Cutting Copays Act

S. 1967, the Patients Before Middlemen (PBM) Act, establishing new requirements relating to the responsibility of pharmacy benefit managers under Medicare part D; H.R. 3282, Promoting Transparency and Healthy Competition in Medicare Act; H.R. 3284, Providers and Payers COMPETE Act, To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consider, within the annual rulemaking process, the effect of regulatory changes to certain Medicare payment systems on provider and payer consolidation, and for other purposes; H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act; H.R. 5376, the Share the Savings with Seniors Act; H.R. 5385, the Medicare PBM Accountability Act; H.R.4881, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit cost sharing for drugs under the Medicare program. Including issues related to point-of-sale rebates in Part D Low-Income Subsidy under the Medicare program; H.R. 5393, the Transparency and Fairness for Pharmacies Act; H.R. 5372, the Expanding Seniors Access to Lower Cost Medicines Act of 2023; H.R. 1352, the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act; H.R. 5386, the Cutting Copays Act; Issues related to the Advance Notice of Methodological Changes for Calendar Year (CY) 2025 for Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies; Medicare Program; Contract Year (CY) 2024 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D Overpayment Provisions of the Affordable Care Act and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Health Information Technology Standards and Implementation Specifications; Issues related to Pharmacy Direct and Indirect Remuneration (DIR), including the Contract Year (CY) 2023 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D) Programs proposed rule; H.R. 7623, Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024; H.R. 8702/ S.4532, Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act.

Client expense: $1,720,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 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 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)

S. 1967, the Patients Before Middlemen (PBM) Act, establishing new requirements relating to the responsibility of pharmacy benefit managers under Medicare part D; H.R. 3282, Promoting Transparency and Healthy Competition in Medicare Act; H.R. 3284, Providers and Payers COMPETE Act, To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consider, within the annual rulemaking process, the effect of regulatory changes to certain Medicare payment systems on provider and payer consolidation, and for other purposes; H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act; H.R. 5376, the Share the Savings with Seniors Act; H.R. 5385, the Medicare PBM Accountability Act; H.R.4881, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit cost sharing for drugs under the Medicare program. Including issues related to point-of-sale rebates in Part D Low-Income Subsidy under the Medicare program; H.R. 5380, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage; H.R. 5393, the Transparency and Fairness for Pharmacies Act; H.R. 5372, the Expanding Seniors Access to Lower Cost Medicines Act of 2023; H.R. 1352, the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act; H.R. 5386, the Cutting Copays Act; Issues related to the Advance Notice of Methodological Changes for Calendar Year (CY) 2025 for Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies; Medicare Program; Contract Year (CY) 2024 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D Overpayment Provisions of the Affordable Care Act and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Health Information Technology Standards and Implementation Specifications; Issues related to Pharmacy Direct and Indirect Remuneration (DIR), including the Contract Year (CY) 2023 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D) Programs proposed rule; H.R. 7623, Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024; H.R./ S. Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act.

Client expense: $2,200,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

H.R. 8235 the Rural Physician Workforce Preservation Act H.R. 8261, the Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act HR 3171/S. 3018 The Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act H.R. 1110, KEEP Telehealth Options Act of 2023 H.R. 3875, Expanded Telehealth Access Act H.R. 5541, Temporary Reciprocity to Ensure Access to Treatment (TREAT) Act H.R. 5611, Helping Ensure Access to Local TeleHealth (HEALTH) Act of 2023 H.R. 6033, Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge (SPEAK) Act of 2023 H.R. 7149, Equal Access to Specialty Care Everywhere (EASE) Act of 2024 H.R. 7623, The Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 H.R. 7711, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to make permanent certain telehealth flexibilities under the Medicare program H.R. 7858, Telehealth Enhancement for Mental Health Act of 2024 H.R. 7863, To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on furnishing behavioral health services via telehealth to individuals with limited English proficiency under Medicare program H.R. 5386, Cutting Copays Act H.R. 5380, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage H.R. 5372, Expanding Seniors Access to Lower Cost Medicines Act of 2023 S. 3059 the REAL Health Provider Act (Bennet, Tillis) S. 2973 Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act S.1002 - No UPCODE Act H.R. 3282, the Promoting Transparency and Healthy Competition in Medicare Act H.R. 3284, the Providers and Payers COMPETE Act H.R. 3237, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require each outpatient department of a provider to include a unique identification number on claims for services, and to require hospitals with an outpatient department of a provider to submit to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services an attestation with respect to each outpatient department Legislation and regulation related to the Medicare Advantage program and Medicare/Medicaid coverage, care delivery and financing.

Client expense: $680,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

Medicare Advantage (MA) & MA Rate Notice; 340B Program/Transparency HR 2880, Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act, by Rep. Earl Carter (R-GA). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish certain requirements for pharmacy benefit managers under Part D of the Medicare program. HR 5380, by Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage. HR 5385, Medicare PBM Accountability Act, by Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish pharmacy benefit manager reporting requirements with respect to prescription drug plans and MA-PD plans under Medicare Part D. HR 5386, Cutting Copays Act, by Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for adjustments to the Medicare Part D cost-sharing reductions for low-income individuals. HR 5388, Supporting Innovation for Seniors Act, by Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of certain technologies and medical devices under the Medicare program. HR 5663, ALS Better Care Act, by Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of ALS-related services under the Medicare program for individuals diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. HR 5746, Addressing Whole Health in Medicare Advantage Act, by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the availability of supplemental benefits to certain Medicare Advantage enrollees. HR 6860, Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act, by Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to clarify and preserve the breadth of the protections under the Medicare Secondary Payer Act. HR 7623, Telehealth Modernization Act, by Rep. Earl Carter (R-GA). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to make permanent certain telehealth flexibilities under the Medicare program. HR 7996, Improving CARE for Youth Act, by Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL). To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to ensure Medicaid coverage of mental health services and primary care services furnished on the same day. HR 8561, by Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to address significant under projection of MA local area growth due to wage index reclassification. S 1378, Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective Care (COMPLETE Care Act), by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide incentives for behavioral health integration under the Medicare program.

Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported

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

Medicare Advantage (MA) & MA Rate Notice; 340B Program/Transparency HR 2880, Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act, by Rep. Earl Carter (R-GA). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish certain requirements for pharmacy benefit managers under Part D of the Medicare program. HR 5380, by Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage. HR 5385, Medicare PBM Accountability Act, by Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish pharmacy benefit manager reporting requirements with respect to prescription drug plans and MA-PD plans under Medicare Part D. HR 5386, Cutting Copays Act, by Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for adjustments to the Medicare Part D cost-sharing reductions for low-income individuals. HR 5388, Supporting Innovation for Seniors Act, by Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of certain technologies and medical devices under the Medicare program. HR 5663, ALS Better Care Act, by Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of ALS-related services under the Medicare program for individuals diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. HR 5746, Addressing Whole Health in Medicare Advantage Act, by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the availability of supplemental benefits to certain Medicare Advantage enrollees. HR 6860, Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act, by Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to clarify and preserve the breadth of the protections under the Medicare Secondary Payer Act. HR 7623, Telehealth Modernization Act, by Rep. Earl Carter (R-GA). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to make permanent certain telehealth flexibilities under the Medicare program. HR 7996, Improving CARE for Youth Act, by Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL). To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to ensure Medicaid coverage of mental health services and primary care services furnished on the same day. HR 8561, by Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to address significant under projection of MA local area growth due to wage index reclassification. S 1378, Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective Care (COMPLETE Care Act), by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide incentives for behavioral health integration under the Medicare program.

Client expense: $240,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), 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 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. 1110, KEEP Telehealth Options Act of 2023 H.R. 3875, Expanded Telehealth Access Act H.R. 5541, Temporary Reciprocity to Ensure Access to Treatment (TREAT) Act H.R. 5611, Helping Ensure Access to Local TeleHealth (HEALTH) Act of 2023 H.R. 6033, Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge (SPEAK) Act of 2023 H.R. 7149, Equal Access to Specialty Care Everywhere (EASE) Act of 2024 H.R. 7623, The Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 H.R. 7711, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to make permanent certain telehealth flexibilities under the Medicare program H.R. 7858, Telehealth Enhancement for Mental Health Act of 2024 H.R. 7863, To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on furnishing behavioral health services via telehealth to individuals with limited English proficiency under Medicare program H.R. 5386, Cutting Copays Act H.R. 5380, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage H.R. 5372, Expanding Seniors Access to Lower Cost Medicines Act of 2023 S. 3059 the REAL Health Provider Act (Bennet, Tillis) S. 2973 Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act S.1002 - No UPCODE Act H.R. 3282, the Promoting Transparency and Healthy Competition in Medicare Act H.R. 3284, the Providers and Payers COMPETE Act H.R. 3237, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require each outpatient department of a provider to include a unique identification number on claims for services, and to require hospitals with an outpatient department of a provider to submit to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services an attestation with respect to each outpatient department Legislation and regulation related to the Medicare Advantage program and Medicare/Medicaid coverage, care delivery and financing.

Client expense: $140,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

Issues related to prescription drug coverage and pharmacy benefits Issues related to the prescription drug marketplace, patents, and competition Regulatory and proposed legislative changes to Medicare Part D and Medicaid prescription drug benefits S.113 - Prescription Pricing for the People Act S.127 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act S.142 - Preserve Access to Affordable Generics and Biosimilars Act S.148 - Stop STALLING Act S.150 - Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act S.652 - Safe Step Act S.655 - Chronic Disease Management Act S.727 - Insulin for All Act S.775 - Increasing Transparency in Generic Drug Applications Act S.954 - Affordable Insulin Now Act S.1038 - Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act S.1067 - Ensuring Timely Access to Generics Act S.1114 - Expanding Access to Low-Cost Generics Act S.1120 - Improved Access to Affordable Medications Act S.1128 - Ensuring Access to Generic Medications Act S.1130 - Health Care PRICE Transparency Act S.1131 - Drug Price Transparency Act S.1217 - Ending the Prescription Drug Kickback Act S.1218 - Fair Prescription Drug Prices for Americans Act S.1269 - INSULIN Act S.1339 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act S.1375 - HELP Copays Act S.1497 - Emergency Access to Insulin Act S.1491 - Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act S.1542 - Delinking Revenue from Unfair Gouging (DRUG) Act S.1543 - A bill to require regulations concerning the disclosure of direct and indirect compensation from entities providing pharmacy benefit management services or third party administration services S.1967 - Patients Before Middlemen (PBM) Act S.2052 - Protect Patient Access to Pharmacies Act S.2129 - Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act S.2254 - Medicare PBM Accountability Act S.2405 - Strengthening Pharmacy Access for Seniors Act S.2406 - PBM Oversight Act S.2408 - IMPROVE Part D Regulations Act S.2436 - Neighborhood Options for Patients Buying Medicines (NO PBM) Act S.2456 - Protecting Seniors from High Drug Costs Act S.2474 - Share the Savings with Seniors Act S.2477 - Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act S.2493 - PBM Reporting Transparency Act S.2666 - EPCS 2.0 Act S.2840 - Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act (Bruan Amendment #3 - Price Transparency Requirements) S.2939 - Pharmacy Access Oversight and Reporting Act S.2973 - Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act S.3430 - Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act H.R.830 - HELP Copays Act H.R.1352 - Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act H.R.1488 - Affordable Insulin Now Act H.R.1587 - Making Insulin Affordable for All Children Act H.R.1613 - Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act H.R.1770 - Equitable Community Access to Pharmacists Act H.R.1790 - Biologics Competition Act H.R.2630 - Safe Step Act H.R.2666 - Medicaid VBPs for Patients (MVP) Act H.R.2670 - PBM Accountability Act H.R.2691 - Transparent PRICE Act H.R.2880 - Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act H.R.3030 - Stop the Overuse of Petitions and Get Affordable Medicines to Enter Soon (STOP GAMES) Act H.R.3134 - Emergency Access to Insulin Act H.R.3262 - to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to increase transparency of certain health-related ownership information H.R.3281 - Transparent PRICE Act H.R.3282 - Promoting Transparency and Health Competition in Medicare Act H.R.3285 - Fairness for Patient Medications H.R.3561- Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency (PATIENT) Act H.R.3800 - Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act H.R.4011 - Timely Access to Clinical Treatment Act H.R.4507 - Transparency in Coverage Act H.R.4508 - Hidden Fee Disclosure Act H.R.4509 - Transparency in Billing Act H.R.4527 - Health Data Act H.R.4712 - Patient Right to Shop Act H.R.4822 - Health Care Price Transparency Act H.R.4846 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for oversight of pharmacy benefit manager services H.R.4881 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit cost sharing for drugs under the Medicare program H.R.4883 - Medicare Common Ownership Transparency Act H.R.5372 - Expanding Seniors Access to Lower Cost Medicines Act H.R.5376 - Share the Savings with Seniors Act H.R.5378 - Lower Costs More Transparency Act H.R.5384 - Advancing Enrollment and Reducing Drug Costs Act H.R.5385 - Medicare PBM Accountability Act H.R.5386 - Cutting Copays Act H.R.5393 -Transparency and Fairness for Pharmacies Act H.R.5400 - Neighborhood Options for Patients Buying Medicines (NO PBM) Act H.R.5461 - Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, P.L. 169- Provisions on Medicare Part D modernization and drug price negotiation

Client expense: $4,803,802 · Firm income: Not reported

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

S. 1967, the Patients Before Middlemen (PBM) Act, establishing new requirements relating to the responsibility of pharmacy benefit managers under Medicare part D; H.R. 3282, Promoting Transparency and Healthy Competition in Medicare Act; H.R. 3284, Providers and Payers COMPETE Act, To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consider, within the annual rulemaking process, the effect of regulatory changes to certain Medicare payment systems on provider and payer consolidation, and for other purposes; H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act; H.R. 5376, the Share the Savings with Seniors Act; H.R. 5385, the Medicare PBM Accountability Act; H.R.4881, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit cost sharing for drugs under the Medicare program. Including issues related to point-of-sale rebates in Part D Low-Income Subsidy under the Medicare program; S. 2129, the Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act; H.R. 5380, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage; H.R. 5393, the Transparency and Fairness for Pharmacies Act; H.R. 5372, the Expanding Seniors Access to Lower Cost Medicines Act of 2023; H.R. 1352, the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act; H.R. 5386, the Cutting Copays Act; S. 3059, the Requiring Enhanced & Accurate Lists of (REAL) Health Providers Act; S. 3430, the Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act (the Better Act); Issues related to the Advance Notice of Methodological Changes for Calendar Year (CY) 2025 for Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies; Medicare Program; Contract Year (CY) 2024 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D Overpayment Provisions of the Affordable Care Act and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Health Information Technology Standards and Implementation Specifications; Issues related to Pharmacy Direct and Indirect Remuneration (DIR), including the Contract Year (CY) 2023 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D) Programs proposed rule.

Client expense: $2,910,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Medicaid Redeterminations & renewals; Same-day billing restrictions in Medicaid; Medicare Advantage (MA) & MA Rate Notice; 340B Program/Transparency; Managed Care Organizations; Draft duals legislation H.R.5746 - Addressing Whole Health in Medicare Advantage Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the availability of supplemental benefits to certain Medicare Advantage enrollees. Sponsor: Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12] H.R.5386 - Cutting Copays Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for adjustments to the Medicare part D cost-sharing reductions for low-income individuals. Sponsor: Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3] H.R.5380 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage. To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage. Sponsor: Rep. Sarbanes, John P. [D-MD-3] H.R.2880 - Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish certain requirements for pharmacy benefit managers under part D of the Medicare program. Sponsor: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] H.R.5385 - Medicare PBM Accountability Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish pharmacy benefit manager reporting requirements with respect to prescription drug plans and MA-PD plans under Medicare part D. Sponsor:Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1] H.R.5388 - Supporting Innovation for Seniors Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of certain technologies and medical devices under the Medicare program. Sponsor: Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12] H.R.5663 - ALS Better Care Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of ALS-related services under the Medicare program for individuals diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] H.R.4758 - Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to streamline enrollment under the Medicaid program of certain providers across State lines, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3] S.2973 - Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to establish requirements relating to pharmacy benefit managers under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] HR 5663 ALS Better Care Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of ALS-related services under the Medicare program for individuals diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] HR 4758 Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to streamline enrollment under the Medicaid program of certain providers across State lines, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3]

Client expense: $1,940,000 · Firm income: Not reported

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

Medicaid Redeterminations & renewals; Same-day billing restrictions in Medicaid; Medicare Advantage; 340B Program H.R.5746 - Addressing Whole Health in Medicare Advantage Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the availability of supplemental benefits to certain Medicare Advantage enrollees. Sponsor: Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12] H.R.5386 - Cutting Copays Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for adjustments to the Medicare part D cost-sharing reductions for low-income individuals. Sponsor: Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3] H.R.5380 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage. To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage. Sponsor: Rep. Sarbanes, John P. [D-MD-3] H.R.2880 - Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish certain requirements for pharmacy benefit managers under part D of the Medicare program. Sponsor: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] H.R.5385 - Medicare PBM Accountability Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish pharmacy benefit manager reporting requirements with respect to prescription drug plans and MA-PD plans under Medicare part D. Sponsor:Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1] H.R.5388 - Supporting Innovation for Seniors Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of certain technologies and medical devices under the Medicare program. Sponsor: Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12] H.R.5663 - ALS Better Care Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of ALS-related services under the Medicare program for individuals diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] H.R.4758 - Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to streamline enrollment under the Medicaid program of certain providers across State lines, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3]

Client expense: $269,075 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Medicaid Redeterminations and Renewals; Medicare Advantage; 340B Program HR 2880 (118th Congress), Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act, by Rep. Earl Carter (R-GA). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish certain requirements for pharmacy benefit managers under Part D of the Medicare program. HR 5380 (118th Congress), by Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage. HR 5385 (118th Congress), Medicare PBM Accountability Act, by Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish pharmacy benefit manager reporting requirements with respect to prescription drug plans and MA-PD plans under Medicare Part D. HR 5386 (118th Congress), Cutting Copays Act, by Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for adjustments to the Medicare Part D cost-sharing reductions for low-income individuals. HR 5388 (118th Congress), Supporting Innovation for Seniors Act, by Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of certain technologies and medical devices under the Medicare program. HR 5663 (118th Congress), ALS Better Care Act, by Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of ALS-related services under the Medicare program for individuals diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. H.R.5746 (118th Congress), Addressing Whole Health in Medicare Advantage Act, by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the availability of supplemental benefits to certain Medicare Advantage enrollees.

Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported

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

Medicaid Redeterminations and Renewals; Medicare Advantage; 340B Program HR 2880 (118th Congress), Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act, by Rep. Earl Carter (R-GA). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish certain requirements for pharmacy benefit managers under Part D of the Medicare program. HR 5380 (118th Congress), by Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage. HR 5385 (118th Congress), Medicare PBM Accountability Act, by Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish pharmacy benefit manager reporting requirements with respect to prescription drug plans and MA-PD plans under Medicare Part D. HR 5386 (118th Congress), Cutting Copays Act, by Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for adjustments to the Medicare Part D cost-sharing reductions for low-income individuals. HR 5388 (118th Congress), Supporting Innovation for Seniors Act, by Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of certain technologies and medical devices under the Medicare program. HR 5663 (118th Congress), ALS Better Care Act, by Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of ALS-related services under the Medicare program for individuals diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. H.R.5746 (118th Congress), Addressing Whole Health in Medicare Advantage Act, by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the availability of supplemental benefits to certain Medicare Advantage enrollees.

Client expense: $210,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), 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 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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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: Supported S. 1378, the Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective Care or the COMPLETE Care Act, to improve the integration of behavioral health in primary care practices. 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: $313,501 · 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 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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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: Supported S. 1378, the Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective Care or the COMPLETE Care Act, to improve the integration of behavioral health in primary care practices. 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: $95,088 · 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)

Provider Directories; Medicaid Redeterminations & renewals; Same-day billing restrictions in Medicaid; Medicare Advantage Health Equity Index; Star Ratings in Medicare Advantage; Payment under the Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) process; Medicare Advantage; Transitional Coverage of Emerging Technologies (TCET); Site Neutral Payments and Payment Accuracy; MA RADV Rule; Medicare Advantage Advance Rate Notice; H.R.5746 - Addressing Whole Health in Medicare Advantage Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the availability of supplemental benefits to certain Medicare Advantage enrollees. Sponsor: Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12] H.R.5386 - Cutting Copays Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for adjustments to the Medicare part D cost-sharing reductions for low-income individuals. Sponsor: Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3] H.R.5380 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage. To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage. Sponsor: Rep. Sarbanes, John P. [D-MD-3] H.R.2880 - Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish certain requirements for pharmacy benefit managers under part D of the Medicare program. Sponsor: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] H.R.5385 - Medicare PBM Accountability Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish pharmacy benefit manager reporting requirements with respect to prescription drug plans and MA-PD plans under Medicare part D. Sponsor:Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1] S.2556 - Improving CARE for Youth Act To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to ensure Medicaid coverage of mental health services and primary care services furnished on the same day. Sponsor: Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE] S.1002 - No UPCODE Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve risk adjustment under Medicare Advantage. Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA] H.R.5388 - Supporting Innovation for Seniors Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of certain technologies and medical devices under the Medicare program. Sponsor: Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12] H.R.5393 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure fair assessment of pharmacy performance and quality under Medicare part D, and for other purposes. To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure fair assessment of pharmacy performance and quality under Medicare part D, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9] H.R.4881 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit cost sharing for drugs under the Medicare program. To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit cost sharing for drugs under the Medicare program. Sponsor: Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11] H.R.5396 - Coverage Determination Clarity Act of 2023 To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to prohibit Medicare local coverage determinations from restricting access to care, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Bucshon, Larry [R-IN-8] H.R.6364 - Medicare Telehealth Privacy Act of 2023 To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to maintain certain telehealth flexibilities relating to provider privacy under the Medicare program. Sponsor: Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12] S.2973 - Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to establish requirements relating to pharmacy benefit managers under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

Client expense: $1,800,000 · Firm income: Not reported

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

Issues related to the Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2021; Issues related to Pharmacy Direct and Indirect Remuneration (DIR), including the Contract Year (CY) 2023 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D) Programs proposed rule; Issues related to the Advance Notice of Methodological Changes for Calendar Year (CY) 2024 for Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies; Medicare Program; Contract Year (CY) 2024 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D Overpayment Provisions of the Affordable Care Act and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Health Information Technology Standards and Implementation Specifications; S. 1967, the Patients Before Middlemen (PBM) Act, establishing new requirements relating to the responsibility of pharmacy benefit managers under Medicare part D; H.R. 3282, Promoting Transparency and Healthy Competition in Medicare Act; H.R. 3284, Providers and Payers COMPETE Act, To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consider, within the annual rulemaking process, the effect of regulatory changes to certain Medicare payment systems on provider and payer consolidation, and for other purposes; Issues related to pharmaceutical affordability and access in Medicare under H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act; H.R. 5376, the Share the Savings with Seniors Act; H.R. 5385, the Medicare PBM Accountability Act; H.R.4881, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit cost sharing for drugs under the Medicare program. Including issues related to point-of-sale rebates in Part D Low-Income Subsidy under the Medicare program; S. 2129, the Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act; H.R. 5380, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage; H.R. 5393, the Transparency and Fairness for Pharmacies Act (Reps. Griffith and Carter); H.R. 5372, the Expanding Seniors Access to Lower Cost Medicines Act of 2023; H.R. 1352, the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act; H.R. 5386, the Cutting Copays Act; S. 3059, The Requiring Enhanced & Accurate Lists of (REAL) Health Providers Act; S. 3430, the Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act (the Better Act).

Client expense: $1,930,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Issues related to prescription drug coverage and pharmacy benefits Issues related to the prescription drug marketplace, patents, and competition Regulatory and proposed legislative changes to Medicare Part D and Medicaid prescription drug benefits S.113 - Prescription Pricing for the People Act S.127 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act S.142 - Preserve Access to Affordable Generics and Biosimilars Act S.148 - Stop STALLING Act S.150 - Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act S.652 - Safe Step Act S.655 - Chronic Disease Management Act S.727 - Insulin for All Act S.775 - Increasing Transparency in Generic Drug Applications Act S.954 - Affordable Insulin Now Act S.1038 - Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act S.1067 - Ensuring Timely Access to Generics Act S.1114 - Expanding Access to Low-Cost Generics Act S.1120 - Improved Access to Affordable Medications Act S.1128 - Ensuring Access to Generic Medications Act S.1130 - Health Care PRICE Transparency Act S.1131 - Drug Price Transparency Act S.1217 - Ending the Prescription Drug Kickback Act S.1218 - Fair Prescription Drug Prices for Americans Act S.1269 - INSULIN Act S.1339 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act S.1375 - HELP Copays Act S.1497 - Emergency Access to Insulin Act S.1491 - Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act S.1542 - Delinking Revenue from Unfair Gouging (DRUG) Act S.1543 - A bill to require regulations concerning the disclosure of direct and indirect compensation from entities providing pharmacy benefit management services or third party administration services S.1967 - Patients Before Middlemen (PBM) Act S.2052 - Protect Patient Access to Pharmacies Act S.2129 - Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act S.2254 - Medicare PBM Accountability Act S.2405 - Strengthening Pharmacy Access for Seniors Act S.2406 - PBM Oversight Act S.2408 - IMPROVE Part D Regulations Act S.2436 - Neighborhood Options for Patients Buying Medicines (NO PBM) Act S.2456 - Protecting Seniors from High Drug Costs Act S.2474 - Share the Savings with Seniors Act S.2477 - Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act S.2493 - PBM Reporting Transparency Act S.2666 - EPCS 2.0 Act S.2840 - Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act (Bruan Amendment #3 - Price Transparency Requirements) S.2939 - Pharmacy Access Oversight and Reporting Act S.2973 - Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act S.3430 - Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act H.R.830 - HELP Copays Act H.R.1352 - Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act H.R.1488 - Affordable Insulin Now Act H.R.1587 - Making Insulin Affordable for All Children Act H.R.1613 - Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act H.R.1770 - Equitable Community Access to Pharmacists Act H.R.1790 - Biologics Competition Act H.R.2630 - Safe Step Act H.R.2666 - Medicaid VBPs for Patients (MVP) Act H.R.2670 - PBM Accountability Act H.R.2691 - Transparent PRICE Act H.R.2880 - Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act H.R.3030 - Stop the Overuse of Petitions and Get Affordable Medicines to Enter Soon (STOP GAMES) Act H.R.3134 - Emergency Access to Insulin Act H.R.3262 - to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to increase transparency of certain health-related ownership information H.R.3281 - Transparent PRICE Act H.R.3282 - Promoting Transparency and Health Competition in Medicare Act H.R.3285 - Fairness for Patient Medications H.R.3561- Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency (PATIENT) Act H.R.3800 - Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act H.R.4011 - Timely Access to Clinical Treatment Act H.R.4507 - Transparency in Coverage Act H.R.4508 - Hidden Fee Disclosure Act H.R.4509 - Transparency in Billing Act H.R.4527 - Health Data Act H.R.4712 - Patient Right to Shop Act H.R.4822 - Health Care Price Transparency Act H.R.4846 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for oversight of pharmacy benefit manager services H.R.4881 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit cost sharing for drugs under the Medicare program H.R.4883 - Medicare Common Ownership Transparency Act H.R.5372 - Expanding Seniors Access to Lower Cost Medicines Act H.R.5376 - Share the Savings with Seniors Act H.R.5378 - Lower Costs More Transparency Act H.R.5384 - Advancing Enrollment and Reducing Drug Costs Act H.R.5385 - Medicare PBM Accountability Act H.R.5386 - Cutting Copays Act H.R.5393 -Transparency and Fairness for Pharmacies Act H.R.5400 - Neighborhood Options for Patients Buying Medicines (NO PBM) Act H.R.5461 - Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, P.L. 169- Provisions on Medicare Part D modernization and drug price negotiation

Client expense: $5,294,628 · Firm income: Not reported

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

H.R. 5386, Cutting Copays Act H.R. 5380, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage H.R. 5372, Expanding Seniors Access to Lower Cost Medicines Act of 2023 S. 3059 the REAL Health Provider Act (Bennet, Tillis) S. 2973 Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act S.1002 - No UPCODE Act H.R. 3282, the Promoting Transparency and Healthy Competition in Medicare Act H.R. 3284, the Providers and Payers COMPETE Act H.R. 3237, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require each outpatient department of a provider to include a unique identification number on claims for services, and to require hospitals with an outpatient department of a provider to submit to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services an attestation with respect to each outpatient department Legislation and regulation related to the Medicare Advantage program and Medicare/Medicaid coverage, care delivery and financing.

Client expense: $1,640,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

Provider Directories; Medicaid Redeterminations & renewals; Same-day billing restrictions in Medicaid; Medicare Advantage Health Equity Index; Star Ratings in Medicare Advantage; Payment under the Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) process; Medicare Advantage; Transitional Coverage of Emerging Technologies (TCET); Site Neutral Payments and Payment Accuracy; MA RADY Rule; Medicare Advantage Advance Rate Notice; H.R.5746 -Addressing Whole Health in Medicare Advantage Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the availability of supplemental benefits to certain Medicare Advantage enrollees. Sponsor: Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12] H.R.5386 - Cutting Copays Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for adjustments to the Medicare part D cost-sharing reductions for low-income individuals. Sponsor: Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3] H.R.5380 - To amend title XVlll of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage. To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage. Sponsor: Rep. Sarbanes, John P. [D-MD-3] H.R.2880 - Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish certain requirements for pharmacy benefit managers under part D of the Medicare program. Sponsor: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] H.R.5385 - Medicare PBM Accountability Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish pharmacy benefit manager reporting requirements with respect to prescription drug plans and MA-PD plans under Medicare part D. Sponsor:Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1] S.2556 - Improving CARE for Youth Act To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to ensure Medicaid coverage of mental health services and primary care services furnished on the same day. Sponsor: Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE] S.1002 -No UPCODEAct To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve risk adjustment under Medicare Advantage. Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA] H.R.5388 - Supporting Innovation for Seniors Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of certain technologies and medical devices under the Medicare program. Sponsor: Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12] H.R.4881 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit cost sharing for drugs under the Medicare program. To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit cost sharing for drugs under the Medicare program. Sponsor: Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11] H.R.6364 - Medicare Telehealth Privacy Act of2023 To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to maintain certain telehealth flexibilities relating to provider privacy under the Medicare program. Sponsor: Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12] S.2973 - Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to establish requirements relating to pharmacy benefit managers under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

Client expense: $269,075 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Provider Directories; Medicaid Redeterminations; Draft Duals Legislation; IRA Copay Smoothing; MA Health Equity Index HR 2880 (118th Congress), Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act, by Rep. Earl Carter (R-GA). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish certain requirements for pharmacy benefit managers under Part D of the Medicare program. HR 4881 (118th Congress), by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit cost sharing for drugs under the Medicare program. HR 5380 (118th Congress), by Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage. HR 5385 (118th Congress), Medicare PBM Accountability Act, by Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish pharmacy benefit manager reporting requirements with respect to prescription drug plans and MA-PD plans under Medicare Part D. HR 5386 (118th Congress), Cutting Copays Act, by Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for adjustments to the Medicare Part D cost-sharing reductions for low-income individuals. HR 5388 (118th Congress), Supporting Innovation for Seniors Act, by Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of certain technologies and medical devices under the Medicare program. HR 5393 (118th Congress), by Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure fair assessment of pharmacy performance and quality under Medicare Part D. HR 5396 (118th Congress), Coverage Determination Clarity Act of 2023, by Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to prohibit Medicare local coverage determinations from restricting access to care. H.R.5746 (118th Congress), Addressing Whole Health in Medicare Advantage Act, by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the availability of supplemental benefits to certain Medicare Advantage enrollees. HR 6364 (118th Congress), Medicare Telehealth Privacy Act of 2023, by Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to maintain certain telehealth flexibilities relating to provider privacy under the Medicare program. S 1002 (118th Congress), No UPCODE Act, by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve risk adjustment under Medicare Advantage. S 2973 (118th Congress), Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act, by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to establish requirements relating to pharmacy benefit managers under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported

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

Provider Directories; Medicaid Redeterminations and Renewals; MA Health Equity Index; MA Star Ratings; Site Neutral Payments and Payment Accuracy; MA RADV Rule, MA Advance Rate Notice HR 2880 (118th Congress), Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act, by Rep. Earl Carter (R-GA). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish certain requirements for pharmacy benefit managers under Part D of the Medicare program. HR 4881 (118th Congress), by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit cost sharing for drugs under the Medicare program. HR 5380 (118th Congress), by Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage. HR 5385 (118th Congress), Medicare PBM Accountability Act, by Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish pharmacy benefit manager reporting requirements with respect to prescription drug plans and MA-PD plans under Medicare Part D. HR 5386 (118th Congress), Cutting Copays Act, by Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for adjustments to the Medicare Part D cost-sharing reductions for low-income individuals. HR 5388 (118th Congress), Supporting Innovation for Seniors Act, by Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of certain technologies and medical devices under the Medicare program. HR 5393 (118th Congress), by Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure fair assessment of pharmacy performance and quality under Medicare Part D. HR 5396 (118th Congress), Coverage Determination Clarity Act of 2023, by Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to prohibit Medicare local coverage determinations from restricting access to care. H.R.5746 (118th Congress), Addressing Whole Health in Medicare Advantage Act, by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the availability of supplemental benefits to certain Medicare Advantage enrollees. HR 6364 (118th Congress), Medicare Telehealth Privacy Act of 2023, by Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to maintain certain telehealth flexibilities relating to provider privacy under the Medicare program. S 1002 (118th Congress), No UPCODE Act, by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA). To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve risk adjustment under Medicare Advantage. S 2973 (118th Congress), Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act, by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to establish requirements relating to pharmacy benefit managers under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Client expense: $150,000 · Firm income: Not reported

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

S. 3430, Better Mental Healthcare, Lower Cost Drugs & Extenders Act-provisions related to PBMs and pharmacy contracting. S. 2973 Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act -provisions related to PBM contracting, audits and disclosures. Implementation of Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Final Rule, Contract Year 2023 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs Final Rule, CMS-4192-F, CMS-1744-F, provisions related to changes in Pharmacy Direct and Indirect Renumeration. H.R. 5461 Ensuring Access to Lower Cost Medicines for Seniors Act of 2023-provisions related to cost-sharing for generics and biosimilars in Medicare Part D. S. 2436 Neighborhood Options for Patients Buying Medicines (NO PBMs) Act-provisions related to pharmacy contracting under Medicare. H.R. 2880 Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act-provisions regulating PBM reimbursement in Part D contracts. H.R. 5386 Cutting Copays Act provisions relating to changes to co-pays for Medicare Part D low-income beneficiaries. H.R. 4881 To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit cost sharing for drugs under the Medicare program. H.R. 5372 Expanding Seniors Access to Lower Cost Medicines Act of 2023-to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to facilitate midyear formulary changes for biosimilars. H.R. 5393 The Transparency and Fairness for Pharmacists Act-provisions relating to pharmacy assessment in Medicare Part D. H.R. 5385 Medicare PBM Accountability Act; to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish pharmacy benefit manager reporting requirements with respect to prescription drug plans and MA-PD plans under Medicare Part D. H.R. 1352, Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2023-provisions related to a demonstration project providing additional provider payments for providers of biosimilars. Implementation of H.R. 5376 (117th Congress)/P.L. 117-169 The Inflation Reduction Act-provisions related to changes in Medicare Part D and government negotiation of drug prices.

Client expense: $80,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

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)

Issues relating to oversight of PBM services; S. 2973-Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act; S. 3430 - Better Mental Healthcare, Lower Cost Drugs & Extenders Act (provisions related to PBMs and pharmacy contracting); H.R. 2880 - Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act; H.R. 4881 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit cost sharing for drugs under the Medicare program; S. 2436 -Neighborhood Options for Patients Buying Medicines (NO PBMs) Act; H.R. 5386 - Cutting Copays Act;H.R. 5372 - Expanding Seniors Access to Lower Cost Medicines Act of 2023; H.R. 5393 - The Transparency and Fairness for Pharmacists Act; H.R. 5385 - Medicare PBM Accountability Act

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $10,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

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)

Educare policymakers on issues related to the Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2021; S. 1967, the Patients Before Middlemen (PBM) Act, establishing new requirements relating to the responsibility of pharmacy benefit managers under Medicare part D; H.R. 3282, Promoting Transparency and Healthy Competition in Medicare Act; H.R. 3284, Providers and Payers COMPETE Act, To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consider, within the annual rulemaking process, the effect of regulatory changes to certain Medicare payment systems on provider and payer consolidation, and for other purposes; Issues related to pharmaceutical affordability and access in Medicare under H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act; H.R. 5376, the Share the Savings with Seniors Act; H.R. 5385, the Medicare PBM Accountability Act; H.R. 5393, the Transparency and Fairness for Pharmacies Act (Reps. Griffith and Carter); H.R. 5372, the Expanding Seniors Access to Lower Cost Medicines Act of 2023; H.R. 1352, the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act; H.R. 5386, the Cutting Copays Act; and S. the Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act (the Better Act).

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

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Issues related to prescription drug coverage and pharmacy benefits Issues related to the prescription drug marketplace, patents, and competition Regulatory and proposed legislative changes to Medicare Part D and Medicaid prescription drug benefits S.113 - Prescription Pricing for the People Act S.127 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act S.142 - Preserve Access to Affordable Generics and Biosimilars Act S.148 - Stop STALLING Act S.150 - Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act S.652 - Safe Step Act S.655 - Chronic Disease Management Act S.727 - Insulin for All Act S.775 - Increasing Transparency in Generic Drug Applications Act S.954 - Affordable Insulin Now Act S.1038 - Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act S.1067 - Ensuring Timely Access to Generics Act S.1114 - Expanding Access to Low-Cost Generics Act S.1120 - Improved Access to Affordable Medications Act S.1128 - Ensuring Access to Generic Medications Act S.1130 - Health Care PRICE Transparency Act S.1131 - Drug Price Transparency Act S.1217 - Ending the Prescription Drug Kickback Act S.1218 - Fair Prescription Drug Prices for Americans Act S.1269 - INSULIN Act S.1339 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act S.1375 - HELP Copays Act S.1497 - Emergency Access to Insulin Act S.1491 - Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act S.1542 - Delinking Revenue from Unfair Gouging (DRUG) Act S.1543 - A bill to require regulations concerning the disclosure of direct and indirect compensation from entities providing pharmacy benefit management services or third party administration services S.1967 - Patients Before Middlemen (PBM) Act S.2052 - Protect Patient Access to Pharmacies Act S.2129 - Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act S.2254 - Medicare PBM Accountability Act S.2405 - Strengthening Pharmacy Access for Seniors Act S.2406 - PBM Oversight Act S.2408 - IMPROVE Part D Regulations Act S.2436 - Neighborhood Options for Patients Buying Medicines (NO PBM) Act S.2456 - Protecting Seniors from High Drug Costs Act S.2474 - Share the Savings with Seniors Act S.2477 - Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act S.2493 - PBM Reporting Transparency Act S.2666 - EPCS 2.0 Act S.2840 - Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act (Bruan Amendment #3 - Price Transparency Requirements) S.2939 - Pharmacy Access Oversight and Reporting Act S.2973 - Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act H.R.830 - HELP Copays Act H.R.1352 - Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act H.R.1488 - Affordable Insulin Now Act H.R.1587 - Making Insulin Affordable for All Children Act H.R.1613 - Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act H.R.1770 - Equitable Community Access to Pharmacists Act H.R.1790 - Biologics Competition Act H.R.2630 - Safe Step Act H.R.2666 - Medicaid VBPs for Patients (MVP) Act H.R.2670 - PBM Accountability Act H.R.2691 - Transparent PRICE Act H.R.2880 - Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act H.R.3030 - Stop the Overuse of Petitions and Get Affordable Medicines to Enter Soon (STOP GAMES) Act H.R.3134 - Emergency Access to Insulin Act H.R.3262 - to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to increase transparency of certain health-related ownership information H.R.3281 - Transparent PRICE Act H.R.3282 - Promoting Transparency and Health Competition in Medicare Act H.R.3285 - Fairness for Patient Medications H.R.3561- Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency (PATIENT) Act H.R.3800 - Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act H.R.4011 - Timely Access to Clinical Treatment Act H.R.4507 - Transparency in Coverage Act H.R.4508 - Hidden Fee Disclosure Act H.R.4509 - Transparency in Billing Act H.R.4527 - Health Data Act H.R.4712 - Patient Right to Shop Act H.R.4822 - Health Care Price Transparency Act H.R.4846 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for oversight of pharmacy benefit manager services H.R.4881 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit cost sharing for drugs under the Medicare program H.R.4883 - Medicare Common Ownership Transparency Act H.R.5372 - Expanding Seniors Access to Lower Cost Medicines Act H.R.5376 - Share the Savings with Seniors Act H.R.5378 - Lower Costs More Transparency Act H.R.5384 - Advancing Enrollment and Reducing Drug Costs Act H.R.5385 - Medicare PBM Accountability Act H.R.5386 - Cutting Copays Act H.R.5393 -Transparency and Fairness for Pharmacies Act H.R.5400 - Neighborhood Options for Patients Buying Medicines (NO PBM) Act H.R.5461 - Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, P.L. 169- Provisions on Medicare Part D modernization and drug price negotiation

Client expense: $3,973,758 · Firm income: Not reported

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

H.R. 5372: Expanding Seniors Access and Lost Cost Medicines Act of 2023, provisions to set drug price cost-sharing. H.R. 5385: Medicare PBM Accountability Act, provisions related to PBM reporting requirements. H.R. 5386: Cutting Coupons Act, provisions related to cost-sharing requirements for low-income Medicare beneficiaries. H.R. 3284: Providers & Payers COMPETE Act, provisions related to consolidation. S. 2973: Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act, provisions related to PBM regulation.

Client expense: $80,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE