation would eliminate cost-sharing for generic drugs for LIS beneficiaries, helping to incentivize the use of generic drugs. Supported H.R. 3009/S. 2362, the Drug Shortage Prevention Act of 2023, to require that manufacturers of over-the-counter and prescription drugs notify Food & Drug Administration when they are unlikely to meet demand. Social Determinants of Healthcare/DEI: Opposed the Educate Act, H.R. 7725/S. 4115, that will amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit graduate medical schools from receiving Federal financial assistance if such schools adopt certain policies and requirements relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Firearm Safety: (S.117): Urged Congress to support the Handgun Permit to Purchase Act (S. 117), legislation that would authorize grants to states to support handgun purchaser licensing programs. To qualify for the grants, states must require gun purchasers to be at least the age of 2I and be subject to a criminal background check. Urged Congress to support the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, H.R. 715, and the Background Check Expansion Act, S. 494 and Ethans Law, H.R. 660 and S. 173, requiring gun owners to safely and securely store their firearms. Supported the Keep Americans Safe Act, H.R. 625 and S. 298, which would ban the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of high-capacity gun magazines that hold more than fifteen rounds. Supported the Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act, H.R. 768 and S. 247 empowering family members and law enforcement to prevent gun violence by petitioning a court to temporarily separate an at-risk individual from firearms. Supported the FY2024 funding gun violence prevention research contained in FY24 Senate Labor-HHS-Ed appropriations bill for inclusion in any final FY24 appropriations bills. Administrative Burden: Urged Congress to codify many of these proposed improvements to the prior authorization process in the reintroduced the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, S.4532. This legislation was passed by the House in the last Congress and would reduce burdens associated with prior authorization in Medicare Advantage (MA) by: l) protecting beneficiaries from any disruptions in care due to prior authorization requirements as they transition between MA plans; 2) requiring all MA plans adopt electronic prior authorization capabilities to streamline the process for prior authorization approval; and 3) standardizing the process and procedures for reporting electronic prior authorization criteria to MA plans. Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, to ensure patient access to appropriate treatments based on clinical decision-making and medical necessity rather than arbitrary step therapy protocols. Data Privacy: Supported American Privacy Rights Act, H.R. 8818, nations first comprehensive federal consumer data privacy framework. Bill was considered by House Energy and Commerce and would expand data privacy protections to entities not currently subject to HIPAA privacy protections. ACP asked for provisions enabling consumers to opt-out of allowing companies to use algorithms based on their personal data, allow states to further protect their residents and fully inform subjects of the nature and risks of the research. Scope of Practice: Opposed the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, H.R. 1770/ S. 2477, which would expand Medicare coverage to permanently include select services provided by a pharmacist. Healthcare Worker Safety: Supported H.R. 6364, the Medicare Telehealth Privacy Act of 2023. This bill would ensure that HHS will not publicly post the addresses of participating telehealth practitioners to provide privacy protections for physicians so that they can effectively treat and care for patients via telehealth. Clinical Labs: Supported the provision in H.R. 6366 that would delay payment reductions and data reporting periods for the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA). Legislation could improve patient access to laboratory tests used to diagnose, monitor, prevent, and manage diseases for Medicare beneficiaries. Cures 2.0: Reviewed and supported Cures 2.0 legislation.

Client expense: $124,919 · 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), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

H.R.2389/S.1302 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023 H.R.7050 - Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act Issue: Support increased Medicare funding for graduate medical education (GME). Draft Bipartisan Senate Medicare GME Expansion proposal Issue: Support increased Medicare funding for GME. Oppose duplicative teaching health system and hospital reporting and policies that increase regulatory burden. H.R.751 - Fair Access in Residency Act Issue: Oppose legislative interference in residency training program requirements and policies requiring the Medicare program to consider specific physician licensing exams for residency program applications. H.R.834/S.230 - Rural Physician Workforce Production Act Issue: Oppose legislation redesigning Medicare GME payment formulas that reduce current DGME/IME payments to teaching hospitals. H.R.2584/S.2768 - Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act Issue: Support legislation providing protection for health care workers by creating a criminal offense for knowingly assaulting or intimidating hospital workers and providing grants to reduce violence in hospitals. H.R.5378 - Lower Costs, More Transparency Act Issue: Oppose legislation that pays for workforce investments and mitigation of DSH cuts paid for by cuts to hospital outpatient departments. H.R.5013 - Value in Health Care Act Issue: Support legislation that ensures the continued move to value-based care. H.R.8235 - Rural Physician Workforce Preservation Act Issue: Educate Congress about the likely impact of legislation that would alter the distribution of Medicare-supported GME slots from the CAA, 2021 and 2023. Issue: Educate Congress on status of CMS distribution of the 1,000 new GME slots authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L.116-260). Support CMS changing its distribution methodology to end the practice of super prioritization. Issue: Support Medicare GME per resident amount and cap-setting technical corrections and administrative relief. Issues: Support lifting cap on number of residents Medicare will count when determining teaching hospitals' Medicare Direct Graduate Medical Education (DGME) and Indirect Medical Education (IME) payments. Issue: Oppose reduction of Medicare DGME/IME payments. Issue: Oppose the redesign of Medicare Indirect Medical Education financing and redistribution. Issue: Oppose establishing nationality-based restrictions on medical residencies supported by Medicare. Issue: Support creation of new Medicare outpatient IME payment in addition to existing Medicare IME payment inpatient methodology. Oppose policies to create budget neutral IME payments for outpatient services. Draft Senate Finance Medicare Physician Fee Schedule request for information Issue: Support efforts to reform the Medicare physician fee schedule. H.R.2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act Issue: Support legislation that reforms the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule by providing an annual inflation-based payment update based on the Medicare Economic Index (MEI). S.4338 - Pay PCPs Act Issue: Respond to Senate RFI on hybrid payments for Medicare physicians. P.L.118-42 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 Issues: Oppose reduction in Medicare hospital outpatient department reimbursement for drug administration and other services. Oppose site-neutral expansion to excepted off-campus provider-based departments (PBDs). Oppose creation of National Provider Number/unique identifier for off-campus hospital outpatient departments. Oppose Medicare hospital, and provider cuts. Support mitigation of Medicare Physician Fee Schedule cuts. Support delaying or eliminating scheduled cuts to the Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) program. Support extension of alternative payment model (APM) bonus. H.R.2665 - The Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act Issue: Support eliminating two years worth of scheduled reductions to the Medicaid DSH program. H.R.9351 - The Save Our Safety-Net Hospitals (SOS) Act Issue: Support allowing hospitals to count costs and reimbursements for Medicaid patients with third-party coverage towards their DSH cap. Issue: Educate Congress on role of academic medicine as it relates to price transparency or disclosure initiatives. Issue: Protect patients from delays in care by streamlining and standardizing prior authorization under the Medicare Advantage program and providing program oversight and transparency. Issue: Support necessary changes and improvements to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). Issue: Educate Congress and policymakers on the financial challenges facing teaching hospitals and health systems, medical schools, and faculty practices and the impact on patients access to care and the nations health. Issue: Educate Congress on potential financial implications of entitlement reform on teaching hospitals and health systems, medical schools, and faculty practices and the impact on patients access to care and the nations health. Issue: Support policies to close the Medicaid coverage gap and ensure access to coverage in non-expansion states, as well as financial incentives to help states maintain existing expansions. Support mandatory 12-month Medicaid coverage for post-partum individuals. Issue: Oppose efforts by states to impose work or other community engagement activities as a requirement for continued Medicaid eligibility or coverage for certain Medicaid beneficiaries. Issue: Support waiving budget neutrality requirements associated with the E/M code changes or temporarily holding harmless physicians and other health care professionals. Issue: Support extension of Acute Hospital at Home program waiver of 24/7 nursing requirement. Issue: Support extension of Medicare telehealth waivers and efforts to expand patient access to telehealth. Issue: Support policy to permanently remove requirement for Medicare beneficiaries to be seen in-person every six months for telehealth visits for mental health services. H.R.1397 - The Telehealth Improvement for Kids Essential Services Act Issue: Support providing states with guidance to increase telehealth access in Medicaid and CHIP. Issue: Support increased access to behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services under Medicare and Medicaid. Support the removal of regulatory barriers to telehealth-enabled mental health care, including electronic interprofessional consults (eConsults). H.R.2377/S.1000 - The Saving Access to Laboratory Services (SALSA) Act Issue: Support legislation to modify Medicare payment rates for clinical diagnostic laboratory services to avoid statutory cuts to these payments. Issue: Support authorization of Medicare advance and accelerated payments in the wake of cyberattacks on providers. H.R.2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 Issue: Support removing cost-sharing obligations from the chronic care management (CCM) code in Medicare.

Client expense: $617,103 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

H.R.2389/S.1302 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023 H.R.7050 - Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act Issue: Support increased Medicare funding for graduate medical education (GME). Draft Bipartisan Senate Medicare GME Expansion proposal Issue: Support increased Medicare funding for GME. Oppose duplicative teaching health system and hospital reporting and policies that increase regulatory burden. H.R.751 - Fair Access in Residency Act Issue: Oppose legislative interference in residency training program requirements and policies requiring the Medicare program to consider specific physician licensing exams for residency program applications. H.R.834/S.230 - Rural Physician Workforce Production Act Issue: Oppose legislation redesigning Medicare GME payment formulas that reduce current DGME/IME payments to teaching hospitals. H.R.2584/S.2768 - Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act Issue: Support legislation providing protection for health care workers by creating a criminal offense for knowingly assaulting or intimidating hospital workers and providing grants to reduce violence in hospitals. H.R.5378 - Lower Costs, More Transparency Act Issue: Oppose legislation that pays for workforce investments and mitigation of DSH cuts paid for by cuts to hospital outpatient departments. H.R.5013 - Value in Health Care Act Issue: Support legislation that ensures the continued move to value-based care. H.R.8235 - Rural Physician Workforce Preservation Act Issue: Educate Congress about the likely impact of legislation that would alter the distribution of Medicare-supported GME slots from the CAA, 2021 and 2023. Issue: Educate Congress on status of CMS distribution of the 1,000 new GME slots authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L.116-260). Support CMS changing its distribution methodology to end the practice of super prioritization. Issue: Support Medicare GME per resident amount and cap-setting technical corrections and administrative relief. Issues: Support lifting cap on number of residents Medicare will count when determining teaching hospitals' Medicare Direct Graduate Medical Education (DGME) and Indirect Medical Education (IME) payments. Issue: Oppose reduction of Medicare DGME/IME payments. Issue: Oppose the redesign of Medicare Indirect Medical Education financing and redistribution. Issue: Oppose establishing nationality-based restrictions on medical residencies supported by Medicare. Issue: Support creation of new Medicare outpatient IME payment in addition to existing Medicare IME payment inpatient methodology. Oppose policies to create budget neutral IME payments for outpatient services. Draft Senate Finance Medicare Physician Fee Schedule request for information Issue: Support efforts to reform the Medicare physician fee schedule. H.R.2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act Issue: Support legislation that reforms the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule by providing an annual inflation-based payment update based on the Medicare Economic Index (MEI). S.4338 - Pay PCPs Act Issue: Respond to Senate RFI on hybrid payments for Medicare physicians. P.L.118-42 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 Issues: Oppose reduction in Medicare hospital outpatient department reimbursement for drug administration and other services. Oppose site-neutral expansion to excepted off-campus provider-based departments (PBDs). Oppose creation of National Provider Number/unique identifier for off-campus hospital outpatient departments. Oppose Medicare hospital, and provider cuts. Support mitigation of Medicare Physician Fee Schedule cuts. Support delaying or eliminating scheduled cuts to the Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) program. Support extension of alternative payment model (APM) bonus. H.R.2665 - The Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act Issue: Support eliminating two years worth of scheduled reductions to the Medicaid DSH program. H.R.9351 - The Save Our Safety-Net Hospitals (SOS) Act Issue: Support allowing hospitals to count costs and reimbursements for Medicaid patients with third-party coverage towards their DSH cap. Issue: Educate Congress on role of academic medicine as it relates to price transparency or disclosure initiatives. Issue: Protect patients from delays in care by streamlining and standardizing prior authorization under the Medicare Advantage program and providing program oversight and transparency. Issue: Support necessary changes and improvements to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). Issue: Educate Congress and policymakers on the financial challenges facing teaching hospitals and health systems, medical schools, and faculty practices and the impact on patients access to care and the nations health. Issue: Educate Congress on potential financial implications of entitlement reform on teaching hospitals and health systems, medical schools, and faculty practices and the impact on patients access to care and the nations health. Issue: Support policies to close the Medicaid coverage gap and ensure access to coverage in non-expansion states, as well as financial incentives to help states maintain existing expansions. Support mandatory 12-month Medicaid coverage for post-partum individuals. Issue: Oppose efforts by states to impose work or other community engagement activities as a requirement for continued Medicaid eligibility or coverage for certain Medicaid beneficiaries. Issue: Support waiving budget neutrality requirements associated with the E/M code changes or temporarily holding harmless physicians and other health care professionals. Issue: Support extension of Acute Hospital at Home program waiver of 24/7 nursing requirement. Issue: Support extension of Medicare telehealth waivers and efforts to expand patient access to telehealth. Issue: Support policy to permanently remove requirement for Medicare beneficiaries to be seen in-person every six months for telehealth visits for mental health services. H.R.1397 - The Telehealth Improvement for Kids Essential Services Act Issue: Support providing states with guidance to increase telehealth access in Medicaid and CHIP. Issue: Support increased access to behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services under Medicare and Medicaid. Support the removal of regulatory barriers to telehealth-enabled mental health care, including electronic interprofessional consults (eConsults). H.R.2377/S.1000 - The Saving Access to Laboratory Services (SALSA) Act Issue: Support legislation to modify Medicare payment rates for clinical diagnostic laboratory services to avoid statutory cuts to these payments. Issue: Support authorization of Medicare advance and accelerated payments in the wake of cyberattacks on providers. H.R.2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 Issue: Support removing cost-sharing obligations from the chronic care management (CCM) code in Medicare.

Client expense: $617,103 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

S. 260/H.R. 704 - Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 2583/S. 3481 - Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act H.R. 2713/S. 2418 - Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act S. 3939/H.R. 7665 - ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2024 H.R. 7266/S. 3770 - Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act H.R. 7153/S. 3679 - Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act H.R. 7623/S. 3967 - Telehealth Modernization Act H.R. 7002/S. 2815 - Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act H.R. 5163/ S. 3193 - Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act H.R. 4534/S. 2245 - the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act H.R. 5829 - Health Care Practitioner Disaster Protection ActS. 923 - Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act H.R. 3768/S. 1851 - Midwives for MOMs Act H.R. 3305/S. 1606 - Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act H.R. 2411/S. 1150 - National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2023 H.R. 2663/S. 1176 - Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act H.R. 3523/S. 1710 - Perinatal Workforce Act S. 2085 - A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection screening tests H.R 2407 - the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act S. 2016 - CONNECT for Health Act S. 1869 - Site-based Invoicing and Transparency Enhancement Act (SITE) Act H.R. 3355 - Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program Reauthorization Act of 2023 S. 1627 - Providing Real-World Education and Clinical Experience by Precepting Tomorrows Nurses Act (PRECEPT) Nurses Act H.R. 3623/S. 1586 - Educating Future Nurses Act H.R. 3730/S. 198 - Rural Health Clinic Burden Reduction Act H.R. 2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 2400/S. 1165 - Reentry Act of 2023 S. 1378 - Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective Care (COMPLETE Care) Act H.Con.Res.42 - Honoring Mary Eliza Mahoney, America's first professionally trained Black nurse. S.Res.201/H.Res.375 - A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, to be observed from May 6 through May 12, 2023. H.R. 4822 - Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 H.R. 4779 - Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act Primary Care and Health Workforce Expansion Act S. 2840 - Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act S. 3297/H.R. 6407 - Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2023 Support funding for the National Health Service Corps S. 862 - Restoring Americas Health Care Workforce and Readiness Act S. 1976/H.R. 4104 - Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act S. 3430 - Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act of 2023 S.Res. 676/H.Res. 1208 - a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, to be observed from May 6 through May 12, 2024 S. 4338 - Pay PCPs Act of 2024 H.R. 9133/S. 4835 - Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act H.R. 6860/S. 5018 - the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act Issues related to Medicare Part B reform Issues related to enhancing access to care at home in rural and underserved communities Support for the creation of the Office of Caregiver Health Support a final rule prohibiting menthol cigarettes and cigars Support implementation of Medicare code G2211 Extending COVID-19 waivers related to nurse practitioners and critical access hospitals Skilled nursing facility admitting examination and assessment requirements Health plan coverage and program requirements, including provider non-discrimination, network adequacy and prior authorization Nursing faculty and workforce shortage Nursing education Include nurses, APRNs, and nursing students in all national public health plans Public health and nursing workforce infrastructure Rural health care issues, including rural workforce, COVID-19 vaccination, and reimbursement Addressing health equity Medication-Assisted Treatment (MATs) Issues relating to the mental and substance use disorder workforce Opioid epidemic COVID-19 Pandemic, including funding, personal protective equipment, testing and vaccines Provide resources to support nurses, APRNs, and nursing students mental health needs, especially for those responding to the pandemic Extension of CMS waivers beyond the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Use of telehealth to prescribe controlled substances under the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 [Public Law No: 110-425] Site specific restrictions on providers under DEA controlled substances policy Implementation of the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act Telehealth, remote patient monitoring and other forms of health technology Reducing regulatory burdens, including those relating to Medicare Conditions of Participation Medicare provider reimbursement Primary care payment reform Documentation of medical records Inclusion of NPs in the HPSA bonus program for clinicians practicing in primary care HPSAs Framework reform of the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Nursing Research Optimizing the Food and Drug Administration's Use of and Processes for Advisory Committees

Client expense: $360,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office

S. 260/H.R. 704 - Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 2583/S. 3481 - Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act H.R. 2713/S. 2418 - Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act S. 3939/H.R. 7665 - ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2024 H.R. 7623/S. 3967 - Telehealth Modernization Act H.R. 5163/ S. 3193 - Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act S. 923 - Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act H.R. 3305/S. 1606 - Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act H.R. 2663/S. 1176 - Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act S. 2085 - A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection screening tests H.R 2407 - the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act H.R. 4189/S. 2016 - CONNECT for Health Act S. 1869 - Site-based Invoicing and Transparency Enhancement Act (SITE) Act H.R. 3623/S. 1586 - Educating Future Nurses Act H.R. 2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 2400/S. 1165 - Reentry Act of 2023 S.1378 - Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective Care (COMPLETE Care) Act H.R. 4822 - Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 H.R. 4779 - Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act Primary Care and Health Workforce Expansion Act S. 2840 - Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act S. 1976/H.R. 4104 - Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act Support implementation of Medicare code G2211 S. 3297/H.R. 6407 - Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2023 S. 3430 - Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act of 2023 S. 4338 - Pay PCPs Act of 2024 H.R. 8261 - Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act Issues related to Medicare Part B reform Skilled nursing facility admitting examination and assessment requirements Health plan coverage and program requirements, including provider non-discrimination, network adequacy and prior authorization Nursing faculty and workforce shortage Include nurses, APRNs, and nursing students in all national public health plans Rural health care issues, including rural workforce, COVID-19 vaccination, and reimbursement Addressing health equity Medication-Assisted Treatment (MATs) Issues relating to the mental and substance use disorder workforce Opioid epidemic COVID-19 Pandemic, including funding, personal protective equipment, testing and vaccines Extension of CMS waivers beyond the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Telehealth, remote patient monitoring and other forms of health technology Reducing regulatory burdens, including those relating to Medicare Conditions of Participation Medicare provider reimbursement Documentation of medical records Use of clinician home address on Medicare claims when providing telehealth services

Client expense: $360,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

Q3 Lobbying Report (July 1-Sept. 10) HCR Transparency (surprise medical bills; public posting of hospital charges) 340B Drug Pricing Program Resident Physician Shortage Act of 2023 (H.R. 2389) No Surprises Act regulations Food and Drug Amendments No Surprise Bills for New Moms Act (H.R. 3387) Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act (H.R. 2544) Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act (H.R. 3561) Medicaid VBPs for Patients (MVP) Act (H.R. 2666) Providers and Payers COMPETE Act (H.R. 3284) To amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to ensure transparency and oversight of the 340B drug discount program (H.R. 3290) Transparent PRICE Act (H.R. 3281/H.R. 2691)) Resident Physician Shortage Reduction (S. 1302) Medical Student Education Authorization Act (H.R. 3046) Save Americas Rural Hospitals Act (H.R. 833) Chronic Care Management Improvement Act (H.R. 2829) Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees Act (H.R. 2584) Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act (H.R. 2665) Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act (H.R. 977/S.470) FEMA re: COVID-19 related reimbursement Public Health Guidance Transparency and Accountability Act of 2023 (H.R. 4529) Public Health Emergency Congressional Review Act (H.R. 4381) CDC Leadership Accountability Act of 2023 (H.R. 3813) Preparing for All Hazards and Pathogens Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4421) Preparedness and Response Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4420) Childrens Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 3887) Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 (H.R. 4822) Providers and Payers COMPETE Act (H.R. 3284) Lower Costs, More Transparency Act (H.R. 5378 Transparency in Coverage Act (H.R. 4507) GOLD Card Act of 2023 (H.R. 4968) No Fees for EFTs Act (H.R.6487) Rural Health Care Facilities Revitalization Act (H.R. 5989) Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act (H.R. 7153) To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a definition of essential health system in statute (H.R. 7397) Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act (H.R. 7050) 340B PATIENTS Act (H.R. 7635) The 340B Affording Care for Communities and Ensuring a Strong Safety-net (ACCESS) Act (H.R. 8574) Improving Seniors Access to Timely Care Act (H.R. 8702/S.4532) The Preserving Emergency Access in Key Sites (PEAKS) Act (H.R. 7931) Rural Health Care Facilities Revitalization Act (H.R. 5989) MMM Accelerated and Advance Payment Program repayment flexibility Graduate Medical Education (GME) funding Telehealth flexibilities and payment Annual Prospective Payment System Rules Organ acquisition payment policies Californias Medicaid Hospital Quality Assurance Fee Program Medicare Advantage BUD FY 2024 Appropriations bills Nursing and allied health workforce funding FY 2024 budget request Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act (H.R. 6363) Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 5894) Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 (H.R. 7024) Extension of Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2024 (H.R. 7463) Submitted Comments Regulatory Comment Letters SUBJECT: CMS-1809-P, Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems; Quality Reporting Programs, including the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program; Health and Safety Standards for Obstetrical Services in Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals; Prior Authorization; Requests for Information; Medicaid and CHIP Continuous Eligibility; Medicaid Clinic Services Four Walls Exceptions; Individuals Currently or Formerly in Custody of Penal Authorities; Revision to Medicare Special Enrollment Period for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals; and All-Inclusive Rate Add-On Payment for High-Cost Drugs Provided by Indian Health Service and Tribal Facilities, (Vol 89, No 140), July 22, 2024 SUBJECT: CMS-1803-P, Medicare Program; Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) Rate Update; HH Quality Reporting Program Requirements; HH Value-Based Purchasing Expanded Model Requirements; Home Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) Items and Services Rate Update; and Other Medicare Policies, Federal Register (Vol. 89, No. 128), July 3, 2024 SUBJECT: CMS-5535-P, Medicare Program; Alternative Payment Model Updates and the Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) Model, Federal Register (Vol. 89, No. 97), May 17, 2024 Legislative Comment Letters Letter to HHS on Johnson & Johnson's Proposed Changes to 340B Drug Discount Program, Sept. 19, 2024

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

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA)

Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 (H.R.2829) Removes cost-sharing responsibilities for CCM services under the Medicare program. Rural Health Innovation Act of 2023 (S.953 and H.R.1712) Creates grant programs under HRSA to expand urgent/triage care in rural communities (RHCs and FQHCs eligible); $500,000 for existing facilities and $750,000 for new facilities. Rural America Health Corps Act (S.940) Creates a loan repayment program called NHSC Rural Provider Loan Repayment Program; includes NPs and PAs as providers eligible for the program; specifically aimed at rotating graduates through underserved areas. Save Americas Rural Hospitals (H.R.833) Primarily hospital related but Sec.113 makes permanent Medicare telehealth in RHCs/FQHCs and allows for telehealth visits to be reimbursed at parity with in-person visits. Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2023 (S.1077) Grant demonstration program through USDA for increasing mental health and substance abuse services in rural, medically underserved populations. Patients' Right to Know Their Medication Act of 2023 (H.R.1173) RPM Cost Sharing Elimination Study Act of 2023 (H.R.6801) Primary Care Team Education Centers Act Creates further investment in the establishment of clinical training sites for primary care providers. RHCs would be eligible entities for this funding. Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act Modernize Medicare Advantage prior authorization processes. Rural Residency Planning and Development Act of 2024 Officially authorizes the RRPD program that has been around since 2019. RHCs are eligible entities for participation in RRPD programs. Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Isolation Act of 2023 (H.R.6284) Create a working group within the Department of Health and Human Services tasked with developing standards to measure loneliness and isolation, with the goal of tackling this growing issue. Promoting Effective and Empowering Recovery Services Under the Medicare Program (H.R.6748/S.3498) Provides for Medicare coverage of peer support services as RHC services. Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2023 (H.R.4829) Establishes physical therapy services as RHC services (reimbursable at RHC AIR) Rural Health Preceptor Tax Fairness Act (H.R.8738) Creates a $1,000 tax credit for health preceptors of various health professionals in rural areas.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $90,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

S. 198, H.R. 3730 ~ Rural Health Clinic Burden Reduction Act ~ Cost Neutral Legislation to Modernize the RHC Statute Medicare Advantage Payment Policy for Rural Health Clinics ~ Securing a wrap-around payment policy for RHCs similar to what FQHCs have. Telehealth Issues ~ extending Medicare coverage of telehealth in the RHC setting and paying RHCs normally for telehealth services H.R. 5611 ~ extending and fixing telehealth payment policy for Rural Health Clinics Creating value-based payments for Rural Health Clinics S. 3967 / H.R. 7623 - Telehealth Modernization Act Primary Care Team Education Centers Act Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Isolation Act - H.R. 6284 H.R. 4829 - Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2023 H.R. 7855 - Rural Residency Planning and Development Act of 2024 H.R. 6748 - Promoting Effective and Empowering Recovery Services in Medicare Act of 2023 H.R. 8738 - Rural Health Preceptor Tax Fairness Act H.R. 2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act H.R. 1712, S. 953 - Rural Health Innovation Act of 2023 S. 940 - Rural America Health Corps Act H.R. 833 - Save America's Rural Hospitals

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $90,000

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

H.R.2665, Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act H.R.2389, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023 H.R.3561 - PATIENT Act of 2023 H.R. 3887, the Childrens Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2023 H.R. 3561, PATIENT Act of 2023 H.R. 5378, The Lower Costs, More Transparency Act S. 2719 Directing our Countrys Transfer of Residency Slots (DOCTORS) Act of 2023 S. 3196 - Ensuring Medicaid Continuity for Children in Foster Care Act H.R. 2829 Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 7397 -Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act H.R. 6929 & S.3565, Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act Fiscal Year 2025 Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) Appropriations Support Issues related to Section 203 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 Issues related to the Medicare/Medicaid dual eligible population Issues related to Medicare Site-neutral payment cuts Issues related to Medicaid DSH Cuts

Client expense: $460,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, White House Office

Expand Patient Access and Telehealth: Urged Congress to pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, which requires insurers to implement a clear and transparent process for a patient or physician to request an exception to a step therapy protocol. The bill lays out five exceptions to fail first protocols and requires that a group health plan grant an exemption. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and group health insurers have developed a series of price management tools to curb the rising cost of prescription drugs. Supported H.R. 2829, the Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023, that would remove the co-pay charged to patients who utilize chronic care management services. It would waive the beneficiary coinsurance to manage chronic care conditions and improve patients health. Supported the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, H.R. 3440 and S. 1636. This bipartisan legislation would ensure rural and underserved community healthcare providers can permanently offer telehealth services, including audio-only telehealth appointments, that are set to expire in December 2024. The legislation would: 1) allow payment parity for audio-only health services for clinically appropriate appointments; 2) permanently waive the geographic restriction allowing patients to be treated from their homes; 3) permanently allow rural health clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers to serve as distance sites for providing telehealth services; 4) lift the restrictions on store and forward technologies for telehealth; and 5) allow Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to directly bill for telehealth services. Supported the Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act, which would extend these flexibilities for two years until the end of 2026. Also supported the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, H.R. 3440, and the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024, H.R. 7623, which facilitate access to care via telehealth permanently. Supported CONNECT for Health Act of 2023, H.R. 4189 and S. 2016, to permanently remove all geographic restrictions on telehealth services and expand originating sites to include the home and other sites. That legislation would: 1) help providers transition to the goals of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) through using telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM) without most of the 42 U.S.C. Section 1834(m) telehealth restrictions; 2) allow telehealth and RPM to be used by qualifying participants in alternative payment models, without most of the 1834(m) restrictions; 3) permit the use of remote patient monitoring for certain patients with chronic conditions; 4) allow, as originating sites, telestroke evaluation and management sites, Native American health service facilities, and dialysis facilities for home dialysis patients in certain cases; and 5) permit further telehealth and RPM in community health centers and rural health clinics. Medicare Payments to Physicians (H.R. 2474): Urged Congress to pass H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, which preserves access to care for Medicare beneficiaries by providing an annual inflation update equal to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) for Medicare physician payments. Unlike other health care sectors, Medicare payment rates for physicians have not been updated based on the MEI. As a result, from 2001 to 2021, Medicare physician payments have decreased by 20 percent when adjusted for inflation. Supported H.R. 6545, the Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This bill includes an important provision that would allocate 3 percent to the 2024 Medicare conversion factor, which would represent a 1.75 percent increase to the approved level. H.R. 6545 also includes several provisions from H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023, that ACP supports. It would raise the budget neutrality threshold to $53 million and would use cumulative increases in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) to update the threshold every five years afterwards. Supported H.R. 6683, the Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023. That bill averts a 3.4 percent across-the-board cut to physician payment for 2024. ACP supports a similar bill, S. 5035, introduced by Sen. Boozman. ACP supported extending the work geographic practice costs index to improve the accuracy of geographic adjustment factors. Supported H.R. 6366 that would extend the work geographic practice costs index for another year to 1.00 for any locality where the index would be less than 1.00. We support aspects of legislation recently introduced by Senators Whitehouse and Cassidy, the Pay Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) Act, S. 4338, that would expand and accelerate the adoption of a hybrid per member per month (PMPM) payment model outside of the PFS. We believe this type of model can enhance innovation and improve the delivery of chronic care in primary care practices. ACP supported the Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventive Health Savings Act, H.R. 766, to enable CBO to capture cost-savings associated with preventive health care legislation beyond existing 10-year window, for two additional 10-year periods. Support Value-Based Care: Urged support of the Value in Health Care Act of 2023. The bill provides a multi-year commitment to reforming care delivery by extending MACRAs 5 percent advanced alternative payment models (APM) incentives that are scheduled to expire at the end of the year. It also gives the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) authority to adjust APM qualifying thresholds so that the current one-size-fits-all approach does not serve as a disincentive to including rural, underserved, primary care or specialty practices in APMs. The bill removes revenue-based distinctions that disadvantage rural and safety net providers, which is critical to improving access to care and improving health equity. The bill also improves financial benchmarks so that APM participants are not penalized for their own success. To allow more clinicians to continue the transition to value, the bill establishes a voluntary track for accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the Medicare Shared Savings Program to take on higher levels of risk and provides technical assistance for clinicians new to APMs. Lastly, the bill seeks to provide parity between APMs and the Medicare Advantage (MA) program by studying ways to increase alignment that will ease burdens on physicians and ensure that both APMs and MA are attractive and sustainable options. ACP supports extending incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models through 2026. This approach would help to maintain incentives that support physicians transition from a volume-based fee-for-service health care system to one that is based on the value and quality outcomes of health care delivered to the patient. Supported H.R. 6369 by Rep. Kim Schrier to extend incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models. ACP supports H.R. 5395, the SURS Extension Act, which would extend the Quality Payment Program-Small Practice, Underserved, and Rural Support (QPP-SURS) program for fiscal years 2024-2029. This program was established under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and has provided direct assistance to eligible clinicians required to participate in MIPS. ACP supports efforts to streamline the number of quality measures physicians must report on and enhance stakeholder engagement. Supported the Fewer Burdens for Better Care Act of 2023, which would emphasize multi-stakeholder input, with a 30-day comment period for stakeholders to comment on the removal of measures from the Medicare program. Pricing Transparency/Consolidation: Supported several provisions of H.R. 5378, Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, which are consistent with our policy and would improve access to and affordability of health care for patients. This bill brings together H.R. 4822, Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023, H.R. 3561, Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act of 2023 or the PATIENT Act of 2023 and other related bills reported out of Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Education and Workforce Committees. Supported requiring disclosure of changes in hospital or health facility ownership to reveal when private equity firms acquire hospitals, larger physician practices or nursing homes, promote price transparency among hospitals, health plans and pharmacy benefit managers and promote site neutrality for Medicare and Medicare beneficiaries. We further supported the reauthorization and funding increases included for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, Community Health Center program and National Health Service Corps. Supported Section 4 of H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act, which aims to increase PBM data reporting to enhance transparency for Medicare Part D. Specifically, it would set out new requirements for PBMs to report data on rebates and administrative fees to HHS. It would also require that HHS deidentify the data and make it publicly available so that policy makers and the public will have a better understanding of how rebates and administrative fees impact the costs of drug plans. The Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148, P.L. 111-152): Urged legislation to extend permanently the premium tax subsidies afforded under the ACA. Supported H.R. 1692, the Health Care Affordability Act of 2023, by Rep. Underwood to permanently extend the premium tax credit subsidies under the ACA. The law provides consumers with subsidies (premium tax credits) that lower costs for households with incomes between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). It expands the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below 138 percent of the FPL. Supportive of S. 8, Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act to expand the eligibility of taxpayers for the refundable tax credit for coverage under a qualified health plan and increase cost-sharing subsidies under the ACA. We support similar legislation introduced by Sen. Shaheen in the Senate. FY2025 Appropriations: Urged Congress to support funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's programs in the FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill as well as funding shared evenly between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct public health research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention. Advocated for funding for the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA); Title Vi, Section 747, Primary Care Training and Enhancement (PCTE), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); National Health Service Corps (NHSC); Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH). Urged Congress to include report language in the FY2025 Labor HHS appropriations bill to direct the GAO to conduct a study encompassing the last decade of CMS estimates of new and revised code utilizations. ACP believes CMS has overestimated utilizations, thus adversely affecting available funds in the Medicare physician fee schedule for other code usage. While the House and Senate bills included language, we prefer the stronger House version language. Women's Health: Urged HHS to support Title X funding and ensure unencumbered access to affordable, comprehensive, evidence-based reproductive health care; eliminate medically unnecessary restrictions and inappropriate political interference in the patient-physician relationship; and protect funding for and ensures consistent treatment of qualified service sites. Supported H.R. 459 and S. 323, the Secure Access for Essential Reproductive (SAFER) Health Act. This legislation would strengthen current health privacy laws to ensure that abortion-related health data cannot be shared without patient consent. It prohibits health care providers and insurance plans from disclosing in legal proceedings an individual's personal health information related to an abortion or pregnancy without the individual's valid authorization. The prohibition applies to federal, state, local, and tribal proceedings, including civil, criminal, administrative, and legislative proceedings. The bill provides limited exceptions such as if the information is necessary to investigate physical harm to the individual. We support the Senate Title X spending for pregnancy and family planning over the Houses bill, which eliminates funding in its bill. Primary Care and the Physician Workforce: Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R. 2389, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023, which increases the number of Medicare supported direct graduate medical education (DGME) and indirect medical education (IME) positions by 14,000 over seven years; Support efforts of the bipartisan Senate Working Group to add 10,000 GME slots in legislation; Cosponsor and pass S. 665, the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act, to allow states to sponsor foreign-trained physicians to work in medically underserved areas in exchange for a waiver of the physicians' two-year foreign residence requirement; Cosponsor and pass H.R. 1202/S. 704, the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, to make it possible for residents to defer interest on their loans; Support inclusion in FY2024 appropriations legislation funding for Title VII Primary Care and Training Enhancement (PCTE) at $71 million to support and expand the pipeline for individuals training in primary care. Supported H.R.4986/S. 2577, which would refinance the interest rate for all existing federal student loans to zero percent. Further, it would cap interest rates for future student loan borrowers, while considering their financial needs. Prescription Drug Reform: Reviewed proposals to implement guidance by HHS for implementation of Inflation Reduction Act's prescription drug negotiation provisions. Supported H.R. 4895, the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act, to expand the number of prescription drugs which Medicare can negotiate under the Inflation Reduction Act from 20 to 50 starting in 2029. Supported H.R. 5385, the Medicare PBM Accountability Act. This legislation aims to lower the costs of prescription drugs for seniors covered by Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. It would require PBMs to submit annual reports to the Secretary of HHS on PBMs cost savings incurred from rebates, discounts, and price concessions. Supported H.R. 1352, the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2023. This legislation would encourage adoption of biosimilars in Medicare and improve biosimilar accessibility, by establishing a new pilot program - a voluntary, shared savings demonstration program - for providers of biosimilars in Medicare Part B. Supported H.R. 5386, the Cutting Copays Act. This legislation would eliminate cost-sharing for generic drugs for LIS beneficiaries, helping to incentivize the use of generic drugs. Supported H.R. 3009/S. 2362, the Drug Shortage Prevention Act of 2023, to require that manufacturers of over-the-counter and prescription drugs notify Food & Drug Administration when they are unlikely to meet demand. Social Determinants of Healthcare/DEI: Opposed the Educate Act, H.R. 7725/S. 4115, that will amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit graduate medical schools from receiving Federal financial assistance if such schools adopt certain policies and requirements relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Firearm Safety: (S.117): Urged Congress to support the Handgun Permit to Purchase Act (S. 117), legislation that would authorize grants to states to support handgun purchaser licensing programs. To qualify for the grants, states must require gun purchasers to be at least the age of 2I and be subject to a criminal background check. Urged Congress to support the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, H.R. 715, and the Background Check Expansion Act, S. 494 and Ethans Law, H.R. 660 and S. 173, requiring gun owners to safely and securely store their firearms. Supported the Keep Americans Safe Act, H.R. 625 and S. 298, which would ban the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of high-capacity gun magazines that hold more than fifteen rounds. Supported the Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act, H.R. 768 and S. 247 empowering family members and law enforcement to prevent gun violence by petitioning a court to temporarily separate an at-risk individual from firearms. Supported the FY2024 funding gun violence prevention research contained in FY24 Senate Labor-HHS-Ed appropriations bill for inclusion in any final FY24 appropriations bills. Administrative Burden: Urged Congress to codify many of these proposed improvements to the prior authorization process in the reintroduced the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, S.4532. This legislation was passed by the House in the last Congress and would reduce burdens associated with prior authorization in Medicare Advantage (MA) by: l) protecting beneficiaries from any disruptions in care due to prior authorization requirements as they transition between MA plans; 2) requiring all MA plans adopt electronic prior authorization capabilities to streamline the process for prior authorization approval; and 3) standardizing the process and procedures for reporting electronic prior authorization criteria to MA plans. Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, to ensure patient access to appropriate treatments based on clinical decision-making and medical necessity rather than arbitrary step therapy protocols. Data Privacy: Supported American Privacy Rights Act, H.R. 8818, nations first comprehensive federal consumer data privacy framework. Bill was considered by House Energy and Commerce and would expand data privacy protections to entities not currently subject to HIPAA privacy protections. ACP asked for provisions enabling consumers to opt-out of allowing companies to use algorithms based on their personal data, allow states to further protect their residents and fully inform subjects of the nature and risks of the research. Scope of Practice: Opposed the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, H.R. 1770/ S. 2477, which would expand Medicare coverage to permanently include select services provided by a pharmacist. Healthcare Worker Safety: Supported H.R. 6364, the Medicare Telehealth Privacy Act of 2023. This bill would ensure that HHS will not publicly post the addresses of participating telehealth practitioners to provide privacy protections for physicians so that they can effectively treat and care for patients via telehealth. Clinical Labs: Supported the provision in H.R. 6366 that would delay payment reductions and data reporting periods for the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA). Legislation could improve patient access to laboratory tests used to diagnose, monitor, prevent, and manage diseases for Medicare beneficiaries.

Client expense: $243,888 · 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), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Expand Patient Access and Telehealth: Urged Congress to pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, which requires insurers to implement a clear and transparent process for a patient or physician to request an exception to a step therapy protocol. The bill lays out five exceptions to fail first protocols and requires that a group health plan grant an exemption. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and group health insurers have developed a series of price management tools to curb the rising cost of prescription drugs. Supported H.R. 2829, the Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023, that would remove the co-pay charged to patients who utilize chronic care management services. It would waive the beneficiary coinsurance to manage chronic care conditions and improve patients health. Supported the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, H.R. 3440 and S. 1636. This bipartisan legislation would ensure rural and underserved community healthcare providers can permanently offer telehealth services, including audio-only telehealth appointments, that are set to expire in December 2024. The legislation would: 1) allow payment parity for audio-only health services for clinically appropriate appointments; 2) permanently waive the geographic restriction allowing patients to be treated from their homes; 3) permanently allow rural health clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers to serve as distance sites for providing telehealth services; 4) lift the restrictions on store and forward technologies for telehealth; and 5) allow Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to directly bill for telehealth services. Supported the Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act, which would extend these flexibilities for two years until the end of 2026. Also supported the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, H.R. 3440, and the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024, H.R. 7623, which facilitate access to care via telehealth permanently. Supported CONNECT for Health Act of 2023, H.R. 4189 and S. 2016, to permanently remove all geographic restrictions on telehealth services and expand originating sites to include the home and other sites. That legislation would: 1) help providers transition to the goals of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) through using telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM) without most of the 42 U.S.C. Section 1834(m) telehealth restrictions; 2) allow telehealth and RPM to be used by qualifying participants in alternative payment models, without most of the 1834(m) restrictions; 3) permit the use of remote patient monitoring for certain patients with chronic conditions; 4) allow, as originating sites, telestroke evaluation and management sites, Native American health service facilities, and dialysis facilities for home dialysis patients in certain cases; and 5) permit further telehealth and RPM in community health centers and rural health clinics. Medicare Payments to Physicians (H.R. 2474): Urged Congress to pass H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, which preserves access to care for Medicare beneficiaries by providing an annual inflation update equal to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) for Medicare physician payments. Unlike other health care sectors, Medicare payment rates for physicians have not been updated based on the MEI. As a result, from 2001 to 2021, Medicare physician payments have decreased by 20 percent when adjusted for inflation. Supported H.R. 6545, the Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This bill includes an important provision that would allocate 3 percent to the 2024 Medicare conversion factor, which would represent a 1.75 percent increase to the approved level. H.R. 6545 also includes several provisions from H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023, that ACP supports. It would raise the budget neutrality threshold to $53 million and would use cumulative increases in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) to update the threshold every five years afterwards. Supported H.R. 6683, the Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023. That bill averts a 3.4 percent across-the-board cut to physician payment for 2024. ACP supports a similar bill, S. 5035, introduced by Sen. Boozman. ACP supported extending the work geographic practice costs index to improve the accuracy of geographic adjustment factors. Supported H.R. 6366 that would extend the work geographic practice costs index for another year to 1.00 for any locality where the index would be less than 1.00. We support aspects of legislation recently introduced by Senators Whitehouse and Cassidy, the Pay Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) Act, S. 4338, that would expand and accelerate the adoption of a hybrid per member per month (PMPM) payment model outside of the PFS. We believe this type of model can enhance innovation and improve the delivery of chronic care in primary care practices. ACP supported the Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventive Health Savings Act, H.R. 766, to enable CBO to capture cost-savings associated with preventive health care legislation beyond existing 10-year window, for two additional 10-year periods. Support Value-Based Care: Urged support of the Value in Health Care Act of 2023. The bill provides a multi-year commitment to reforming care delivery by extending MACRAs 5 percent advanced alternative payment models (APM) incentives that are scheduled to expire at the end of the year. It also gives the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) authority to adjust APM qualifying thresholds so that the current one-size-fits-all approach does not serve as a disincentive to including rural, underserved, primary care or specialty practices in APMs. The bill removes revenue-based distinctions that disadvantage rural and safety net providers, which is critical to improving access to care and improving health equity. The bill also improves financial benchmarks so that APM participants are not penalized for their own success. To allow more clinicians to continue the transition to value, the bill establishes a voluntary track for accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the Medicare Shared Savings Program to take on higher levels of risk and provides technical assistance for clinicians new to APMs. Lastly, the bill seeks to provide parity between APMs and the Medicare Advantage (MA) program by studying ways to increase alignment that will ease burdens on physicians and ensure that both APMs and MA are attractive and sustainable options. ACP supports extending incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models through 2026. This approach would help to maintain incentives that support physicians transition from a volume-based fee-for-service health care system to one that is based on the value and quality outcomes of health care delivered to the patient. Supported H.R. 6369 by Rep. Kim Schrier to extend incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models. ACP supports H.R. 5395, the SURS Extension Act, which would extend the Quality Payment Program-Small Practice, Underserved, and Rural Support (QPP-SURS) program for fiscal years 2024-2029. This program was established under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and has provided direct assistance to eligible clinicians required to participate in MIPS. ACP supports efforts to streamline the number of quality measures physicians must report on and enhance stakeholder engagement. Supported the Fewer Burdens for Better Care Act of 2023, which would emphasize multi-stakeholder input, with a 30-day comment period for stakeholders to comment on the removal of measures from the Medicare program. Pricing Transparency/Consolidation: Supported several provisions of H.R. 5378, Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, which are consistent with our policy and would improve access to and affordability of health care for patients. This bill brings together H.R. 4822, Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023, H.R. 3561, Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act of 2023 or the PATIENT Act of 2023 and other related bills reported out of Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Education and Workforce Committees. Supported requiring disclosure of changes in hospital or health facility ownership to reveal when private equity firms acquire hospitals, larger physician practices or nursing homes, promote price transparency among hospitals, health plans and pharmacy benefit managers and promote site neutrality for Medicare and Medicare beneficiaries. We further supported the reauthorization and funding increases included for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, Community Health Center program and National Health Service Corps. Supported Section 4 of H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act, which aims to increase PBM data reporting to enhance transparency for Medicare Part D. Specifically, it would set out new requirements for PBMs to report data on rebates and administrative fees to HHS. It would also require that HHS deidentify the data and make it publicly available so that policy makers and the public will have a better understanding of how rebates and administrative fees impact the costs of drug plans. The Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148, P.L. 111-152): Urged legislation to extend permanently the premium tax subsidies afforded under the ACA. Supported H.R. 1692, the Health Care Affordability Act of 2023, by Rep. Underwood to permanently extend the premium tax credit subsidies under the ACA. The law provides consumers with subsidies (premium tax credits) that lower costs for households with incomes between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). It expands the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below 138 percent of the FPL. Supportive of S. 8, Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act to expand the eligibility of taxpayers for the refundable tax credit for coverage under a qualified health plan and increase cost-sharing subsidies under the ACA. We support similar legislation introduced by Sen. Shaheen in the Senate. FY2025 Appropriations: Urged Congress to support funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's programs in the FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill as well as funding shared evenly between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct public health research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention. Advocated for funding for the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA); Title Vi, Section 747, Primary Care Training and Enhancement (PCTE), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); National Health Service Corps (NHSC); Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH). Urged Congress to include report language in the FY2025 Labor HHS appropriations bill to direct the GAO to conduct a study encompassing the last decade of CMS estimates of new and revised code utilizations. ACP believes CMS has overestimated utilizations, thus adversely affecting available funds in the Medicare physician fee schedule for other code usage. While the House and Senate bills included language, we prefer the stronger House version language. Women's Health: Urged HHS to support Title X funding and ensure unencumbered access to affordable, comprehensive, evidence-based reproductive health care; eliminate medically unnecessary restrictions and inappropriate political interference in the patient-physician relationship; and protect funding for and ensures consistent treatment of qualified service sites. Supported H.R. 459 and S. 323, the Secure Access for Essential Reproductive (SAFER) Health Act. This legislation would strengthen current health privacy laws to ensure that abortion-related health data cannot be shared without patient consent. It prohibits health care providers and insurance plans from disclosing in legal proceedings an individual's personal health information related to an abortion or pregnancy without the individual's valid authorization. The prohibition applies to federal, state, local, and tribal proceedings, including civil, criminal, administrative, and legislative proceedings. The bill provides limited exceptions such as if the information is necessary to investigate physical harm to the individual. We support the Senate Title X spending for pregnancy and family planning over the Houses bill, which eliminates funding in its bill. Primary Care and the Physician Workforce: Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R. 2389, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023, which increases the number of Medicare supported direct graduate medical education (DGME) and indirect medical education (IME) positions by 14,000 over seven years; Support efforts of the bipartisan Senate Working Group to add 10,000 GME slots in legislation; Cosponsor and pass S. 665, the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act, to allow states to sponsor foreign-trained physicians to work in medically underserved areas in exchange for a waiver of the physicians' two-year foreign residence requirement; Cosponsor and pass H.R. 1202/S. 704, the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, to make it possible for residents to defer interest on their loans; Support inclusion in FY2024 appropriations legislation funding for Title VII Primary Care and Training Enhancement (PCTE) at $71 million to support and expand the pipeline for individuals training in primary care. Supported H.R.4986/S. 2577, which would refinance the interest rate for all existing federal student loans to zero percent. Further, it would cap interest rates for future student loan borrowers, while considering their financial needs. Prescription Drug Reform: Reviewed proposals to implement guidance by HHS for implementation of Inflation Reduction Act's prescription drug negotiation provisions. Supported H.R. 4895, the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act, to expand the number of prescription drugs which Medicare can negotiate under the Inflation Reduction Act from 20 to 50 starting in 2029. Supported H.R. 5385, the Medicare PBM Accountability Act. This legislation aims to lower the costs of prescription drugs for seniors covered by Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. It would require PBMs to submit annual reports to the Secretary of HHS on PBMs cost savings incurred from rebates, discounts, and price concessions. Supported H.R. 1352, the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2023. This legislation would encourage adoption of biosimilars in Medicare and improve biosimilar accessibility, by establishing a new pilot program - a voluntary, shared savings demonstration program - for providers of biosimilars in Medicare Part B. Supported H.R. 5386, the Cutting Copays Act. This legislation would eliminate cost-sharing for generic drugs for LIS beneficiaries, helping to incentivize the use of generic drugs. Supported H.R. 3009/S. 2362, the Drug Shortage Prevention Act of 2023, to require that manufacturers of over-the-counter and prescription drugs notify Food & Drug Administration when they are unlikely to meet demand. Social Determinants of Healthcare/DEI: Opposed the Educate Act, H.R. 7725/S. 4115, that will amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit graduate medical schools from receiving Federal financial assistance if such schools adopt certain policies and requirements relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Firearm Safety: (S.117): Urged Congress to support the Handgun Permit to Purchase Act (S. 117), legislation that would authorize grants to states to support handgun purchaser licensing programs. To qualify for the grants, states must require gun purchasers to be at least the age of 2I and be subject to a criminal background check. Urged Congress to support the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, H.R. 715, and the Background Check Expansion Act, S. 494 and Ethans Law, H.R. 660 and S. 173, requiring gun owners to safely and securely store their firearms. Supported the Keep Americans Safe Act, H.R. 625 and S. 298, which would ban the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of high-capacity gun magazines that hold more than fifteen rounds. Supported the Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act, H.R. 768 and S. 247 empowering family members and law enforcement to prevent gun violence by petitioning a court to temporarily separate an at-risk individual from firearms. Supported the FY2024 funding gun violence prevention research contained in FY24 Senate Labor-HHS-Ed appropriations bill for inclusion in any final FY24 appropriations bills. Administrative Burden: Urged Congress to codify many of these proposed improvements to the prior authorization process in the reintroduced the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, S.4532. This legislation was passed by the House in the last Congress and would reduce burdens associated with prior authorization in Medicare Advantage (MA) by: l) protecting beneficiaries from any disruptions in care due to prior authorization requirements as they transition between MA plans; 2) requiring all MA plans adopt electronic prior authorization capabilities to streamline the process for prior authorization approval; and 3) standardizing the process and procedures for reporting electronic prior authorization criteria to MA plans. Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, to ensure patient access to appropriate treatments based on clinical decision-making and medical necessity rather than arbitrary step therapy protocols. Data Privacy: Supported American Privacy Rights Act, H.R. 8818, nations first comprehensive federal consumer data privacy framework. Bill was considered by House Energy and Commerce and would expand data privacy protections to entities not currently subject to HIPAA privacy protections. ACP asked for provisions enabling consumers to opt-out of allowing companies to use algorithms based on their personal data, allow states to further protect their residents and fully inform subjects of the nature and risks of the research. Scope of Practice: Opposed the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, H.R. 1770/ S. 2477, which would expand Medicare coverage to permanently include select services provided by a pharmacist. Healthcare Worker Safety: Supported H.R. 6364, the Medicare Telehealth Privacy Act of 2023. This bill would ensure that HHS will not publicly post the addresses of participating telehealth practitioners to provide privacy protections for physicians so that they can effectively treat and care for patients via telehealth. Clinical Labs: Supported the provision in H.R. 6366 that would delay payment reductions and data reporting periods for the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA). Legislation could improve patient access to laboratory tests used to diagnose, monitor, prevent, and manage diseases for Medicare beneficiaries.

Client expense: $124,919 · 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), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

H.R. 5013 & S.3503 - The Value in Health Care Act of 2023 H.R. 2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R. 7665 & S. 3939: The ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2024 S. 4338, the Pay PCPs Act H.R. 7623 & S. 3967, the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 H.R.8702 & S. 4532, the Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act Issues related to Medicare & Medicaid payment and regulations, Medicare Shared Savings Program, ACO REACH, Medicare Advantage, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation model evaluation, alternative payment model incentives, and telehealth.

Client expense: $129,480 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

H.R. 5013 & S.3503 - The Value in Health Care Act of 2023 H.R. 2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R. 7665 & S. 3939: The ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2024 S. 4338, the Pay PCPs Act H.R. 7623 & S. 3967, the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 H.R.8702 & S. 4532, the Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act Issues related to Medicare & Medicaid payment and regulations, Medicare Shared Savings Program, ACO REACH, Medicare Advantage, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation model evaluation, alternative payment model incentives, and telehealth.

Client expense: $183,511 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

H.R.2389/S.1302 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023 H.R.7050 - Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act Draft Bipartisan Senate Medicare GME Expansion proposal Issue: Support increased Medicare funding for graduate medical education (GME). H.R.751 - Fair Access in Residency Act Issue: Oppose legislative interference in residency training program requirements and policies requiring the Medicare program to consider specific physician licensing exams for residency program applications. H.R.834/S.230 - Rural Physician Workforce Production Act Issue: Oppose legislation redesigning Medicare GME payment formulas that reduce current DGME/IME payments to teaching hospitals. H.R.2584/S.2768 - Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act Issue: Support legislation providing protection for health care workers by creating a criminal offense for knowingly assaulting or intimidating hospital workers and providing grants to reduce violence in hospitals. H.R.5378 - Lower Costs, More Transparency Act Issue: Oppose legislation that pays for workforce investments and mitigation of DSH cuts paid for by cuts to hospital outpatient departments. H.R.5013 - Value in Health Care Act Issue: Support legislation that ensures the continued move to value-based care. H.R.8235 - Rural Physician Workforce Preservation Act Issue: Educate Congress about the likely impact of legislation that would alter the distribution of Medicare-supported GME slots from the CAA, 2021 and 2023. Issue: Educate Congress on status of CMS distribution of the 1,000 new GME slots authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L.116-260). Support CMS changing its distribution methodology to end the practice of super prioritization. Issue: Support Medicare GME per resident amount and cap-setting technical corrections and administrative relief. Issues: Support lifting cap on number of residents Medicare will count when determining teaching hospitals' Medicare Direct Graduate Medical Education (DGME) and Indirect Medical Education (IME) payments. Issue: Oppose reduction of Medicare GME/IME payments. Issue: Oppose the redesign of Medicare Indirect Medical Education financing and redistribution. Issue: Oppose establishing nationality-based restrictions on medical residencies supported by Medicare. Draft Senate Finance Medicare Physician Fee Schedule request for information Issue: Support efforts to reform the Medicare physician fee schedule. H.R.2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act Issue: Support legislation that reforms the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule by providing an annual inflation-based payment update based on the Medicare Economic Index (MEI). S.4338 - Pay PCPs Act Issue: Respond to Senate RFI on hybrid payments for Medicare physicians. P.L.118-42 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 Issues: Oppose reduction in Medicare hospital outpatient department reimbursement for drug administration and other services. Oppose site-neutral expansion to excepted off-campus provider-based departments (PBDs). Oppose creation of National Provider Number/unique identifier for off-campus hospital outpatient departments. Oppose Medicare hospital, and provider cuts. Support mitigation of Medicare Physician Fee Schedule cuts. Support delaying or eliminating scheduled cuts to the Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) program. Support extension of alternative payment model (APM) bonus. H.R.2665 - The Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act Issue: Support eliminating two years worth of scheduled reductions to the Medicaid DSH program. Issue: Educate Congress on role of academic medicine as it relates to price transparency or disclosure initiatives. Issue: Protect patients from delays in care by streamlining and standardizing prior authorization under the Medicare Advantage program and providing program oversight and transparency. Issue: Support necessary changes and improvements to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). Issue: Educate Congress and policymakers on the financial challenges facing teaching hospitals and health systems, medical schools, and faculty practices and the impact on patients access to care and the nations health. Issue: Educate Congress on potential financial implications of entitlement reform on teaching hospitals and health systems, medical schools, and faculty practices and the impact on patients access to care and the nations health. Issue: Support policies to close the Medicaid coverage gap and ensure access to coverage in non-expansion states, as well as financial incentives to help states maintain existing expansions. Support mandatory 12-month Medicaid coverage for post-partum individuals. Issue: Oppose efforts by states to impose work or other community engagement activities as a requirement for continued Medicaid eligibility or coverage for certain Medicaid beneficiaries. Issue: Support waiving budget neutrality requirements associated with the E/M code changes or temporarily holding harmless physicians and other health care professionals. Issue: Support extension of Acute Hospital at Home program waiver of 24/7 nursing requirement. Issue: Support extension of Medicare telehealth waivers and efforts to expand patient access to telehealth. Issue: Support policy to permanently remove requirement for Medicare beneficiaries to be seen in-person every six months for telehealth visits for mental health services. H.R.1397 - The Telehealth Improvement for Kids Essential Services Act Issue: Support providing states with guidance to increase telehealth access in Medicaid and CHIP. Issue: Support increased access to behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services under Medicare and Medicaid. Support the removal of regulatory barriers to telehealth-enabled mental health care, including electronic interprofessional consults (eConsults). Issue: Support creation of new Medicare outpatient IME payment in addition to existing Medicare IME payment inpatient methodology. Oppose policies to create budget neutral IME payments for outpatient services. H.R.2377/S.1000 - The Saving Access to Laboratory Services (SALSA) Act Issue: Support legislation to modify Medicare payment rates for clinical diagnostic laboratory services to avoid statutory cuts to these payments. Issue: Support authorization of Medicare advance and accelerated payments in the wake of cyberattacks on providers. H.R.2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 Issue: Support removing cost-sharing obligations from the chronic care management (CCM) code in Medicare.

Client expense: $742,323 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

S. 260/H.R. 704 - Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 2583/S. 3481 - Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act H.R. 2713/S. 2418 - Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act S. 3939/H.R. 7665 - ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2024 H.R. 7266/S. 3770 - Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act H.R. 7153/S. 3679 - Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act H.R. 7623/S. 3967 - Telehealth Modernization Act H.R. 7002/S. 2815 - Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act H.R. 5163/ S. 3193 - Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act H.R. 4534/S. 2245 - the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act H.R. 5829 - Health Care Practitioner Disaster Protection ActS. 923 - Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act H.R. 3768/S. 1851 - Midwives for MOMs Act H.R. 3305/S. 1606 - Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act H.R. 2411/S. 1150 - National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2023 H.R. 2663/S. 1176 - Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act H.R. 3523/S. 1710 - Perinatal Workforce Act S. 2085 - A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection screening tests H.R 2407 - the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act S. 2016 - CONNECT for Health Act S. 1869 - Site-based Invoicing and Transparency Enhancement Act (SITE) Act H.R. 3355 - Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program Reauthorization Act of 2023 S. 1627 - Providing Real-World Education and Clinical Experience by Precepting Tomorrows Nurses Act (PRECEPT) Nurses Act H.R. 3623/S. 1586 - Educating Future Nurses Act H.R. 3730/S. 198 - Rural Health Clinic Burden Reduction Act H.R. 2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 2400/S. 1165 - Reentry Act of 2023 S. 1378 - Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective Care (COMPLETE Care) Act H.Con.Res.42 - Honoring Mary Eliza Mahoney, America's first professionally trained Black nurse. S.Res.201/H.Res.375 - A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, to be observed from May 6 through May 12, 2023. H.R. 4822 - Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 H.R. 4779 - Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act Primary Care and Health Workforce Expansion Act S. 2840 - Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act S. 3297/H.R. 6407 - Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2023 Support funding for the National Health Service Corps S. 862 - Restoring Americas Health Care Workforce and Readiness Act S. 1976/H.R. 4104 - Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act S. 3430 - Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act of 2023 S.Res. 676/H.Res. 1208 - a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, to be observed from May 6 through May 12, 2024 S. 4338 - Pay PCPs Act of 2024 Issues related to Medicare Part B reform Issues related to enhancing access to care at home in rural and underserved communities Support for the creation of the Office of Caregiver Health Support a final rule prohibiting menthol cigarettes and cigars Support implementation of Medicare code G2211 Extending COVID-19 waivers related to nurse practitioners and critical access hospitals Skilled nursing facility admitting examination and assessment requirements Health plan coverage and program requirements, including provider non-discrimination, network adequacy and prior authorization Nursing faculty and workforce shortage Nursing education Include nurses, APRNs, and nursing students in all national public health plans Public health and nursing workforce infrastructure Rural health care issues, including rural workforce, COVID-19 vaccination, and reimbursement Addressing health equity Medication-Assisted Treatment (MATs) Issues relating to the mental and substance use disorder workforce Opioid epidemic COVID-19 Pandemic, including funding, personal protective equipment, testing and vaccines Provide resources to support nurses, APRNs, and nursing students mental health needs, especially for those responding to the pandemic Extension of CMS waivers beyond the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Use of telehealth to prescribe controlled substances under the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 [Public Law No: 110-425] Site specific restrictions on providers under DEA controlled substances policy Implementation of the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act Telehealth, remote patient monitoring and other forms of health technology Reducing regulatory burdens, including those relating to Medicare Conditions of Participation Medicare provider reimbursement Primary care payment reform Documentation of medical records Inclusion of NPs in the HPSA bonus program for clinicians practicing in primary care HPSAs

Client expense: $360,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office

S. 260/H.R. 704 - Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 2583/S. 3481 - Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act H.R. 2713/S. 2418 - Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act S. 3939/H.R. 7665 - ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2024 H.R. 7623/S. 3967 - Telehealth Modernization Act H.R. 5163/ S. 3193 - Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act S. 923 - Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act H.R. 3305/S. 1606 - Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act H.R. 2663/S. 1176 - Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act S. 2085 - A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection screening tests H.R 2407 - the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act H.R. 4189/S. 2016 - CONNECT for Health Act S. 1869 - Site-based Invoicing and Transparency Enhancement Act (SITE) Act H.R. 3623/S. 1586 - Educating Future Nurses Act H.R. 2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 2400/S. 1165 - Reentry Act of 2023 S.1378 - Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective Care (COMPLETE Care) Act H.R. 4822 - Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 H.R. 4779 - Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act Primary Care and Health Workforce Expansion Act S. 2840 - Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act S. 1976/H.R. 4104 - Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act Support implementation of Medicare code G2211 S. 3297/H.R. 6407 - Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2023 S. 3430 - Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act of 2023 S. 4338 - Pay PCPs Act of 2024 Issues related to Medicare Part B reform Skilled nursing facility admitting examination and assessment requirements Health plan coverage and program requirements, including provider non-discrimination, network adequacy and prior authorization Nursing faculty and workforce shortage Include nurses, APRNs, and nursing students in all national public health plans Rural health care issues, including rural workforce, COVID-19 vaccination, and reimbursement Addressing health equity Medication-Assisted Treatment (MATs) Issues relating to the mental and substance use disorder workforce Opioid epidemic COVID-19 Pandemic, including funding, personal protective equipment, testing and vaccines Extension of CMS waivers beyond the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Telehealth, remote patient monitoring and other forms of health technology Reducing regulatory burdens, including those relating to Medicare Conditions of Participation Medicare provider reimbursement Documentation of medical records Use of clinician home address on Medicare claims when providing telehealth services

Client expense: $360,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

Q2 Lobbying Report (April 1-June 30) HCR Transparency (surprise medical bills; public posting of hospital charges) 340B Drug Pricing Program Resident Physician Shortage Act of 2023 (H.R. 2389) No Surprises Act regulations Food and Drug Amendments No Surprise Bills for New Moms Act (H.R. 3387) Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act (H.R. 2544) Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act (H.R. 3561) Medicaid VBPs for Patients (MVP) Act (H.R. 2666) Providers and Payers COMPETE Act (H.R. 3284) To amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to ensure transparency and oversight of the 340B drug discount program (H.R. 3290) Transparent PRICE Act (H.R. 3281/H.R. 2691)) Resident Physician Shortage Reduction (S. 1302) Medical Student Education Authorization Act (H.R. 3046) Save Americas Rural Hospitals Act (H.R. 833) Chronic Care Management Improvement Act (H.R. 2829) Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees Act (H.R. 2584) Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act (H.R. 2665) Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act (H.R. 977/S.470) FEMA re: COVID-19 related reimbursement Public Health Guidance Transparency and Accountability Act of 2023 (H.R. 4529) Public Health Emergency Congressional Review Act (H.R. 4381) CDC Leadership Accountability Act of 2023 (H.R. 3813) Preparing for All Hazards and Pathogens Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4421) Preparedness and Response Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4420) Childrens Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 3887) Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 (H.R. 4822) Providers and Payers COMPETE Act (H.R. 3284) Lower Costs, More Transparency Act (H.R. 5378 Transparency in Coverage Act (H.R. 4507) GOLD Card Act of 2023 (H.R. 4968) No Fees for EFTs Act (H.R.6487) Rural Health Care Facilities Revitalization Act (H.R. 5989) Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act (H.R. 7153) To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a definition of essential health system in statute (H.R. 7397) Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act (H.R. 7050) 340B PATIENTS Act (H.R. 7635) The 340B Affording Care for Communities and Ensuring a Strong Safety-net (ACCESS) Act (H.R. 8574) Improving Seniors Access to Timely Care Act (H.R. 8702/S.4532) The Preserving Emergency Access in Key Sites (PEAKS) Act (H.R. 7931) Rural Health Care Facilities Revitalization Act (H.R. 5989) MMM Accelerated and Advance Payment Program repayment flexibility Graduate Medical Education (GME) funding Telehealth flexibilities and payment Annual Prospective Payment System Rules Organ acquisition payment policies Californias Medicaid Hospital Quality Assurance Fee Program BUD FY 2024 Appropriations bills Nursing and allied health workforce funding FY 2024 budget request Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act (H.R. 6363) Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 5894) Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 (H.R. 7024) Extension of Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2024 (H.R. 7463) Submitted Comments Regulatory Comment Letters SUBJECT: CMS-1808-P, Medicare and Medicaid Programs and the Childrens Health Insurance Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2025 Rates; Quality Programs Requirements; and Other Policy Changes; Proposed Rule, Federal Register (Vol. 89, No. 86), May 2, 2024 SUBJECT: CMS-4207-NC, Medicare Program; Request for Information on Medicare Advantage Data, Federal Register (Vol. 89, No. 20), January 30, 2024 SUBJECT: CMS-1806-P, Medicare Program; FFY 2025 Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities Prospective Payment System - Rate Update, Proposed Rule, Federal Register (Vol. 89, No. 65), April 3, 2024 SUBJECT: CMS-1804-P, Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for FFY 2025 and Updates to the IRF Quality Reporting Program; Proposed Rule, Federal Register (Vol. 89, No. 62), March 29, 2024 SUBJECT: Docket No. ATR 102 - Request for Information on Consolidation in Health Care Markets SUBJECT: CMS-3367-P, Medicare Program; Strengthening Oversight of Accrediting Organizations (AOs) and Preventing AO Conflict of Interest, and Related Provisions, Proposed Rule, Federal Register (Vol 89, No 32), February 15, 2024 Legislative Comment Letters Rep. Ami Bera Request for Information Regarding the Current State of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Health Care Industry, April 30, 2024 Senate Request for Information Regarding Draft SUSTAIN 340B Act, April 1, 2024

Client expense: $420,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA)

H.R.2665, Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act H.R.2389, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023 H.R.3561 - PATIENT Act of 2023 H.R. 3887, the Childrens Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2023 H.R. 3561, PATIENT Act of 2023 H.R. 5378, The Lower Costs, More Transparency Act S. 2719 Directing our Countrys Transfer of Residency Slots (DOCTORS) Act of 2023 S. 3196 - Ensuring Medicaid Continuity for Children in Foster Care Act H.R. 2829 Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 7397 -Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act H.R. 6929 & S.3565, Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act Fiscal Year 2025 Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) Appropriations Support Issues related to Section 203 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 Issues related to the Medicare/Medicaid dual eligible population Issues related to Medicare Site-neutral payment cuts Issues related to Medicaid DSH Cuts

Client expense: $450,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, White House Office

Expand Patient Access and Telehealth: Urged Congress to pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, which requires insurers to implement a clear and transparent process for a patient or physician to request an exception to a step therapy protocol. The bill lays out five exceptions to fail first protocols and requires that a group health plan grant an exemption. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and group health insurers have developed a series of price management tools to curb the rising cost of prescription drugs. Supported H.R. 2829, the Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023, that would remove the co-pay charged to patients who utilize chronic care management services. It would waive the beneficiary coinsurance to manage chronic care conditions and improve patients health. Supported the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, H.R. 3440 and S. 1636. This bipartisan legislation would ensure rural and underserved community healthcare providers can permanently offer telehealth services, including audio-only telehealth appointments, that are set to expire in December 2024. The legislation would: 1) allow payment parity for audio-only health services for clinically appropriate appointments; 2) permanently waive the geographic restriction allowing patients to be treated from their homes; 3) permanently allow rural health clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers to serve as distance sites for providing telehealth services; 4) lift the restrictions on store and forward technologies for telehealth; and 5) allow Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to directly bill for telehealth services. Supported the Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act, which would extend these flexibilities for two years until the end of 2026. Also supported the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, H.R. 3440, and the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024, H.R. 7623, which facilitate access to care via telehealth permanently. Supported CONNECT for Health Act of 2023, H.R. 4189 and S. 2016, to permanently remove all geographic restrictions on telehealth services and expand originating sites to include the home and other sites. That legislation would: 1) help providers transition to the goals of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) through using telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM) without most of the 42 U.S.C. Section 1834(m) telehealth restrictions; 2) allow telehealth and RPM to be used by qualifying participants in alternative payment models, without most of the 1834(m) restrictions; 3) permit the use of remote patient monitoring for certain patients with chronic conditions; 4) allow, as originating sites, telestroke evaluation and management sites, Native American health service facilities, and dialysis facilities for home dialysis patients in certain cases; and 5) permit further telehealth and RPM in community health centers and rural health clinics. Medicare Payments to Physicians (H.R. 2474): Urged Congress to pass H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, which preserves access to care for Medicare beneficiaries by providing an annual inflation update equal to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) for Medicare physician payments. Unlike other health care sectors, Medicare payment rates for physicians have not been updated based on the MEI. As a result, from 2001 to 2021, Medicare physician payments have decreased by 20 percent when adjusted for inflation. Supported H.R. 6545, the Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This bill includes an important provision that would allocate 3 percent to the 2024 Medicare conversion factor, which would represent a 1.75 percent increase to the approved level. H.R. 6545 also includes several provisions from H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023, that ACP supports. It would raise the budget neutrality threshold to $53 million and would use cumulative increases in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) to update the threshold every five years afterwards. Supported H.R. 6683, the Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023. That bill averts a 3.4 percent across-the-board cut to physician payment for 2024. ACP supported extending the work geographic practice costs index to improve the accuracy of geographic adjustment factors. Supported H.R. 6366 that would extend the work geographic practice costs index for another year to 1.00 for any locality where the index would be less than 1.00. We support aspects of legislation recently introduced by Senators Whitehouse and Cassidy, the Pay Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) Act, S. 4338, that would expand and accelerate the adoption of a hybrid per member per month (PMPM) payment model outside of the PFS. We believe this type of model can enhance innovation and improve the delivery of chronic care in primary care practices. ACP supported the Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventive Health Savings Act, H.R. 766, to enable CBO to capture cost-savings associated with preventive health care legislation beyond existing 10-year window, for two additional 10-year periods. Support Value-Based Care: Urged support of the Value in Health Care Act of 2023. The bill provides a multi-year commitment to reforming care delivery by extending MACRAs 5 percent advanced alternative payment models (APM) incentives that are scheduled to expire at the end of the year. It also gives the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) authority to adjust APM qualifying thresholds so that the current one-size-fits-all approach does not serve as a disincentive to including rural, underserved, primary care or specialty practices in APMs. The bill removes revenue-based distinctions that disadvantage rural and safety net providers, which is critical to improving access to care and improving health equity. The bill also improves financial benchmarks so that APM participants are not penalized for their own success. To allow more clinicians to continue the transition to value, the bill establishes a voluntary track for accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the Medicare Shared Savings Program to take on higher levels of risk and provides technical assistance for clinicians new to APMs. Lastly, the bill seeks to provide parity between APMs and the Medicare Advantage (MA) program by studying ways to increase alignment that will ease burdens on physicians and ensure that both APMs and MA are attractive and sustainable options. ACP supports extending incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models through 2026. This approach would help to maintain incentives that support physicians transition from a volume-based fee-for-service health care system to one that is based on the value and quality outcomes of health care delivered to the patient. Supported H.R. 6369 by Rep. Kim Schrier to extend incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models. ACP supports H.R. 5395, the SURS Extension Act, which would extend the Quality Payment Program-Small Practice, Underserved, and Rural Support (QPP-SURS) program for fiscal years 2024-2029. This program was established under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and has provided direct assistance to eligible clinicians required to participate in MIPS. ACP supports efforts to streamline the number of quality measures physicians must report on and enhance stakeholder engagement. Supported the Fewer Burdens for Better Care Act of 2023, which would emphasize multi-stakeholder input, with a 30-day comment period for stakeholders to comment on the removal of measures from the Medicare program. Pricing Transparency/Consolidation: Supported several provisions of H.R. 5378, Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, which are consistent with our policy and would improve access to and affordability of health care for patients. This bill brings together H.R. 4822, Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023, H.R. 3561, Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act of 2023 or the PATIENT Act of 2023 and other related bills reported out of Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Education and Workforce Committees. Supported requiring disclosure of changes in hospital or health facility ownership to reveal when private equity firms acquire hospitals, larger physician practices or nursing homes, promote price transparency among hospitals, health plans and pharmacy benefit managers and promote site neutrality for Medicare and Medicare beneficiaries. We further supported the reauthorization and funding increases included for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, Community Health Center program and National Health Service Corps. Supported Section 4 of H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act, which aims to increase PBM data reporting to enhance transparency for Medicare Part D. Specifically, it would set out new requirements for PBMs to report data on rebates and administrative fees to HHS. It would also require that HHS deidentify the data and make it publicly available so that policy makers and the public will have a better understanding of how rebates and administrative fees impact the costs of drug plans. The Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148, P.L. 111-152): Urged legislation to extend permanently the premium tax subsidies afforded under the ACA. Supported H.R. 1692, the Health Care Affordability Act of 2023, to permanently extend the premium tax credit subsidies under the ACA. The law provides consumers with subsidies (premium tax credits) that lower costs for households with incomes between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). It expands the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below 138 percent of the FPL. Supportive of S. 8, Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act to expand the eligibility of taxpayers for the refundable tax credit for coverage under a qualified health plan and increase cost-sharing subsidies under the ACA. FY2025 Appropriations: Urged Congress to support funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's programs in the FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill as well as funding shared evenly between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct public health research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention. Advocated for funding for the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA); Title Vil, Section 747, Primary Care Training and Enhancement (PCTE), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); National Health Service Corps (NHSC); Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH). Urged Congress to include report language in the FY2025 Labor HHS appropriations bill to direct the GAO to conduct a study encompassing the last decade of CMS estimates of new and revised code utilizations. ACP believes CMS has overestimated utilizations, thus adversely affecting available funds in the Medicare physician fee schedule for other code usuage. Women's Health: Urged HHS to support Title X funding and ensure unencumbered access to affordable, comprehensive, evidence-based reproductive health care; eliminate medically unnecessary restrictions and inappropriate political interference in the patient-physician relationship; and protect funding for and ensures consistent treatment of qualified service sites. Supported H.R. 459 and S. 323, the Secure Access for Essential Reproductive (SAFER) Health Act. This legislation would strengthen current health privacy laws to ensure that abortion-related health data cannot be shared without patient consent. It prohibits health care providers and insurance plans from disclosing in legal proceedings an individual's personal health information related to an abortion or pregnancy without the individual's valid authorization. The prohibition applies to federal, state, local, and tribal proceedings, including civil, criminal, administrative, and legislative proceedings. The bill provides limited exceptions such as if the information is necessary to investigate physical harm to the individual. Primary Care and the Physician Workforce: Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R. 2389, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023, which increases the number of Medicare supported direct graduate medical education (DGME) and indirect medical education (IME) positions by 14,000 over seven years; Support efforts of the bipartisan Senate Working Group to add 10,000 GME slots in legislation; Cosponsor and pass S. 665, the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act, to allow states to sponsor foreign-trained physicians to work in medically underserved areas in exchange for a waiver of the physicians' two-year foreign residence requirement; Cosponsor and pass H.R. 1202/S. 704, the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, to make it possible for residents to defer interest on their loans; Support inclusion in FY2024 appropriations legislation funding for Title VII Primary Care and Training Enhancement (PCTE) at $71 million to support and expand the pipeline for individuals training in primary care. Supported H.R.4986/S. 2577, which would refinance the interest rate for all existing federal student loans to zero percent. Further, it would cap interest rates for future student loan borrowers, while considering their financial needs. Prescription Drug Reform: Reviewed proposals to implement guidance by HHS for implementation of Inflation Reduction Act's prescription drug negotiation provisions. Supported H.R. 4895, the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act, to expand the number of prescription drugs which Medicare can negotiate under the Inflation Reduction Act from 20 to 50 starting in 2029. Supported H.R. 5385, the Medicare PBM Accountability Act. This legislation aims to lower the costs of prescription drugs for seniors covered by Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. It would require PBMs to submit annual reports to the Secretary of HHS on PBMs cost savings incurred from rebates, discounts, and price concessions. Supported H.R. 1352, the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2023. This legislation would encourage adoption of biosimilars in Medicare and improve biosimilar accessibility, by establishing a new pilot program - a voluntary, shared savings demonstration program - for providers of biosimilars in Medicare Part B. Supported H.R. 5386, the Cutting Copays Act. This legislation would eliminate cost-sharing for generic drugs for LIS beneficiaries, helping to incentivize the use of generic drugs. Supported H.R. 3009/S. 2362, the Drug Shortage Prevention Act of 2023, to require that manufacturers of over-the-counter and prescription drugs notify Food & Drug Administration when they are unlikely to meet demand. Social Determinants of Healthcare/DEI: Opposed the Educate Act, H.R. 7725/S. 4115, that will amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit graduate medical schools from receiving Federal financial assistance if such schools adopt certain policies and requirements relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Firearm Safety: (S.117): Urged Congress to support the Handgun Permit to Purchase Act (S. 117), legislation that would authorize grants to states to support handgun purchaser licensing programs. To qualify for the grants, states must require gun purchasers to be at least the age of 2I and be subject to a criminal background check. Urged Congress to support the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, H.R. 715, and the Background Check Expansion Act, S. 494 and Ethans Law, H.R. 660 and S. 173, requiring gun owners to safely and securely store their firearms. Supported the Keep Americans Safe Act, H.R. 625 and S. 298, which would ban the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of high-capacity gun magazines that hold more than fifteen rounds. Supported the Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act, H.R. 768 and S. 247 empowering family members and law enforcement to prevent gun violence by petitioning a court to temporarily separate an at-risk individual from firearms. Supported the FY2024 funding gun violence prevention research contained in FY24 Senate Labor-HHS-Ed appropriations bill for inclusion in any final FY24 appropriations bills. Administrative Burden: Urged Congress to codify many of these proposed improvements to the prior authorization process by reintroducing and passing the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act. This legislation was passed by the House in the last Congress and would reduce burdens associated with prior authorization in Medicare Advantage (MA) by: l) protecting beneficiaries from any disruptions in care due to prior authorization requirements as they transition between MA plans; 2) requiring all MA plans adopt electronic prior authorization capabilities to streamline the process for prior authorization approval; and 3) standardizing the process and procedures for reporting electronic prior authorization criteria to MA plans. Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, to ensure patient access to appropriate treatments based on clinical decision-making and medical necessity rather than arbitrary step therapy protocols. Data Privacy: Supported American Privacy Rights Act, H.R. 8818, nations first comprehensive federal consumer data privacy framework. Bill was considered by House Energy and Commerce and would expand data privacy protections to entities not currently subject to HIPAA privacy protections. ACP asked for provisions enabling consumers to opt-out of allowing companies to use algorithms based on their personal data, allow states to further protect their residents and fully inform subjects of the nature and risks of the research. Scope of Practice: Opposed the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, H.R. 1770/ S. 2477, which would expand Medicare coverage to permanently include select services provided by a pharmacist. Healthcare Worker Safety: Supported H.R. 6364, the Medicare Telehealth Privacy Act of 2023. This bill would ensure that HHS will not publicly post the addresses of participating telehealth practitioners to provide privacy protections for physicians so that they can effectively treat and care for patients via telehealth. Clinical Labs: Supported the provision in H.R. 6366 that would delay payment reductions and data reporting periods for the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA). Legislation could improve patient access to laboratory tests used to diagnose, monitor, prevent, and manage diseases for Medicare beneficiaries.

Client expense: $485,577 · 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), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Expand Patient Access and Telehealth: Urged Congress to pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, which requires insurers to implement a clear and transparent process for a patient or physician to request an exception to a step therapy protocol. The bill lays out five exceptions to fail first protocols and requires that a group health plan grant an exemption. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and group health insurers have developed a series of price management tools to curb the rising cost of prescription drugs. Supported H.R. 2829, the Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023, that would remove the co-pay charged to patients who utilize chronic care management services. It would waive the beneficiary coinsurance to manage chronic care conditions and improve patients health. Supported the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, H.R. 3440 and S. 1636. This bipartisan legislation would ensure rural and underserved community healthcare providers can permanently offer telehealth services, including audio-only telehealth appointments, that are set to expire in December 2024. The legislation would: 1) allow payment parity for audio-only health services for clinically appropriate appointments; 2) permanently waive the geographic restriction allowing patients to be treated from their homes; 3) permanently allow rural health clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers to serve as distance sites for providing telehealth services; 4) lift the restrictions on store and forward technologies for telehealth; and 5) allow Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to directly bill for telehealth services. Supported the Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act, which would extend these flexibilities for two years until the end of 2026. Also supported the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, H.R. 3440, and the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024, H.R. 7623, which facilitate access to care via telehealth permanently. Supported CONNECT for Health Act of 2023, H.R. 4189 and S. 2016, to permanently remove all geographic restrictions on telehealth services and expand originating sites to include the home and other sites. That legislation would: 1) help providers transition to the goals of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) through using telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM) without most of the 42 U.S.C. Section 1834(m) telehealth restrictions; 2) allow telehealth and RPM to be used by qualifying participants in alternative payment models, without most of the 1834(m) restrictions; 3) permit the use of remote patient monitoring for certain patients with chronic conditions; 4) allow, as originating sites, telestroke evaluation and management sites, Native American health service facilities, and dialysis facilities for home dialysis patients in certain cases; and 5) permit further telehealth and RPM in community health centers and rural health clinics. Medicare Payments to Physicians (H.R. 2474): Urged Congress to pass H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, which preserves access to care for Medicare beneficiaries by providing an annual inflation update equal to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) for Medicare physician payments. Unlike other health care sectors, Medicare payment rates for physicians have not been updated based on the MEI. As a result, from 2001 to 2021, Medicare physician payments have decreased by 20 percent when adjusted for inflation. Supported H.R. 6545, the Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This bill includes an important provision that would allocate 3 percent to the 2024 Medicare conversion factor, which would represent a 1.75 percent increase to the approved level. H.R. 6545 also includes several provisions from H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023, that ACP supports. It would raise the budget neutrality threshold to $53 million and would use cumulative increases in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) to update the threshold every five years afterwards. Supported H.R. 6683, the Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023. That bill averts a 3.4 percent across-the-board cut to physician payment for 2024. ACP supported extending the work geographic practice costs index to improve the accuracy of geographic adjustment factors. Supported H.R. 6366 that would extend the work geographic practice costs index for another year to 1.00 for any locality where the index would be less than 1.00. We support aspects of legislation recently introduced by Senators Whitehouse and Cassidy, the Pay Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) Act, S. 4338, that would expand and accelerate the adoption of a hybrid per member per month (PMPM) payment model outside of the PFS. We believe this type of model can enhance innovation and improve the delivery of chronic care in primary care practices. ACP supported the Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventive Health Savings Act, H.R. 766, to enable CBO to capture cost-savings associated with preventive health care legislation beyond existing 10-year window, for two additional 10-year periods. Support Value-Based Care: Urged support of the Value in Health Care Act of 2023. The bill provides a multi-year commitment to reforming care delivery by extending MACRAs 5 percent advanced alternative payment models (APM) incentives that are scheduled to expire at the end of the year. It also gives the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) authority to adjust APM qualifying thresholds so that the current one-size-fits-all approach does not serve as a disincentive to including rural, underserved, primary care or specialty practices in APMs. The bill removes revenue-based distinctions that disadvantage rural and safety net providers, which is critical to improving access to care and improving health equity. The bill also improves financial benchmarks so that APM participants are not penalized for their own success. To allow more clinicians to continue the transition to value, the bill establishes a voluntary track for accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the Medicare Shared Savings Program to take on higher levels of risk and provides technical assistance for clinicians new to APMs. Lastly, the bill seeks to provide parity between APMs and the Medicare Advantage (MA) program by studying ways to increase alignment that will ease burdens on physicians and ensure that both APMs and MA are attractive and sustainable options. ACP supports extending incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models through 2026. This approach would help to maintain incentives that support physicians transition from a volume-based fee-for-service health care system to one that is based on the value and quality outcomes of health care delivered to the patient. Supported H.R. 6369 by Rep. Kim Schrier to extend incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models. ACP supports H.R. 5395, the SURS Extension Act, which would extend the Quality Payment Program-Small Practice, Underserved, and Rural Support (QPP-SURS) program for fiscal years 2024-2029. This program was established under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and has provided direct assistance to eligible clinicians required to participate in MIPS. ACP supports efforts to streamline the number of quality measures physicians must report on and enhance stakeholder engagement. Supported the Fewer Burdens for Better Care Act of 2023, which would emphasize multi-stakeholder input, with a 30-day comment period for stakeholders to comment on the removal of measures from the Medicare program. Pricing Transparency/Consolidation: Supported several provisions of H.R. 5378, Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, which are consistent with our policy and would improve access to and affordability of health care for patients. This bill brings together H.R. 4822, Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023, H.R. 3561, Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act of 2023 or the PATIENT Act of 2023 and other related bills reported out of Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Education and Workforce Committees. Supported requiring disclosure of changes in hospital or health facility ownership to reveal when private equity firms acquire hospitals, larger physician practices or nursing homes, promote price transparency among hospitals, health plans and pharmacy benefit managers and promote site neutrality for Medicare and Medicare beneficiaries. We further supported the reauthorization and funding increases included for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, Community Health Center program and National Health Service Corps. Supported Section 4 of H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act, which aims to increase PBM data reporting to enhance transparency for Medicare Part D. Specifically, it would set out new requirements for PBMs to report data on rebates and administrative fees to HHS. It would also require that HHS deidentify the data and make it publicly available so that policy makers and the public will have a better understanding of how rebates and administrative fees impact the costs of drug plans. The Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148, P.L. 111-152): Urged legislation to extend permanently the premium tax subsidies afforded under the ACA. Supported H.R. 1692, the Health Care Affordability Act of 2023, to permanently extend the premium tax credit subsidies under the ACA. The law provides consumers with subsidies (premium tax credits) that lower costs for households with incomes between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). It expands the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below 138 percent of the FPL. Supportive of S. 8, Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act to expand the eligibility of taxpayers for the refundable tax credit for coverage under a qualified health plan and increase cost-sharing subsidies under the ACA. FY2025 Appropriations: Urged Congress to support funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's programs in the FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill as well as funding shared evenly between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct public health research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention. Advocated for funding for the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA); Title Vil, Section 747, Primary Care Training and Enhancement (PCTE), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); National Health Service Corps (NHSC); Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH). Urged Congress to include report language in the FY2025 Labor HHS appropriations bill to direct the GAO to conduct a study encompassing the last decade of CMS estimates of new and revised code utilizations. ACP believes CMS has overestimated utilizations, thus adversely affecting available funds in the Medicare physician fee schedule for other code usuage. Women's Health: Urged HHS to support Title X funding and ensure unencumbered access to affordable, comprehensive, evidence-based reproductive health care; eliminate medically unnecessary restrictions and inappropriate political interference in the patient-physician relationship; and protect funding for and ensures consistent treatment of qualified service sites. Supported H.R. 459 and S. 323, the Secure Access for Essential Reproductive (SAFER) Health Act. This legislation would strengthen current health privacy laws to ensure that abortion-related health data cannot be shared without patient consent. It prohibits health care providers and insurance plans from disclosing in legal proceedings an individual's personal health information related to an abortion or pregnancy without the individual's valid authorization. The prohibition applies to federal, state, local, and tribal proceedings, including civil, criminal, administrative, and legislative proceedings. The bill provides limited exceptions such as if the information is necessary to investigate physical harm to the individual. Primary Care and the Physician Workforce: Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R. 2389, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023, which increases the number of Medicare supported direct graduate medical education (DGME) and indirect medical education (IME) positions by 14,000 over seven years; Support efforts of the bipartisan Senate Working Group to add 10,000 GME slots in legislation; Cosponsor and pass S. 665, the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act, to allow states to sponsor foreign-trained physicians to work in medically underserved areas in exchange for a waiver of the physicians' two-year foreign residence requirement; Cosponsor and pass H.R. 1202/S. 704, the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, to make it possible for residents to defer interest on their loans; Support inclusion in FY2024 appropriations legislation funding for Title VII Primary Care and Training Enhancement (PCTE) at $71 million to support and expand the pipeline for individuals training in primary care. Supported H.R.4986/S. 2577, which would refinance the interest rate for all existing federal student loans to zero percent. Further, it would cap interest rates for future student loan borrowers, while considering their financial needs. Prescription Drug Reform: Reviewed proposals to implement guidance by HHS for implementation of Inflation Reduction Act's prescription drug negotiation provisions. Supported H.R. 4895, the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act, to expand the number of prescription drugs which Medicare can negotiate under the Inflation Reduction Act from 20 to 50 starting in 2029. Supported H.R. 5385, the Medicare PBM Accountability Act. This legislation aims to lower the costs of prescription drugs for seniors covered by Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. It would require PBMs to submit annual reports to the Secretary of HHS on PBMs cost savings incurred from rebates, discounts, and price concessions. Supported H.R. 1352, the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2023. This legislation would encourage adoption of biosimilars in Medicare and improve biosimilar accessibility, by establishing a new pilot program - a voluntary, shared savings demonstration program - for providers of biosimilars in Medicare Part B. Supported H.R. 5386, the Cutting Copays Act. This legislation would eliminate cost-sharing for generic drugs for LIS beneficiaries, helping to incentivize the use of generic drugs. Supported H.R. 3009/S. 2362, the Drug Shortage Prevention Act of 2023, to require that manufacturers of over-the-counter and prescription drugs notify Food & Drug Administration when they are unlikely to meet demand. Social Determinants of Healthcare/DEI: Opposed the Educate Act, H.R. 7725/S. 4115, that will amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit graduate medical schools from receiving Federal financial assistance if such schools adopt certain policies and requirements relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Firearm Safety: (S.117): Urged Congress to support the Handgun Permit to Purchase Act (S. 117), legislation that would authorize grants to states to support handgun purchaser licensing programs. To qualify for the grants, states must require gun purchasers to be at least the age of 2I and be subject to a criminal background check. Urged Congress to support the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, H.R. 715, and the Background Check Expansion Act, S. 494 and Ethans Law, H.R. 660 and S. 173, requiring gun owners to safely and securely store their firearms. Supported the Keep Americans Safe Act, H.R. 625 and S. 298, which would ban the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of high-capacity gun magazines that hold more than fifteen rounds. Supported the Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act, H.R. 768 and S. 247 empowering family members and law enforcement to prevent gun violence by petitioning a court to temporarily separate an at-risk individual from firearms. Supported the FY2024 funding gun violence prevention research contained in FY24 Senate Labor-HHS-Ed appropriations bill for inclusion in any final FY24 appropriations bills. Administrative Burden: Urged Congress to codify many of these proposed improvements to the prior authorization process by reintroducing and passing the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act. This legislation was passed by the House in the last Congress and would reduce burdens associated with prior authorization in Medicare Advantage (MA) by: l) protecting beneficiaries from any disruptions in care due to prior authorization requirements as they transition between MA plans; 2) requiring all MA plans adopt electronic prior authorization capabilities to streamline the process for prior authorization approval; and 3) standardizing the process and procedures for reporting electronic prior authorization criteria to MA plans. Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, to ensure patient access to appropriate treatments based on clinical decision-making and medical necessity rather than arbitrary step therapy protocols. Data Privacy: Supported American Privacy Rights Act, H.R. 8818, nations first comprehensive federal consumer data privacy framework. Bill was considered by House Energy and Commerce and would expand data privacy protections to entities not currently subject to HIPAA privacy protections. ACP asked for provisions enabling consumers to opt-out of allowing companies to use algorithms based on their personal data, allow states to further protect their residents and fully inform subjects of the nature and risks of the research. Scope of Practice: Opposed the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, H.R. 1770/ S. 2477, which would expand Medicare coverage to permanently include select services provided by a pharmacist. Healthcare Worker Safety: Supported H.R. 6364, the Medicare Telehealth Privacy Act of 2023. This bill would ensure that HHS will not publicly post the addresses of participating telehealth practitioners to provide privacy protections for physicians so that they can effectively treat and care for patients via telehealth. Clinical Labs: Supported the provision in H.R. 6366 that would delay payment reductions and data reporting periods for the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA). Legislation could improve patient access to laboratory tests used to diagnose, monitor, prevent, and manage diseases for Medicare beneficiaries.

Client expense: $122,264 · 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), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Expand Patient Access and Telehealth: Urged Congress to pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, which requires insurers to implement a clear and transparent process for a patient or physician to request an exception to a step therapy protocol. The bill lays out five exceptions to fail first protocols and requires that a group health plan grant an exemption. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and group health insurers have developed a series of price management tools to curb the rising cost of prescription drugs. Supported H.R. 2829, the Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023, that would remove the co-pay charged to patients who utilize chronic care management services. It would waive the beneficiary coinsurance to manage chronic care conditions and improve patients health. Supported the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, H.R. 3440 and S. 1636. This bipartisan legislation would ensure rural and underserved community healthcare providers can permanently offer telehealth services, including audio-only telehealth appointments, that are set to expire in December 2024. The legislation would: 1) allow payment parity for audio-only health services for clinically appropriate appointments; 2) permanently waive the geographic restriction allowing patients to be treated from their homes; 3) permanently allow rural health clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers to serve as distance sites for providing telehealth services; 4) lift the restrictions on store and forward technologies for telehealth; and 5) allow Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to directly bill for telehealth services. Supported the Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act, which would extend these flexibilities for two years until the end of 2026. Also supported the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, H.R. 3440, and the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024, H.R. 7623, which facilitate access to care via telehealth permanently. Supported CONNECT for Health Act of 2023, H.R. 4189 and S. 2016, to permanently remove all geographic restrictions on telehealth services and expand originating sites to include the home and other sites. That legislation would: 1) help providers transition to the goals of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) through using telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM) without most of the 42 U.S.C. Section 1834(m) telehealth restrictions; 2) allow telehealth and RPM to be used by qualifying participants in alternative payment models, without most of the 1834(m) restrictions; 3) permit the use of remote patient monitoring for certain patients with chronic conditions; 4) allow, as originating sites, telestroke evaluation and management sites, Native American health service facilities, and dialysis facilities for home dialysis patients in certain cases; and 5) permit further telehealth and RPM in community health centers and rural health clinics. Medicare Payments to Physicians (H.R. 2474): Urged Congress to pass H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, which preserves access to care for Medicare beneficiaries by providing an annual inflation update equal to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) for Medicare physician payments. Unlike other health care sectors, Medicare payment rates for physicians have not been updated based on the MEI. As a result, from 2001 to 2021, Medicare physician payments have decreased by 20 percent when adjusted for inflation. Supported H.R. 6545, the Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This bill includes an important provision that would allocate 3 percent to the 2024 Medicare conversion factor, which would represent a 1.75 percent increase to the approved level. H.R. 6545 also includes several provisions from H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023, that ACP supports. It would raise the budget neutrality threshold to $53 million and would use cumulative increases in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) to update the threshold every five years afterwards. Supported H.R. 6683, the Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023. That bill averts a 3.4 percent across-the-board cut to physician payment for 2024. ACP supported extending the work geographic practice costs index to improve the accuracy of geographic adjustment factors. Supported H.R. 6366 that would extend the work geographic practice costs index for another year to 1.00 for any locality where the index would be less than 1.00. We support aspects of legislation recently introduced by Senators Whitehouse and Cassidy, the Pay Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) Act, S. 4338, that would expand and accelerate the adoption of a hybrid per member per month (PMPM) payment model outside of the PFS. We believe this type of model can enhance innovation and improve the delivery of chronic care in primary care practices. ACP supported the Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventive Health Savings Act, H.R. 766, to enable CBO to capture cost-savings associated with preventive health care legislation beyond existing 10-year window, for two additional 10-year periods. Support Value-Based Care: Urged support of the Value in Health Care Act of 2023. The bill provides a multi-year commitment to reforming care delivery by extending MACRAs 5 percent advanced alternative payment models (APM) incentives that are scheduled to expire at the end of the year. It also gives the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) authority to adjust APM qualifying thresholds so that the current one-size-fits-all approach does not serve as a disincentive to including rural, underserved, primary care or specialty practices in APMs. The bill removes revenue-based distinctions that disadvantage rural and safety net providers, which is critical to improving access to care and improving health equity. The bill also improves financial benchmarks so that APM participants are not penalized for their own success. To allow more clinicians to continue the transition to value, the bill establishes a voluntary track for accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the Medicare Shared Savings Program to take on higher levels of risk and provides technical assistance for clinicians new to APMs. Lastly, the bill seeks to provide parity between APMs and the Medicare Advantage (MA) program by studying ways to increase alignment that will ease burdens on physicians and ensure that both APMs and MA are attractive and sustainable options. ACP supports extending incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models through 2026. This approach would help to maintain incentives that support physicians transition from a volume-based fee-for-service health care system to one that is based on the value and quality outcomes of health care delivered to the patient. Supported H.R. 6369 by Rep. Kim Schrier to extend incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models. ACP supports H.R. 5395, the SURS Extension Act, which would extend the Quality Payment Program-Small Practice, Underserved, and Rural Support (QPP-SURS) program for fiscal years 2024-2029. This program was established under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and has provided direct assistance to eligible clinicians required to participate in MIPS. ACP supports efforts to streamline the number of quality measures physicians must report on and enhance stakeholder engagement. Supported the Fewer Burdens for Better Care Act of 2023, which would emphasize multi-stakeholder input, with a 30-day comment period for stakeholders to comment on the removal of measures from the Medicare program. Pricing Transparency/Consolidation: Supported several provisions of H.R. 5378, Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, which are consistent with our policy and would improve access to and affordability of health care for patients. This bill brings together H.R. 4822, Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023, H.R. 3561, Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act of 2023 or the PATIENT Act of 2023 and other related bills reported out of Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Education and Workforce Committees. Supported requiring disclosure of changes in hospital or health facility ownership to reveal when private equity firms acquire hospitals, larger physician practices or nursing homes, promote price transparency among hospitals, health plans and pharmacy benefit managers and promote site neutrality for Medicare and Medicare beneficiaries. We further supported the reauthorization and funding increases included for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, Community Health Center program and National Health Service Corps. Supported Section 4 of H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act, which aims to increase PBM data reporting to enhance transparency for Medicare Part D. Specifically, it would set out new requirements for PBMs to report data on rebates and administrative fees to HHS. It would also require that HHS deidentify the data and make it publicly available so that policy makers and the public will have a better understanding of how rebates and administrative fees impact the costs of drug plans. The Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148, P.L. 111-152): Urged legislation to extend permanently the premium tax subsidies afforded under the ACA. Supported H.R. 1692, the Health Care Affordability Act of 2023, to permanently extend the premium tax credit subsidies under the ACA. The law provides consumers with subsidies (premium tax credits) that lower costs for households with incomes between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). It expands the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below 138 percent of the FPL. Supportive of S. 8, Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act to expand the eligibility of taxpayers for the refundable tax credit for coverage under a qualified health plan and increase cost-sharing subsidies under the ACA. FY2025 Appropriations: Urged Congress to support funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's programs in the FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill as well as funding shared evenly between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct public health research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention. Advocated for funding for the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA); Title Vil, Section 747, Primary Care Training and Enhancement (PCTE), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); National Health Service Corps (NHSC); Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH). Urged Congress to include report language in the FY2025 Labor HHS appropriations bill to direct the GAO to conduct a study encompassing the last decade of CMS estimates of new and revised code utilizations. ACP believes CMS has overestimated utilizations, thus adversely affecting available funds in the Medicare physician fee schedule for other code usuage. Women's Health: Urged HHS to support Title X funding and ensure unencumbered access to affordable, comprehensive, evidence-based reproductive health care; eliminate medically unnecessary restrictions and inappropriate political interference in the patient-physician relationship; and protect funding for and ensures consistent treatment of qualified service sites. Supported H.R. 459 and S. 323, the Secure Access for Essential Reproductive (SAFER) Health Act. This legislation would strengthen current health privacy laws to ensure that abortion-related health data cannot be shared without patient consent. It prohibits health care providers and insurance plans from disclosing in legal proceedings an individual's personal health information related to an abortion or pregnancy without the individual's valid authorization. The prohibition applies to federal, state, local, and tribal proceedings, including civil, criminal, administrative, and legislative proceedings. The bill provides limited exceptions such as if the information is necessary to investigate physical harm to the individual. Primary Care and the Physician Workforce: Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R. 2389, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023, which increases the number of Medicare supported direct graduate medical education (DGME) and indirect medical education (IME) positions by 14,000 over seven years; Support efforts of the bipartisan Senate Working Group to add 10,000 GME slots in legislation; Cosponsor and pass S. 665, the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act, to allow states to sponsor foreign-trained physicians to work in medically underserved areas in exchange for a waiver of the physicians' two-year foreign residence requirement; Cosponsor and pass H.R. 1202/S. 704, the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, to make it possible for residents to defer interest on their loans; Support inclusion in FY2024 appropriations legislation funding for Title VII Primary Care and Training Enhancement (PCTE) at $71 million to support and expand the pipeline for individuals training in primary care. Supported H.R.4986/S. 2577, which would refinance the interest rate for all existing federal student loans to zero percent. Further, it would cap interest rates for future student loan borrowers, while considering their financial needs. Prescription Drug Reform: Reviewed proposals to implement guidance by HHS for implementation of Inflation Reduction Act's prescription drug negotiation provisions. Supported H.R. 4895, the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act, to expand the number of prescription drugs which Medicare can negotiate under the Inflation Reduction Act from 20 to 50 starting in 2029. Supported H.R. 5385, the Medicare PBM Accountability Act. This legislation aims to lower the costs of prescription drugs for seniors covered by Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. It would require PBMs to submit annual reports to the Secretary of HHS on PBMs cost savings incurred from rebates, discounts, and price concessions. Supported H.R. 1352, the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2023. This legislation would encourage adoption of biosimilars in Medicare and improve biosimilar accessibility, by establishing a new pilot program - a voluntary, shared savings demonstration program - for providers of biosimilars in Medicare Part B. Supported H.R. 5386, the Cutting Copays Act. This legislation would eliminate cost-sharing for generic drugs for LIS beneficiaries, helping to incentivize the use of generic drugs. Supported H.R. 3009/S. 2362, the Drug Shortage Prevention Act of 2023, to require that manufacturers of over-the-counter and prescription drugs notify Food & Drug Administration when they are unlikely to meet demand. Social Determinants of Healthcare/DEI: Opposed the Educate Act, H.R. 7725/S. 4115, that will amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit graduate medical schools from receiving Federal financial assistance if such schools adopt certain policies and requirements relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Firearm Safety: (S.117): Urged Congress to support the Handgun Permit to Purchase Act (S. 117), legislation that would authorize grants to states to support handgun purchaser licensing programs. To qualify for the grants, states must require gun purchasers to be at least the age of 2I and be subject to a criminal background check. Urged Congress to support the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, H.R. 715, and the Background Check Expansion Act, S. 494 and Ethans Law, H.R. 660 and S. 173, requiring gun owners to safely and securely store their firearms. Supported the Keep Americans Safe Act, H.R. 625 and S. 298, which would ban the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of high-capacity gun magazines that hold more than fifteen rounds. Supported the Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act, H.R. 768 and S. 247 empowering family members and law enforcement to prevent gun violence by petitioning a court to temporarily separate an at-risk individual from firearms. Supported the FY2024 funding gun violence prevention research contained in FY24 Senate Labor-HHS-Ed appropriations bill for inclusion in any final FY24 appropriations bills. Administrative Burden: Urged Congress to codify many of these proposed improvements to the prior authorization process by reintroducing and passing the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act. This legislation was passed by the House in the last Congress and would reduce burdens associated with prior authorization in Medicare Advantage (MA) by: l) protecting beneficiaries from any disruptions in care due to prior authorization requirements as they transition between MA plans; 2) requiring all MA plans adopt electronic prior authorization capabilities to streamline the process for prior authorization approval; and 3) standardizing the process and procedures for reporting electronic prior authorization criteria to MA plans. Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, to ensure patient access to appropriate treatments based on clinical decision-making and medical necessity rather than arbitrary step therapy protocols. Data Privacy: Supported American Privacy Rights Act, H.R. 8818, nations first comprehensive federal consumer data privacy framework. Bill was considered by House Energy and Commerce and would expand data privacy protections to entities not currently subject to HIPAA privacy protections. ACP asked for provisions enabling consumers to opt-out of allowing companies to use algorithms based on their personal data, allow states to further protect their residents and fully inform subjects of the nature and risks of the research. Scope of Practice: Opposed the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, H.R. 1770/ S. 2477, which would expand Medicare coverage to permanently include select services provided by a pharmacist. Healthcare Worker Safety: Supported H.R. 6364, the Medicare Telehealth Privacy Act of 2023. This bill would ensure that HHS will not publicly post the addresses of participating telehealth practitioners to provide privacy protections for physicians so that they can effectively treat and care for patients via telehealth. Clinical Labs: Supported the provision in H.R. 6366 that would delay payment reductions and data reporting periods for the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA). Legislation could improve patient access to laboratory tests used to diagnose, monitor, prevent, and manage diseases for Medicare beneficiaries.

Client expense: $82,388 · 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), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Expand Patient Access and Telehealth: Urged Congress to pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, which requires insurers to implement a clear and transparent process for a patient or physician to request an exception to a step therapy protocol. The bill lays out five exceptions to fail first protocols and requires that a group health plan grant an exemption. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and group health insurers have developed a series of price management tools to curb the rising cost of prescription drugs. Supported H.R. 2829, the Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023, that would remove the co-pay charged to patients who utilize chronic care management services. It would waive the beneficiary coinsurance to manage chronic care conditions and improve patients health. Supported the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, H.R. 3440 and S. 1636. This bipartisan legislation would ensure rural and underserved community healthcare providers can permanently offer telehealth services, including audio-only telehealth appointments, that are set to expire in December 2024. The legislation would: 1) allow payment parity for audio-only health services for clinically appropriate appointments; 2) permanently waive the geographic restriction allowing patients to be treated from their homes; 3) permanently allow rural health clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers to serve as distance sites for providing telehealth services; 4) lift the restrictions on store and forward technologies for telehealth; and 5) allow Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to directly bill for telehealth services. Supported the Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act, which would extend these flexibilities for two years until the end of 2026. Also supported the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, H.R. 3440, and the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024, H.R. 7623, which facilitate access to care via telehealth permanently. Supported CONNECT for Health Act of 2023, H.R. 4189 and S. 2016, to permanently remove all geographic restrictions on telehealth services and expand originating sites to include the home and other sites. That legislation would: 1) help providers transition to the goals of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) through using telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM) without most of the 42 U.S.C. Section 1834(m) telehealth restrictions; 2) allow telehealth and RPM to be used by qualifying participants in alternative payment models, without most of the 1834(m) restrictions; 3) permit the use of remote patient monitoring for certain patients with chronic conditions; 4) allow, as originating sites, telestroke evaluation and management sites, Native American health service facilities, and dialysis facilities for home dialysis patients in certain cases; and 5) permit further telehealth and RPM in community health centers and rural health clinics. Medicare Payments to Physicians (H.R. 2474): Urged Congress to pass H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, which preserves access to care for Medicare beneficiaries by providing an annual inflation update equal to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) for Medicare physician payments. Unlike other health care sectors, Medicare payment rates for physicians have not been updated based on the MEI. As a result, from 2001 to 2021, Medicare physician payments have decreased by 20 percent when adjusted for inflation. Supported H.R. 6545, the Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This bill includes an important provision that would allocate 3 percent to the 2024 Medicare conversion factor, which would represent a 1.75 percent increase to the approved level. H.R. 6545 also includes several provisions from H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023, that ACP supports. It would raise the budget neutrality threshold to $53 million and would use cumulative increases in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) to update the threshold every five years afterwards. Supported H.R. 6683, the Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023. That bill averts a 3.4 percent across-the-board cut to physician payment for 2024. ACP supported extending the work geographic practice costs index to improve the accuracy of geographic adjustment factors. Supported H.R. 6366 that would extend the work geographic practice costs index for another year to 1.00 for any locality where the index would be less than 1.00. We support aspects of legislation recently introduced by Senators Whitehouse and Cassidy, the Pay Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) Act, S. 4338, that would expand and accelerate the adoption of a hybrid per member per month (PMPM) payment model outside of the PFS. We believe this type of model can enhance innovation and improve the delivery of chronic care in primary care practices. ACP supported the Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventive Health Savings Act, H.R. 766, to enable CBO to capture cost-savings associated with preventive health care legislation beyond existing 10-year window, for two additional 10-year periods. Support Value-Based Care: Urged support of the Value in Health Care Act of 2023. The bill provides a multi-year commitment to reforming care delivery by extending MACRAs 5 percent advanced alternative payment models (APM) incentives that are scheduled to expire at the end of the year. It also gives the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) authority to adjust APM qualifying thresholds so that the current one-size-fits-all approach does not serve as a disincentive to including rural, underserved, primary care or specialty practices in APMs. The bill removes revenue-based distinctions that disadvantage rural and safety net providers, which is critical to improving access to care and improving health equity. The bill also improves financial benchmarks so that APM participants are not penalized for their own success. To allow more clinicians to continue the transition to value, the bill establishes a voluntary track for accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the Medicare Shared Savings Program to take on higher levels of risk and provides technical assistance for clinicians new to APMs. Lastly, the bill seeks to provide parity between APMs and the Medicare Advantage (MA) program by studying ways to increase alignment that will ease burdens on physicians and ensure that both APMs and MA are attractive and sustainable options. ACP supports extending incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models through 2026. This approach would help to maintain incentives that support physicians transition from a volume-based fee-for-service health care system to one that is based on the value and quality outcomes of health care delivered to the patient. Supported H.R. 6369 by Rep. Kim Schrier to extend incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models. ACP supports H.R. 5395, the SURS Extension Act, which would extend the Quality Payment Program-Small Practice, Underserved, and Rural Support (QPP-SURS) program for fiscal years 2024-2029. This program was established under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and has provided direct assistance to eligible clinicians required to participate in MIPS. ACP supports efforts to streamline the number of quality measures physicians must report on and enhance stakeholder engagement. Supported the Fewer Burdens for Better Care Act of 2023, which would emphasize multi-stakeholder input, with a 30-day comment period for stakeholders to comment on the removal of measures from the Medicare program. Pricing Transparency/Consolidation: Supported several provisions of H.R. 5378, Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, which are consistent with our policy and would improve access to and affordability of health care for patients. This bill brings together H.R. 4822, Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023, H.R. 3561, Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act of 2023 or the PATIENT Act of 2023 and other related bills reported out of Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Education and Workforce Committees. Supported requiring disclosure of changes in hospital or health facility ownership to reveal when private equity firms acquire hospitals, larger physician practices or nursing homes, promote price transparency among hospitals, health plans and pharmacy benefit managers and promote site neutrality for Medicare and Medicare beneficiaries. We further supported the reauthorization and funding increases included for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, Community Health Center program and National Health Service Corps. Supported Section 4 of H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act, which aims to increase PBM data reporting to enhance transparency for Medicare Part D. Specifically, it would set out new requirements for PBMs to report data on rebates and administrative fees to HHS. It would also require that HHS deidentify the data and make it publicly available so that policy makers and the public will have a better understanding of how rebates and administrative fees impact the costs of drug plans. The Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148, P.L. 111-152): Urged legislation to extend permanently the premium tax subsidies afforded under the ACA. Supported H.R. 1692, the Health Care Affordability Act of 2023, to permanently extend the premium tax credit subsidies under the ACA. The law provides consumers with subsidies (premium tax credits) that lower costs for households with incomes between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). It expands the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below 138 percent of the FPL. Supportive of S. 8, Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act to expand the eligibility of taxpayers for the refundable tax credit for coverage under a qualified health plan and increase cost-sharing subsidies under the ACA. FY2025 Appropriations: Urged Congress to support funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's programs in the FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill as well as funding shared evenly between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct public health research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention. Advocated for funding for the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA); Title Vil, Section 747, Primary Care Training and Enhancement (PCTE), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); National Health Service Corps (NHSC); Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH). Urged Congress to include report language in the FY2025 Labor HHS appropriations bill to direct the GAO to conduct a study encompassing the last decade of CMS estimates of new and revised code utilizations. ACP believes CMS has overestimated utilizations, thus adversely affecting available funds in the Medicare physician fee schedule for other code usuage. Women's Health: Urged HHS to support Title X funding and ensure unencumbered access to affordable, comprehensive, evidence-based reproductive health care; eliminate medically unnecessary restrictions and inappropriate political interference in the patient-physician relationship; and protect funding for and ensures consistent treatment of qualified service sites. Supported H.R. 459 and S. 323, the Secure Access for Essential Reproductive (SAFER) Health Act. This legislation would strengthen current health privacy laws to ensure that abortion-related health data cannot be shared without patient consent. It prohibits health care providers and insurance plans from disclosing in legal proceedings an individual's personal health information related to an abortion or pregnancy without the individual's valid authorization. The prohibition applies to federal, state, local, and tribal proceedings, including civil, criminal, administrative, and legislative proceedings. The bill provides limited exceptions such as if the information is necessary to investigate physical harm to the individual. Primary Care and the Physician Workforce: Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R. 2389, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023, which increases the number of Medicare supported direct graduate medical education (DGME) and indirect medical education (IME) positions by 14,000 over seven years; Support efforts of the bipartisan Senate Working Group to add 10,000 GME slots in legislation; Cosponsor and pass S. 665, the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act, to allow states to sponsor foreign-trained physicians to work in medically underserved areas in exchange for a waiver of the physicians' two-year foreign residence requirement; Cosponsor and pass H.R. 1202/S. 704, the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, to make it possible for residents to defer interest on their loans; Support inclusion in FY2024 appropriations legislation funding for Title VII Primary Care and Training Enhancement (PCTE) at $71 million to support and expand the pipeline for individuals training in primary care. Supported H.R.4986/S. 2577, which would refinance the interest rate for all existing federal student loans to zero percent. Further, it would cap interest rates for future student loan borrowers, while considering their financial needs. Prescription Drug Reform: Reviewed proposals to implement guidance by HHS for implementation of Inflation Reduction Act's prescription drug negotiation provisions. Supported H.R. 4895, the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act, to expand the number of prescription drugs which Medicare can negotiate under the Inflation Reduction Act from 20 to 50 starting in 2029. Supported H.R. 5385, the Medicare PBM Accountability Act. This legislation aims to lower the costs of prescription drugs for seniors covered by Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. It would require PBMs to submit annual reports to the Secretary of HHS on PBMs cost savings incurred from rebates, discounts, and price concessions. Supported H.R. 1352, the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2023. This legislation would encourage adoption of biosimilars in Medicare and improve biosimilar accessibility, by establishing a new pilot program - a voluntary, shared savings demonstration program - for providers of biosimilars in Medicare Part B. Supported H.R. 5386, the Cutting Copays Act. This legislation would eliminate cost-sharing for generic drugs for LIS beneficiaries, helping to incentivize the use of generic drugs. Supported H.R. 3009/S. 2362, the Drug Shortage Prevention Act of 2023, to require that manufacturers of over-the-counter and prescription drugs notify Food & Drug Administration when they are unlikely to meet demand. Social Determinants of Healthcare/DEI: Opposed the Educate Act, H.R. 7725/S. 4115, that will amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit graduate medical schools from receiving Federal financial assistance if such schools adopt certain policies and requirements relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Firearm Safety: (S.117): Urged Congress to support the Handgun Permit to Purchase Act (S. 117), legislation that would authorize grants to states to support handgun purchaser licensing programs. To qualify for the grants, states must require gun purchasers to be at least the age of 2I and be subject to a criminal background check. Urged Congress to support the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, H.R. 715, and the Background Check Expansion Act, S. 494 and Ethans Law, H.R. 660 and S. 173, requiring gun owners to safely and securely store their firearms. Supported the Keep Americans Safe Act, H.R. 625 and S. 298, which would ban the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of high-capacity gun magazines that hold more than fifteen rounds. Supported the Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act, H.R. 768 and S. 247 empowering family members and law enforcement to prevent gun violence by petitioning a court to temporarily separate an at-risk individual from firearms. Supported the FY2024 funding gun violence prevention research contained in FY24 Senate Labor-HHS-Ed appropriations bill for inclusion in any final FY24 appropriations bills. Administrative Burden: Urged Congress to codify many of these proposed improvements to the prior authorization process by reintroducing and passing the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act. This legislation was passed by the House in the last Congress and would reduce burdens associated with prior authorization in Medicare Advantage (MA) by: l) protecting beneficiaries from any disruptions in care due to prior authorization requirements as they transition between MA plans; 2) requiring all MA plans adopt electronic prior authorization capabilities to streamline the process for prior authorization approval; and 3) standardizing the process and procedures for reporting electronic prior authorization criteria to MA plans. Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, to ensure patient access to appropriate treatments based on clinical decision-making and medical necessity rather than arbitrary step therapy protocols. Data Privacy: Supported American Privacy Rights Act, H.R. 8818, nations first comprehensive federal consumer data privacy framework. Bill was considered by House Energy and Commerce and would expand data privacy protections to entities not currently subject to HIPAA privacy protections. ACP asked for provisions enabling consumers to opt-out of allowing companies to use algorithms based on their personal data, allow states to further protect their residents and fully inform subjects of the nature and risks of the research. Scope of Practice: Opposed the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, H.R. 1770/ S. 2477, which would expand Medicare coverage to permanently include select services provided by a pharmacist. Healthcare Worker Safety: Supported H.R. 6364, the Medicare Telehealth Privacy Act of 2023. This bill would ensure that HHS will not publicly post the addresses of participating telehealth practitioners to provide privacy protections for physicians so that they can effectively treat and care for patients via telehealth. Clinical Labs: Supported the provision in H.R. 6366 that would delay payment reductions and data reporting periods for the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA). Legislation could improve patient access to laboratory tests used to diagnose, monitor, prevent, and manage diseases for Medicare beneficiaries.

Client expense: $327,208 · 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), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

H.R. 5013 & S.3503 - The Value in Health Care Act of 2023 H.R. 2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R. 6369 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models. H.R. 6545 - Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act    S. 3430 - Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act H.R. 4822 - Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 Issues related to Medicare & Medicaid payment and regulations, Medicare Shared Savings Program, ACO REACH, Medicare Advantage, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation model evaluation, alternative payment model incentives, and telehealth. H.R. 4366, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 H.R. 7665 & S. 3939 - The ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2024 S 3950, The Delivering Unified Access to Lifesaving Services of 2024

Client expense: $117,138 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

H.R.2389/S.1302 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023 H.R.7050 - Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act Issue: Support increased Medicare funding for graduate medical education (GME). H.R.751 - Fair Access in Residency Act Issue: Oppose legislative interference in residency training program requirements and policies requiring the Medicare program to consider specific physician licensing exams for residency program applications. H.R.834/ S.230 - Rural Physician Workforce Production Act Issue: Oppose legislation redesigning Medicare GME payment formulas that reduce current DGME/IME payments to teaching hospitals. H.R.2584/S.2768 - Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act Issue: Support legislation providing protection for health care workers by creating a criminal offense for knowingly assaulting or intimidating hospital workers and providing grants to reduce violence in hospitals. H.R.5378 - Lower Costs, More Transparency Act Issue: Oppose legislation that pays for workforce investments and mitigation of DSH cuts if it is paid for by cuts to hospital outpatient departments. H.R.5013 - Value in Health Care Act Issue: Support legislation that ensures the continued move to value-based care. H.R.2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act Issue: Support legislation that reforms the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule by providing an annual inflation-based payment update based on the Medicare Economic Index (MEI). Issue: Educate Congress on status of CMS distribution of the 1,000 new GME slots authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L.116-260). Support CMS changing its distribution methodology to end the practice of super prioritization. Issue: Support Medicare GME per resident amount and cap-setting technical corrections and administrative relief. Issues: Support lifting cap on number of residents Medicare will count when determining teaching hospitals' Medicare Direct Graduate Medical Education (DGME) and Indirect Medical Education (IME) payments. Issue: Oppose reduction of Medicare GME/IME payments. Issue: Oppose the redesign of Medicare Indirect Medical Education financing and redistribution. Issue: Oppose establishing nationality-based restrictions on medical residencies supported by Medicare. P.L.118-42 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 Issue: Oppose reduction in Medicare hospital outpatient department reimbursement for drug administration and other services. Issue: Oppose site-neutral expansion to excepted off-campus provider-based departments (PBDs). Issue: Oppose creation of National Provider Number/unique identifier for off-campus hospital outpatient departments Issue: Oppose Medicare hospital, and provider cuts. Support mitigation of Medicare Physician Fee Schedule cuts. Issue: Support delaying or eliminating scheduled cuts to the Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) program. Issue: Support extension of alternative payment model (APM) bonus. H.R.2665 - The Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act Issue: Support eliminating two years worth of scheduled reductions to the Medicaid DSH program. Issue: Educate Congress on role of academic medicine as it relates to price transparency or disclosure initiatives. Issue: Protect patients from delays in care by streamlining and standardizing prior authorization under the Medicare Advantage program and providing program oversight and transparency. Issue: Support necessary changes and improvements to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). Issue: Educate Congress and policymakers on the financial challenges facing teaching hospitals and health systems, medical schools, and faculty practices and the impact on patients access to care and the nations health. Issue: Educate Congress on potential financial implications of entitlement reform on teaching hospitals and health systems, medical schools, and faculty practices and the impact on patients access to care and the nations health. Issue: Support policies to close the Medicaid coverage gap and ensure access to coverage in non-expansion states, as well as financial incentives to help states maintain existing expansions. Support mandatory 12-month Medicaid coverage for post-partum individuals. Issue: Oppose efforts by states to impose work or other community engagement activities as a requirement for continued Medicaid eligibility or coverage for certain Medicaid beneficiaries. Issue: Support waiving budget neutrality requirements associated with the E/M code changes or temporarily holding harmless physicians and other health care professionals. Issue: Support extension of Acute Hospital at Home program waiver of 24/7 nursing requirement. Issue: Support extension of Medicare telehealth waivers and efforts to expand patient access to telehealth. Issue: Support policy to permanently remove requirement for Medicare beneficiaries to be seen in-person every six months for telehealth visits for mental health services. H.R.1397 - The Telehealth Improvement for Kids Essential Services Act Issue: Support providing states with guidance to increase telehealth access in Medicaid and CHIP. Issue: Support increased access to behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services under Medicare and Medicaid. Support the removal of regulatory barriers to telehealth-enabled mental health care, including electronic interprofessional consults (eConsults). Issue: Support creation of new Medicare outpatient IME payment in addition to existing Medicare IME payment inpatient methodology. Oppose policies to create budget neutral IME payments for outpatient services. H.R.2377/S.1000 - The Saving Access to Laboratory Services (SALSA) Act Issue: Support legislation to modify Medicare payment rates for clinical diagnostic laboratory services to avoid statutory cuts to these payments. Issue: Support authorization of Medicare advance and accelerated payments in the wake of cyberattacks on providers. H.R.2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 Issue: Support removing cost-sharing obligations from the chronic care management (CCM) code in Medicare.

Client expense: $660,005 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

S. 260/H.R. 704 - Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 2583/S. 3481 - Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act H.R. 2713/S. 2418 - Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act S. 3939/H.R. 7665 - ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2024 H.R. 7266/S. 3770 - Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act H.R. 7153/S. 3679 - Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act H.R. 7623/S. 3967 - Telehealth Modernization Act H.R. 7002/S. 2815 - Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act H.R. 5163/ S. 3193 - Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act H.R. 4534/S. 2245, the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act H.R. 5829 - Health Care Practitioner Disaster Protection ActS. 923 - Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act H.R. 3768/S. 1851 - Midwives for MOMs Act H.R. 3305/S. 1606 - Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act H.R. 2411/S. 1150 - National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2023 H.R. 2663/S. 1176 - Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act H.R. 3523/S. 1710 - Perinatal Workforce Act S. 2085 - A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection screening tests H.R 2407 - the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act S. 2016 - CONNECT for Health Act S. 1869 - Site-based Invoicing and Transparency Enhancement Act (SITE) Act H.R. 3355 - Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program Reauthorization Act of 2023 S. 1627 - Providing Real-World Education and Clinical Experience by Precepting Tomorrows Nurses Act (PRECEPT) Nurses Act H.R. 3623/S. 1586 - Educating Future Nurses Act H.R. 3730/S. 198 - Rural Health Clinic Burden Reduction Act H.R. 2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 2400/S. 1165 - Reentry Act of 2023 S. 1378 - Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective Care (COMPLETE Care) Act H.Con.Res.42 - Honoring Mary Eliza Mahoney, America's first professionally trained Black nurse. S.Res.201/H.Res.375 - A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, to be observed from May 6 through May 12, 2023. H.R. 4822 - Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 H.R. 4779 - Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act Primary Care and Health Workforce Expansion Act S. 2840 - Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act S. 3297/H.R. 6407 - Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2023 Support funding for the National Health Service Corps S. 862 - Restoring Americas Health Care Workforce and Readiness Act S. 1976/H.R. 4104 - Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act S. 3430 - Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act of 2023 Support a final rule prohibiting menthol cigarettes and cigars Support implementation of Medicare code G2211 Extending COVID-19 waivers related to nurse practitioners and critical access hospitals Skilled nursing facility admitting examination and assessment requirements Health plan coverage and program requirements, including provider non-discrimination, network adequacy and prior authorization Nursing faculty and workforce shortage Nursing education Include nurses, APRNs, and nursing students in all national public health plans Public health and nursing workforce infrastructure Rural health care issues, including rural workforce, COVID-19 vaccination, and reimbursement Addressing health equity Medication-Assisted Treatment (MATs) Issues relating to the mental and substance use disorder workforce Opioid epidemic COVID-19 Pandemic, including funding, personal protective equipment, testing and vaccines Provide resources to support nurses, APRNs, and nursing students mental health needs, especially for those responding to the pandemic Extension of CMS waivers beyond the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Use of telehealth to prescribe controlled substances under the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 [Public Law No: 110-425] Site specific restrictions on providers under DEA controlled substances policy Implementation of the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act Telehealth, remote patient monitoring and other forms of health technology Reducing regulatory burdens, including those relating to Medicare Conditions of Participation Medicare provider reimbursement Primary care payment reform Documentation of medical records

Client expense: $360,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office

S. 260/H.R. 704 - Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 2583/S. 3481 - Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act H.R. 2713/S. 2418 - Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act S. 3939/H.R. 7665 - ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2024 H.R. 7623/S. 3967 - Telehealth Modernization Act H.R. 5163/ S. 3193 - Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act S. 923 - Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act H.R. 3305/S. 1606 - Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act H.R. 2663/S. 1176 - Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act S. 2085 - A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection screening tests H.R 2407 - the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act H.R. 4189/S. 2016 - CONNECT for Health Act S. 1869 - Site-based Invoicing and Transparency Enhancement Act (SITE) Act H.R. 3623/S. 1586 - Educating Future Nurses Act H.R. 2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 2400/S. 1165 - Reentry Act of 2023 S.1378 - Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective Care (COMPLETE Care) Act H.R. 4822 - Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 H.R. 4779 - Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act Primary Care and Health Workforce Expansion Act S. 2840 - Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act S. 1976/H.R. 4104 - Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act Support implementation of Medicare code G2211 S. 3297/H.R. 6407 - Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2023 S. 3430 - Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act of 2023 Skilled nursing facility admitting examination and assessment requirements Health plan coverage and program requirements, including provider non-discrimination, network adequacy and prior authorization Nursing faculty and workforce shortage Include nurses, APRNs, and nursing students in all national public health plans Rural health care issues, including rural workforce, COVID-19 vaccination, and reimbursement Addressing health equity Medication-Assisted Treatment (MATs) Issues relating to the mental and substance use disorder workforce Opioid epidemic COVID-19 Pandemic, including funding, personal protective equipment, testing and vaccines Extension of CMS waivers beyond the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Telehealth, remote patient monitoring and other forms of health technology Reducing regulatory burdens, including those relating to Medicare Conditions of Participation Medicare provider reimbursement Documentation of medical records Use of clinician home address on Medicare claims when providing telehealth services

Client expense: $360,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

Q1 Lobbying Report (Jan. 1-March 31) HCR Transparency (surprise medical bills; public posting of hospital charges) 340B Drug Pricing Program Resident Physician Shortage Act of 2023 (H.R. 2389) No Surprises Act regulations Public Health Emergency designation Food and Drug Amendments No Surprise Bills for New Moms Act (H.R. 3387) Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act (H.R. 2544) Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act (H.R. 3561) Medicaid VBPs for Patients (MVP) Act (H.R. 2666) Providers and Payers COMPETE Act (H.R. 3284) To amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to ensure transparency and oversight of the 340B drug discount program (H.R. 3290) Transparent PRICE Act (H.R. 3281/H.R. 2691)) Resident Physician Shortage Reduction (S. 1302) Medical Student Education Authorization Act (H.R. 3046) Save Americas Rural Hospitals Act (H.R. 833) Chronic Care Management Improvement Act (H.R. 2829) Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees Act (H.R. 2584) Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act (H.R. 2665) Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act (H.R. 977/S.470) FEMA re: COVID-19 related reimbursement Public Health Guidance Transparency and Accountability Act of 2023 (H.R. 4529) Public Health Emergency Congressional Review Act (H.R. 4381) CDC Leadership Accountability Act of 2023 (H.R. 3813) Preparing for All Hazards and Pathogens Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4421) Preparedness and Response Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4420) Childrens Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 3887) Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 (H.R. 4822) Providers and Payers COMPETE Act (H.R. 3284) Lower Costs, More Transparency Act (H.R. 5378 Transparency in Coverage Act (H.R. 4507) GOLD Card Act of 2023 (H.R. 4968) No Fees for EFTs Act (H.R.6487) Rural Health Care Facilities Revitalization Act (H.R. 5989) Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act (H.R. 7153) To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a definition of essential health system in statute (H.R. 7397) Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act (H.R. 7050) 340B PATIENTS Act (HR7635) MMM Accelerated and Advance Payment Program repayment flexibility Graduate Medical Education (GME) funding Telehealth flexibilities and payment Annual Prospective Payment System Rules Organ acquisition payment policies Californias Medicaid Hospital Quality Assurance Fee Program BUD FY 2024 Appropriations bills Nursing and allied health workforce funding FY 2024 budget request Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act (H.R. 6363) Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 5894) Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 (H.R. 7024) Extension of Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2024 (H.R. 7463) Submitted Comments SUBJECT: CMS-4205-P, Medicare Program; Contract Year 2025 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Health Information Technology Standards and Implementation Specifications (Vol 88, No. 219), Wednesday, November 15th SUBJECT: RIN 0955-AA05, 21st Century Cures Act: Establishment of Disincentives for Health Care Providers That Have Committed Information Blocking, Proposed Rule, Federal Register (Vol 88, No 210), November 1, 2023 Subject: CMS-9897-P Federal Independent Dispute Resolution Operations, Proposed Rule, Federal Register (Vol. 88, No. 212), November 3, 2023

Client expense: $430,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA)

H.R.2665, Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act H.R.2389, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023 H.R.3561 - PATIENT Act of 2023 H.R. 3887, the Childrens Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2023 H.R. 3561, PATIENT Act of 2023 H.R. 5378, The Lower Costs, More Transparency Act S. 2719 Directing our Countrys Transfer of Residency Slots (DOCTORS) Act of 2023 S. 3196 - Ensuring Medicaid Continuity for Children in Foster Care Act H.R. 2829 Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 7397 -Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act Issues related to Section 203 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 Issues related to the Medicare/Medicaid dual eligible population Issues related to Medicare Site-neutral payment cuts Issues related to Medicaid DSH Cuts

Client expense: $420,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, White House Office

H.R. 2474, Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, provisions relating to Medicare Economic Index inflation updates H.R. 6371, Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023, provisions relating to budget neutrality, MIPS, and G2211 code H.R. 1610, Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2023, all provisions S. 799, Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 751, Fair Access In Residency (FAIR) Act, all provisions H.R. 4189, Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2023, all provisions S. 2016, Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 2829, Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 1770, Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, all provisions S. 2477, Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, all provisions H.R. 2713, Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act, all provisions S. 2418, Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act, all provisions H.R. 977, Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2023, all provisions S. 470, Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 2377, Saving Access to Laboratory Services Act, all provisions S. 1000, Saving Access to Laboratory Services Act, all provisions H.R. 3432, Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 2389, Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023, all provisions S. 1302, Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023, all provisions S. 712, Connected MOM Act, all provisions H.R. 4968, Getting Over Lengthy Delays in Care As Required by Doctors (GOLD CARD) Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 2474, Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, all provisions H.R. 6683, Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 1610, Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2023, all provisions S. 799, Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 6445, Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2023, all provisions S. 2377, Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 6545, Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act, all provisions H.R. 6369, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models, all provisions H.R. 6364, Medicare Telehealth Privacy Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 4822, Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 4839, Hospital and ASC Price Transparency Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 5378, Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, all provisions H.R. 5013, Value in Health Care Act of 2023, all provisions S. 3503, Value in Health Care Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 6545, Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act, all provisions H.R. 6366, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to the work geographic index for physician payments under the Medicare program, and to revise the phase-in of clinical laboratory test payment changes under such program, all provisions S. 1491, Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act, all provisions S. 669, Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 2583, Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 5958, Drug-price Transparency for Consumers Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 3074, Due Process Continuity of Care Act, all provisions S. 971, Due Process Continuity of Care Act, all provisions H.R. 1694, Emergency Care Improvement Act, all provisions H.R. 1745, Medicare Fraud Detection and Deterrence Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 1746, Preventing Medicare Telefraud Act, all provisions H.R. 497, Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, all provisions H.R. 5506, Hospitals As Naloxone Distribution Sites (HANDS) Act, all provisions H.R. 5388, Supporting Innovation for Seniors Act, all provisions H.R. 8863, Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act of 2023, provisions relating to eliminating 3.37 Medicare cuts S. 198, Rural Health Clinic Burden Reduction Act, all provisions H.R. 4882, Clinical Laboratory Price Transparency Act of 2023, provisions relating to Section 101 H.R. 6475, Health Disparity Zones Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 6230, Doctor Knows Best Act of 2023, all provisions S. 127, Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 3284, Providers and Payers COMPETE Act, all provisions H.R. 4828, Imaging Services Price Transparency Act of 2023, all provisions Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2022 SURS Extension Act, provisions related to renewal of technical support for small practices in the Quality Payment Program Fewer Burdens for Better Care Act/drafts Medicare Student Education Authorization Act/drafts Medicare program: 21st Century Cures Act implementation Medicare program: No Surprises Act implementation Medicare program: Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA)/physician burden Medicare program: MACRA/Broad reform Medicare program: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC)/Physician payment inflationary update Medicare program: Physician payment Medicare program: Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS)/Revalidation Medicare program: Provider Relief Fund recoupment Medicare program: Open Payments Medicare program: Budget neutrality Medicare program: Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)/Cost performance category Medicare program: MIPS/quality/cost/promoting interoperability Medicare program: Quality/Diabetes measure Medicare program: Site neutral payment policies Medicare program: Physician-Owned Hospitals Medicare program: 3.37% CY 2024 Medicare cut Medicare program: Nursing home staff mandate Medicare program: Quality payment program/physician burdens Medicare program: Health IT/physician burdens Medicare program: EHR certification Medicare program: Miller-Meeks, Bera, Bucshon and Schrier letter/2024 Medicare cut Medicare program: Alternative payment models for specialists Medicare program: Medicare Advantage cuts/Advanced Rate Notice Medicare program: Scope of practice Medicare program: Prescription drug pricing and payment Medicare program: G2211 utilization Medicare program: Provider compliance and regulatory relief Medicaid program: Information blocking/reproductive health and penalties Medicare program: In-office pharmacies/Part B prescriptions/Stark Law Medicare program: Part B/geographic payment disparities Medicare and Medicaid programs: Data privacy Medicare and Medicaid programs: Lung cancer/low-dose computed tomography coverage expansion Medicare and Medicaid programs: Wheelchair repairs/barriers to timely access Medicare and Medicaid programs: Street medicine/place of service code Medicaid program: Medicaid unwinding/data collection Medicaid program: Maternal health

Client expense: $5,740,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of

S. 260/H.R. 704 - Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 2583/S. 3481 - Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act H.R. 2713/S. 2418 - Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act ACO Assignment Improvement Act S. 923 - Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act H.R. 3305/S. 1606 - Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act H.R. 2663/S. 1176 - Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act S. 2085 - A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection screening tests H.R 2407 - the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act S. 2016 - CONNECT for Health Act S. 1869 - Site-based Invoicing and Transparency Enhancement Act (SITE) Act H.R. 3623/S. 1586 - Educating Future Nurses Act H.R. 2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 2400/S. 1165 - Reentry Act of 2023 S.1378 - Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective Care (COMPLETE Care) Act H.R. 4822 - Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 H.R. 4779 - Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act Primary Care and Health Workforce Expansion Act S. 2840 - Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act S. 1976/H.R. 4104 - Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act Support implementation of Medicare code G2211 S. 3297/H.R. 6407 - Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2023 S. 3430 - Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act of 2023 Skilled nursing facility admitting examination and assessment requirements Health plan coverage and program requirements, including provider non-discrimination, network adequacy and prior authorization Nursing faculty and workforce shortage Include nurses, APRNs, and nursing students in all national public health plans Rural health care issues, including rural workforce, COVID-19 vaccination, and reimbursement Addressing health equity Medication-Assisted Treatment (MATs) Issues relating to the mental and substance use disorder workforce Opioid epidemic COVID-19 Pandemic, including funding, personal protective equipment, testing and vaccines Extension of CMS waivers beyond the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Telehealth, remote patient monitoring and other forms of health technology Reducing regulatory burdens, including those relating to Medicare Conditions of Participation Medicare provider reimbursement Documentation of medical records

Client expense: $430,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

S. 260/H.R. 704 - Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 2583/S. 3481 - Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act H.R. 2713/S. 2418 - Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act ACO Assignment Improvement Act Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act S. 923 - Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act H.R. 3768/S. 1851 - Midwives for MOMs Act H.R. 3305/S. 1606 - Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act H.R. 2411/S. 1150 - National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2023 H.R. 2663/S. 1176 - Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act H.R. 3523/S. 1710 - Perinatal Workforce Act S. 2085 - A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection screening tests H.R 2407 - the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act S. 2016 - CONNECT for Health Act S. 1869 - Site-based Invoicing and Transparency Enhancement Act (SITE) Act H.R. 3355 - Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program Reauthorization Act of 2023 S. 1627 - Providing Real-World Education and Clinical Experience by Precepting Tomorrows Nurses Act (PRECEPT) Nurses Act H.R. 3623/S. 1586 - Educating Future Nurses Act H.R. 3730/S. 198 - Rural Health Clinic Burden Reduction Act H.R. 2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 2400/S. 1165 - Reentry Act of 2023 S. 1378 - Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective Care (COMPLETE Care) Act H.Con.Res.42 - Honoring Mary Eliza Mahoney, America's first professionally trained Black nurse. S.Res.201/H.Res.375 - A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, to be observed from May 6 through May 12, 2023. H.R. 4822 - Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 H.R. 4779 - Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act Primary Care and Health Workforce Expansion Act S. 2840 - Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act S. 3297/H.R. 6407 - Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2023 Support funding for the National Health Service Corps S. 862 - Restoring Americas Health Care Workforce and Readiness Act S. 1976/H.R. 4104 - Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act S. 3430 - Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act of 2023 Support implementation of Medicare code G2211 Extending COVID-19 waivers related to nurse practitioners and critical access hospitals Skilled nursing facility admitting examination and assessment requirements Health plan coverage and program requirements, including provider non-discrimination, network adequacy and prior authorization Nursing faculty and workforce shortage Nursing education Include nurses, APRNs, and nursing students in all national public health plans Public health and nursing workforce infrastructure Rural health care issues, including rural workforce, COVID-19 vaccination, and reimbursement Addressing health equity Medication-Assisted Treatment (MATs) Issues relating to the mental and substance use disorder workforce Opioid epidemic COVID-19 Pandemic, including funding, personal protective equipment, testing and vaccines Provide resources to support nurses, APRNs, and nursing students mental health needs, especially for those responding to the pandemic Extension of CMS waivers beyond the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Use of telehealth to prescribe controlled substances under the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 [Public Law No: 110-425] Site specific restrictions on providers under DEA controlled substances policy Implementation of the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act Telehealth, remote patient monitoring and other forms of health technology Reducing regulatory burdens, including those relating to Medicare Conditions of Participation Medicare provider reimbursement Documentation of medical records

Client expense: $430,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office

Expand Patient Access and Telehealth: Urged Congress to support several bills to expand patient access to medical coverage. ACP supports H.R. 1114, the Long COVID Response is Care Optimized and Vitally Essential Resources that Yield New Opportunities for Wellness Act or the Long COVID RECOVERY NOW Act, which would optimize care by enhancing a coordinated federal government response, public education and insurance reimbursement guidance for Long COVID. H.R. 1114 would also authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide grants to primary care practices to facilitate the adoption of evidence-based Long COVID clinical practices that have been demonstrated to improve the wellness of individuals with Long COVJD and submission of data to HHS on the characteristics, diagnoses, and health care service utilization of Long COVID patients. Urged Congress to pass H.R. 952, the Kids Access to Primary Care Act, which ensures that Medicaid payment rates for primary care services are equal to Medicare rates. The ACA included a provision that required states to raise Medicaid payment rates for primary care services equal to Medicare rates in 2013 and 2014 but this provision expired after those two years and was not renewed by Congress. Urged Congress to pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, which requires insurers to implement a clear and transparent process for a patient or physician to request an exception to a step therapy protocol. The bill lays out five exceptions to fail first protocols and requires that a group health plan grant an exemption. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and group health insurers have developed a series of price management tools to curb the rising cost of prescription drugs. Supported H.R. 2829, the Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023, that would remove the co-pay charged to patients who utilize chronic care management services. It would waive the beneficiary coinsurance to manage chronic care conditions and improve patients health. Supported Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, H.R. 3305 and S. 1606, to improve maternal health, particularly among racial and ethnic minority groups, veterans, and other vulnerable populations. It also addresses maternal health issues related to COVID-19. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other specified departments would address the social determinants of maternal health, which include childcare, housing, food security, transportation, and environmental conditions. The bill also extends to 24 months postpartum eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Woman, Infants, and Children. Additionally, HHS and other agencies must take actions to grow and diversify the maternal health workforce. To increase access to maternity care, HHS and other agencies must 1) award specified grants; 2) test an alternative payment model for perinatal care under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP); and 3) support training, technology, and telehealth initiatives. Supported the Public Health Infrastructure Saves Lives Act, S. 1995, that provides annual funding for the CDC to strengthen core public health infrastructure. Core public health infrastructure includes the elements and workforce capabilities that enable health departments to perform critical functions such as disease surveillance and emergency response. Specifically, the CDC must award grants to health departments for their core infrastructure needs. In addition, the CDC must support the development of accreditation standards for health departments that emphasize core public health infrastructure. Supported the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, H.R. 3440 and S. 1636. This bipartisan legislation would ensure rural and underserved community healthcare providers can permanently offer telehealth services, including audio-only telehealth appointments, that are set to expire in December 2024. The legislation would: 1) allow payment parity for audio-only health services for clinically appropriate appointments; 2) permanently waive the geographic restriction allowing patients to be treated from their homes; 3) permanently allow rural health clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers to serve as distance sites for providing telehealth services; 4) lift the restrictions on store and forward technologies for telehealth; and 5) allow Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to directly bill for telehealth services. Supported CONNECT for Health Act of 2023, H.R. 4189 and S. 2016, to permanently remove all geographic restrictions on telehealth services and expand originating sites to include the home and other sites. That legislation would: 1) help providers transition to the goals of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) through using telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM) without most of the 42 U.S.C. Section 1834(m) telehealth restrictions; 2) allow telehealth and RPM to be used by qualifying participants in alternative payment models, without most of the 1834(m) restrictions; 3) permit the use of remote patient monitoring for certain patients with chronic conditions; 4) allow, as originating sites, telestroke evaluation and management sites, Native American health service facilities, and dialysis facilities for home dialysis patients in certain cases; and 5) permit further telehealth and RPM in community health centers and rural health clinics. Supporting those provisions in the 2023 Farm Bill, the 5-year reauthorization legislation, related to food and nutrition - namely food security and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provisions. We support the nutrition assistance and food distribution programs for nearly 40 million people with low-income, e.g. ((SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and preserving the current SNAP entitlement and funding structure to ensure benefit adequacy without work requirements. Medicare Payments to Physicians (H.R. 2474): Urged Congress to pass H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, which preserves access to care for Medicare beneficiaries by providing an annual inflation update equal to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) for Medicare physician payments. Unlike other health care sectors, Medicare payment rates for physicians have not been updated based on the MEI. As a result, from 2001 to 2021, Medicare physician payments have decreased by 20 percent when adjusted for inflation. Supported H.R. 6545, the Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This bill includes an important provision that would allocate 3 percent to the 2024 Medicare conversion factor, which would represent a 1.75 percent increase to the approved level. H.R. 6545 also includes several provisions from H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023, that ACP supports. It would raise the budget neutrality threshold to $53 million and would use cumulative increases in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) to update the threshold every five years afterwards. Supported H.R. 6683, the Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023. That bill averts a 3.4 percent across-the-board cut to physician payment for 2024. ACP supported extending the work geographic practice costs index to improve the accuracy of geographic adjustment factors. Supported H.R. 6366 that would extend the work geographic practice costs index for another year to 1.00 for any locality where the index would be less than 1.00. G2211 Add on Code Implementation: Urged Congress to support the full implementation of a Medicare add-on code, known as G2211, in 2024. This code will improve Medicare beneficiaries access to high-quality, continuous care and help sustain the physician practices beneficiaries rely on for comprehensive health care. G2211 would be billed alongside codes for office/outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) visits to better account for the unique and inherent complexity of services provided through longitudinal patient care that is based on a clinicians ongoing relationship with a patient and is related to a patients single, serious condition or a complex condition. Support Value-Based Care: Urged support of the Value in Health Care Act of 2023. The bill provides a multi-year commitment to reforming care delivery by extending MACRAs 5 percent advanced alternative payment models (APM) incentives that are scheduled to expire at the end of the year. It also gives the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) authority to adjust APM qualifying thresholds so that the current one-size-fits-all approach does not serve as a disincentive to including rural, underserved, primary care or specialty practices in APMs. The bill removes revenue-based distinctions that disadvantage rural and safety net providers, which is critical to improving access to care and improving health equity. The bill also improves financial benchmarks so that APM participants are not penalized for their own success. To allow more clinicians to continue the transition to value, the bill establishes a voluntary track for accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the Medicare Shared Savings Program to take on higher levels of risk and provides technical assistance for clinicians new to APMs. Lastly, the bill seeks to provide parity between APMs and the Medicare Advantage (MA) program by studying ways to increase alignment that will ease burdens on physicians and ensure that both APMs and MA are attractive and sustainable options. ACP supports extending incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models through 2026. This approach would help to maintain incentives that support physicians transition from a volume-based fee-for-service health care system to one that is based on the value and quality outcomes of health care delivered to the patient. Supported H.R. 6369 by Rep. Kim Schrier to extend incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models. ACP supports H.R. 5395, the SURS Extension Act, which would extend the Quality Payment Program-Small Practice, Underserved, and Rural Support (QPP-SURS) program for fiscal years 2024-2029. This program was established under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and has provided direct assistance to eligible clinicians required to participate in MIPS. ACP supports efforts to streamline the number of quality measures physicians must report on and enhance stakeholder engagement. Supported the Fewer Burdens for Better Care Act of 2023, which would emphasize multi-stakeholder input, with a 30-day comment period for stakeholders to comment on the removal of measures from the Medicare program. MACRA Reform Hearings: We requested Congressional hearings on The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) to focus upon whether the current system achieves the Congressional intent to move towards value- based care and to consider the long-term viability of the current Medicare physician payment system. These hearings should focus on the characteristics of a rational Medicare payment system. This should include: 1) positive consistent and stable annual payment updates that offer the financial stability needed for our physicians to transition their practices to value-based payment models; 2) meaningful and actionable quality reporting initiatives that adequately measure the quality of care our physicians provide to their patients; and 3) a sufficient number of Advanced APMs for our physicians to join to provide high quality value-based care to their patients. Pricing Transparency/Consolidation: Supported several provisions of H.R. 5378, Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, which are consistent with our policy and would improve access to and affordability of health care for patients. This bill brings together H.R. 4822, Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023, H.R. 3561, Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act of 2023 or the PATIENT Act of 2023 and other related bills reported out of Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Education and Workforce Committees. Supported requiring disclosure of changes in hospital or health facility ownership to reveal when private equity firms acquire hospitals, larger physician practices or nursing homes, promote price transparency among hospitals, health plans and pharmacy benefit managers and promote site neutrality for Medicare and Medicare beneficiaries. We further supported the reauthorization and funding increases included for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, Community Health Center program and National Health Service Corps. Supported Section 4 of H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act, which aims to increase PBM data reporting to enhance transparency for Medicare Part D. Specifically, it would set out new requirements for PBMs to report data on rebates and administrative fees to HHS. It would also require that HHS deidentify the data and make it publicly available so that policy makers and the public will have a better understanding of how rebates and administrative fees impact the costs of drug plans. The Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148, P.L. 111-152): Continued advocacy with Congress in support of 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; Requiring that health insurers spend more on patient care and less on administration; 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 March 2023 ruling by a federal judge in Texas that the ACA's requirements for coverage for preventive services will harm the health of Americans. Previously, under the ACA, health insurance plans have been required to include coverage at no cost to patients for preventive services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. These preventive services include cancer screenings, mental health screenings, heart disease and hypertension screenings, among other services. Urged legislation to extend permanently the premium tax subsidies afforded under the ACA. Supported H.R. 1692, the Health Care Affordability Act of 2023, to permanently extend the premium tax credit subsidies under the ACA. The law provides consumers with subsidies (premium tax credits) that lower costs for households with incomes between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). It expands the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below 138 percent of the FPL. Supportive of S. 8, Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act to expand the eligibility of taxpayers for the refundable tax credit for coverage under a qualified health plan and increase cost-sharing subsidies under the ACA. FY2024 Appropriations: Urged Congress to support funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's programs in the FY 2024 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill as well as funding shared evenly between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct public health research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention. Advocated for funding for the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA); Title Vil, Section 747, Primary Care Training and Enhancement (PCTE), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); National Health Service Corps (NHSC); Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH). Urged Congress to include at least $11.581 billion for the CDC's programs in the FY 2024 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill. Submitted FY2024 report language to Congress regarding the overestimation of utilization of new codes. Supported $60 million for Public Health Infrastructure and Capacity, $400 million for Title X Family Service Grants, and $35 million for CDC Firearm Injury Prevention and Control. Women's Health: Urged HHS to support Title X funding and ensure unencumbered access to affordable, comprehensive, evidence-based reproductive health care; eliminate medically unnecessary restrictions and inappropriate political interference in the patient-physician relationship; and protect funding for and ensures consistent treatment of qualified service sites. Supported H.R. 459 and S. 323, the Secure Access for Essential Reproductive (SAFER) Health Act. This legislation would strengthen current health privacy laws to ensure that abortion-related health data cannot be shared without patient consent. It prohibits health care providers and insurance plans from disclosing in legal proceedings an individual's personal health information related to an abortion or pregnancy without the individual's valid authorization. The prohibition applies to federal, state, local, and tribal proceedings, including civil, criminal, administrative, and legislative proceedings. The bill provides limited exceptions such as if the information is necessary to investigate physical harm to the individual. Primary Care and the Physician Workforce: Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R. 2389, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023, which increases the number of Medicare supported direct graduate medical education (DGME) and indirect medical education (IME) positions by 14,000 over seven years; Cosponsor and pass S. 665, the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act, to allow states to sponsor foreign-trained physicians to work in medically underserved areas in exchange for a waiver of the physicians' two-year foreign residence requirement; Cosponsor and pass H.R. 1202/S. 704, the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, to make it possible for residents to defer interest on their loans; Support inclusion in FY2024 appropriations legislation funding for Title VII Primary Care and Training Enhancement (PCTE) at $71 million to support and expand the pipeline for individuals training in primary care. Supported H.R.4986/S. 2577, which would refinance the interest rate for all existing federal student loans to zero percent. Further, it would cap interest rates for future student loan borrowers, while considering their financial needs. Prescription Drug Reform: Reviewed proposals to implement guidance by HHS for implementation of Inflation Reduction Act's prescription drug negotiation provisions. Supported H.R. 4895, the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act, to expand the number of prescription drugs which Medicare can negotiate under the Inflation Reduction Act from 20 to 50 starting in 2029. Supported H.R. 5385, the Medicare PBM Accountability Act. This legislation aims to lower the costs of prescription drugs for seniors covered by Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. It would require PBMs to submit annual reports to the Secretary of HHS on PBMs cost savings incurred from rebates, discounts, and price concessions. Supported H.R. 1352, the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2023. This legislation would encourage adoption of biosimilars in Medicare and improve biosimilar accessibility, by establishing a new pilot program - a voluntary, shared savings demonstration program - for providers of biosimilars in Medicare Part B. Supported H.R. 5386, the Cutting Copays Act. This legislation would eliminate cost-sharing for generic drugs for LIS beneficiaries, helping to incentivize the use of generic drugs. Supported H.R. 3009/S. 2362, the Drug Shortage Prevention Act of 2023, to require that manufacturers of over-the-counter and prescription drugs notify Food & Drug Administration when they are unlikely to meet demand. Social Determinants of Healthcare: Urged Congress to support legislation to expand utilization of social determinants of healthcare to expand governments capabilities to provide healthcare to underserved and disadvantaged communities. Supported the Improving the Social Determinants of Health Act of 2023 that would: award grants to state, local, territorial, and Tribal health agencies and organizations to address SDOHs in target communities; award grants to nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education to conduct research on SDOH best practices; provide technical assistance, training, and evaluation assistance to target community grantees; and disseminate best practices; and collect and analyze data related to SDOH activities. Supported Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act, H.R. 1705 and S. 1606. The bill contains environmental justice requirements, advisory bodies, and programs to address the disproportionate adverse human health or environmental effects of federal laws or programs on communities of color, low-income communities, or tribal and indigenous communities. Specifically, the bill prohibits disparate impacts on the basis of race, color, or national origin as discrimination. Aggrieved persons may seek legal remedy when faced with such discrimination. In addition, the bill directs agencies to follow certain requirements concerning environmental justice. Firearm Safety: (S.117): Urged Congress to support the Handgun Permit to Purchase Act (S. 117), legislation that would authorize grants to states to support handgun purchaser licensing programs. To qualify for the grants, states must require gun purchasers to be at least the age of 2I and be subject to a criminal background check. Urged Congress to support the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, H.R. 715, and the Background Check Expansion Act, S. 494 and Ethans Law, H.R. 660 and S. 173, requiring gun owners to safely and securely store their firearms. Supported the Keep Americans Safe Act, H.R. 625 and S. 298, which would ban the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of high-capacity gun magazines that hold more than fifteen rounds. Supported the Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act, H.R. 768 and S. 247 empowering family members and law enforcement to prevent gun violence by petitioning a court to temporarily separate an at-risk individual from firearms. Supported the FY2024 funding gun violence prevention research contained in FY24 Senate Labor-HHS-Ed appropriations bill for inclusion in any final FY24 appropriations bills. Administrative Burden: Urged Congress to codify many of these proposed improvements to the prior authorization process by reintroducing and passing the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act. This legislation was passed by the House in the last Congress and would reduce burdens associated with prior authorization in Medicare Advantage (MA) by: l) protecting beneficiaries from any disruptions in care due to prior authorization requirements as they transition between MA plans; 2) requiring all MA plans adopt electronic prior authorization capabilities to streamline the process for prior authorization approval; and 3) standardizing the process and procedures for reporting electronic prior authorization criteria to MA plans. Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, to ensure patient access to appropriate treatments based on clinical decision-making and medical necessity rather than arbitrary step therapy protocols Mental and Behavioral Health: Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and reintroduces H.R. 5218, the Collaborate in an Orderly and Cohesive Manner Act, to provide grants through the Department of Health and Human Services to primary care physicians who choose to deliver behavioral health care through the Collaborate Care Model (CoCM); Support enhanced reimbursement for CoCM payment codes under Medicare to more appropriately reflect the value of services provided to patients with mental health and substance use disorder needs. Supported S. 1378, the Connecting Our Medic

Client expense: $309,245 · 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), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Expand Patient Access and Telehealth: Urged Congress to support several bills to expand patient access to medical coverage. ACP supports H.R. 1114, the Long COVID Response is Care Optimized and Vitally Essential Resources that Yield New Opportunities for Wellness Act or the Long COVID RECOVERY NOW Act, which would optimize care by enhancing a coordinated federal government response, public education and insurance reimbursement guidance for Long COVID. H.R. 1114 would also authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide grants to primary care practices to facilitate the adoption of evidence-based Long COVID clinical practices that have been demonstrated to improve the wellness of individuals with Long COVJD and submission of data to HHS on the characteristics, diagnoses, and health care service utilization of Long COVID patients. Urged Congress to pass H.R. 952, the Kids Access to Primary Care Act, which ensures that Medicaid payment rates for primary care services are equal to Medicare rates. The ACA included a provision that required states to raise Medicaid payment rates for primary care services equal to Medicare rates in 2013 and 2014 but this provision expired after those two years and was not renewed by Congress. Urged Congress to pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, which requires insurers to implement a clear and transparent process for a patient or physician to request an exception to a step therapy protocol. The bill lays out five exceptions to fail first protocols and requires that a group health plan grant an exemption. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and group health insurers have developed a series of price management tools to curb the rising cost of prescription drugs. Supported H.R. 2829, the Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023, that would remove the co-pay charged to patients who utilize chronic care management services. It would waive the beneficiary coinsurance to manage chronic care conditions and improve patients health. Supported Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, H.R. 3305 and S. 1606, to improve maternal health, particularly among racial and ethnic minority groups, veterans, and other vulnerable populations. It also addresses maternal health issues related to COVID-19. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other specified departments would address the social determinants of maternal health, which include childcare, housing, food security, transportation, and environmental conditions. The bill also extends to 24 months postpartum eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Woman, Infants, and Children. Additionally, HHS and other agencies must take actions to grow and diversify the maternal health workforce. To increase access to maternity care, HHS and other agencies must 1) award specified grants; 2) test an alternative payment model for perinatal care under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP); and 3) support training, technology, and telehealth initiatives. Supported the Public Health Infrastructure Saves Lives Act, S. 1995, that provides annual funding for the CDC to strengthen core public health infrastructure. Core public health infrastructure includes the elements and workforce capabilities that enable health departments to perform critical functions such as disease surveillance and emergency response. Specifically, the CDC must award grants to health departments for their core infrastructure needs. In addition, the CDC must support the development of accreditation standards for health departments that emphasize core public health infrastructure. Supported the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, H.R. 3440 and S. 1636. This bipartisan legislation would ensure rural and underserved community healthcare providers can permanently offer telehealth services, including audio-only telehealth appointments, that are set to expire in December 2024. The legislation would: 1) allow payment parity for audio-only health services for clinically appropriate appointments; 2) permanently waive the geographic restriction allowing patients to be treated from their homes; 3) permanently allow rural health clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers to serve as distance sites for providing telehealth services; 4) lift the restrictions on store and forward technologies for telehealth; and 5) allow Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to directly bill for telehealth services. Supported CONNECT for Health Act of 2023, H.R. 4189 and S. 2016, to permanently remove all geographic restrictions on telehealth services and expand originating sites to include the home and other sites. That legislation would: 1) help providers transition to the goals of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) through using telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM) without most of the 42 U.S.C. Section 1834(m) telehealth restrictions; 2) allow telehealth and RPM to be used by qualifying participants in alternative payment models, without most of the 1834(m) restrictions; 3) permit the use of remote patient monitoring for certain patients with chronic conditions; 4) allow, as originating sites, telestroke evaluation and management sites, Native American health service facilities, and dialysis facilities for home dialysis patients in certain cases; and 5) permit further telehealth and RPM in community health centers and rural health clinics. Supporting those provisions in the 2023 Farm Bill, the 5-year reauthorization legislation, related to food and nutrition - namely food security and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provisions. We support the nutrition assistance and food distribution programs for nearly 40 million people with low-income, e.g. ((SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and preserving the current SNAP entitlement and funding structure to ensure benefit adequacy without work requirements. Medicare Payments to Physicians (H.R. 2474): Urged Congress to pass H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, which preserves access to care for Medicare beneficiaries by providing an annual inflation update equal to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) for Medicare physician payments. Unlike other health care sectors, Medicare payment rates for physicians have not been updated based on the MEI. As a result, from 2001 to 2021, Medicare physician payments have decreased by 20 percent when adjusted for inflation. Supported H.R. 6545, the Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This bill includes an important provision that would allocate 3 percent to the 2024 Medicare conversion factor, which would represent a 1.75 percent increase to the approved level. H.R. 6545 also includes several provisions from H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023, that ACP supports. It would raise the budget neutrality threshold to $53 million and would use cumulative increases in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) to update the threshold every five years afterwards. Supported H.R. 6683, the Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023. That bill averts a 3.4 percent across-the-board cut to physician payment for 2024. ACP supported extending the work geographic practice costs index to improve the accuracy of geographic adjustment factors. Supported H.R. 6366 that would extend the work geographic practice costs index for another year to 1.00 for any locality where the index would be less than 1.00. G2211 Add on Code Implementation: Urged Congress to support the full implementation of a Medicare add-on code, known as G2211, in 2024. This code will improve Medicare beneficiaries access to high-quality, continuous care and help sustain the physician practices beneficiaries rely on for comprehensive health care. G2211 would be billed alongside codes for office/outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) visits to better account for the unique and inherent complexity of services provided through longitudinal patient care that is based on a clinicians ongoing relationship with a patient and is related to a patients single, serious condition or a complex condition. Support Value-Based Care: Urged support of the Value in Health Care Act of 2023. The bill provides a multi-year commitment to reforming care delivery by extending MACRAs 5 percent advanced alternative payment models (APM) incentives that are scheduled to expire at the end of the year. It also gives the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) authority to adjust APM qualifying thresholds so that the current one-size-fits-all approach does not serve as a disincentive to including rural, underserved, primary care or specialty practices in APMs. The bill removes revenue-based distinctions that disadvantage rural and safety net providers, which is critical to improving access to care and improving health equity. The bill also improves financial benchmarks so that APM participants are not penalized for their own success. To allow more clinicians to continue the transition to value, the bill establishes a voluntary track for accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the Medicare Shared Savings Program to take on higher levels of risk and provides technical assistance for clinicians new to APMs. Lastly, the bill seeks to provide parity between APMs and the Medicare Advantage (MA) program by studying ways to increase alignment that will ease burdens on physicians and ensure that both APMs and MA are attractive and sustainable options. ACP supports extending incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models through 2026. This approach would help to maintain incentives that support physicians transition from a volume-based fee-for-service health care system to one that is based on the value and quality outcomes of health care delivered to the patient. Supported H.R. 6369 by Rep. Kim Schrier to extend incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models. ACP supports H.R. 5395, the SURS Extension Act, which would extend the Quality Payment Program-Small Practice, Underserved, and Rural Support (QPP-SURS) program for fiscal years 2024-2029. This program was established under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and has provided direct assistance to eligible clinicians required to participate in MIPS. ACP supports efforts to streamline the number of quality measures physicians must report on and enhance stakeholder engagement. Supported the Fewer Burdens for Better Care Act of 2023, which would emphasize multi-stakeholder input, with a 30-day comment period for stakeholders to comment on the removal of measures from the Medicare program. MACRA Reform Hearings: We requested Congressional hearings on The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) to focus upon whether the current system achieves the Congressional intent to move towards value- based care and to consider the long-term viability of the current Medicare physician payment system. These hearings should focus on the characteristics of a rational Medicare payment system. This should include: 1) positive consistent and stable annual payment updates that offer the financial stability needed for our physicians to transition their practices to value-based payment models; 2) meaningful and actionable quality reporting initiatives that adequately measure the quality of care our physicians provide to their patients; and 3) a sufficient number of Advanced APMs for our physicians to join to provide high quality value-based care to their patients. Pricing Transparency/Consolidation: Supported several provisions of H.R. 5378, Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, which are consistent with our policy and would improve access to and affordability of health care for patients. This bill brings together H.R. 4822, Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023, H.R. 3561, Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act of 2023 or the PATIENT Act of 2023 and other related bills reported out of Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Education and Workforce Committees. Supported requiring disclosure of changes in hospital or health facility ownership to reveal when private equity firms acquire hospitals, larger physician practices or nursing homes, promote price transparency among hospitals, health plans and pharmacy benefit managers and promote site neutrality for Medicare and Medicare beneficiaries. We further supported the reauthorization and funding increases included for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, Community Health Center program and National Health Service Corps. Supported Section 4 of H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act, which aims to increase PBM data reporting to enhance transparency for Medicare Part D. Specifically, it would set out new requirements for PBMs to report data on rebates and administrative fees to HHS. It would also require that HHS deidentify the data and make it publicly available so that policy makers and the public will have a better understanding of how rebates and administrative fees impact the costs of drug plans. The Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148, P.L. 111-152): Continued advocacy with Congress in support of 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; Requiring that health insurers spend more on patient care and less on administration; 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 March 2023 ruling by a federal judge in Texas that the ACA's requirements for coverage for preventive services will harm the health of Americans. Previously, under the ACA, health insurance plans have been required to include coverage at no cost to patients for preventive services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. These preventive services include cancer screenings, mental health screenings, heart disease and hypertension screenings, among other services. Urged legislation to extend permanently the premium tax subsidies afforded under the ACA. Supported H.R. 1692, the Health Care Affordability Act of 2023, to permanently extend the premium tax credit subsidies under the ACA. The law provides consumers with subsidies (premium tax credits) that lower costs for households with incomes between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). It expands the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below 138 percent of the FPL. Supportive of S. 8, Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act to expand the eligibility of taxpayers for the refundable tax credit for coverage under a qualified health plan and increase cost-sharing subsidies under the ACA. FY2024 Appropriations: Urged Congress to support funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's programs in the FY 2024 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill as well as funding shared evenly between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct public health research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention. Advocated for funding for the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA); Title Vil, Section 747, Primary Care Training and Enhancement (PCTE), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); National Health Service Corps (NHSC); Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH). Urged Congress to include at least $11.581 billion for the CDC's programs in the FY 2024 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill. Submitted FY2024 report language to Congress regarding the overestimation of utilization of new codes. Supported $60 million for Public Health Infrastructure and Capacity, $400 million for Title X Family Service Grants, and $35 million for CDC Firearm Injury Prevention and Control. Women's Health: Urged HHS to support Title X funding and ensure unencumbered access to affordable, comprehensive, evidence-based reproductive health care; eliminate medically unnecessary restrictions and inappropriate political interference in the patient-physician relationship; and protect funding for and ensures consistent treatment of qualified service sites. Supported H.R. 459 and S. 323, the Secure Access for Essential Reproductive (SAFER) Health Act. This legislation would strengthen current health privacy laws to ensure that abortion-related health data cannot be shared without patient consent. It prohibits health care providers and insurance plans from disclosing in legal proceedings an individual's personal health information related to an abortion or pregnancy without the individual's valid authorization. The prohibition applies to federal, state, local, and tribal proceedings, including civil, criminal, administrative, and legislative proceedings. The bill provides limited exceptions such as if the information is necessary to investigate physical harm to the individual. Primary Care and the Physician Workforce: Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R. 2389, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023, which increases the number of Medicare supported direct graduate medical education (DGME) and indirect medical education (IME) positions by 14,000 over seven years; Cosponsor and pass S. 665, the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act, to allow states to sponsor foreign-trained physicians to work in medically underserved areas in exchange for a waiver of the physicians' two-year foreign residence requirement; Cosponsor and pass H.R. 1202/S. 704, the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, to make it possible for residents to defer interest on their loans; Support inclusion in FY2024 appropriations legislation funding for Title VII Primary Care and Training Enhancement (PCTE) at $71 million to support and expand the pipeline for individuals training in primary care. Supported H.R.4986/S. 2577, which would refinance the interest rate for all existing federal student loans to zero percent. Further, it would cap interest rates for future student loan borrowers, while considering their financial needs. Prescription Drug Reform: Reviewed proposals to implement guidance by HHS for implementation of Inflation Reduction Act's prescription drug negotiation provisions. Supported H.R. 4895, the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act, to expand the number of prescription drugs which Medicare can negotiate under the Inflation Reduction Act from 20 to 50 starting in 2029. Supported H.R. 5385, the Medicare PBM Accountability Act. This legislation aims to lower the costs of prescription drugs for seniors covered by Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. It would require PBMs to submit annual reports to the Secretary of HHS on PBMs cost savings incurred from rebates, discounts, and price concessions. Supported H.R. 1352, the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2023. This legislation would encourage adoption of biosimilars in Medicare and improve biosimilar accessibility, by establishing a new pilot program - a voluntary, shared savings demonstration program - for providers of biosimilars in Medicare Part B. Supported H.R. 5386, the Cutting Copays Act. This legislation would eliminate cost-sharing for generic drugs for LIS beneficiaries, helping to incentivize the use of generic drugs. Supported H.R. 3009/S. 2362, the Drug Shortage Prevention Act of 2023, to require that manufacturers of over-the-counter and prescription drugs notify Food & Drug Administration when they are unlikely to meet demand. Social Determinants of Healthcare: Urged Congress to support legislation to expand utilization of social determinants of healthcare to expand governments capabilities to provide healthcare to underserved and disadvantaged communities. Supported the Improving the Social Determinants of Health Act of 2023 that would: award grants to state, local, territorial, and Tribal health agencies and organizations to address SDOHs in target communities; award grants to nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education to conduct research on SDOH best practices; provide technical assistance, training, and evaluation assistance to target community grantees; and disseminate best practices; and collect and analyze data related to SDOH activities. Supported Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act, H.R. 1705 and S. 1606. The bill contains environmental justice requirements, advisory bodies, and programs to address the disproportionate adverse human health or environmental effects of federal laws or programs on communities of color, low-income communities, or tribal and indigenous communities. Specifically, the bill prohibits disparate impacts on the basis of race, color, or national origin as discrimination. Aggrieved persons may seek legal remedy when faced with such discrimination. In addition, the bill directs agencies to follow certain requirements concerning environmental justice. Firearm Safety: (S.117): Urged Congress to support the Handgun Permit to Purchase Act (S. 117), legislation that would authorize grants to states to support handgun purchaser licensing programs. To qualify for the grants, states must require gun purchasers to be at least the age of 2I and be subject to a criminal background check. Urged Congress to support the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, H.R. 715, and the Background Check Expansion Act, S. 494 and Ethans Law, H.R. 660 and S. 173, requiring gun owners to safely and securely store their firearms. Supported the Keep Americans Safe Act, H.R. 625 and S. 298, which would ban the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of high-capacity gun magazines that hold more than fifteen rounds. Supported the Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act, H.R. 768 and S. 247 empowering family members and law enforcement to prevent gun violence by petitioning a court to temporarily separate an at-risk individual from firearms. Supported the FY2024 funding gun violence prevention research contained in FY24 Senate Labor-HHS-Ed appropriations bill for inclusion in any final FY24 appropriations bills. Administrative Burden: Urged Congress to codify many of these proposed improvements to the prior authorization process by reintroducing and passing the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act. This legislation was passed by the House in the last Congress and would reduce burdens associated with prior authorization in Medicare Advantage (MA) by: l) protecting beneficiaries from any disruptions in care due to prior authorization requirements as they transition between MA plans; 2) requiring all MA plans adopt electronic prior authorization capabilities to streamline the process for prior authorization approval; and 3) standardizing the process and procedures for reporting electronic prior authorization criteria to MA plans. Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, to ensure patient access to appropriate treatments based on clinical decision-making and medical necessity rather than arbitrary step therapy protocols Mental and Behavioral Health: Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and reintroduces H.R. 5218, the Collaborate in an Orderly and Cohesive Manner Act, to provide grants through the Department of Health and Human Services to primary care physicians who choose to deliver behavioral health care through the Collaborate Care Model (CoCM); Support enhanced reimbursement for CoCM payment codes under Medicare to more appropriately reflect the value of services provided to patients with mental health and substance use disorder needs. Supported S. 1378, the Connecting Our Medic

Client expense: $97,125 · 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), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Q4 Lobbying Report (Oct.1-Dec. 31) HCR Transparency (surprise medical bills; public posting of hospital charges) 340B Drug Pricing Program Resident Physician Shortage Act of 2023 (H.R. 2389) No Surprises Act regulations Public Health Emergency designation Food and Drug Amendments No Surprise Bills for New Moms Act (H.R. 3387) Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act (H.R. 2544) Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act (H.R. 3561) Medicaid VBPs for Patients (MVP) Act (H.R. 2666) Providers and Payers COMPETE Act (H.R. 3284) To amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to ensure transparency and oversight of the 340B drug discount program (H.R. 3290) Transparent PRICE Act (H.R. 3281/H.R. 2691)) Resident Physician Shortage Reduction (S. 1302) Medical Student Education Authorization Act (H.R. 3046) Save Americas Rural Hospitals Act (H.R. 833) Chronic Care Management Improvement Act (H.R. 2829) Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees Act (H.R. 2584) Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act (H.R. 2665) Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act (H.R. 977/S.470) FEMA re: COVID-19 related reimbursement Public Health Guidance Transparency and Accountability Act of 2023 (H.R. 4529) Public Health Emergency Congressional Review Act (H.R. 4381) CDC Leadership Accountability Act of 2023 (H.R. 3813) Preparing for All Hazards and Pathogens Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4421) Preparedness and Response Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4420) Childrens Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 3887) Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 (H.R. 4822) Providers and Payers COMPETE Act (H.R. 3284) Lower Costs, More Transparency Act (H.R. 5378 Transparency in Coverage Act (H.R. 4507) GOLD Card Act of 2023 (H.R. 4968) No Fees for EFTs Act (H.R.6487) MMM Accelerated and Advance Payment Program repayment flexibility Graduate Medical Education (GME) funding Telehealth flexibilities and payment Annual Prospective Payment System Rules Organ acquisition payment policies Californias Medicaid Hospital Quality Assurance Fee Program BUD FY 2024 Appropriations bills Nursing and allied health workforce funding FY 2024 budget request Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act (H.R. 6363) Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 5894) Submitted Comments SUBJECT: [Docket No. FDA-2023-N-2177], Medical Devices; Laboratory-Developed Tests, Proposed Rule, Federal Register (Vol 88, No 190), October 3, 2023 SUBJECT: CMS-9890 Federal Independent Dispute Resolution Process Fees, Proposed Rule, Federal Register (Vol. 88, No. 185), September 26, 2023 SUBJECT: Medicare Program and Medicaid Programs: Minimum Staffing for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting (CMS-3442-P): Vol 88, No 171, September 6, 2023 SUBJECT: (File Code 1210-AC11), Requirements Related to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act; Proposed Rule, Federal Register (Vol. 88, No. 148), August 3, 2023

Client expense: $420,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), SENATE, Social Security Administration (SSA)

H.R. 5013 & S.3503 - The Value in Health Care Act of 2023 H.R. 2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R. 6369 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models. H.R. 6545 - Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act  H.R. 6545 - Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act  S. 3430 - Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act H.R. 4822 - Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 H.R. 5395 - the SURS Extension Act  H.R.___ - the Fewer Burdens for Better Care Act of 2023  H.R. ___ - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to exempt certain practitioners from MIPS payment adjustments under the Medicare program based on participation in certain payment arrangements under Medicare Advantage  H.R.___ - the Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2023 Issues related to Medicare & Medicaid payment and regulations, Medicare Shared Savings Program, ACO REACH, Medicare Advantage, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation model evaluation, alternative payment model incentives, and telehealth.

Client expense: $143,014 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

No bill number. Discussed implementation of P.L. 117-169 The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. H.R.4189, the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2023 No bill number. Discussed Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule. H.R. 2829, the Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023. No bill number. Discussed oral health access in Medicare. No bill number. Discussed prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage. No bill number. Discussed telehealth access in Medicare. No bill number. Discussed disclosure of nursing home ownership and additional disclosable parties' information. No bill number. Discussed CMS collection and reporting of Medicaid long-term services and supports (LTSS) expenditure data. No bill number. Discussed family caregivers and the Hospital-at-Home programs under the Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver. No bill number. Discussed Fiscal Year 2024 Medicare hospice payment proposed rule. S. 2112, the Search Engine Examine Care Compare Act. No bill number. Discussed Fiscal Year 2024 Medicare skilled nursing facility payment proposed rule. No bill number. Discussed minimum federal nursing home staffing standards for nursing homes participating in Medicare and Medicaid. No bill number. Discussed Oregon 1115 waiver application. No bill number. Discussed Medicare Shared Savings Program, Accountable Care Organizations, and support for family caregivers. No bill number. Discussed data from Medicare post-acute care assessment instruments, Medicare beneficiaries, and family caregivers. H.R. 2853, the Expanding Care in the Home Act. No bill number. Discussed nursing home state survey agency surveyor report. No bill number. Discussed the Essential Caregivers Act. No bill number. Discussed evictions, assisted living facilities, and Medicaid Home and Community-Based Settings rule. No bill number. Discussed reducing red tape for family caregivers. No bill number. Discussed 1-800-MEDICARE, patient personal health information, and family caregivers. No bill number. Discussed the Compassionate Care Act. No bill number. Discussed home and community-based services. No bill number. Discussed the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2021. S. 2133, the Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Demonstration Act.

Client expense: $3,650,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, White House Office

Medicare and Medicaid Issues. H.R.2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, all provisions. H.R.2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023, all provisions. H.R.2377/S.1000 - Saving Access to Laboratory Services (SALSA) Act, all provisions. H.R.977/S.470 - Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2023, all provisions. H.R.4189 - Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2023, all provisions. S.2016 - A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand access to telehealth services, and for other purposes, all provisions. H.R.1745 - Medicare Fraud Detection and Deterrence Act of 2023, all provisions. S.1246 - Strengthening Medicare And Reducing Taxpayer (SMART) Prices Act, all provisions. H.R.3281 - Transparent PRICE Act, all provisions. S.1339 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act, all provisions. CONNECT for Health Act. Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $60,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

S. 260/H.R. 704 - Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 2583 - Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act H.R. 2713/S. 2418 - Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act ACO Assignment Improvement Act Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act S. 923 - Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act H.R. 3768/S. 1851 - Midwives for MOMs Act H.R. 3305/S. 1606 - Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act H.R. 2411/S. 1150 - National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2023 H.R. 2663/S. 1176 - Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act H.R. 3523/S. 1710 - Perinatal Workforce Act S. 2085 - A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection screening tests H.R 2407 - the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act S. 2016 - CONNECT for Health Act S. 1869 - Site-based Invoicing and Transparency Enhancement Act (SITE) Act H.R. 3355 - Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program Reauthorization Act of 2023 S. 1627 - Providing Real-World Education and Clinical Experience by Precepting Tomorrows Nurses Act (PRECEPT) Nurses Act H.R. 3623/S. 1586 - Educating Future Nurses Act H.R. 3730/S. 198 - Rural Health Clinic Burden Reduction Act H.R. 2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 2400/S. 1165 - Reentry Act of 2023 S. 1378 - Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective Care (COMPLETE Care) Act H.Con.Res.42 - Honoring Mary Eliza Mahoney, America's first professionally trained Black nurse. S.Res.201/H.Res.375 - A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, to be observed from May 6 through May 12, 2023. H.R. 4822 - Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 H.R. 4779 - Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act Primary Care and Health Workforce Expansion Act S. 2840 - Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act Medical nutrition therapy Support funding for the National Health Service Corps S. 862 - Restoring Americas Health Care Workforce and Readiness Act S. 1976/H.R. 4104 - Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act Support implementation of Medicare code G2211 Skilled nursing facility admitting examination and assessment requirements Health plan coverage and program requirements, including provider non-discrimination, network adequacy and prior authorization Nursing faculty and workforce shortage Nursing education Include nurses, APRNs, and nursing students in all national public health plans Public health and nursing workforce infrastructure Rural health care issues, including rural workforce, COVID-19 vaccination, and reimbursement Addressing health equity Medication-Assisted Treatment (MATs) Issues relating to the mental and substance use disorder workforce Opioid epidemic COVID-19 Pandemic, including funding, personal protective equipment, testing and vaccines Provide resources to support nurses, APRNs, and nursing students mental health needs, especially for those responding to the pandemic Extension of CMS waivers beyond the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Use of telehealth to prescribe controlled substances under the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 [Public Law No: 110-425] Site specific restrictions on providers under DEA controlled substances policy Implementation of the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act Telehealth, remote patient monitoring and other forms of health technology Reducing regulatory burdens, including those relating to Medicare Conditions of Participation Medicare provider reimbursement Documentation of medical records

Client expense: $340,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office

S. 260/H.R. 704 - Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 2583 - Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act H.R. 2713/S. 2418 - Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act ACO Assignment Improvement Act S. 923 - Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act H.R. 3305/S. 1606 - Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act H.R. 2663/S. 1176 - Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act S. 2085 - A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection screening tests H.R 2407 - the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act S. 2016 - CONNECT for Health Act S. 1869 - Site-based Invoicing and Transparency Enhancement Act (SITE) Act H.R. 3623/S. 1586 - Educating Future Nurses Act H.R. 2829 - Chronic Care Management Improvement Act of 2023 H.R. 2400/S. 1165 - Reentry Act of 2023 S.1378 - Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective Care (COMPLETE Care) Act H.R. 4822 - Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023 H.R. 4779 - Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act Primary Care and Health Workforce Expansion Act S. 2840 - Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act S. 1976/H.R. 4104 - Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act Support implementation of Medicare code G2211 Medical nutrition therapy Skilled nursing facility admitting examination and assessment requirements Health plan coverage and program requirements, including provider non-discrimination, network adequacy and prior authorization Nursing faculty and workforce shortage Include nurses, APRNs, and nursing students in all national public health plans Rural health care issues, including rural workforce, COVID-19 vaccination, and reimbursement Addressing health equity Medication-Assisted Treatment (MATs) Issues relating to the mental and substance use disorder workforce Opioid epidemic COVID-19 Pandemic, including funding, personal protective equipment, testing and vaccines Extension of CMS waivers beyond the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Telehealth, remote patient monitoring and other forms of health technology Reducing regulatory burdens, including those relating to Medicare Conditions of Participation Medicare provider reimbursement Documentation of medical records

Client expense: $340,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE