Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023

Issues related to proposed cuts in the CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule; Issues related to H.R. 2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act; Issues related to H.R. 6371 - Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023; Issues related to S. 4935 - Physician Fee Stabilization Act.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $50,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Behavioral Health H. 8526, Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act Childcare Issues related to childcare - no specific bill Gun Safety Issues related to gun safety - no specific bill H.R. 4283, Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act Health Care S. 4503, A bill to prevent exploitative private equity practices, and for other purposes Issues related to health care/universal access to quality, equitable, affordable coverage - no specific bill Issues related to mental and behavioral health care - no specific bill Issues related to Private Equity/Healthcare - no specific bill H.R. 9001, Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act Health Care Workforce Issues related to health care workforce shortages - no specific bill Issues related to the affordability of medical education and federal loan programs - no specific bill Issues related to scope of practice - no specific bill Issues related to the Department of Veterans Affairs Federal Supremacy Project - no specific bill Demographic data collection - no specific bill H.R. 929/S.266 the Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act H.R.2483 the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 H.R. 2389/S. 1302, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act H.R. 6205/S. 3211, the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act HIV/AIDS Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Immigration Issues related to Immigration - no specific bill H.R.1585/S.709 the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act Protecting Immigrant Families (PIF) Campaign Infrastructure Issues related to broadband access - no specific bill Issues related to the Build Back Better framework - no specific bill Interoperability/ONC Issues related to interoperability and information blocking - no specific bill Maternal Health and Reproductive Health S. 4381, Right to Contraception Act S. 4368, IVF Protection Act S.4304/H.R.8317MAMAS First Act Issues related to maternal health - no specific bill S. 712, The Connected Maternal Online Monitoring (MOM) Act Medical Education Issues related to the affordability of medical education - no specific bill Issues related to student loan forgiveness - no specific bill Support for physicians, residents and medical students - no specific bill Medicare/Medicaid S. 4532 / H.R. 8702, Seniors Timely Access to Care Act Cigna Modifier 25 Budget neutrality rules in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule - no specific bill H.R. 6445 / S. 2377, Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act H.R. 2474 the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R. 6545 Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act H.R. 6683 Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023 H.R.2173 the Improving Care and Access to Nurses Act H.R.2670 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act H.R. 5013/S. 3503, the Value in Health Care (VALUE) Act S. 4935, Physician Fee Stabilization Act H.R. 879 the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act H.R. 8816, the American Medical Innovation and Investment Act of 2024 H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act Issues related to Medicare physician payment - no specific bill Issues related to Medicare/Medicaid - no specific bill H.R. 2433, Reducing Medically Unnecessary Delays in Care Act of 2025 Issues related to Medicare Advantage - no specific bill Nutrition Issues related to nutrition and food security - no specific bill Issues related to SNAP funding - - no specific bill Opioids/ Substance Use Disorder LABEL Opioids Act of 2023 MATE ACT Adds New Education Mandate for 8 Hours of Continuing Education on Opioid Treatment S.1785, STOP Fentanyl Overdoses Act of 2023 H.R. 4531/S.3393 Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act S. 644 - the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act (MOTAA) S. 3418 Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency (CARE) Act Issues related to opioids and substance use disorder - no specific bill Prescription Drug Pricing Issues related to prescription drug pricing - no specific bill S. 470/HR 977, The Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act Publications Open access to information based on publicly funded research - no specific bill Request for Information for NIH Plan to Enhance Public Access to the Results of NIH-Supported Research Issues related to scholarly and scientific publishing and public access - no specific bill H.R. 9378, Sunshine Act of 2023 Racial Justice/Health Equity Issues related to racial justice/health care equity - no specific bill Health disparities and protecting vulnerable populations - no specific bill Issues related to equitable policies around blood, tissue donations - no specific bill Surprise Billing Issues related to surprise billing - no specific bill Issues related to the implementation of the No Surprises Act - no specific bill Telehealth H.R.8261, the Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act H.R.4189, the CONNECT for Health Act of 2023 H.R.7623, the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 H.R.1843, the Telehealth Expansion Act of 2023 Issues related to telehealth - no specific bill Issues related to telebehavioral health access - no specific bill Issues related to physician licensing - no specific bill Issues related to telehealth PHE flexibilities/waivers - no specific bill Tobacco Issues related to prohibiting sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars - no specific bill Issues related to increasing awareness about lung cancer screening on cigarette packages - no specific bill Vaccines Issues related to vaccines - no specific bill Regulatory FDA's proposed rule to eliminate menthol cigarettes Issues related to Medicare physician payment Issues related to implementation of the No Surprises Act Issues related to telehealth Issues related to Medicare Advantage Star Rating Health Equity Index calculation HIPAA-related Reporting Requirements Involving the Change Healthcare Cyber Incident

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

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Behavioral Health H. 8526, Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act Childcare Issues related to childcare - no specific bill Gun Safety Issues related to gun safety - no specific bill H.R. 4283, Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act Health Care S. 4503, A bill to prevent exploitative private equity practices, and for other purposes Issues related to health care/universal access to quality, equitable, affordable coverage - no specific bill Issues related to mental and behavioral health care - no specific bill Issues related to Private Equity/Healthcare - no specific bill H.R. 9001, Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act Health Care Workforce Issues related to health care workforce shortages - no specific bill Issues related to the affordability of medical education and federal loan programs - no specific bill Issues related to scope of practice - no specific bill Issues related to the Department of Veterans Affairs Federal Supremacy Project - no specific bill Demographic data collection - no specific bill H.R. 929/S.266 the Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act H.R.2483 the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 H.R. 2389/S. 1302, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act H.R. 6205/S. 3211, the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act HIV/AIDS Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Immigration Issues related to Immigration - no specific bill H.R.1585/S.709 the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act Protecting Immigrant Families (PIF) Campaign Infrastructure Issues related to broadband access - no specific bill Issues related to the Build Back Better framework - no specific bill Interoperability/ONC Issues related to interoperability and information blocking - no specific bill Maternal Health and Reproductive Health S. 4381, Right to Contraception Act S. 4368, IVF Protection Act S.4304/H.R.8317MAMAS First Act Issues related to maternal health - no specific bill S. 712, The Connected Maternal Online Monitoring (MOM) Act Medicare/Medicaid S. 4532 / H.R. 8702, Seniors Timely Access to Care Act Cigna Modifier 25 Budget neutrality rules in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule - no specific bill H.R. 6445 / S. 2377, Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act H.R. 2474 the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R. 6545 Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act H.R. 6683 Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023 H.R.2173 the Improving Care and Access to Nurses Act H.R.2670 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act H.R. 5013/S. 3503, the Value in Health Care (VALUE) Act S. 4935, Physician Fee Stabilization Act H.R. 879 the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act H.R. 8816, the American Medical Innovation and Investment Act of 2024 H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act Issues related to Medicare physician payment - no specific bill Issues related to Medicare/Medicaid - no specific bill H.R. 2433, Reducing Medically Unnecessary Delays in Care Act of 2025 Issues related to Medicare Advantage - no specific bill Nutrition Issues related to nutrition and food security - no specific bill Issues related to SNAP funding - - no specific bill Opioids/ Substance Use Disorder LABEL Opioids Act of 2023 MATE ACT Adds New Education Mandate for 8 Hours of Continuing Education on Opioid Treatment S.1785, STOP Fentanyl Overdoses Act of 2023 H.R. 4531/S.3393 Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act S. 644 - the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act (MOTAA) S. 3418 Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency (CARE) Act Issues related to opioids and substance use disorder - no specific bill Prescription Drug Pricing Issues related to prescription drug pricing - no specific bill S. 470/HR 977, The Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act Racial Justice/Health Equity Issues related to racial justice/health care equity - no specific bill Health disparities and protecting vulnerable populations - no specific bill Issues related to equitable policies around blood, tissue donations - no specific bill Surprise Billing Issues related to surprise billing - no specific bill Issues related to the implementation of the No Surprises Act - no specific bill Telehealth H.R.8261, the Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act H.R.4189, the CONNECT for Health Act of 2023 H.R.7623, the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 H.R.1843, the Telehealth Expansion Act of 2023 Issues related to telehealth - no specific bill Issues related to telebehavioral health access - no specific bill Issues related to physician licensing - no specific bill Issues related to telehealth PHE flexibilities/waivers - no specific bill Tobacco Issues related to prohibiting sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars - no specific bill Issues related to increasing awareness about lung cancer screening on cigarette packages - no specific bill Vaccines Issues related to vaccines - no specific bill Regulatory FDA's proposed rule to eliminate menthol cigarettes Issues related to Medicare physician payment Issues related to implementation of the No Surprises Act Issues related to telehealth Issues related to Medicare Advantage Star Rating Health Equity Index calculation HIPAA-related Reporting Requirements Involving the Change Healthcare Cyber Incident

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

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

H.R. 6645, Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2023, all provisions S. 2377, Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 1610, Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2023, all provisions S. 799, Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 4189, Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2023, all provisions S. 2016, Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 8532, Connected MOM Act, all provisions S. 712, Connected MOM Act, all provisions H.R. 1770, Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, all provisions S. 2477, Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, all provisions H.R. 751, Fair Access In Residency (FAIR) Act, all provisions H.R. 4968, Getting Over Lengthy Delays in Care As Required by Doctors (GOLD CARD) Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 2713, Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act, all provisions S. 2418, Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act, all provisions H.R. 2583, Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 6487, No Fees for EFTs Act, all provisions S. 3805, No Fees for EFTs Act, all provisions H.R. 977, Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2023, all provisions S. 470, Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 2389, Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023, all provisions S. 1302, Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 7050, Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act, all provisions H.R. 7623, Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024, all provisions H.R. 2474, Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, all provisions H.R. 830, Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act, all provisions S. 1375, Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act, all provisions H.R. 6371, Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 6545, Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act, all provisions H.R. 5378, Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, all provisions H.R. 6683, Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 5013, Value in Health Care Act of 2023, all provisions S. 3503, Value in Health Care Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 8702, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024, all provisions S. 4532, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024, all provisions S. 4518, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024, all provisions S. 4935, Physician Fee Stabilization Act, all provisions H.R. 6366, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to the work geographic index for physician payments under the Medicare program, and to revise the phase-in of clinical laboratory test payment changes under such program, all provisions H.R. 7463, Extension of Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2024, provisions relating to Medicare payments H.R. 7931, Preserving Emergency Access in Key Sites (PEAKS) Act, all provisions S. 4338, Pay PCPs Act of 2024, all provisions H.R. 8563, Preserving Access To Care in Hawaii (PATCH) Act, all provisions S. 4395, Protecting Access To Care in Hawaii (PATCH) Act, all provisions H.R. 6369, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models, all provisions H.R. 7665, ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2024, all provisions S. 3939, ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2024, all provisions H.R. 8404, Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Value Based Program Act of 2024, all provisions S. 4330, Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Value Based Program Act of 2024, all provisions H.R. 4829, Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 8235, Rural Physician Workforce Preservation Act, all provisions H.R. 1745, Medicare Fraud Detection and Deterrence Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 1746, Preventing Medicare Telefraud Act, all provisions H.R. 8261, Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act, all provisions S. 1491, Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act, all provisions S. 669, Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 7618, Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act, all provisions H.R. 3730, Rural Health Clinic Burden Reduction Act, all provisions H.R. 7279, Remove Duplicative Unnecessary Clerical Exchanges (REDUCE) Act, all provisions H.R. 7708, Requiring Enhanced & Accurate Lists of (REAL) Health Providers Act, all provisions S. 3508, Requiring Enhanced & Accurate Lists of (REAL) Health Providers Act, all provisions H.R. 9001, Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act, all provisions S. 5218, A bill to amend titles XI and XVIII of the Social Security Act to strengthen, increase oversight of, and compliance with, security standards for health information, and for other purposes, all provisions S. 4054, Health Care Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2024, all provisions H.R. 8588, Linking Seniors to Needed Legal Services Act of 2024, all provisions H.R. 5526, Seniors Access to Critical Medications Act of 2024, all provisions H.R. 9129, Patient Debt Relief Act, all provisions Fewer Burdens for Better Care Act/draft MACRA/MIPS program reform legislation/draft FY 2025 Medicare physician payment increase/draft Medical Chaperones in Medicare/draft Medicare program: No Surprises Act implementation Medicare program: 21st Century Cures Act implementation Medicare program: FY 2025 Physician payment cut Medicare program: Information Blocking Disincentives Medicare program: Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) reform Medicare program: Medicare Economic Index (MEI) Medicare program: Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) reform Medicare program: Budget neutrality reforms/Inflationary update Medicare program: G2211 Inherent complexity code Medicare program: Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA 2014) lab cut reform Medicare program: High-cost disposable services payment Medicare program: Medicare Administrative Contractor/local-coverage determinations Medicare program: Making Care Primary alternative payment models (APM) Medicare program: Rural physicians APM Medicare program: Site neutral payment Medicare program: Physician-owned hospitals Medicare program: Graduate Medical Education (GME) funding Medicare program: Audio-visual supervision of residents/permanent expansion Medicare program: Conditions of Participation (COP)/Obstetrical service Medicare program: MACRA/physician burdens Medicare program: Health Information Technology/physician burdens Medicare program: Prior authorization/Medicare Advantage plans Medicare program: Interoperability/data sharing/information blocking/provider disincentives Medicare program: Promoting interoperability reporting Medicare program: Trusted exchange framework/common agreement Medicare program: Data segmentation Medicare program: Quality payment program Medicare program: Medicare Shared Savings Program/Advanced APM Medicare program: Public health reporting and data exchange Medicare program: Accountable Care Organizations/APM flexibilities Medicare program: Certified Electronic Health Record (EHR) Technology Medicare program: Physician Practice Information (PPI) survey/practice expense Medicare program: MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs)/APMs Medicare program: Telehealth flexibilities Medicare and Medicaid programs: Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Medicare and Medicaid programs: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)/electronic records

Client expense: $5,330,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Support to Codify and enhance CMS regulations that advance interoperability and improve prior authorization in Medicare Advantage plans (H.R. 8702 / S. 4518) Support (H.R. 2474) that would provide Medicare payments for physician services with an annual inflationary update based on the Medicare Economic Index, similar to updates received by other health care providers. Revise budget neutrality requirements and triggers by supporting and passing the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act (H.R. 6371). Reduce administrative and financial burden of participation in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System. No specific legislation Improving patient access to biosimilars by closing the gap between the reimbursement rates and physician practice acquisition costs (no specific legislation)

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

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Enacting an annual, permanent inflationary payment update for Medicare physician payment that is tied to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) (H.R. 2474); Budget Neutrality reforms (H.R. 6371); Overhaul of MACRAs Merit-based Incentive Payment System (No specific legislation 4rd Q 2024). Modifications to Alternative Payment Models (APM) (S. 3503/H.R. 5013). Support generally mitigating or stopping impending cut to the Medicare physician fee schedule conversion factor for CY2025. Support the Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 8702/S. 4532)

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $24,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Support the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, (H.R. 2474), which provides a permanent annual update equal to the increase in the MEI, and the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act (H.R. 6371), which would reform budget neutrality requirements. Generally support elimination or reduction in scheduled Medicare physician fee schedule conversion factor for CY205. Support repeal of the Medicare Appropriate Use Criteria Program for advanced diagnostic imaging. No specific legislation Support the the Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 8702/S. 4532)

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $22,500

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Monitor federal issues and legislation associated with health care policy. Monitor federal and legislative activity related to Medicare reimbursement. Monitor federal and legislative activity related to drug pricing. Monitoring and outreach on legislative activity related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the federal governments response. FY2024 Defense Appropriations Act Fiscal 2024 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations P.L. 116-136, CARES Act P.L. 113-5 Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act (PAHPRA) S. 127 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act H.R. 830 - The HELP Copays Act S. 1375 - HELP Copays Act H.R. 1202 - Resident Education Deferred Interest Act, or REDI Act S. 704 - REDI Act S. 665, HR 4942 - Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act H.R. 2389 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act S. 1302 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act H.R. 2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act S. 652, H.R. 2630 - Safe Step Act S. 1339 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act H.R. 2670 - National Defense Authorization Act H.R. 2816 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Sunshine and Accountability Act H.R. 2679 - Pharmacy Benefits Manager Accountability Act H.R. 2474 - The Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R.6371 - Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023 S. 2764 - Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act H.R. 5391 - Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act Appropriation legislation related to Medicare Physician Payments cuts implemented in 2024 Appropriations legislation related to the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program Appropriations legislation related to the National Institutes of Health S. 705 - Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care (SPARC) Act H.R. 2761 - Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care (SPARC) Act H.R. 8702 - Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024 S. 4532 - Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024 H.R. 6664 - The Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act S. 4349 - Electronic Prior Authorization for Prescription Drugs Act HR. 6487 - No Fees for EFTs Act S. 3805 - No Fees for EFTs Act S. 4935 - Physician Fee Stabilization Act H.R. 7623 - Telehealth Modernization Act S. 3967 - Telehealth Modernization Act H.R. 7153 - Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Reauthorization Act S. 3679 - Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Reauthorization Act H.R. 6545 - Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act H.R. 10545 - American Relief Act of 2025 H.R. 8774 - Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025 H.R. 9029 - Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025

Client expense: $70,000 · Firm income: Not reported

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

Monitor federal issues and legislation associated with health care policy. Monitor federal and legislative activity related to Medicare reimbursement. Monitor federal and legislative activity related to drug pricing. Monitoring and outreach on legislative activity related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the federal governments response. FY2024 Defense Appropriations Act Fiscal 2024 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations P.L. 116-136, CARES Act P.L. 113-5 Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act (PAHPRA) S. 127 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act H.R. 830 - The HELP Copays Act S. 1375 - HELP Copays Act H.R. 1202 - Resident Education Deferred Interest Act, or REDI Act S. 704 - REDI Act S. 665, HR 4942 - Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act H.R. 2389 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act S. 1302 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act H.R. 2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act S. 652, H.R. 2630 - Safe Step Act S. 1339 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act H.R. 2670 - National Defense Authorization Act H.R. 2816 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Sunshine and Accountability Act H.R. 2679 - Pharmacy Benefits Manager Accountability Act H.R. 2474 - The Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R.6371 - Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023 S. 2764 - Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act H.R. 5391 - Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act Appropriation legislation related to Medicare Physician Payments cuts implemented in 2024 Appropriations legislation related to the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program Appropriations legislation related to the National Institutes of Health S. 705 - Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care (SPARC) Act H.R. 2761 - Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care (SPARC) Act H.R. 8702 - Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024 S. 4532 - Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024 H.R. 6664 - The Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act S. 4349 - Electronic Prior Authorization for Prescription Drugs Act HR. 6487 - No Fees for EFTs Act S. 3805 - No Fees for EFTs Act S. 4935 - Physician Fee Stabilization Act H.R. 7623 - Telehealth Modernization Act S. 3967 - Telehealth Modernization Act H.R. 7153 - Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Reauthorization Act S. 3679 - Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Reauthorization Act H.R. 6545 - Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act H.R. 10545 - American Relief Act of 2025 H.R. 8774 - Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025 H.R. 9029 - Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025

Client expense: $70,000 · Firm income: Not reported

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

Monitor federal issues and legislation associated with health care policy. Monitor federal and legislative activity related to Medicare reimbursement. Monitor federal and legislative activity related to drug pricing. Monitoring and outreach on legislative activity related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the federal governments response. FY2024 Defense Appropriations Act Fiscal 2024 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations P.L. 116-136, CARES Act P.L. 113-5 Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act (PAHPRA) S. 127 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act H.R. 830 - The HELP Copays Act S. 1375 - HELP Copays Act H.R. 1202 - Resident Education Deferred Interest Act, or REDI Act S. 704 - REDI Act S. 665, HR 4942 - Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act H.R. 2389 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act S. 1302 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act H.R. 2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act S. 652, H.R. 2630 - Safe Step Act S. 1339 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act H.R. 2670 - National Defense Authorization Act H.R. 2816 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Sunshine and Accountability Act H.R. 2679 - Pharmacy Benefits Manager Accountability Act H.R. 2474 - The Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R.6371 - Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023 S. 2764 - Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act H.R. 5391 - Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act Appropriation legislation related to Medicare Physician Payments cuts implemented in 2024 Appropriations legislation related to the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program Appropriations legislation related to the National Institutes of Health S. 705 - Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care (SPARC) Act H.R. 2761 - Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care (SPARC) Act H.R. 8702 - Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024 S. 4532 - Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024 H.R. 6664 - The Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act S. 4349 - Electronic Prior Authorization for Prescription Drugs Act HR. 6487 - No Fees for EFTs Act S. 3805 - No Fees for EFTs Act S. 4935 - Physician Fee Stabilization Act H.R. 7623 - Telehealth Modernization Act S. 3967 - Telehealth Modernization Act H.R. 7153 - Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Reauthorization Act S. 3679 - Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Reauthorization Act H.R. 6545 - Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act H.R. 10545 - American Relief Act of 2025 H.R. 8774 - Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025 H.R. 9029 - Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025

Client expense: $70,000 · Firm income: Not reported

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

Medicare physician payment including H.R.10073, the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024 and H.R.10545, the American Relief Act; new/alternative payment models; Medicare coverage, hospital payment of cardiovascular services; access to Medicare claims data; physician and hospital quality; Quality Payment Program; clinical data registries; health care quality; medical imaging and prior authorization; the Stark Law and the in-office ancillary services exception; Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act implementation and oversight; Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 and Medicare site of service policy; graduate medical education policy including the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023 (HR 2389/S. 1302); oversight and implementation of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014, including Appropriate Use Criteria; physician-owned hospital policy including the Physician Led Rural Access to Quality Care Act (HR 9001); COVID-19 public health emergency and the implementation of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act; implementation of the Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act (S. 610); implementation of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022; Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2023 (H.R. 2583/S. 3481); Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home At (H.R. 1406/S. 3021); Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers (H.R. 2474); site-neutrality; Providing Relief and Stability for Medicare Patients Act (H.R. 3674); Connected Maternal Online Monitoring Act (Connected Mom) (S. 712); Charles Rochester Blood Clot Prevention and Treatment Act (H.R. 5699) Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act (H.R. 6683); Provider Reimbursement Stability Act (H.R. 6371); FY2024 Further Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2882); The Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024 (H.R. 8702/S. 4532); The Pay PCPs Act (S. 4338); the Electronic Prior Authorization for Prescription Drugs Act (S. 4349); FY 25 Labor-HHS Appropriations (H.R. 9029/S. 4942); The Physician Fee Stabilization Act (S. 4935); GOLD CARD Act (H.R. 4968); Access to Claims Data Act (H.R. 9805)

Client expense: $490,000 · Firm income: Not reported

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

H.R. 6445, Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act, all provisions S. 2377, Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act, all provisions H.R. 1610, Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act, all provisions S. 799, Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act, all provisions H.R. 4189, Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act, all provisions S. 2016, Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act, all provisions H.R. 1770, Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, all provisions S. 2477, Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, all provisions H.R. 751, Fair Access In Residency (FAIR) Act, all provisions H.R. 4968, GOLD CARD Act, all provisions H.R. 2713, Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act, all provisions S. 2418, Improving Care and Access to Nurses (I CAN) Act, all provisions H.R. 2583, Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act, all provisions H.R. 6487, No Fees for EFTs Act, all provisions S. 3805, No Fees for EFTs Act, all provisions H.R. 977, Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2023, all provisions S. 470, Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 2389, Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023, all provisions S. 1302, Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 2630, Safe Step Act, all provisions S. 652, Safe Step Act, all provisions H.R. 7050, Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act, all provisions H.R. 7623, Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024, all provisions H.R. 2474, Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, all provisions H.R. 6371, Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 6545, Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act, all provisions H.R. 5378, Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, all provisions H.R. 6683, Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 5013, Value in Health Care Act of 2023, all provisions S. 3503, Value in Health Care Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 8702, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024, all provisions S. 4532, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024, all provisions S. 4935, Physician Fee Stabilization Act, all provisions H.R. 10073, Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024, all provisions H.R. 7856, PREVENT DIABETES Act, all provisions H.R. 3838, Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023, all provisions S. 2415, Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 8532, Connected MOM Act, all provisions S. 712, Connected MOM Act, all provisions H.R. 6369, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models, all provisions H.R. 8404, Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Value Based Program Act of 2024, all provisions S. 4330, Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Value Based Program Act of 2024, all provisions H.R. 8235, Rural Physician Workforce Preservation Act, all provisions H.R. 1745, Medicare Fraud Detection and Deterrence Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 1746, Preventing Medicare Telefraud Act, all provisions H.R. 8261, Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act, all provisions S. 1491, Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act, all provisions S. 669, Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 7618, Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act, all provisions H.R. 3730, Rural Health Clinic Burden Reduction Act, all provisions H.R. 7279, Remove Duplicative Unnecessary Clerical Exchanges (REDUCE) Act, all provisions H.R. 6230, Doctor Knows Best Act of 2023, all provisions H.R. 9572, Enhanced Enforcement of Health Coverage Act, all provisions H.R. 9001, Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act, all provisions S. 5218, Health Infrastructure Security and Accountability Act of 2024, all provisions S. 4054, Health Care Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2024, all provisions H.R. 9572, Enhanced Enforcement of Health Coverage Act, all provisions Supporting Health Moms and Babies Act/draft Fewer Burdens for Better Healthcare Act/draft Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act/Senate draft Opioid Workforce Act of 2021/Senate draft Electronic clinical quality measures (eCQM) reporting/draft Medicare program: Medicare physician payment/2.83% cut for FY2025 Medicare program: Payment reform/Medicare Part B cuts Medicare program: Medicare Economic Index (MEI) inflation update Medicare program: Budget neutrality reforms Medicare program: Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) reforms and penalties Medicare program: G2211 inherent complexity codes Medicare program: Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA 2014)/clinical lab cut reforms Medicare Program: Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) physician burdens Medicare program: Alternative Payment Models (APMs) Medicare program: Advanced APMs reporting requirements Medicare program: APMs for rural physicians Medicare program: Graduate Medical Education (GME) cap flexibility Medicare program: Physician-owned hospitals Medicare program: Telehealth Medicare program: Prior Authorization Medicare program: Site neutral payment Medicare program: Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) reform Medicare program: Sunsetting of web interface Medicare program: Access to claims data Medicare program: Coding Medicare program: Accountable Care Organization (ACO)/APM/Medicare Shared Savings Program Medicare program: Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program Medicare program: Physician burden Medicare program: Promoting Interoperability (PI) program Medicare program: Quality Payment Program Medicare program: Certified electronic health record technology and PI Medicare program: Shared Savings program Medicare program: Public Health Reporting and Data Exchange Medicare program: Patient engagement Medicare program: Medicare Advantage plans/Prior Authorization Medicare program: Physician-owned hospitals Medicare program: Medigap/modified community rating Medicare and Medicaid programs: Artificial intelligence Medicare and Medicaid programs: Substance use disorder Medicare and Medicaid programs: Cybersecurity/health care clearinghouses Medicare and Medicaid programs: Health IT Medicare and Medicaid programs: Interoperability Medicare and Medicaid programs: Mandatory models Medicaid and Medicare programs: Quality programs/physician choice Medicaid program: Maternal health Medicaid program: Maternal mortality

Client expense: $6,590,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Natl Drug Control Policy (NDCP), Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP), SENATE

H.R. 824 - Telehealth Benefit Expansion for Workers Act of 2023 H.R. 1202 / S. 704 - Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act H.R. 2389 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023 H.R. 2400 / S. 1165 - Reentry Act of 2023 H.R. 2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R. 3073 / S. 1452 - Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act H.R. 3432 / S. 3651 - Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2023 H.R. 3946/S. 1800 - FASD Respect Act H.R. 4189 / S. 2016 - CONNECT for Health Act of 2023 H.R. 4892 / S. 3921 - Medicaid Bump Act H.R. 4933 / S. 462 - Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act H.R. 4942 / S. 665 - Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act H.R. 5116 / S. 2688 - Behavioral Health Information Technology (BHIT) Coordination Act H.R. 5819 / S. 1378 - COMPLETE Care Act H.R. 6683 - Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023 H.R. 7153 / S. 3679 - Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protections Reauthorization Act H.R. 3305 / S. 1606 - Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act H.R. 3226 / S. 1573 - Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) Reauthorization Act of 2023 H.R. 3312 / S. 1602 - Moms Matter Act H.R. 3838 / S. 2415 - Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 H.R. 7024 - Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 H.R. 8458 / S. 669- Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2024 H.R. 8543 / S. 2993 - To amend the Social Security Act and the Public Health Service Act to permanently authorize certified community behavioral health clinics, and for other purposes H.R. 8680 - To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, to award grants to train community mental wellness workers H.R. 8702/ S .4532 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish requirements with respect to the use of prior authorization under Medicare Advantage plans H.R.8767 - To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to remove the exclusion from medical assistance under the Medicaid program of items and services for patients in an institution for mental diseases S. 1339 - Pharmacy Benefit Reform Manager Act H.R. 7891 / S. 1409 - Kids Online Safety Act H.R. 7890 / S. 1418 - Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) H.R. 4531 / S. 3106 - SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act H.R. 6663 / S. 3364 - Kid PROOF Act of 2023 S. 3430 - Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Health Extenders Act S. 3157 - More Behavioral Health Providers Act of 2023 H.R. 7619 / S. 3158 - Expand the Behavioral Health Workforce Now Act H.R.6928 - CONNECT Act of 2024 H.R.6961 / S. 3010 - Nutrition CARE Act of 2024 H.R. 6982 / S. 3579 - Gambling Addiction, Recovery, Investment, and Treatment Act H.R. 7050 - Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act of 2024 H.Res. 1089 / S.Res.567 - Health Workforce Well-being Day of Awareness Resolution S. 2556 - Improving Coordination and Access to Resources Equitably (CARE) for Youth Act H.R. 5408 / S. 2767 - SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act H.R.7301 - Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Expansion Act of 2024 H.R. 7808 - EARLY Minds Act H.R. 7265 / S. 3779 - Child Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means Act S. 3638 - Dependent Controlled Substance Transparency Act H.R. 7265 / S. 3379 Child Suicide Prevention & Lethal Means Safety Act H.R.7708 - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require MA organizations offering network-based plans to maintain an accurate provider directory, and for other purposes H.R.8575 - Michelle Alyssa Go Act H.R. 7258 / S. 3968 - A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide community-based training opportunities for medical students in rural areas and medically under-served communities, and for other purposes S.4023 - Behavioral Health Network and Directory Improvement Act S.4358 - Preventing and Treating Substance Use Disorders Among Older Adults Act Sent letter to the FDA on reducing the scope of the Clozapine REMS in preparation for the Joint Committees Meeting Meeting with FDA on continued Stimulant Shortage APA met with DOL, HHS, and Treasury to Discuss Parity APA sent letter to ONC on Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Patient Engagement, Information Sharing, and Public Health Interoperability (HTI-2) proposed rule Signed onto AMA letter on Medicare physician payment reform S.4935- Physician Fee Stabilization Act H.R. 6371 - the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act H.R. 2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R. 5013 / S. 3503 - Value in Health Care (VALUE) Act H.R. 1770 / S. 2477 - Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act. Signed AMA letter in opposition H.R.6664 / S. 4905- Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act of 2023 H.R.9133 / S. 4835- The Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act H.R. 2630 / S. 652 - the Safe Step Act H.R. 9581 - STAR Plus Scholarship Act H.R. 8715 - NEST Act H.R. 9577- Stabilization to Prevent (STOP) Suicide Act H.R. 9656 - Career and Technical Education (CTE) Student Mental Health and Wellness Act S. 5146- Medical Graduate Investment Act of 2024 H.R. 9688 - Keep Kids Covered Act H.R. 9886/S.5271 - Broadening Utilization of Proven and Effective Treatment for Recovery Act H.R. 7858 - Telehealth Enhancement for Mental Health Act of 2024 Cover Our Care Act H.R. 3503 - NIH Clinical Trial Diversity Act of 2023 H.R. 9422 - Recovery Act H.R. 10073 - Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024 H.R. 9457 - Transparent Telehealth Bills Act of 2024 H.R. 3838/S. 2415 - Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 S.5524 - Parity Enforcement Act of 2024 H.R. 10085 - Saving Lives on Campuses Act of 2024 H.R. 10280 - Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act

Client expense: $269,642 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Executive Office of the President (EOP), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of

Medicare physician payment reform - adding inflation adjustment to physician payment updates under Medicare: HR 2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act. Medicare physician payment reform - modifying budget neutrality requirements under the Medicare physician fee schedule: H.R. 6545 - the Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act. Medicare physician payment reform - modifying budget neutrality requirements under the Medicare physician fee schedule: HR 6371 - Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023. Reforming prior authorization under Medicare Advantage: S. 4532/H.R. 8702 - Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act. Increasing Medicare-supported GME residency slots: S. 1302/H.R. 2389 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act. S. 4935-Physician Fee Stabilization Act: to increase the budget neutrality threshold under the Medicare Physician Payment Schedule (MPFS) to $53,000,000 in 2026 and provide regular indexing to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI). Support H.R. 10073 - the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024: stop the latest round of cuts to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and provide physicians with an inflationary update for calendar year 2025. H.R. 10545 - the American Relief Act, 2025: include a reduction in the cut to the physician Medicare Physician Fee Schedule in HR 10545

Client expense: $40,979 · Firm income: Not reported

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

Medicare Physician Payments; H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, creates a single conversion factor for all physicians for physician payments through Medicare and increased payments based on the Medicare Economic Index every year. Data Sharing; H.R. 9805, the Access to Claims Data Act, would allow surgeons and other providers comprehensive access to federal claims data. This would help identify trends, improve treatment protocols, and ultimately ensure better patient outcomes. H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act, provides certain adjustments to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Support for a national coverage determination for Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement (TTVR) therapy. Lung Cancer Screening; H.R. 4286, the Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act, provides for coverage without prior authorization requirements of annual lung cancer screenings under Medicaid and expands coverage of counseling and pharmaceuticals for tobacco cessation. Access to Care: H.R. 4758 / S. 2372, the Accelerating Kid's Access to Care Act would establish a voluntary pathway for qualified providers providing specialized care to children that is not available locally to enroll in other states' Medicaid of CHIP programs without delay.

Client expense: $105,404 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Asking Congress to cosponsor H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, which would align Medicare physician payments with other sectors of Medicare by adding a mandatory annual inflation update. To also cosponsor H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act, which would increase the budget-neutrality threshold, set limits on conversion factor variance, and allow CMS to enhance accountability and stability within the physician payment system. Support H.R. 5625, the Fentanyl Awareness for Children and Teens in Schools (FACTS) Act, which would help to address the opioid crisis by making naloxone available in school settings. Support H.R. 5420 / S. 2948, the Workplace Overdose Reversal Kits (WORK) to Save Lives Act which would require opioid overdose reversal medications to be in federal buildings and create non-mandatory guidance for private employers on how to obtain these medications; both important measures to reduce opioid overdose fatalities. Support H.R. 6161, the Supporting Access to Vital and Affordable Care for Everyone (SAVE) Act, which would make access to over-the-counter naloxone more affordable by ensuring it qualifies as a deductible medical expense.

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

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Physician payment reform Counting observation stays as satisfying Medicare three-day inpatient stay prerequisite for skilled nursing facility (SNF) coverage Eliminating prior authorization requirements in Medicare Advantage H.R. 1128-Rural Health Care Access Act of 2023, to eliminate the 35-mile requirement to qualify as a critical access hospital H.R. 1129-Rural ER Access Act, to require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to repeal the 35-mile requirement for off-campus facilities H.R. 2474-Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, to add an inflationary adjustment to physician payments under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule H.R. 4189-CONNECT for Health Act, to expand access to telehealth services H.R.4366-Consolidated Appropriations Act, to provide appropriations for several federal departments and agencies and to provide an increase for the calendar year 2024 physician fee schedule conversion factor H.R. 4968-GOLD CARD Act of 2023, to improve prior authorization processes under Medicare Advantage for physicians with high approval rates H.R. 5213-Reducing Medically Unnecessary Delays in Care Act of 2023, to ensure that prior authorization medical decisions under Medicare are determined by physicians H.R. 6371-Provider Reimbursement Stability Act, to reform the Medicare budget neutrality process H.R. 6545-Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act, to provide a 1.25 percent adjustment to the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor and update the budget neutrality threshold H.R. 6683-Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023, to fully eliminate the 3.37 percent conversion factor adjustment for calendar year 2024 H.R. 7432-Sickle Cell Comprehensive Care Act, to allow Medicaid programs to cover home health services for those with sickle cell disease H.R. 8702-Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act, to improve and streamline prior authorization under Medicare Advantage Plans H.R.---- -Fewer Burdens for Better Care Act of 2023, to provide for multi-stakeholder input on removal of quality and efficiency measures in Medicare reporting H.R. 10073-Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act, to fully eliminate the 2024 Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor adjustment and provide an inflationary update S. 996- H.R. 7432-Sickle Cell Comprehensive Care Act, to allow Medicaid programs to cover home health services for those with sickle cell disease S.2016-CONNECT for Health Act, to expand access to telehealth services S. 3430-Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs and Extenders Act, to provide a 1.25 percent adjustment to the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor, and other provisions H.R. 4532-Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act, to improve and streamline prior authorization under Medicare Advantage Plans

Client expense: $407,855 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Issues related to proposed cuts in the CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule; H.R. 2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act; H.R. 6371 - Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023; S. 4935 - Physician Fee Stabilization Act.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $50,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Issues related to proposed cuts in the CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule; H.R. 2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act; H.R. 6371 - Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023; S. 4935 - Physician Fee Stabilization Act.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $50,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Support for Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act (HR 2474) which would reform the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule by creating annual inflationary updates and the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act (HR 6371) and Physician Fee Stabilization Act (S 4935), which would provide statutory changes to the budget neutrality requirement. Support for the Strengthening Medicaid Incentives for Licensees Enrolled in Dental (SMILED) Act (HR 1422), which would reduce administrative burdens for dentists who participate in Medicaid.

Client expense: $110,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

HR 6371 No Fees for EFT Act (EFT=Electronic Funds Transfer)

Client expense: $55,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

HR 10545 American Relief Act HR 9572 Enhanced Enforcement of Health Care Coverage Act. Surprise billing reform. S 4532/HR 8702 Seniors Timely Access to Care Act - prior authorization reform HR 6371 Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023 (Bucshon, Kelly) budget neutrality reform S 4935 Physician Fee Stabilization Act of 2024 (Welch, Boozman) Medicare budget neutrality reform S 3503/HR 5013 The Value in Health Care Act of 2023 (Lahood, Wenstrup) Extends the ACO Bonus + HR 8261 Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access to Care Act (Ways and Means Committee adopted) HR 7623 Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 (Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee adopted) S 2016/HR 4189 CONNECT for Health Act of 2023 (Telehealth) (Menendez, Boozman, Schumer, Collins/Thompson, Matsui) HR 4941 (Schiff) Providing Access to Treatment and Housing Act of 2023 (PATH Act) HR 4974 (Cardenas) Local 988 Response Act of 2023 Mental Health Hotline S 1339 (Sanders, Cassidy) PBM Reform Act HR 3784 Providers and Payers Compete Act

Client expense: $55,000 · Firm income: Not reported

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

Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023 (H.R. 6683); Medicare Payment Reform; Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act (H.R.1617/S. 793); Remove Duplicative Unnecessary Clerical Exchanges (REDUCE) Act (H.R. 7279); Enabling More of the Physical and Occupational Workforce to Engage in Rehabilitation (EMPOWER) Act (H.R. 4878/S. 2459); Expanded Telehealth Act (H.R. 3875/S. 2880); Telehealth Modernization Act (H.R. 7623 / S. 3967); Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act (H.R. 7618); Medicare Opt-Out; Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 8702 / S. 4532); Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 2474); The Provider Reimbursement Stability Act (H.R. 6371); Physician Fee Stabilization Act (S. 4935); Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024 (H.R. 10073).

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $20,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

H.R. 2474, Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act; Physician payment under Medicare (general); Graduate medical education (general); Prior authorization in Medicare (general); Medicaid free choice of provider requirement; Implementation of P.L. 117-328, Consolidated Appropriations Act, including permanent option for postpartum Medicaid extension; Physician reimbursements under Medicaid (general); S. 4532/H.R. 8702, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act telehealth under Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP (general S.1378/H.R. 5819, COMPLETE Care Act; pay parity between Medicare and Medicaid (general); H.R. 10073, Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024; S. 4935, Physician Fee Stabilization Act; H.R. 6371, Provider Reimbursement Stability Act, Medicare conditions of participation.

Client expense: $170,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Coverage of blood transfusions under Medicare Hospice Benefit Issues related to CAR-T/cellular and gene therapies Implementation of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act pf 2015 (P.L. 114-10) Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148) CMS national coverage determinations Medicaid coverage for sickle cell disease Issues related to telemedicine/telehealth Sickle cell disease/trait issues, including coverage for cell and gene therapies Prior authorization Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-169) Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 2474) Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (S. 1302) CONNECT for Health Act (S. 2016/ H.R. 4189) Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act (S. 2186) Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023 (H.R. 6371) Telehealth Modernization Act (H.R. 7623 / S. 3967) Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act (H.R. 7432/S. 5097) dental coverage for Medicare beneficiaries CMS FY 2025 Hospice proposed rule and payment mechanisms for high intensity palliative care services, including blood transfusions Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act (S. 4518/S. 4532/H.R. 8702) Senate Finance Committee Request for Information (RFI) on Medicare physician payment National Coverage Decision for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for MDS Local Coverage Decisions for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for lymphoma Duffy-null ICD-10 coding Local Coverage Decisions for next generation sequencing Sickle cell disease quality measures Issues impacting drug shortages Senate draft Pay PCPs Act CY 2025 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) proposed rule CY 2025 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule

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

Government targets: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

Issues impacting the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. No Surprises Act implementation H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023 American Rescue Plan implementation Inflation Reduction Act implementation Administrative Burden Reduction Prior Authorization reforms Claims Attachment Standard Healthcare Workforce Issues Value-based payments Local Coverage Determination and National Coverage Determination legislation Cybersecurity

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $20,000

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

H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023 Legislation affecting the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. COVID-19 PHE Waivers Issues concerning physician participation in MIPS and Alternative Payment Models. Expanding Medicare coverage for telehealth. Medicare prescription drug prices Network Adequacy for Health Plans Prior authorization in Medicare Advantage plans

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $40,000

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

Issues relating to long-term reform of the Medicare Physician payment system. Support for expansion of funding for Graduate Medical Education. Issues relating to physician practice consolidation and access to care. H.R. 2389, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act. H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act. H.R. 3674, the Providing Relief and Stability for Medicare Patients Act. H.R. 4261, the Amputation Reduction and Compassion (ARC) Act. Issues relating to site-neutral payments in the Medicare system. Issues relating to rural access to health care and health disparities. Support for easing administrative burdens on physicians. Support for H.R. 6683, the "Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act." Medical training concerns relating to H.R. 7725, the Embracing Anti-Discrimination, Unbiased Curriculum, and Advancing Truth in Education (EDUCATE) Act. Issues relating to MACRA reform; in general. Support for S. 4532/H.R. 8702, The Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care (Seniors) Act. Support for H.R. 7855, the Rural Residency Planning and Development Act of 2024. Issues relating to CMS-1807-P; Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Calendar Year 2025 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies Support for the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act (H.R. 6371). Support for the Physician Stabilization Act (S. 4935). Support for H.R. 10073, the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024. Support for Medicare physician payment provisions slated for inclusion in year-end appropriations bill(s).

Client expense: $70,000 · Firm income: Not reported

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

Behavioral Health H. 8526, Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act Childcare Issues related to childcare - no specific bill Gun Safety Issues related to gun safety - no specific bill H.R. 4283, Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act Health Care S. 4503, A bill to prevent exploitative private equity practices, and for other purposes Issues related to health care/universal access to quality, equitable, affordable coverage - no specific bill Issues related to mental and behavioral health care - no specific bill Issues related to Private Equity/Healthcare - no specific bill H.R. 9001, Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act Health Care Workforce Issues related to health care workforce shortages - no specific bill Issues related to the affordability of medical education and federal loan programs - no specific bill Issues related to scope of practice - no specific bill Issues related to the Department of Veterans Affairs Federal Supremacy Project - no specific bill Demographic data collection - no specific bill H.R. 1667, Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act H.R. 2389/S. 1302, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act H.R. 6205/S. 3211, the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act HIV/AIDS Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Immigration Issues related to Immigration - no specific bill H.R. 4942/ S. 665, the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act Protecting Immigrant Families (PIF) Campaign Infrastructure Issues related to broadband access - no specific bill Issues related to the Build Back Better framework - no specific bill Interoperability/ONC Issues related to interoperability and information blocking - no specific bill Maternal Health and Reproductive Health S. 4381, Right to Contraception Act S. 4368, IVF Protection Act S.4304/H.R.8317MAMAS First Act Issues related to maternal health - no specific bill S. 712, The Connected Maternal Online Monitoring (MOM) Act Medical Education Issues related to the affordability of medical education - no specific bill Issues related to student loan forgiveness - no specific bill Support for physicians, residents and medical students - no specific bill Medicare/Medicaid S. 4532 / H.R. 8702, Seniors Timely Access to Care Act Cigna Modifier 25 Budget neutrality rules in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule - no specific bill H.R. 6445 / S. 2377, Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act H.R. 2474 the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R. 6545 Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act H.R. 6683 Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023 H.R.2173 the Improving Care and Access to Nurses Act H.R.2670 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act H.R. 5013/S. 3503, the Value in Health Care (VALUE) Act S. 4935, Physician Fee Stabilization Act H.R.10073, Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024 H.R. 8816, the American Medical Innovation and Investment Act of 2024 H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act Issues related to Medicare physician payment - no specific bill Issues related to Medicare/Medicaid - no specific bill Issues related to prior authorization and administrative simplification - no specific bill Issues related to Medicare Advantage - no specific bill Nutrition Issues related to nutrition and food security - no specific bill Issues related to SNAP funding - - no specific bill Opioids/ Substance Use Disorder LABEL Opioids Act of 2023 MATE ACT Adds New Education Mandate for 8 Hours of Continuing Education on Opioid Treatment S.1785, STOP Fentanyl Overdoses Act of 2023 H.R. 4531/S.3393 Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act S. 644 - the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act (MOTAA) S. 3418 Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency (CARE) Act Issues related to opioids and substance use disorder - no specific bill Prescription Drug Pricing Issues related to prescription drug pricing - no specific bill S. 470/HR 977, The Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act Racial Justice/Health Equity Issues related to racial justice/health care equity - no specific bill Health disparities and protecting vulnerable populations - no specific bill Issues related to equitable policies around blood, tissue donations - no specific bill Surprise Billing Issues related to surprise billing - no specific bill Issues related to the implementation of the No Surprises Act - no specific bill Telehealth H.R.8261, the Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act H.R.4189, the CONNECT for Health Act of 2023 H.R.7623, the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 H.R.1843, the Telehealth Expansion Act of 2023 Issues related to telehealth - no specific bill Issues related to telebehavioral health access - no specific bill Issues related to physician licensing - no specific bill Issues related to telehealth PHE flexibilities/waivers - no specific bill Tobacco Issues related to prohibiting sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars - no specific bill Issues related to increasing awareness about lung cancer screening on cigarette packages - no specific bill Vaccines Issues related to vaccines - no specific bill Regulatory FDA's proposed rule to eliminate menthol cigarettes Issues related to Medicare physician payment Issues related to implementation of the No Surprises Act Issues related to telehealth Issues related to Medicare Advantage Star Rating Health Equity Index calculation HIPAA-related Reporting Requirements Involving the Change Healthcare Cyber Incident

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

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Behavioral Health H. 8526, Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act Childcare Issues related to childcare - no specific bill Gun Safety Issues related to gun safety - no specific bill H.R. 4283, Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act Health Care S. 4503, A bill to prevent exploitative private equity practices, and for other purposes Issues related to health care/universal access to quality, equitable, affordable coverage - no specific bill Issues related to mental and behavioral health care - no specific bill Issues related to Private Equity/Healthcare - no specific bill H.R. 9001, Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act Health Care Workforce Issues related to health care workforce shortages - no specific bill Issues related to the affordability of medical education and federal loan programs - no specific bill Issues related to scope of practice - no specific bill Issues related to the Department of Veterans Affairs Federal Supremacy Project - no specific bill Demographic data collection - no specific bill H.R. 1667, Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act H.R. 2389/S. 1302, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act H.R. 6205/S. 3211, the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act HIV/AIDS Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Immigration Issues related to Immigration - no specific bill H.R. 4942/ S. 665, the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act Protecting Immigrant Families (PIF) Campaign Infrastructure Issues related to broadband access - no specific bill Issues related to the Build Back Better framework - no specific bill Interoperability/ONC Issues related to interoperability and information blocking - no specific bill Maternal Health and Reproductive Health S. 4381, Right to Contraception Act S. 4368, IVF Protection Act S.4304/H.R.8317MAMAS First Act Issues related to maternal health - no specific bill S. 712, The Connected Maternal Online Monitoring (MOM) Act Medical Education Issues related to the affordability of medical education - no specific bill Issues related to student loan forgiveness - no specific bill Support for physicians, residents and medical students - no specific bill Medicare/Medicaid S. 4532 / H.R. 8702, Seniors Timely Access to Care Act Cigna Modifier 25 Budget neutrality rules in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule - no specific bill H.R. 6445 / S. 2377, Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act H.R. 2474 the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R. 6545 Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act H.R. 6683 Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023 H.R.2173 the Improving Care and Access to Nurses Act H.R.2670 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act H.R. 5013/S. 3503, the Value in Health Care (VALUE) Act S. 4935, Physician Fee Stabilization Act H.R.10073, Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024 H.R. 8816, the American Medical Innovation and Investment Act of 2024 H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act Issues related to Medicare physician payment - no specific bill Issues related to Medicare/Medicaid - no specific bill Issues related to prior authorization and administrative simplification - no specific bill Issues related to Medicare Advantage - no specific bill Nutrition Issues related to nutrition and food security - no specific bill Issues related to SNAP funding - - no specific bill Opioids/ Substance Use Disorder LABEL Opioids Act of 2023 MATE ACT Adds New Education Mandate for 8 Hours of Continuing Education on Opioid Treatment S.1785, STOP Fentanyl Overdoses Act of 2023 H.R. 4531/S.3393 Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act S. 644 - the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act (MOTAA) S. 3418 Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency (CARE) Act Issues related to opioids and substance use disorder - no specific bill Prescription Drug Pricing Issues related to prescription drug pricing - no specific bill S. 470/HR 977, The Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act Publications Open access to information based on publicly funded research - no specific bill Request for Information for NIH Plan to Enhance Public Access to the Results of NIH-Supported Research Issues related to scholarly and scientific publishing and public access - no specific bill H.R. 9378, Sunshine Act of 2023 Racial Justice/Health Equity Issues related to racial justice/health care equity - no specific bill Health disparities and protecting vulnerable populations - no specific bill Issues related to equitable policies around blood, tissue donations - no specific bill Surprise Billing Issues related to surprise billing - no specific bill Issues related to the implementation of the No Surprises Act - no specific bill Telehealth H.R.8261, the Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act H.R.4189, the CONNECT for Health Act of 2023 H.R.7623, the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 H.R.1843, the Telehealth Expansion Act of 2023 Issues related to telehealth - no specific bill Issues related to telebehavioral health access - no specific bill Issues related to physician licensing - no specific bill Issues related to telehealth PHE flexibilities/waivers - no specific bill Tobacco Issues related to prohibiting sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars - no specific bill Issues related to increasing awareness about lung cancer screening on cigarette packages - no specific bill Vaccines Issues related to vaccines - no specific bill Regulatory FDA's proposed rule to eliminate menthol cigarettes Issues related to Medicare physician payment Issues related to implementation of the No Surprises Act Issues related to telehealth Issues related to Medicare Advantage Star Rating Health Equity Index calculation HIPAA-related Reporting Requirements Involving the Change Healthcare Cyber Incident

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

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

HR2389/S1302 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act S2333 - Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Act Health Workforce Resilience Act S665/HR 4942 Conrad 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act CLIA Waiver CURES 2.0 To prevent across-the-board direct spending cuts Cytotechnologist labor rates Remote digital telepathology S 1000/HR 2377 SALSA HR 977 - legislation that would repeal provisions prohibiting self-referrals to new or expanded POHs. HR 1202/S 704 - REDI Act HR2761/S 705 - SPARC Act HR 2764/S1229 - Green New Deal for Health HR 3248 - Diagnostic Lab Testing Transparency Act H.R. 3561, the Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency (PATIENT) Act of 2023 Student loan repayment for FPs HR 4527 - HEALTH DATA Act Primary Care and Health Workforce Expansion Act S 1994 Counting Veterans Cancer Act HR 4875 Doctors in our Borders Act HR 2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024 HR 6683 - Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023 Gene Therapy Precision Medicine Answers for Kids Today Act S.3018/H.R.3173 the Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2021 Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act PREVAIL HR 6371 - budget neutrality bill EDUCATE Act - Murphy DEI Bill HR 2369 - VALID Act FDA final rule on LDTs Pandemic All-Hazards Preparedness Act H.R.9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 S.2140/H.R. 9474, the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2023 S.1451 / H.R. 3120 - Healthy Competition for Better Care Act H.R. 9572 - Enhanced Enforcement of Health Coverage Act H.R. 6025/S. 3211 - Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act Cures 2.1 H.R. 10073, Medicare patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024 S. 4935, Physician Fee Stabilization Act H.R. 5392, The Timely Access to Coverage Decisions Act of 2023 Medical Lab Personnel Shortage Relief Act H.R. 9572 Enhanced Enforcement of Health Coverage Act Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act

Client expense: $126,566 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

S 765/HR 1526: Reducing Hereditary Cancer Act of 2023- provide hereditary cancer genetic testing Increasing access to telehealth S 2016/HR 4189: CONNECT for Health Act- expands access to telehealth services Medicare physician payment reforms HR 2474: Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act- physician reimbursement HR 5013: Value in Health Care Act of 2023 - provides a multi-year commitment to reforming care delivery by extending MACRA's 5 percent advanced APM incentives for an additional two years. S 3503: Value in Health Care Act of 2023 - A bill to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to revise certain regulations in relation to the Medicare shared savings program and other alternative payment arrangements to encourage participation in such program, and for other purposes HR 6371: Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023 - To provide for certain adjustments to the physician fee schedule under the Medicare program. H.R. 6369: To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models - Extend incentive payments for participation in alternative payment models HR 3674: Providing Relief and Stability for Medicare Patients Act of 2023 - increase the nonfacility practice expense relative value units for specified services furnished under the Medicare program Reducing burdens caused by prior authorization requirements HR 4968: GOLD CARD Act of 2023 - exempt qualifying providers from prior authorization requirements under Medicare Advantage plans S 2372/HR 4758: Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act - improve childrens access to needed out-of-state health care by streamlining Medicaid provider screening and enrollment processes. HR 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 S 2764/HR 5391: Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act of 2023 - ensures patients will be able to access critical medications and providers will be reimbursed fairly, unaffected by drug pricing negotiations between Medicare and drug manufacturers. S 2345/HR 4714: Pediatricians Accelerate Childhood Therapies Act of 2023 - requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to make awards to support early-career pediatric researchers. It also provides statutory authority for the NIH Pediatric Research Consortium to coordinate pediatric research across national health research institutions. S 3967/HR 7623: Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 - permanently extends telehealth flexibilities for Medicare beneficiaries. S 4518/HR 8702: To Amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish requirements with respect to the use of prior authorization under Medicare Advantage plans - prior authorization HR 7384: Creating Hope Reauthorization Act of 2024 - This bill extends until FY2029 a Food and Drug Administration program that awards priority review vouchers to manufacturers of drugs that treat rare pediatric diseases. HR 8412: Clinical Trial Modernization Act - To modernize clinical trials and remove barriers for participation in clinical trials, and for other purposes. S 2407/HR 4818: Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023 - Expands Medicare coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity. HR 6545: Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act - To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to make improvements to the physician fee schedule under the Medicare program. HR 6683: Preserving Seniors' Access to Physicians Act of 2023 - This bill increases payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2024. S 4935: Physician Fee Stabilization Act - A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to update the budget neutrality threshold under the Medicare physician fee schedule. S. 4905: Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act of 2024 - Ensure that children with rare diseases can benefit from new and innovative treatments. H.R. 6664: Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act of 2023 - To encourage innovation in the development of pediatric drugs, and for other purposes. S. 4349: Electronic Prior Authorization for Prescription Drugs Act - A bill to require private health plans to provide for secure electronic transmission of prior authorization requests for prescription drugs.

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

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

HR 4315/S3977 - Medicare Orthotics & Prosthetics Patient Centered Care Act: Advocate for passage to stop fraud in the provision of orthotics and prosthetics and to ensure access to needed orthotic devices. HR 4878/S 2459 - EMPOWER Act: Advocate for passage of EMPOWER Act, which would change the Medicare supervision requirement for occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in private practice from "direct" supervision to match state standards and require GAO student of impact of 15% reimbursement cut for OTAs and PTAs in rural and medically underserved areas. H.R. 2474 - Strengthen Medicare for Patients and Providers Act: Support passage. No bill number - Advocate for introduction of legislation allowing occupational therapy practitioners to opt-out of Medicare. No bill number - Support legislation that will reverse the current Medicare multiple procedure payment reduction for therapy services. No bill number Support legislation that will improve the ability of therapy providers to participate in Medicare quality payment programs. HR 3875/S 2880 - Expanded Telehealth Access Act: Advocate for passage in the House and Senate to establish occupational therapists as telehealth providers in Medicare. H.R.7623/S.3967 - Telehealth Modernization Act: Advocate for passage of bill that would among other things establish occupational therapists as telehealth providers in Medicare. S. 2016 and HR 4189 - CONNECT for Health Act: Advocate to revise provisions of legislation to specifically establish occupational therapists as telehealth providers in Medicare. H.R. 8261 - Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act: Advocate for passage of bill that would extend waivers allowing OTs to provide services via telehealth in Medicare. H.R.8151 - Telehealth Therapy Act: Advocate for passage of bill that would allow OTs to provide services via telehealth in Medicare on a permanent basis. H.R.7148 - Medicare Home Health Accessibility Act: Advocate for passage of legislation that would establish occupational therapy as a qualifying Medicare home health service and for introduction of similar bill in the Senate. S. 1592/H.R.8220 - Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Parity Act: Support passage. S. 2942 WELL Seniors Act - support passage H.R. 6371 Provider Reimbursement Stability Act - support passage H.R. 6545 Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act - support passage H.R. 6683 Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act - support passage S. 3430 Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act - support passage S. 2433/S. 3106/H.R. 4079 Substance-Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities (SUPPORT) Act - support passage H.R.7279 REDUCE Act: Supported introduction and passage. H.R. 7618 Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act: Supported introduction and passage. S. 5023 support Stand Strong Falls Prevention Act Support Congressional efforts to stop cuts to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Support inclusion of a repeal of the Multiple Procedure payment reduction in Medicare Fee Schedule Reform

Client expense: $189,000 · 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 Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventive Health Savings Act, H.R. 766, to enable CBO to capture cost-savings associated with preventive health care legislation beyond existing 10-year window, for two additional 10-year periods. Support Value-Based Care: Urged support of the Value in Health Care Act of 2023. The bill provides a multi-year commitment to reforming care delivery by extending MACRAs 5 percent advanced alternative payment models (APM) incentives that are scheduled to expire at the end of the year. It also gives the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) authority to adjust APM qualifying thresholds so that the current one-size-fits-all approach does not serve as a disincentive to including rural, underserved, primary care or specialty practices in APMs. The bill removes revenue-based distinctions that disadvantage rural and safety net providers, which is critical to improving access to care and improving health equity. The bill also improves financial benchmarks so that APM participants are not penalized for their own success. To allow more clinicians to continue the transition to value, the bill establishes a voluntary track for accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the Medicare Shared Savings Program to take on higher levels of risk and provides technical assistance for clinicians new to APMs. Lastly, the bill seeks to provide parity between APMs and the Medicare Advantage (MA) program by studying ways to increase alignment that will ease burdens on physicians and ensure that both APMs and MA are attractive and sustainable options. ACP supports extending incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models through 2026. This approach would help to maintain incentives that support physicians transition from a volume-based fee-for-service health care system to one that is based on the value and quality outcomes of health care delivered to the patient. Supported H.R. 6369 by Rep. Kim Schrier to extend incentive payments for participation in eligible alternative payment models. ACP supports H.R. 5395, the SURS Extension Act, which would extend the Quality Payment Program-Small Practice, Underserved, and Rural Support (QPP-SURS) program for fiscal years 2024-2029. This program was established under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and has provided direct assistance to eligible clinicians required to participate in MIPS. ACP supports efforts to streamline the number of quality measures physicians must report on and enhance stakeholder engagement. Supported the Fewer Burdens for Better Care Act of 2023, which would emphasize multi-stakeholder input, with a 30-day comment period for stakeholders to comment on the removal of measures from the Medicare program. Pricing Transparency/Consolidation: Supported several provisions of H.R. 5378, Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, which are consistent with our policy and would improve access to and affordability of health care for patients. This bill brings together H.R. 4822, Health Care Price Transparency Act of 2023, H.R. 3561, Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act of 2023 or the PATIENT Act of 2023 and other related bills reported out of Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Education and Workforce Committees. Supported requiring disclosure of changes in hospital or health facility ownership to reveal when private equity firms acquire hospitals, larger physician practices or nursing homes, promote price transparency among hospitals, health plans and pharmacy benefit managers and promote site neutrality for Medicare and Medicare beneficiaries. We further supported the reauthorization and funding increases included for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, Community Health Center program and National Health Service Corps. Supported Section 4 of H.R. 2880, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act, which aims to increase PBM data reporting to enhance transparency for Medicare Part D. Specifically, it would set out new requirements for PBMs to report data on rebates and administrative fees to HHS. It would also require that HHS deidentify the data and make it publicly available so that policy makers and the public will have a better understanding of how rebates and administrative fees impact the costs of drug plans. The Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148, P.L. 111-152): Urged legislation to extend permanently the premium tax subsidies afforded under the ACA. Supported H.R. 1692, the Health Care Affordability Act of 2023, by Rep. Underwood to permanently extend the premium tax credit subsidies under the ACA. The law provides consumers with subsidies (premium tax credits) that lower costs for households with incomes between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). It expands the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below 138 percent of the FPL. Supportive of S. 8, Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act to expand the eligibility of taxpayers for the refundable tax credit for coverage under a qualified health plan and increase cost-sharing subsidies under the ACA. We support similar legislation introduced by Sen. Shaheen in the Senate. FY2025 Appropriations: Urged Congress to support funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's programs in the FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill as well as funding shared evenly between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct public health research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention. Advocated for funding for the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA); Title Vi, Section 747, Primary Care Training and Enhancement (PCTE), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); National Health Service Corps (NHSC); Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH). Urged Congress to include report language in the FY2025 Labor HHS appropriations bill to direct the GAO to conduct a study encompassing the last decade of CMS estimates of new and revised code utilizations. ACP believes CMS has overestimated utilizations, thus adversely affecting available funds in the Medicare physician fee schedule for other code usage. While the House and Senate bills included language, we prefer the stronger House version language. Urged Congress to support year-end Continuing Resolution (CR) that contained PBM reform, averting Medicare physician payment cuts by 2.5%, provided bonus payment to physicians participating in APMs, and extended telehealth flexibilities adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic for 2 years. Also advocated that streamlined prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage plans be included in the CR. Women's Health: Urged HHS to support Title X funding and ensure unencumbered access to affordable, comprehensive, evidence-based reproductive health care; eliminate medically unnecessary restrictions and inappropriate political interference in the patient-physician relationship; and protect funding for and ensures consistent treatment of qualified service sites. Supported H.R. 459 and S. 323, the Secure Access for Essential Reproductive (SAFER) Health Act. This legislation would strengthen current health privacy laws to ensure that abortion-related health data cannot be shared without patient consent. It prohibits health care providers and insurance plans from disclosing in legal proceedings an individual's personal health information related to an abortion or pregnancy without the individual's valid authorization. The prohibition applies to federal, state, local, and tribal proceedings, including civil, criminal, administrative, and legislative proceedings. The bill provides limited exceptions such as if the information is necessary to investigate physical harm to the individual. We support the Senate Title X spending for pregnancy and family planning over the Houses bill, which eliminates funding in its bill. Primary Care and the Physician Workforce: Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R. 2389, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023, which increases the number of Medicare supported direct graduate medical education (DGME) and indirect medical education (IME) positions by 14,000 over seven years; Support efforts of the bipartisan Senate Working Group to add 10,000 GME slots in legislation; Cosponsor and pass S. 665, the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act, to allow states to sponsor foreign-trained physicians to work in medically underserved areas in exchange for a waiver of the physicians' two-year foreign residence requirement; Cosponsor and pass H.R. 1202/S. 704, the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act, to make it possible for residents to defer interest on their loans; Support inclusion in FY2024 appropriations legislation funding for Title VII Primary Care and Training Enhancement (PCTE) at $71 million to support and expand the pipeline for individuals training in primary care. Supported H.R.4986/S. 2577, which would refinance the interest rate for all existing federal student loans to zero percent. Further, it would cap interest rates for future student loan borrowers, while considering their financial needs. Prescription Drug Reform: Reviewed proposals to implement guidance by HHS for implementation of Inflation Reduction Act's prescription drug negotiation provisions. Supported H.R. 4895, the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act, to expand the number of prescription drugs which Medicare can negotiate under the Inflation Reduction Act from 20 to 50 starting in 2029. Supported H.R. 5385, the Medicare PBM Accountability Act. This legislation aims to lower the costs of prescription drugs for seniors covered by Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. It would require PBMs to submit annual reports to the Secretary of HHS on PBMs cost savings incurred from rebates, discounts, and price concessions. Supported H.R. 1352, the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2023. This legislation would encourage adoption of biosimilars in Medicare and improve biosimilar accessibility, by establishing a new pilot program - a voluntary, shared savings demonstration program - for providers of biosimilars in Medicare Part B. Supported H.R. 5386, the Cutting Copays Act. This legislation would eliminate cost-sharing for generic drugs for LIS beneficiaries, helping to incentivize the use of generic drugs. Supported H.R. 3009/S. 2362, the Drug Shortage Prevention Act of 2023, to require that manufacturers of over-the-counter and prescription drugs notify Food & Drug Administration when they are unlikely to meet demand. Social Determinants of Healthcare/DEI: Opposed the Educate Act, H.R. 7725/S. 4115, that will amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit graduate medical schools from receiving Federal financial assistance if such schools adopt certain policies and requirements relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Firearm Safety: (S.117): Urged Congress to support the Handgun Permit to Purchase Act (S. 117), legislation that would authorize grants to states to support handgun purchaser licensing programs. To qualify for the grants, states must require gun purchasers to be at least the age of 2I and be subject to a criminal background check. Urged Congress to support the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, H.R. 715, and the Background Check Expansion Act, S. 494 and Ethans Law, H.R. 660 and S. 173, requiring gun owners to safely and securely store their firearms. Supported the Keep Americans Safe Act, H.R. 625 and S. 298, which would ban the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of high-capacity gun magazines that hold more than fifteen rounds. Supported the Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act, H.R. 768 and S. 247 empowering family members and law enforcement to prevent gun violence by petitioning a court to temporarily separate an at-risk individual from firearms. Supported the FY2024 funding gun violence prevention research contained in FY24 Senate Labor-HHS-Ed appropriations bill for inclusion in any final FY24 appropriations bills. Administrative Burden: Urged Congress to codify many of these proposed improvements to the prior authorization process in the reintroduced the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, S.4532. This legislation was passed by the House in the last Congress and would reduce burdens associated with prior authorization in Medicare Advantage (MA) by: l) protecting beneficiaries from any disruptions in care due to prior authorization requirements as they transition between MA plans; 2) requiring all MA plans adopt electronic prior authorization capabilities to streamline the process for prior authorization approval; and 3) standardizing the process and procedures for reporting electronic prior authorization criteria to MA plans. Urged members of Congress to cosponsor and pass H.R.2630/S. 652, the Safe Step Act, to ensure patient access to appropriate treatments based on clinical decision-making and medical necessity rather than arbitrary step therapy protocols. Data Privacy: Supported American Privacy Rights Act, H.R. 8818, nations first comprehensive federal consumer data privacy framework. Bill was considered by House Energy and Commerce and would expand data privacy protections to entities not currently subject to HIPAA privacy protections. ACP asked for provisions enabling consumers to opt-out of allowing companies to use algorithms based on their personal data, allow states to further protect their residents and fully inform subjects of the nature and risks of the research. Scope of Practice: Opposed the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act, H.R. 1770/ S. 2477, which would expand Medicare coverage to permanently include select services provided by a pharmacist. Healthcare Worker Safety: Supported H.R. 6364, the Medicare Telehealth Privacy Act of 2023. This bill would ensure that HHS will not publicly post the addresses of participating telehealth practitioners to provide privacy protections for physicians so that they can effectively treat and care for patients via telehealth. Clinical Labs: Supported the provision in H.R. 6366 that would delay payment reductions and data reporting periods for the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA). Legislation could improve patient access to laboratory tests used to diagnose, monitor, prevent, and manage diseases for Medicare beneficiaries. Cures 2.0: Reviewed and supported Cures 2.0 legislation.

Client expense: $242,106 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), President of the U.S., SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

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

Client expense: $124,919 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), President of the U.S., SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

HR 1610, Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act: Increases access to covered services in Medicare for chiropractic beneficiaries. S 799, Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act: Increases access to covered services in Medicare for chiropractic beneficiaries. HR 2474, Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act: Adds a permanent, MEI based inflationary update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. HR 4366, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024: Lessened cuts to the Medicare physician fee schedule. HR 6371, The Provider Reimbursement Stability Act: Provides updates to direct costs used to calculate practice expense relative value units (RVUs). S. 4935, The Physician Fee Stabilization Act: Updates the budget neutrality threshold under the Medicare physician fee schedule. HR 10073, Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024:foregoes scheduled cuts in Medicare provider reimbursement and adds an inflationary adjustment. HR 10545, American Relief Act: Making further continuing appropriations for FY2025 and certain Medicare provisions.

Client expense: $62,350 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Enacting an annual, permanent inflationary payment update for Medicare physician payment that is tied to the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) (H.R. 2474); Budget Neutrality reforms (H.R. 6371); Overhaul of MACRAs Merit-based Incentive Payment System (No specific legislation 3rd Q 2024). Modifications to Alternative Payment Models (APM) (S. 3503/H.R. 5013). Support generally mitigating or stopping impending cut to the Medicare physician fee schedule conversion factor for CY2025.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $21,600

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Support the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, (H.R. 2474), which provides a permanent annual update equal to the increase in the MEI, and the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act (H.R. 6371), which would reform budget neutrality requirements. Generally support elimination or reduction in scheduled Medicare physician fee schedule conversion factor for CY205. Support repeal of the Medicare Appropriate Use Criteria Program for advanced diagnostic imaging. No specific legislation

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $22,500

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Support to Codify and enhance CMS regulations that advance interoperability and improve prior authorization in Medicare Advantage plans (H.R. 8702 / S. 4518) Support (H.R. 2474) that would provide Medicare payments for physician services with an annual inflationary update based on the Medicare Economic Index, similar to updates received by other health care providers. Revise budget neutrality requirements and triggers by supporting and passing the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act (H.R. 6371). Reduce administrative and financial burden of participation in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System. No specific legislation

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

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Legislation and policies related to: Physician/nurse practitioner reimbursement Provisions of the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148) Adoption of recommendations of the National Academy of Medicine report, The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity Extension of Medicare and Medicaid waivers beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency Medicare and Medicaid restrictions related to telehealth services Medicaid maintenance of effort requirements Medicaid eligibility expansion and state options Medicaid waiver application procedures H.R. 704/S.260, Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act H.R. 2583/S. 3481, Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2023 H.R. 2724, Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R. 3432/S. 3651, Telemental Health Care Access Act H.R. 3836, Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act H.R. 5434/S. 3138, Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act H.R. 6371, Provider Reimbursement Stability Act H.R. 6683, Preserving Seniors Access to Physicians Act of 2023 H.R. 7623/S. 3967, Telehealth Modernization Act H.R. 7711, Advancing Access to Telehealth Act S. 198, Rural Health Clinic Burden Reduction Act S. 2016/H.R. 4189, Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2023 S. 1586/H.R. 3623, Educating Future Nurses Act

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $24,000

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

Monitor federal issues and legislation associated with health care policy. Monitor federal and legislative activity related to Medicare reimbursement. Monitor federal and legislative activity related to drug pricing. Monitoring and outreach on legislative activity related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the federal governments response. FY2024 Defense Appropriations Act Fiscal 2024 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations P.L. 116-136, CARES Act P.L. 113-5 Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act (PAHPRA) S. 127 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act H.R. 830 - The HELP Copays Act S. 1375 - HELP Copays Act H.R. 1202 - Resident Education Deferred Interest Act, or REDI Act S. 704 - REDI Act S. 665, HR 4942 - Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act H.R. 2389 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act S. 1302 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act H.R. 2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act S. 652, H.R. 2630 - Safe Step Act S. 1339 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act H.R. 2670 - National Defense Authorization Act H.R. 2816 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Sunshine and Accountability Act H.R. 2679 - Pharmacy Benefits Manager Accountability Act H.R. 2474 - The Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R.6371 - Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023 S. 2764 - Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act H.R. 5391 - Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act Appropriation legislation related to Medicare Physician Payments cuts implemented in 2024 Appropriations legislation related to the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program Appropriations legislation related to the National Institutes of Health S. 705 - Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care (SPARC) Act H.R. 2761 - Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care (SPARC) Act H.R. 8702 - Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024 S. 4532 - Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024 H.R. 6664 - The Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act S. 4349 - Prior Authorization for Prescription Drugs Act HR. 6487 - No Fees for EFTs Act S. 3805 - No Fees for EFTs Act S. 4935 - Physician Fee Stabilization Act H.R. 7623 - Telehealth Modernization Act S. 3967 - Telehealth Modernization Act H.R. 7153 - Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Reauthorization Act S. 3679 - Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Reauthorization Act H.R. 6545 - Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act

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

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

Monitor federal issues and legislation associated with health care policy. Monitor federal and legislative activity related to Medicare reimbursement. Monitor federal and legislative activity related to drug pricing. Monitoring and outreach on legislative activity related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the federal governments response. FY2024 Defense Appropriations Act Fiscal 2024 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations P.L. 116-136, CARES Act P.L. 113-5 Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act (PAHPRA) S. 127 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act H.R. 830 - The HELP Copays Act S. 1375 - HELP Copays Act H.R. 1202 - Resident Education Deferred Interest Act, or REDI Act S. 704 - REDI Act S. 665, HR 4942 - Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act H.R. 2389 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act S. 1302 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act H.R. 2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act S. 652, H.R. 2630 - Safe Step Act S. 1339 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act H.R. 2670 - National Defense Authorization Act H.R. 2816 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Sunshine and Accountability Act H.R. 2679 - Pharmacy Benefits Manager Accountability Act H.R. 2474 - The Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R.6371 - Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023 S. 2764 - Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act H.R. 5391 - Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act Appropriation legislation related to Medicare Physician Payments cuts implemented in 2024 Appropriations legislation related to the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program Appropriations legislation related to the National Institutes of Health S. 705 - Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care (SPARC) Act H.R. 2761 - Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care (SPARC) Act H.R. 8702 - Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024 S. 4532 - Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024 H.R. 6664 - The Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act S. 4349 - Prior Authorization for Prescription Drugs Act HR. 6487 - No Fees for EFTs Act S. 3805 - No Fees for EFTs Act S. 4935 - Physician Fee Stabilization Act H.R. 7623 - Telehealth Modernization Act S. 3967 - Telehealth Modernization Act H.R. 7153 - Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Reauthorization Act S. 3679 - Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Reauthorization Act H.R. 6545 - Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act

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

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

Monitor federal issues and legislation associated with health care policy. Monitor federal and legislative activity related to Medicare reimbursement. Monitor federal and legislative activity related to drug pricing. Monitoring and outreach on legislative activity related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the federal governments response. FY2024 Defense Appropriations Act Fiscal 2024 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations P.L. 116-136, CARES Act P.L. 113-5 Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act (PAHPRA) S. 127 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act H.R. 830 - The HELP Copays Act S. 1375 - HELP Copays Act H.R. 1202 - Resident Education Deferred Interest Act, or REDI Act S. 704 - REDI Act S. 665, HR 4942 - Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act H.R. 2389 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act S. 1302 - Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act H.R. 2474 - Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act S. 652, H.R. 2630 - Safe Step Act S. 1339 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act H.R. 2670 - National Defense Authorization Act H.R. 2816 - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Sunshine and Accountability Act H.R. 2679 - Pharmacy Benefits Manager Accountability Act H.R. 2474 - The Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act H.R.6371 - Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2023 S. 2764 - Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act H.R. 5391 - Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act Appropriation legislation related to Medicare Physician Payments cuts implemented in 2024 Appropriations legislation related to the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program Appropriations legislation related to the National Institutes of Health S. 705 - Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care (SPARC) Act H.R. 2761 - Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care (SPARC) Act H.R. 8702 - Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024 S. 4532 - Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024 H.R. 6664 - The Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act S. 4349 - Prior Authorization for Prescription Drugs Act HR. 6487 - No Fees for EFTs Act S. 3805 - No Fees for EFTs Act S. 4935 - Physician Fee Stabilization Act H.R. 7623 - Telehealth Modernization Act S. 3967 - Telehealth Modernization Act H.R. 7153 - Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Reauthorization Act S. 3679 - Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Reauthorization Act H.R. 6545 - Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act

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

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

Medicare Physician Payments; H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, creates a single conversion factor for all physicians for physician payments through Medicare and increased payments based on the Medicare Economic Index every year. Submitted extensive comments to CMS regarding the Physician Fee Schedule. CMS has proposed a 2.8% cut to cardiothoracic surgery reimbursement, problematic updates to the globals, and is prematurely transitioning away from MIPS. Submitted comments to representatives Dianne DeGette and Larry Bucshon regarding their request for information on the 21st Century Cures Act. Data Sharing; H.R. 9805, the Access to Claims Data Act, would allow surgeons and other providers comprehensive access to federal claims data. This would help identify trends, improve treatment protocols, and ultimately ensure better patient outcomes. H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act, provides certain adjustments to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Support for a national coverage determination for Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement (TTVR) therapy. Lung Cancer Screening; H.R. 4286, the Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act, provides for coverage without prior authorization requirements of annual lung cancer screenings under Medicaid and expands coverage of counseling and pharmaceuticals for tobacco cessation. Access to Care: H.R. 4758 / S. 2372, the Accelerating Kid's Access to Care Act would establish a voluntary pathway for qualified providers providing specialized care to children that is not available locally to enroll in other states' Medicaid of CHIP programs without delay.

Client expense: $157,711 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Asking Congress to cosponsor H.R. 2474, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, which would align Medicare physician payments with other sectors of Medicare by adding a mandatory annual inflation update. To also cosponsor H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act, which would increase the budget-neutrality threshold, set limits on conversion factor variance, and allow CMS to enhance accountability and stability within the physician payment system. Support H.R. 5625, the Fentanyl Awareness for Children and Teens in Schools (FACTS) Act, which would help to address the opioid crisis by making naloxone available in school settings. Support H.R. 5420 / S. 2948, the Workplace Overdose Reversal Kits (WORK) to Save Lives Act which would require opioid overdose reversal medications to be in federal buildings and create non-mandatory guidance for private employers on how to obtain these medications; both important measures to reduce opioid overdose fatalities. Support H.R. 6161, the Supporting Access to Vital and Affordable Care for Everyone (SAVE) Act, which would make access to over-the-counter naloxone more affordable by ensuring it qualifies as a deductible medical expense.

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

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)