Loading…
Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016
Legislative Progress
Momentum (last 30 days)
0
score
0 actions · 0 new cosponsors · 0 votes
Speed vs cohort
78pct
8d open
vs 3,548 other S bills in the 114th — cohort avg 43d
Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 This bill codifies, revises, and makes permanent the Veterans Choice Program (VCP) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VCP is enlarged to include additional health care providers that meet specified VA criteria. Veterans eligibility provisions are revised, including by: eliminating the August 1, 2014, deadline for enrollment in the VA patient enrollment system; requiring that a veteran does not live within 40 miles driving distance of a VA medical facility with a full-time primary care physician or within 20 miles of a VA medical facility that provides hospital care, emergency medical services, and surgical care rated as having a surgical complexity of standard; and providing eligibility for a veteran enrolled in the VCP pilot program that provides hospital or medical care through qualifying non-VA health care providers to veterans in highly rural areas. Medical service rate exceptions are provided for: (1) highly rural areas, (2) Alaska, and (3) states that have an All-Payer Model Agreement. The VA shall provide for a nationwide claims processing system. The following VA programs, contracts, and agreements shall be consolidated into the VCP by December 31, 2017: the patient-centered community care program; contracts for kidney dialysis services; contracts through the retail VA pharmacy network; and health care agreements with federal entities or federally-funded entities, including the Department of Defense, the Indian Health Service, tribal health programs, federally-qualified health centers, and academic teaching affiliates. VCP funds shall be derived from the appropriations account established under the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015. The VA shall ensure that VCP health care provider payments comply with the Prompt Payment Act and the requirements of this bill. VCP claims, with a limited exception, must be submitted electronically as of January 1, 2019. The VA shall establish an electronic claims interface by such date. This bill terminates certain provisions authorizing medical care through non-VA facilities. The Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 is amended to extend the pilot program under which the VA provides covered health services in highly rural areas to covered veterans through qualifying non-VA health care providers. The VA may, if unable to furnish hospital care, medical services, or extended care at VA facilities or under other authorized contracts or sharing agreements, enter into a Veterans Care Agreement with an eligible provider to furnish such care and services. An eligible provider is: a physician, supplier, or service provider that has entered into an agreement under the Social Security Act; a provider of items and services receiving payments under a state Medicaid plan; an aging and disability resource center, an area agency on aging, or a center for independent living; or a provider located in a health shortage area. The VA shall reimburse an ambulance provider or other entity that provides emergency transportation to a non-VA facility for a veteran who is an active VA health care participant who is personally liable for emergency treatment in a non-VA facility. A veteran seeking VA hospital care or medical services shall provide the VA with information about other health plan coverage. If the VA establishes or has established a presumption of service connection for disability compensation for a specified illness/condition incurred by a veteran who served at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the VA shall commence payment of such compensation within 90 days of: (1) establishing such presumption, or (2) enactment of this bill for such a presumption established prior to enactment.
These links require the bill number to appear in the filing's source-reported specific issue text. Client expenses and lobbying-firm income are separate disclosure fields.
Filing registrants (17)
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-558.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in Senate
Bills with similar content found using semantic analysis.
Sources: Congress.gov
2016 · first_quarter · Veterans
Lobbied for advance appropriations for VA health care to shield most employees in anticipation of additional furloughs. Lobbied against S 2646, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act, and S 2633, the Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act, and urged oversight of the problems veterans face with the current Choice program. HR 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 - continued lobbying for veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Lobbied for reintroduction of nurse staffing legislation. Continued lobbying against HR 1994 that strips every non-management VA employee of due process rights, including 100,000 veterans in VA workforce. Lobbied for HR 2999, Takano bill, to ensure accountability measures to reduce mismanagement while protecting whistleblowers and other employees harmed by retaliation or other prohibited personnel practices. Lobbied for S 1856, establishing highly effective mechanisms for increasing VA accountability while preserving due process rights of whistleblowers. Assures comprehensive accountability to improve management training and performance measures and curtails revolving door problem in VA. Lobbied against S 1082 and its reduction of accountability by stripping due process rights away from non-management VA employee, including VA whistleblowers and veterans. Supported Substitute Amendment by Sen Blumenthal. Supported S 1450, legislation to increase veterans access to care, improve efficiency, and aid in recruitment and retention of health care professionals by providing scheduling flexibility for emergency medicine physicians and physician assistants and hospitalists. Supported legislation for a reduction in the workload of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) employees working in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), specifically those who process traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and VR&E claims. Continued lobbying efforts to: --Provide and expand Title 38 bargaining rights and whistleblower; --Provide VA Canteen Service employees with Title 5 rights to appeal terminations. --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28 as Federal Nurses Week.
Client expense: $390,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Air Force, Dept of, Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Army, Dept of (Other), Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Defense Commissary Agency, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Navy, Dept of, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Marines, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2016 · second_quarter · Veterans
Lobbied against S 2646, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act, and S 2633, the Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act, and urged oversight of the problems veterans face with the current Choice program. HR 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 - continued lobbying for veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Lobbied for reintroduction of nurse staffing legislation. Continued lobbying against HR 1994 that strips every non-management VA employee of due process rights, including 114,000 veterans in VA workforce. Lobbied for HR 2999, Takano bill, to ensure accountability measures to reduce mismanagement while protecting whistleblowers and other employees harmed by retaliation or other prohibited personnel practices. Lobbied for S 1856, establishing highly effective mechanisms for increasing VA accountability while preserving due process rights of whistleblowers. Assures comprehensive accountability to improve management training and performance measures and curtails revolving door problem in VA. Lobbied against S 1082 and its reduction of accountability by stripping due process rights away from non-management VA employee, including VA whistleblowers and veterans. Supported Substitute Amendment by Sen Blumenthal. Supported S 1450, legislation to increase veterans access to care, improve efficiency, and aid in recruitment and retention of health care professionals by providing scheduling flexibility for emergency medicine physicians and physician assistants and hospitalists. Supported legislation for a reduction in the workload of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) employees working in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), specifically those who process traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and VR&E claims. Lobbied against: S 2958, a bill to establish a pilot program on partnership agreements to construct new facilities for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Discussion draft on VA comp and pen exams that changes standard of evidence. S. 2896, Care Veterans Deserve Act, a bill proposing to make VA Choice program permanent. HR 4138 - a bill to allow recoupment of reimbursements for VA work expenses. Rep McMorris Rodgers discussion draft, Caring for our Heroes in the 21st Century Act, to dismantle and privatize the VA health care system. S 2049 - Raised concerns in hearing statement regarding continuing medical education program for VA providers. Lobbied for: S. 2921, Veterans First Act, to protect due process rights of VA employees and expand health care and benefits for veterans. S 2946, a bill to extend law enforcement status to federal employees in VA, DOD, and other agencies. Lobbied to support and add more agencies. Continued lobbying efforts to: --Provide and expand Title 38 bargaining rights and whistleblower; --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28 as Federal Nurses Week.
2016 · third_quarter · Veterans
Lobbied against S 2646, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act, and S 2633, the Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act, and urged oversight of the problems veterans face with the current Choice program. Lobbied against the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) VA bonus provisions because of the extremely unfair and arbitrary pay-for provisions. HR 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 - continued lobbying for veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Lobbied for reintroduction of nurse staffing legislation. Continued lobbying against HR 1994 that strips every non-management VA employee of due process rights, including 114,000 veterans in VA workforce. Lobbied for HR 2999, Takano bill, to ensure accountability measures to reduce mismanagement while protecting whistleblowers and other employees harmed by retaliation or other prohibited personnel practices. Lobbied for S 1856, establishing highly effective mechanisms for increasing VA accountability while preserving due process rights of whistleblowers. Assures comprehensive accountability to improve management training and performance measures and curtails revolving door problem in VA. Lobbied against S 1082 and its reduction of accountability by stripping due process rights away from non-management VA employee, including VA whistleblowers and veterans. Supported Substitute Amendment by Sen Blumenthal. Supported S 1450, legislation to increase veterans access to care, improve efficiency, and aid in recruitment and retention of health care professionals by providing scheduling flexibility for emergency medicine physicians and physician assistants and hospitalists. Supported legislation for a reduction in the workload of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) employees working in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), specifically those who process traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and VR&E claims. Lobbied against: S 2958/HR 5099, a bill to establish a pilot program on partnership agreements to construct new facilities for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Discussion draft on VA comp and pen exams that changes standard of evidence. S. 2896, Care Veterans Deserve Act, a bill proposing to make VA Choice program permanent. HR 4138 - a bill to allow recoupment of reimbursements for VA work expenses. Rep McMorris Rodgers discussion draft, Caring for our Heroes in the 21st Century Act, to dismantle and privatize the VA health care system. S 2049 - Raised concerns in hearing statement regarding continuing medical education program for VA providers. HR 5620, lobbied against decreasing accountability at the VA that would severely undermine the rights of VA employees. Specifically, Amendment No. 1 by Rep Miller and Amendment No. 22 by Rep Lance. Lobbied for: S. 2921, Veterans First Act, to protect due process rights of VA employees and expand health care and benefits for veterans. S 2946, a bill to extend law enforcement status to federal employees in VA, DOD, and other agencies. Lobbied to support and add more agencies. HR 4150, Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Medical Staffing Recruitment and Retention Act as originally drafted. Lobbied against the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to HR 4150, which would prohibit the payment of physician assistant (PA) overtime under certain conditions. HR 5083, VA Appeals Modernization Act, that would ensure greater fairness and timeliness in the appeal process. Continued lobbying efforts to: --Provide and expand Title 38 bargaining rights and whistleblower; --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28,2016 as Federal Nurses Week.
2016 · fourth_quarter · Veterans
Lobbied against S 2646, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act, and S 2633, the Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act, and urged oversight of the problems veterans face with the current Choice program. Lobbied against the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) VA bonus provisions because of the extremely unfair and arbitrary pay-for provisions. HR 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 - continued lobbying for veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Lobbied for reintroduction of nurse staffing legislation. Continued lobbying against HR 1994 that strips every non-management VA employee of due process rights, including 114,000 veterans in VA workforce. Lobbied for HR 2999, Takano bill, to ensure accountability measures to reduce mismanagement while protecting whistleblowers and other employees harmed by retaliation or other prohibited personnel practices. Lobbied for S 1856, establishing highly effective mechanisms for increasing VA accountability while preserving due process rights of whistleblowers. Assures comprehensive accountability to improve management training and performance measures and curtails revolving door problem in VA. Lobbied against S 1082 and its reduction of accountability by stripping due process rights away from non-management VA employee, including VA whistleblowers and veterans. Supported Substitute Amendment by Sen Blumenthal. Supported S 1450, legislation to increase veterans access to care, improve efficiency, and aid in recruitment and retention of health care professionals by providing scheduling flexibility for emergency medicine physicians and physician assistants and hospitalists. Supported legislation for a reduction in the workload of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) employees working in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), specifically those who process traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and VR&E claims. Lobbied against: S 2958/HR 5099, a bill to establish a pilot program on partnership agreements to construct new facilities for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Discussion draft on VA comp and pen exams that changes standard of evidence. S. 2896, Care Veterans Deserve Act, a bill proposing to make VA Choice program permanent. HR 4138 - a bill to allow recoupment of reimbursements for VA work expenses. Rep McMorris Rodgers discussion draft, Caring for our Heroes in the 21st Century Act, to dismantle and privatize the VA health care system. S 2049 - Raised concerns in hearing statement regarding continuing medical education program for VA providers. HR 5620, lobbied against decreasing accountability at the VA that would severely undermine the rights of VA employees. Specifically, Amendment No. 1 by Rep Miller and Amendment No. 22 by Rep Lance. S 290, lobbied against Moran Amendment, which would allow recoupment of pension already earned by VA front line clinicians convicted of felonies based on conduct or performance, including physicians, dentists, RNs, and PAs. Lobbied for: S. 2921, Veterans First Act, to protect due process rights of VA employees and expand health care and benefits for veterans. S 2946, a bill to extend law enforcement status to federal employees in VA, DOD, and other agencies. Lobbied to support and add more agencies. HR 4150, Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Medical Staffing Recruitment and Retention Act as originally drafted. Lobbied against the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to HR 4150, which would prohibit the payment of physician assistant (PA) overtime under certain conditions and mandate unreasonable schedules for VA physicians. HR 5083, VA Appeals Modernization Act, that would ensure greater fairness and timeliness in the appeal process. Continued lobbying efforts to: --Provide and expand Title 38 bargaining rights and whistleblower; --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28,2016 as Federal Nurses Week.
2016 · fourth_quarter · Veterans
Lobbied against S 2646, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act, and S 2633, the Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act, and urged oversight of the problems veterans face with the current Choice program. Lobbied against the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) VA bonus provisions because of the extremely unfair and arbitrary pay-for provisions. HR 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 - continued lobbying for veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Lobbied for reintroduction of nurse staffing legislation. Continued lobbying against HR 1994 that strips every non-management VA employee of due process rights, including 114,000 veterans in VA workforce. Lobbied for HR 2999, Takano bill, to ensure accountability measures to reduce mismanagement while protecting whistleblowers and other employees harmed by retaliation or other prohibited personnel practices. Lobbied for S 1856, establishing highly effective mechanisms for increasing VA accountability while preserving due process rights of whistleblowers. Assures comprehensive accountability to improve management training and performance measures and curtails revolving door problem in VA. Lobbied against S 1082 and its reduction of accountability by stripping due process rights away from non-management VA employee, including VA whistleblowers and veterans. Supported Substitute Amendment by Sen Blumenthal. Supported S 1450, legislation to increase veterans access to care, improve efficiency, and aid in recruitment and retention of health care professionals by providing scheduling flexibility for emergency medicine physicians and physician assistants and hospitalists. Supported legislation for a reduction in the workload of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) employees working in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), specifically those who process traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and VR&E claims. Lobbied against: S 2958/HR 5099, a bill to establish a pilot program on partnership agreements to construct new facilities for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Discussion draft on VA comp and pen exams that changes standard of evidence. S. 2896, Care Veterans Deserve Act, a bill proposing to make VA Choice program permanent. HR 4138 - a bill to allow recoupment of reimbursements for VA work expenses. Rep McMorris Rodgers discussion draft, Caring for our Heroes in the 21st Century Act, to dismantle and privatize the VA health care system. S 2049 - Raised concerns in hearing statement regarding continuing medical education program for VA providers. HR 5620, lobbied against decreasing accountability at the VA that would severely undermine the rights of VA employees. Specifically, Amendment No. 1 by Rep Miller and Amendment No. 22 by Rep Lance. S 290, lobbied against Moran Amendment, which would allow recoupment of pension already earned by VA front line clinicians convicted of felonies based on conduct or performance, including physicians, dentists, RNs, and PAs. Lobbied for: S. 2921, Veterans First Act, to protect due process rights of VA employees and expand health care and benefits for veterans. S 2946, a bill to extend law enforcement status to federal employees in VA, DOD, and other agencies. Lobbied to support and add more agencies. HR 4150, Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Medical Staffing Recruitment and Retention Act as originally drafted. Lobbied against the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to HR 4150, which would prohibit the payment of physician assistant (PA) overtime under certain conditions and mandate unreasonable schedules for VA physicians. HR 5083, VA Appeals Modernization Act, that would ensure greater fairness and timeliness in the appeal process. Continued lobbying efforts to: --Provide and expand Title 38 bargaining rights and whistleblower; --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28,2016 as Federal Nurses Week.
| Republican |
| OK |
| James M. Inhofe | Republican | OK |
| Jerry Moran | Republican | KS |
| John Boozman | Republican | AR |
| John Hoeven | Republican | ND |
| Kelly Ayotte | Republican | NH |
| Mike Crapo | Republican | ID |
| Roy Blunt | Republican | MO |
| Shelley Moore Capito | Republican | WV |
| Steve Daines | Republican | MT |
| Thom Tillis | Republican | NC |
Client expense: $450,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Air Force, Dept of, Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Army, Dept of (Other), Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Defense Commissary Agency, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Navy, Dept of, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Marines, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
Client expense: $428,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Air Force, Dept of, Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Army, Dept of (Other), Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Defense Commissary Agency, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Navy, Dept of, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Marines, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
Client expense: $438,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Air Force, Dept of, Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Army, Dept of (Other), Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Defense Commissary Agency, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Navy, Dept of, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Marines, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
Client expense: $400,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Air Force, Dept of, Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Army, Dept of (Other), Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Defense Commissary Agency, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Navy, Dept of, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Marines, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2016 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
H.R. 6, 21st Century Cures Act (Upton) - new cures and treatments H.R. 34, 21st Century Cures Act (Upton) - medical innovation, mental health, health information technology, telehealth, opioid funding, privacy H.R. 636, Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act (Tiberi) - air ambulance amendments H.R. 691, Telehealth Modernization Act (Matsui-Johnson) - telemedicine H.R. 1189, Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act (Kline) - employee wellness programs H.R. 2300, Empowering Patients First Act (Price) - health reform issues H.R. 2646, Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act (Murphy) - compliance with parity requirements, mental health services H.R. 2712, Commonsense Reporting and Verification Act (Black) - employer reporting and eligibility verification for ACA subsidies H.R. 2745, Standard Merger and Acquisition Reviews Through Equal Rules Act (Farenthold) - FTC-DOJ rules for reviewing mergers H.R. 3099, RAISE Family Caregivers Act (Harper) - national strategy to support family caregivers H.R. 3463, Aligning Childrens Dental Coverage Act (Griffith-DeGette) - rules for stand-alone dental plans H.R. 4276, Behavioral Health Coverage Transparency Act (Kennedy) - disclosure requirements relating to mental health parity H.R. 4641, Best Practices for Pain Management (Brooks) - HHS Task Force to review, revise, and disseminate best practices for pain management H.R. 4771, HEALTH Act (Franks) - medical liability reforms H.R. 5284, World's Greatest Healthcare Plan Act (Sessions) - health reform issues Patient Choice, Affordability, Responsibility, and Empowerment Act (Burr-Hatch-Upton) - health reform issues S. 185, Promise for Antibiotics and Therapeutics for Health Act (Hatch) - FDA drug approval process S. 466, Quality Care for Moms and Babies Act (Stabenow) - pediatric quality measures S. 620, Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act (Alexander) - employee wellness programs S. 961, Data Security Act (Carper) - data security S. 1077, Advancing Breakthrough Devices for Patients Act (Burr) - priority review of breakthrough medical devices S. 1427, Quality Measure Alignment Act (Stabenow) - facilitating coordination and alignment between public and private sectors on quality and efficiency measures S. 1719, RAISE Family Caregivers Act (Collins) - national strategy to support family caregivers S. 1996, Commonsense Reporting Act (Warner) - employer reporting and eligibility verification for ACA subsidies S. 2141, TRUST IT Act, (Cassidy) - health IT rating system S. 2646, Veterans Choice Improvement Act (Burr) - veterans health care S. 2680, Mental Health Reform Act (Alexander) - compliance with parity requirements, mental health services S. 2700, FDA and NIH Workforce Authorities Modernization Act (Alexander) - medical innovation amendments S. 2985, World's Greatest Healthcare Plan Act (Cassidy) - health reform issues S. 3244, Aligning Children's Dental Coverage Act (Roberts-Bennett) - rules for stand-alone dental plans Regulatory Issues: HIPAA administrative simplification issues, including standards for privacy, security, and electronic transactions and code sets (including ICD-10), identifiers including the health plan identifier, enforcement; cybersecurity; FEHBP enrollment data clearinghouse initiative, the enrollment reconciliation process, and a related OPM reimbursement factor for records that cannot be reconciled; issues relating to health insurance plan participation in FEHBP, including contract requirements; issues relating to similarly sized subscriber group (SSSG) and MLR requirements under the FEHBP; implementation of the health savings account provisions of the Medicare Act; issues related to Medicare Secondary Payer requirements; issues related to implementation of the National Health Information Infrastructure; electronic health records, personal health records, and similar technologies; issues relating to market consolidation; issues related to hospital consolidation; issues relating to quality improvement; issues related to potential priority research topics for the effective health care program; issues relating to the national health data stewardship; issues relating to hospital outpatient measurement and reporting; prescription drug pricing; issues relating to "meaningful use" requirements for health information technology; issues related to the collection of race and ethnicity data; issues related to medical loss ratios; reference pricing; review of rates for reasonableness; preexisting condition insurance plans; issues relating to antitrust; accountable care organizations; provider non-discrimination; coverage of preventive services; contraceptive coverage; pre-existing condition exclusions; lifetime and annual dollar limits on benefits; patient protections; grandfathered health plan provisions; issues relating to the annual fee on health insurance providers; health plan automatic enrollment requirements; issues related to qualified health plans including certification and rate filing templates; health insurance market rules; reinsurance, risk corridors, and risk adjustment (commonly referred to as the 3 Rs); dependent coverage; summary of benefits and coverage disclosures; benefit and payment parameters; essential health benefits, actuarial value, and accreditation; issues related to fraud, waste, abuse, Stark/Anti-Kickback laws and regulations; issues related to supplemental products; issues related to HIPAA excepted benefits; issues related to the federally-facilitated marketplaces (i.e., Exchanges/formerly referred to as the web portal); issues related to business continuity in relation to pandemics or natural events (e.g., hurricane, tornado, etc.); issues related to small employer group size; issues related to Certificate of Public Advantage; and other issues relating to health care reform implementation.
Client expense: $1,330,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2016 · fourth_quarter · Veterans
H.R. 6416 Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016 (All provisions) S. 2921 Veterans First Act (All provisions) H.R. 5620 VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016 (All provisions) S. 2646 Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 (All provisions) S. 2633 Improving Veterans Access to Care in Community Act (All provisions) Matters related to Veteran Affairs and construction of dialysis facilities
Client expense: $720,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2016 · fourth_quarter · Veterans
Veterans healthcare; S. 2633, Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act; S. 2646, Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $80,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Veterans
S.2000: The Veteran Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act and VA Provider Agreement and Proposal S.2646: Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 language focused on VA provider agreement AHCA monitored and lobbied on issues relating to the February 25, 2016, Markup of House VA Committee Chairman Millers Draft legislation, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into agreements with certain health care providers to furnish hospital care, medical services, and extended care to veterans. We monitored amendments relating to the draft legislation that were offered as well, and expressed our concerns on one in particular that was offered by Representative Takano. AHCA is following any VA provider agreement related language impacting SNFs.
Client expense: $930,000 · 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), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2016 · fourth_quarter · Veterans
PL 111-163: Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act; PL 112-56: 3% Withholding Repeal and Job Creation Act; PL 112-239: National Defense Authorization Act for FY2013; PL 112-56: VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act; S 1076/HR 2249: Disabled Military Child Protection Act of 2013; HR 3304: National Defense Authorization Act 2014; S 425/HR 474: Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2015; S 851: Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act; HR 294: Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act; HR 2072: Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act of 2013; PL 113-146: Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014; PL 113-175: Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014; PL 113-360: National Defense Authorization Act; S 657 Caregivers Expansion & Improvement Act of 2015; S 1085: Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act; HR 1843: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program to improve access to supportive services and community coordination for families of disabled veterans; S 901/HR 1769: Toxic Exposure Research Act; S 2633: Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act; S 2646: Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2015; S 2943/HR 4909: National Defense Authorization Act of FY2017; S 3198: State Veterans Home Adult Day Health Care Improvement Act of 2016; HR 5936: West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016; and HR 6416: Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016.
Client expense: $41,529 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Administration for Children & Families (ACF), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Council on Disability, SENATE, Transportation, Dept of (DOT), U.S. Architectural & Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ACCESS), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
2016 · fourth_quarter · Veterans
dialysis issues, S2646, S2633, S2921, HR6416
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $10,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Veterans
H.R. 218, the CHAMPVA Childerns Protection Act of 2015 H.R. 272, the Medal of Honor Priority Care Act H.R. 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act H.R. 353, the Veterans Access to Hearing Health Act of 2015 H.R. 356, the Wounded Warrior Employment Improvement Act H.R. 423, the Newborn Care Improvement Act H.R. 732, the Veterans Access to Speedy Review Act H.R. 1067, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Reform Act H.R. 1302, the VA Appeals Backlog Relief Act H.R. 1319, the Ask Veterans Act H.R. 1331, the Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act of 2015 H.R. 1338, the Dignified Interment of Our Veterans Act of 2015 H.R. 1356, the Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act of 2015 H.R. 1369, the Veterans Access to Extended Care Act of 2015 H.R. 1603, the Military Sexual Assault Victims Empowerment Act H.R. 1735, the National Defense Authorization Act H.R. 1769/ S. 901, the Toxic Exposure Research Act H.R. 1904 The Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act H.R. 2464, the Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act of 2015 H.R. 2605, the Veterans Fiduciary Reform Act of 2015 H.R. 2639 Marriage and Family Therapists for Veterans Act H.R. 2691, the Veterans Survivors Claims Processing Automation Act of 2015 H.R. 2915, the Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act H.R. 3016, the Veterans Employment, Education, and Healthcare Improvement Act H.R. 3216, the Veterans Emergency Treatment Act H.R. 3234, the Failing VA Medical Center Recovery Act H.R. 3471, the Veterans Mobility Safety Act of 2015 H.R. 3549, the VA Billing Accountability Act H.R. 3975/ S. 2277, the Veterans Homebuyer Accessibility Act H.R. 4144/ S. 2251, the Seniors and Veterans Emergency Benefits Act H.R. 4150, the Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Medial Staffing Recruitment and Retention Act H.R. 4764, the Puppies Assisting Wounded Service Members (PAWS) Act H.R. 5047, the Protecting Veterans Educational Choice Act H.R. 5083, the VA Appeals Modernization Act H.R. 5091 H.R. 5129/ S. 3141, the Protection and Advocacy for Veterans Act H.R. 5162, the Vet Connect Act of 2016 H.R. 5166/ S. 3081, the WINGMAN Act H.R. 5392, the No Veterans Crisis Line Should Go Unanswered Act H.R. 5407 H.R. 5420 H.R. 5416 H.R. 5620/ S. 3170, the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act H.R. 6416, the Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act S. 207, the Veterans Access to Community Care Act S. 425, the Veterans Homeless Programs, Caregiver Services and Other Improvements Act S. 469, the Women Veterans and Families Health Services Act of 2015 S. 471, the Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act S. 563, the Physician Ambassadors Helping Veterans Act S. 657, the Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act of 2015 S. 1085 "Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2015 S. 1117, the Ensuring Veteran Safety Through Accountability Act of 2015 S. 1203, the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery and Other Improvements Act S. 1450, the Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Medical Staffing Recruitment and Retention Act S. 1451, the Veterans Survivors Claims Processing Automation Act S. 1641, the Jason Simcakoski Memorial Opioid Safety Act S. 1938, the Career Ready Student Veterans Act S. 2000, the Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act S. 2013, the Los Angeles Homeless Veterans Leasing Act of 2015 S. 2106, the Wounded Warrior Employment Improvement Act S. 2179, the Veteran CARE Act S. 2279, the Veterans Health Care Staffing Improvement Act S. 2291, the VA Patient Protection Act S. 2487, the Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act S. 2520, the Newborn Care Improvement Act S. 2633, the Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act S. 2646, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act S. 2679, the Helping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act S. 2883, the Appropriate Care for Disabled Veterans Act S. 2896, the Care Veterans Deserve Act S. 2921, the Veterans First Act S. 3035, the Maximizing Efficiency and Improving Access to Providers at the Department of Veterans Affairs Act of 2016 S. 3055, the Department of Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance Re-authorization Act of 2016 Implementation of P.L. 113-146, the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act
Client expense: $67,802 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2016 · third_quarter · Veterans
Lobbied against S 2646, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act, and S 2633, the Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act, and urged oversight of the problems veterans face with the current Choice program. Lobbied against the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) VA bonus provisions because of the extremely unfair and arbitrary pay-for provisions. HR 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 - continued lobbying for veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Lobbied for reintroduction of nurse staffing legislation. Continued lobbying against HR 1994 that strips every non-management VA employee of due process rights, including 114,000 veterans in VA workforce. Lobbied for HR 2999, Takano bill, to ensure accountability measures to reduce mismanagement while protecting whistleblowers and other employees harmed by retaliation or other prohibited personnel practices. Lobbied for S 1856, establishing highly effective mechanisms for increasing VA accountability while preserving due process rights of whistleblowers. Assures comprehensive accountability to improve management training and performance measures and curtails revolving door problem in VA. Lobbied against S 1082 and its reduction of accountability by stripping due process rights away from non-management VA employee, including VA whistleblowers and veterans. Supported Substitute Amendment by Sen Blumenthal. Supported S 1450, legislation to increase veterans access to care, improve efficiency, and aid in recruitment and retention of health care professionals by providing scheduling flexibility for emergency medicine physicians and physician assistants and hospitalists. Supported legislation for a reduction in the workload of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) employees working in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), specifically those who process traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and VR&E claims. Lobbied against: S 2958/HR 5099, a bill to establish a pilot program on partnership agreements to construct new facilities for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Discussion draft on VA comp and pen exams that changes standard of evidence. S. 2896, Care Veterans Deserve Act, a bill proposing to make VA Choice program permanent. HR 4138 - a bill to allow recoupment of reimbursements for VA work expenses. Rep McMorris Rodgers discussion draft, Caring for our Heroes in the 21st Century Act, to dismantle and privatize the VA health care system. S 2049 - Raised concerns in hearing statement regarding continuing medical education program for VA providers. HR 5620, lobbied against decreasing accountability at the VA that would severely undermine the rights of VA employees. Specifically, Amendment No. 1 by Rep Miller and Amendment No. 22 by Rep Lance. Lobbied for: S. 2921, Veterans First Act, to protect due process rights of VA employees and expand health care and benefits for veterans. S 2946, a bill to extend law enforcement status to federal employees in VA, DOD, and other agencies. Lobbied to support and add more agencies. HR 4150, Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Medical Staffing Recruitment and Retention Act as originally drafted. Lobbied against the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to HR 4150, which would prohibit the payment of physician assistant (PA) overtime under certain conditions. HR 5083, VA Appeals Modernization Act, that would ensure greater fairness and timeliness in the appeal process. Continued lobbying efforts to: --Provide and expand Title 38 bargaining rights and whistleblower; --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28,2016 as Federal Nurses Week.
Client expense: $390,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Air Force, Dept of, Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Army, Dept of (Other), Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Defense Commissary Agency, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Navy, Dept of, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Marines, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2016 · third_quarter · Health Issues
H.R. 6, 21st Century Cures Act (Upton) - new cures and treatments H.R. 636, Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act (Tiberi) - air ambulance amendments H.R. 691, Telehealth Modernization Act (Matsui-Johnson) - telemedicine H.R. 1189, Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act (Kline) - employee wellness programs H.R. 2646, Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act (Murphy) - compliance with parity requirements, mental health services H.R. 2712, Commonsense Reporting and Verification Act (Black) - employer reporting and eligibility verification for ACA subsidies H.R. 2745, Standard Merger and Acquisition Reviews Through Equal Rules Act (Farenthold) - FTC-DOJ rules for reviewing mergers H.R. 3099, RAISE Family Caregivers Act (Harper) - national strategy to support family caregivers H.R. 3463, Aligning Childrens Dental Coverage Act (Griffith-DeGette) - rules for stand-alone dental plans H.R. 4276, Behavioral Health Coverage Transparency Act (Kennedy) - disclosure requirements relating to mental health parity H.R. 4641, Best Practices for Pain Management (Brooks) - HHS Task Force to review, revise, and disseminate best practices for pain management H.R. 4771, HEALTH Act (Franks) - medical liability reforms H.R. 5054, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (Aderholt) - 21st Century Cures provisions S. 185, Promise for Antibiotics and Therapeutics for Health Act (Hatch) - FDA drug approval process S. 466, Quality Care for Moms and Babies Act (Stabenow) - pediatric quality measures S. 524, Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (Whitehouse) - prescription opioid abuse S. 620, Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act (Alexander) - employee wellness programs S. 961, Data Security Act (Carper) - data security S. 1077, Advancing Breakthrough Devices for Patients Act (Burr) - priority review of breakthrough medical devices S. 1427, Quality Measure Alignment Act (Stabenow) - facilitating coordination and alignment between public and private sectors on quality and efficiency measures S. 1719, RAISE Family Caregivers Act (Collins) - national strategy to support family caregivers S. 1996, Commonsense Reporting Act (Warner) - employer reporting and eligibility verification for ACA subsidies S. 2141, TRUST IT Act, (Cassidy) - health IT rating system S. 2646, Veterans Choice Improvement Act (Burr) - veterans health care S. 2680, Mental Health Reform Act (Alexander) - compliance with parity requirements, mental health services S. 2700, FDA and NIH Workforce Authorities Modernization Act (Alexander) - medical innovation amendments S. 3040, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2017 (Blunt) - funding for HHS programs and agencies, ACA risk corridors program S. 3244, Aligning Children's Dental Coverage Act (Roberts-Bennett) - rules for stand-alone dental plans Regulatory Issues: HIPAA administrative simplification issues, including standards for privacy, security, and electronic transactions and code sets (including ICD-10), identifiers including the health plan identifier, enforcement; cybersecurity; FEHBP enrollment data clearinghouse initiative, the enrollment reconciliation process, and a related OPM reimbursement factor for records that cannot be reconciled; issues relating to health insurance plan participation in FEHBP, including contract requirements; issues relating to similarly sized subscriber group (SSSG) and MLR requirements under the FEHBP; implementation of the health savings account provisions of the Medicare Act; issues related to Medicare Secondary Payer requirements; issues related to implementation of the National Health Information Infrastructure; electronic health records, personal health records, and similar technologies; issues relating to market consolidation; issues related to hospital consolidation; issues relating to quality improvement; issues related to potential priority research topics for the effective health care program; issues relating to the national health data stewardship; issues relating to hospital outpatient measurement and reporting; prescription drug pricing; issues relating to "meaningful use" requirements for health information technology; issues related to the collection of race and ethnicity data; issues related to medical loss ratios; reference pricing; review of rates for reasonableness; preexisting condition insurance plans; issues relating to antitrust; accountable care organizations; provider non-discrimination; coverage of preventive services; contraceptive coverage; pre-existing condition exclusions; lifetime and annual dollar limits on benefits; patient protections; grandfathered health plan provisions; issues relating to the annual fee on health insurance providers; health plan automatic enrollment requirements; issues related to qualified health plans including certification and rate filing templates; health insurance market rules; reinsurance, risk corridors, and risk adjustment (commonly referred to as the 3 Rs); dependent coverage; summary of benefits and coverage disclosures; benefit and payment parameters; essential health benefits, actuarial value, and accreditation; issues related to fraud, waste, abuse, Stark/Anti-Kickback laws and regulations; issues related to supplemental products; issues related to HIPAA excepted benefits; issues related to the federally-facilitated marketplaces (i.e., Exchanges/formerly referred to as the web portal); issues related to business continuity in relation to pandemics or natural events (e.g., hurricane, tornado, etc.); issues related to small employer group size; issues related to Certificate of Public Advantage; and other issues relating to health care reform implementation.
Client expense: $1,710,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2016 · third_quarter · Veterans
S.2000: The Veteran Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act and VA Provider Agreement and Proposal S.2646: Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 language focused on VA provider agreement AHCA monitored and lobbied on issues relating to the February 25, 2016, Markup of House VA Committee Chairman Millers Draft legislation, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into agreements with certain health care providers to furnish hospital care, medical services, and extended care to veterans. We monitored amendments relating to the draft legislation that were offered as well, and expressed our concerns on one in particular that was offered by Representative Takano. AHCA is following any VA provider agreement related language impacting SNFs.
Client expense: $950,000 · 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), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2016 · second_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Medicare Program; Part B Drug Payment Model, Proposed rule, CMS-1670-P (March 11, 2016) - Provisions related to the Medicare Part B Drug Payment Model Medicaid Program: Covered Outpatient Drugs (CMS-2345-FC) - Provisions related to line extension drug definition, effective date and other issues S. 31: Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Secretary negotiation authority in Part D program S. 141: Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) repeal S. 480: National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Reauthorization Act of 2015 - Provisions related to the reauthorization of the national controlled substance monitoring program S. 648: Medicare Formulary Improvement Act of 2015 - Provisions related to codification of six protected classes in Part D program S. 1083: Medicare Drug Savings Act of 2015 - Provisions related to drug rebates in Medicare Part D S. 1913: Stopping Medication Abuse and Protecting Seniors Act of 2015 - Provisions related to programs to prevent prescription drug abuse under the Medicare program S. 2023: Prescription Drug Affordability Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Secretary negotiation authority in Part D program, Medicare and Medicaid rebates, resolution of government enforcement actions, and reporting of certain drug manufacturer expenditures S. 2646: Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 - Provisions related to TRICARE drug pricing S. 2981: A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to add standards for drug compendia for physician use for purposes of Medicaid payment for certain drugs, and for other purposes H.R. 22: FAST Act - Medicare related offsets to the biopharmaceutical industry H.R. 1190: Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act of 2015 - Provisions related to IPAB repeal H.R. 2005: Medicare Drug Savings Act of 2015 - Provisions related to changes to Part D rebates H.R. 2298: Medicare Patient Safety and Drug Abuse Prevention Act - Provisions related to the design of a Part D Lock-in program H.R. 3513: Prescription Drug Affordability Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Secretary negotiation authority in Part D program, Medicare and Medicaid rebates, resolution of government enforcement actions, and reporting of certain drug manufacturer expenditures H.R. 5122: To prohibit further action on the proposed rule regarding testing of Medicare part B prescription drug models - Suspending the Part B Drug Payment Model H.R. 5273: Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016 - Provisions related to exemption of hospitals that had off-site facilities under development Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Programs; Medicaid Managed Care, CHIP Delivered in Managed Care, and Revisions Related to Third Party Liability; Final rule [CMS-2390-F] - Provisions related to Medicaid Proposed Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) rule for 2016 (CMS-1633-P) Proposed Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS) rule for 2016 (CMS-1631-P) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) delivery system reform issues and regulatory barriers to innovation Medicare Part B Average Sales Price (ASP) policy issues Medicare Part D rebates policy issues Drug cost and pricing policy issues Transparency policy issues Medication adherence policy issues Alternative payment models policy issues Value-based arrangements policy issues Coding and reimbursement policy issues including for biologics Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) transparency policy issues MedPAC June Report - Part B and D policy issues Medicaid rebates/reformulations policy issues Non-interference policy issues
Client expense: $4,550,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), Natl Security Council (NSC), Office of the Vice President of the United States, Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2016 · third_quarter · Veterans
Veterans healthcare; S. 2633, Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act; S. 2646, Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $80,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · third_quarter · Veterans
S. 2646 The Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016. S. 2633 The Improving Veterans Access of Care in the Community Act. H.R. 800/S. 2473 The Express Appeals Act of 2016 H.R. 4144, H.R. 4012/S. 2251 The Seniors and Veterans Benefits Act. H.R. 2915/S. 2487 Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act.
Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · third_quarter · Veterans
Issues related to hospital care, medical services, and extended care to veterans; Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016, S.2646.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $60,000
Government targets: SENATE
2016 · third_quarter · Veterans
PL 111-163: Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act; PL 112-56: 3% Withholding Repeal and Job Creation Act; PL 112-239: National Defense Authorization Act for FY2013; PL 112-56: VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act; S 1076/HR 2249: Disabled Military Child Protection Act of 2013; HR 3304: National Defense Authorization Act 2014; S 425/HR 474: Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2015; S 851: Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act; HR 294: Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act; HR 2072: Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act of 2013; PL 113-146: Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014; PL 113-175: Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014; PL 113-360: National Defense Authorization Act; S 657 Caregivers Expansion & Improvement Act of 2015; S 1085: Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act; HR 1843: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program to improve access to supportive services and community coordination for families of disabled veterans; S 901/HR 1769: Toxic Exposure Research Act; S 2633: Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act; S 2646: Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2015; S 2943/HR 4909: National Defense Authorization Act of FY2017; S 3198: State Veterans Home Adult Day Health Care Improvement Act of 2016; and HR 5936: West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016.
Client expense: $91,261 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Administration for Children & Families (ACF), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Council on Disability, SENATE, Transportation, Dept of (DOT), U.S. Architectural & Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ACCESS), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
2016 · third_quarter · Veterans
S. 2921 Veterans First Act (All provisions) H.R. 5620 VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016 (All provisions) S. 2646 Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 (All provisions) S. 2633 Improving Veterans Access to Care in Community Act (All provisions) Matters related to Veteran Affairs and construction of dialysis facilities
Client expense: $650,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2016 · third_quarter · Health Issues
H.R.5926/S.3040, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, FY2017, Medical Center related initiatives Medical Center related initiatives Biomedical innovation legislation (Senate draft) H.R.6, 21st Century Cures Act Cancer Moonshot Initiative Monitor the following: H.R.3291, Medicare Crosswalk Hospital Code Development Act of 2015, generally H.R.3292, Medicare IME Pool Act of 2015, generally H.R.3288, Strengthening DSH and Medicare Through Subsidy Recapture and Payment Reform Act of 2015, generally H.R.4273/S.2409, Medicare and Medicaid Improvements and Adjustments Act of 2015, Medicare reimbursement issues Concussion issues, generally S.2624, National Biomedical Research Act S.320, Medical Innovation Act of 2015 S.2646, Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2015 S.2680, Mental Health Reform Act of 2016 Public Law 114-198, Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 H.R.5273, Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $30,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · third_quarter · Veterans
H.R. 216, the Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Planning Reform Act of 2015 H.R. 218, the CHAMPVA Childerns Protection Act of 2015 H.R. 271, the Creating Options for Veterans Expedited Recovery Act H.R. 272, the Medal of Honor Priority Care Act H.R. 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act H.R. 353, the Veterans Access to Hearing Health Act of 2015 H.R. 356, the Wounded Warrior Employment Improvement Act H.R. 359, the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act H.R. 421, the Classified Veterans Access to Care Act H.R. 423, the Newborn Care Improvement Act H.R. 732, the Veterans Access to Speedy Review Act H.R. 800/ S. 2473, the Express Appeals Act H.R. 1067, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Reform Act H.R. 1302, the VA Appeals Backlog Relief Act H.R. 1319, the Ask Veterans Act H.R. 1331, the Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act of 2015 H.R. 1338, the Dignified Interment of Our Veterans Act of 2015 H.R. 1356, the Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act of 2015 H.R. 1369, the Veterans Access to Extended Care Act of 2015 H.R. 1379 H.R. 1380 H.R. 1414, the Pay As You Rate Act H.R. 1603, the Military Sexual Assault Victims Empowerment Act H.R. 1735, the National Defense Authorization Act H.R. 1769/ S. 901, the Toxic Exposure Research Act H.R. 1862, the Veterans Credit Protection Act H.R. 1904 The Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act H.R. 1994/ S. 1082, the VA Accountability Act of 2015 H.R. 2001, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act H.R. 2214, the Disabled Veterans Access to Medical Exams Improvement Act H.R. 2344, the Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Improvement Act H.R. 2464, the Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act of 2015 H.R. 2605, the Veterans Fiduciary Reform Act of 2015 H.R. 2639 Marriage and Family Therapists for Veterans Act H.R. 2691, the Veterans Survivors Claims Processing Automation Act of 2015 H.R. 2914, the Build a Better VA Act H.R. 2915, the Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act H.R. 3016, the Veterans Employment, Education, and Healthcare Improvement Act H.R. 3106, the Construction Reform Act H.R. 3216, the Veterans Emergency Treatment Act H.R. 3234, the Failing VA Medical Center Recovery Act H.R. 3471, the Veterans Mobility Safety Act of 2015 H.R. 3549, the VA Billing Accountability Act H.R. 3975/ S. 2277, the Veterans Homebuyer Accessibility Act H.R. 4144/ S. 2251, the Seniors and Veterans Emergency Benefits Act H.R. 4150, the Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Medial Staffing Recruitment and Retention Act H.R. 4764, the Puppies Assisting Wounded Service Members (PAWS) Act H.R. 4782/ S. 3032, the Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Act H.R. 5047, the Protecting Veterans Educational Choice Act H.R. 5083, the VA Appeals Modernization Act H.R. 5091 H.R. 5129/ S. 3141, the Protection and Advocacy for Veterans Act H.R. 5162, the Vet Connect Act of 2016 H.R. 5166/ S. 3081, the WINGMAN Act H.R. 5392, the No Veterans Crisis Line Should Go Unanswered Act H.R. 5407 H.R. 5420 H.R. 5416 H.R. 5620, the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act S. 207, the Veterans Access to Community Care Act S. 425, the Veterans Homeless Programs, Caregiver Services and Other Improvements Act S. 469, the Women Veterans and Families Health Services Act of 2015 S. 471, the Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act S. 563, the Physician Ambassadors Helping Veterans Act S. 603, the Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act S. 657, the Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act of 2015 S. 684, the Homeless Veterans Prevention Act S. 717, the Community Provider Readiness Recognition Act of 2015. S. 1085 "Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2015 S. 1117, the Ensuring Veteran Safety Through Accountability Act of 2015 S. 1203, the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery and Other Improvements Act S. 1450, the Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Medical Staffing Recruitment and Retention Act S. 1451, the Veterans Survivors Claims Processing Automation Act S. 1460, the Fry Scholarship Enhancement Act of 2015 S. 1641, the Jason Simcakoski Memorial Opioid Safety Act S. 1676, the Delivering Opportunities for Care and Services for Veterans Act of 2015 S. 1938, the Career Ready Student Veterans Act S. 2000, the Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act S. 2013, the Los Angeles Homeless Veterans Leasing Act of 2015 S. 2106, the Wounded Warrior Employment Improvement Act S. 2123, the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act S. 2134, the Grow Our Own Directive: Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act S. 2179, the Veteran CARE Act S. 2210, the Veterans Partners Efforts to Enhance Reintegration Act S. 2279, the Veterans Health Care Staffing Improvement Act S. 2291, the VA Patient Protection Act S. 2473, the Express Appeals Act S. 2487, the Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act S. 2520, the Newborn Care Improvement Act S. 2633, the Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act S. 2646, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act S. 2679, the Helping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act S. 2883, the Appropriate Care for Disabled Veterans Act S. 2888, the Janey Ensminger Act of 2016 S. 2896, the Care Veterans Deserve Act S. 2919, the SOLVE Act S. 2921, the Veterans First Act S. 3035, the Maximizing Efficiency and Improving Access to Providers at the Department of Veterans Affairs Act of 2016 S. 3055, the Department of Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance Reauthorization Act of 2016 Implementation of P.L. 113-146, the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act
Client expense: $69,613 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), SENATE
2016 · third_quarter · Veterans
dialysis issues, S2646, S2633, S2921
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $10,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · second_quarter · Veterans
S.2000: The Veteran Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act and VA Provider Agreement and Proposal S.2646: Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 language focused on VA provider agreement AHCA monitored and lobbied on issues relating to the February 25, 2016, Markup of House VA Committee Chairman Millers Draft legislation, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into agreements with certain health care providers to furnish hospital care, medical services, and extended care to veterans. We monitored amendments relating to the draft legislation that were offered as well, and expressed our concerns on one in particular that was offered by Representative Takano. AHCA is following any VA provider agreement related language impacting SNFs.
Client expense: $920,000 · 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), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2016 · second_quarter · Veterans
Lobbied against S 2646, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act, and S 2633, the Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act, and urged oversight of the problems veterans face with the current Choice program. HR 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 - continued lobbying for veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Lobbied for reintroduction of nurse staffing legislation. Continued lobbying against HR 1994 that strips every non-management VA employee of due process rights, including 114,000 veterans in VA workforce. Lobbied for HR 2999, Takano bill, to ensure accountability measures to reduce mismanagement while protecting whistleblowers and other employees harmed by retaliation or other prohibited personnel practices. Lobbied for S 1856, establishing highly effective mechanisms for increasing VA accountability while preserving due process rights of whistleblowers. Assures comprehensive accountability to improve management training and performance measures and curtails revolving door problem in VA. Lobbied against S 1082 and its reduction of accountability by stripping due process rights away from non-management VA employee, including VA whistleblowers and veterans. Supported Substitute Amendment by Sen Blumenthal. Supported S 1450, legislation to increase veterans access to care, improve efficiency, and aid in recruitment and retention of health care professionals by providing scheduling flexibility for emergency medicine physicians and physician assistants and hospitalists. Supported legislation for a reduction in the workload of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) employees working in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), specifically those who process traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and VR&E claims. Lobbied against: S 2958, a bill to establish a pilot program on partnership agreements to construct new facilities for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Discussion draft on VA comp and pen exams that changes standard of evidence. S. 2896, Care Veterans Deserve Act, a bill proposing to make VA Choice program permanent. HR 4138 - a bill to allow recoupment of reimbursements for VA work expenses. Rep McMorris Rodgers discussion draft, Caring for our Heroes in the 21st Century Act, to dismantle and privatize the VA health care system. S 2049 - Raised concerns in hearing statement regarding continuing medical education program for VA providers. Lobbied for: S. 2921, Veterans First Act, to protect due process rights of VA employees and expand health care and benefits for veterans. S 2946, a bill to extend law enforcement status to federal employees in VA, DOD, and other agencies. Lobbied to support and add more agencies. Continued lobbying efforts to: --Provide and expand Title 38 bargaining rights and whistleblower; --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28 as Federal Nurses Week.
Client expense: $400,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Air Force, Dept of, Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Army, Dept of (Other), Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Defense Commissary Agency, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Navy, Dept of, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Marines, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2016 · second_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Medicare Program; Part B Drug Payment Model, Proposed rule, CMS-1670-P (March 11, 2016) - Provisions related to the Medicare Part B Drug Payment Model Medicaid Program: Covered Outpatient Drugs (CMS-2345-FC) - Provisions related to line extension drug definition, effective date and other issues S. 31: Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Secretary negotiation authority in Part D program S. 141: Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) repeal S. 480: National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Reauthorization Act of 2015 - Provisions related to the reauthorization of the national controlled substance monitoring program S. 648: Medicare Formulary Improvement Act of 2015 - Provisions related to codification of six protected classes in Part D program S. 1083: Medicare Drug Savings Act of 2015 - Provisions related to drug rebates in Medicare Part D S. 1913: Stopping Medication Abuse and Protecting Seniors Act of 2015 - Provisions related to programs to prevent prescription drug abuse under the Medicare program S. 2023: Prescription Drug Affordability Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Secretary negotiation authority in Part D program, Medicare and Medicaid rebates, resolution of government enforcement actions, and reporting of certain drug manufacturer expenditures S. 2646: Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 - Provisions related to TRICARE drug pricing S. 2981: A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to add standards for drug compendia for physician use for purposes of Medicaid payment for certain drugs, and for other purposes H.R. 22: FAST Act - Medicare related offsets to the biopharmaceutical industry HR. 512 - the Developing an Innovative Strategy for Antimicrobial Resistant Microorganisms Act of 2014 H.R. 1190: Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act of 2015 - Provisions related to IPAB repeal H.R. 2005: Medicare Drug Savings Act of 2015 - Provisions related to changes to Part D rebates H.R. 2298: Medicare Patient Safety and Drug Abuse Prevention Act - Provisions related to the design of a Part D Lock-in program H.R. 3513: Prescription Drug Affordability Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Secretary negotiation authority in Part D program, Medicare and Medicaid rebates, resolution of government enforcement actions, and reporting of certain drug manufacturer expenditures H.R. 5122: To prohibit further action on the proposed rule regarding testing of Medicare part B prescription drug models - Suspending the Part B Drug Payment Model H.R. 5273: Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016 - Provisions related to exemption of hospitals that had off-site facilities under development Other: - Medicaid Managed Care, CHIP Delivered in Managed Care, Medicaid and CHIP Comprehensive Quality Strategies, and Revisions Related to Third Party Liability; Proposed rules [CMS-2390-P] - Provisions related to Medicaid - Proposed Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) rule for 2016 (CMS-1633-P) - Proposed Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS) rule for 2016 (CMS-1631-P) - Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) delivery system reform issues and regulatory barriers to innovation - Medicare Part B Average Sales Price (ASP) policy issues - Medicare Part D rebates policy issues - Drug cost and pricing policy issues - Transparency policy issues - Medication adherence policy issues - Alternative payment models policy issues - Value-based arrangements policy issues - Coding and reimbursement policy issues including for biologics - Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) transparency policy issues - MedPAC June Report - Part B and D policy issues - Medicaid rebates/reformulations policy issues - Non-interference policy issues
Client expense: $1,070,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2016 · second_quarter · Veterans
S. 2646 The Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016. S. 2633 The Improving Veterans Access of Care in the Community Act. H.R. 800/S. 2473 The Express Appeals Act of 2016. H.R. 4144, H.R. 4012/S. 2251 The Seniors and Veterans Emergency Benefits Act.
Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · second_quarter · Veterans
Issues related to hospital care, medical services, and extended care to veterans; Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016, S.2646.
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $60,000
Government targets: SENATE
2016 · second_quarter · Health Issues
H.R. 6, 21st Century Cures Act (Upton) - new cures and treatments H.R. 636, Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act (Tiberi) - air ambulance amendments H.R. 691, Telehealth Modernization Act (Matsui-Johnson) - telemedicine H.R. 1189, Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act (Kline) - employee wellness programs H.R. 2646, Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act (Murphy) - compliance with parity requirements, mental health services H.R. 2712, Commonsense Reporting and Verification Act (Black) - employer reporting and eligibility verification for ACA subsidies H.R. 2745, Standard Merger and Acquisition Reviews Through Equal Rules Act (Farenthold) - FTC-DOJ rules for reviewing mergers H.R. 3099, RAISE Family Caregivers Act (Harper) - national strategy to support family caregivers H.R. 3463, Aligning Childrens Dental Coverage Act (Griffith-DeGette) - rules for stand-alone dental plans H.R. 4276, Behavioral Health Coverage Transparency Act (Kennedy) - disclosure requirements relating to mental health parity H.R. 4641, Best Practices for Pain Management (Brooks) - HHS Task Force to review, revise, and disseminate best practices for pain management H.R. 4771, HEALTH Act (Franks) - medical liability reforms H.R. 5054, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (Aderholt) - 21st Century Cures provisions H.J.Res. 88 (Roe) - disapproving DOL fiduciary regulation S. 185, Promise for Antibiotics and Therapeutics for Health Act (Hatch) - FDA drug approval process S. 466, Quality Care for Moms and Babies Act (Stabenow) - pediatric quality measures S. 524, Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (Whitehouse) - prescription opioid abuse S. 620, Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act (Alexander) - employee wellness programs S. 961, Data Security Act (Carper) - data security S. 1077, Advancing Breakthrough Devices for Patients Act (Burr) - priority review of breakthrough medical devices S. 1427, Quality Measure Alignment Act (Stabenow) - facilitating coordination and alignment between public and private sectors on quality and efficiency measures S. 1719, RAISE Family Caregivers Act (Collins) - national strategy to support family caregivers S. 1996, Commonsense Reporting Act (Warner) - employer reporting and eligibility verification for ACA subsidies S. 2141, TRUST IT Act, (Cassidy) - health IT rating system S. 2646, Veterans Choice Improvement Act (Burr) - veterans health care S. 2680, Mental Health Reform Act (Alexander) - compliance with parity requirements, mental health services S. 2700, FDA and NIH Workforce Authorities Modernization Act (Alexander) - medical innovation amendments S. 3040, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2017 (Blunt) - funding for HHS programs and agencies, ACA risk corridors program Regulatory Issues: HIPAA administrative simplification issues, including standards for privacy, security, and electronic transactions and code sets (including ICD-10), identifiers including the health plan identifier, enforcement; cybersecurity; FEHBP enrollment data clearinghouse initiative, the enrollment reconciliation process, and a related OPM reimbursement factor for records that cannot be reconciled; issues relating to health insurance plan participation in FEHBP, including contract requirements; issues relating to similarly sized subscriber group (SSSG) and MLR requirements under the FEHBP;. implementation of the health savings account provisions of the Medicare Act; issues related to Medicare Secondary Payer requirements; issues related to implementation of the National Health Information Infrastructure; electronic health records, personal health records, and similar technologies; issues relating to market consolidation; issues related to hospital consolidation; issues relating to quality improvement; issues related to potential priority research topics for the effective health care program; issues relating to the national health data stewardship; issues relating to hospital outpatient measurement and reporting; prescription drug pricing; issues relating to "meaningful use" requirements for health information technology; issues related to the collection of race and ethnicity data; issues related to medical loss ratios; reference pricing; review of rates for reasonableness; preexisting condition insurance plans; issues relating to antitrust; accountable care organizations; provider non-discrimination; coverage of preventive services; contraceptive coverage; pre-existing condition exclusions; lifetime and annual dollar limits on benefits; patient protections; grandfathered health plan provisions; issues relating to the annual fee on health insurance providers; health plan automatic enrollment requirements; issues related to qualified health plans including certification and rate filing templates; health insurance market rules; reinsurance, risk corridors, and risk adjustment (commonly referred to as the 3 Rs); dependent coverage; summary of benefits and coverage disclosures; benefit and payment parameters; essential health benefits, actuarial value, and accreditation; issues related to fraud, waste, abuse, Stark/Anti-Kickback laws and regulations; issues related to supplemental products; issues related to HIPAA excepted benefits; issues related to the federally-facilitated marketplaces (i.e., Exchanges/formerly referred to as the web portal); issues related to business continuity in relation to pandemics or natural events (e.g., hurricane, tornado, etc.); issues related to small employer group size; issues related to Certificate of Public Advantage; and other issues relating to health care reform implementation.
Client expense: $1,710,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2016 · second_quarter · Veterans
PL 111-163: Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act; PL 112-56: 3% Withholding Repeal and Job Creation Act; PL 112-239: National Defense Authorization Act for FY2013; PL 112-56: VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act; S 1076/HR 2249: Disabled Military Child Protection Act of 2013; HR 3304: National Defense Authorization Act 2014; S 425/HR 474: Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2015; S 851: Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act; HR 294: Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act; HR 2072: Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act of 2013; PL 113-146: Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014; PL 113-175: Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014; PL 113-360: National Defense Authorization Act; S 657 Caregivers Expansion & Improvement Act of 2015; S 1085: Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act; HR 1843: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program to improve access to supportive services and community coordination for families of disabled veterans; S 901/HR 1769: Toxic Exposure Research Act; S 2633: Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act; S 2646: Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2015; and S 2943: National Defense Authorization Act of FY2017.
Client expense: $157,721 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Administration for Children & Families (ACF), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Council on Disability, SENATE, Transportation, Dept of (DOT), U.S. Architectural & Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ACCESS), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
2016 · second_quarter · Veterans
S. 2921 Veterans First Act (All provisions) H.R. 5620 VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016 (All provisions) S. 2646 Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 (All provisions) S. 2633 Improving Veterans Access to Care in Community Act (All provisions) Matters related to Veteran Affairs and construction of dialysis facilities
Client expense: $920,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2016 · second_quarter · Veterans
H.R. 5407 homeless veterans improvements, H.R. 5416 expand burial benefits for veterans who die while receiving hospital care or medical services under the Veterans Choice Program, H.R. 5420 Lafayette Escadrille Memorial, H.R. 5426 Justice for Servicemembers Act, H.R. 5428 Military Residency Choice Act, H.R. 5485 Vets preference provisions in the FY17 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, S. 603 Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act of 2015, S. 1641 Opioid Safety, S. 2170 VETS Act of 2015, S. 2210 Veteran PEER Act, S. 2279 Veterans Health Care Staffing Improvement, S. 2487 Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act, S. 2520 Newborn Care Improvement Act, S. 2646 Veterans Choice Improvement Act, S. 2679 Helping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act, S. 2806 FY17 MilCon budget, S. 2883 Appropriate Care for Disabled Veterans Act of 2016, S. 2888 Janey Ensminger Act of 2016, S. 2896 Care Veterans Deserve Act of 2016, S. 2903 Max Cleland Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2016, S. 2921 Veterans First Act, S. 3032 Vets COLA, S. 3035 Maximizing Efficiency and Improving Access to Providers at the Department of Veterans Affairs Act of 2016, S. 3042 Justice for Servicemembers Act of 2016
Client expense: $515,990 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Air Force, Dept of, Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Army, Dept of (Other), Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Government Accountability Office (GAO), Government Printing Office (GPO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Natl Guard, Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Navy, Dept of, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of the Secretary of Defense, President of the U.S., SENATE, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), U.S. Marines, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Veterans Employment & Training Service
2016 · second_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Medicare Program; Part B Drug Payment Model, Proposed rule, CMS-1670-P (March 11, 2016) - Provisions related to the Medicare Part B Drug Payment Model Medicaid Program: Covered Outpatient Drugs (CMS-2345-FC) - Provisions related to line extension drug definition, effective date and other issues S. 31: Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Secretary negotiation authority in Part D program S. 141: Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) repeal S. 480: National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Reauthorization Act of 2015 - Provisions related to the reauthorization of the national controlled substance monitoring program S. 648: Medicare Formulary Improvement Act of 2015 - Provisions related to codification of six protected classes in Part D program S. 1083: Medicare Drug Savings Act of 2015 - Provisions related to drug rebates in Medicare Part D S. 1913: Stopping Medication Abuse and Protecting Seniors Act of 2015 - Provisions related to programs to prevent prescription drug abuse under the Medicare program S. 2023: Prescription Drug Affordability Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Secretary negotiation authority in Part D program, Medicare and Medicaid rebates, resolution of government enforcement actions, and reporting of certain drug manufacturer expenditures S. 2646: Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 - Provisions related to TRICARE drug pricing S. 2981: A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to add standards for drug compendia for physician use for purposes of Medicaid payment for certain drugs, and for other purposes H.R. 22: FAST Act - Medicare related offsets to the biopharmaceutical industry H.R. 1190: Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act of 2015 - Provisions related to IPAB repeal H.R. 2005: Medicare Drug Savings Act of 2015 - Provisions related to changes to Part D rebates H.R. 2298: Medicare Patient Safety and Drug Abuse Prevention Act - Provisions related to the design of a Part D Lock-in program H.R. 3513: Prescription Drug Affordability Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Secretary negotiation authority in Part D program, Medicare and Medicaid rebates, resolution of government enforcement actions, and reporting of certain drug manufacturer expenditures H.R. 5122: To prohibit further action on the proposed rule regarding testing of Medicare part B prescription drug models - Suspending the Part B Drug Payment Model H.R. 5273: Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016 - Provisions related to exemption of hospitals that had off-site facilities under development Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Programs; Medicaid Managed Care, CHIP Delivered in Managed Care, and Revisions Related to Third Party Liability; Final rule [CMS-2390-F] - Provisions related to Medicaid Proposed Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) rule for 2016 (CMS-1633-P) Proposed Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS) rule for 2016 (CMS-1631-P) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) delivery system reform issues and regulatory barriers to innovation Medicare Part B Average Sales Price (ASP) policy issues Medicare Part D rebates policy issues Drug cost and pricing policy issues Transparency policy issues Medication adherence policy issues Alternative payment models policy issues Value-based arrangements policy issues Coding and reimbursement policy issues including for biologics Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) transparency policy issues MedPAC June Report - Part B and D policy issues Medicaid rebates/reformulations policy issues Non-interference policy issues
Client expense: $5,820,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), Natl Security Council (NSC), Office of the Vice President of the United States, Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2016 · second_quarter · Veterans
Veterans healthcare; S. 2633, Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act; S. 2646, Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $80,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · second_quarter · Veterans
Veterans Health Administration reimbursement for ambulance services S. 2646 - The Veterans Choice Improvement Act; S. 2633 - the Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act. H.R.5149 - To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the circumstances under which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide reimbursement for emergency ambulance services. S.2921 - Veterans First Act
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $30,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · second_quarter · Health Issues
S.3040, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, FY2017, Medical Center related initiatives H.R.6, 21st Century Cures Act, Medical Center related initiatives Monitor the following: H.R.3291, Medicare Crosswalk Hospital Code Development Act of 2015, generally H.R.3292, Medicare IME Pool Act of 2015, generally H.R.3288, Strengthening DSH and Medicare Through Subsidy Recapture and Payment Reform Act of 2015, generally H.R.4273/S.2409, Medicare and Medicaid Improvements and Adjustments Act of 2015, Medicare reimbursement issues Concussion issues, generally S. 2030, The Advancing Targeted Therapies for Rare Diseases Act of 2015 S. 1622, The FDA Device Accountability Act of 2015 S. 2014, Next Generation Researchers Act S. 800, The Enhancing the Stature and Visibility of Medical Rehabilitation Research at NIH Act S. 849, Advancing Research for Neurological Diseases Act of 2015 S. 2503, Preventing Superbugs and Protecting Patients Act S. 2511, Improving Health Information Technology S. 1878, The Advancing Hope Act of 2015 S. 1077, The Advancing Breakthrough Medical Devices for Patients Act of 2015 S. 1101, The Medical Electronic Data Technology Enhancement for Consumers Health Act S. 2055, The Medical Countermeasures Innovation Act of 2015 S. 1767, The Combination Products Innovation Act of 2015 S. 1597, Patient Focused Impact Assessment Act of 2015 S. 2512, Adding Zika Virus to the FDA Priority Review Voucher Program Act S. 2700, FDA and NIH Workforce Authorities Modernization Act S. 185, Promise for Antibiotics and Therapeutics for Health Act S. 2713, Advancing Precision Medicine Act of 2016 S. 2745, Advancing NIH Strategic Planning and Representation in Medical Research Act S. 2742, Promoting Biomedical Research and Public Health for Patients Act S.2624, National Biomedical Research Act S.320, Medical Innovation Act of 2015 S.2646, Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2015 S.2680, Mental Health Reform Act of 2016 S.524, Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 H.R.5273, Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $30,000
Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · second_quarter · Veterans
H.R. 216, the Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Planning Reform Act of 2015 H.R. 218, the CHAMPVA Childrens Protection Act of 2015 H.R. 271, the Creating Options for Veterans Expedited Recovery Act H.R. 272, the Medal of Honor Priority Care Act H.R. 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act H.R. 353, the Veterans Access to Hearing Health Act of 2015 H.R. 356, the Wounded Warrior Employment Improvement Act H.R. 359, the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act H.R. 421, the Classified Veterans Access to Care Act H.R. 423, the Newborn Care Improvement Act H.R. 627, to expand the VAs definition of homeless to match the definition used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) since 1987 H.R. 732, the Veterans Access to Speedy Review Act H.R. 800/ S. 2473, the Express Appeals Act H.R. 1067, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Reform Act H.R. 1302, the VA Appeals Backlog Relief Act H.R. 1319, the Ask Veterans Act H.R. 1331, the Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act of 2015 H.R. 1338, the Dignified Interment of Our Veterans Act of 2015 H.R. 1356, the Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act of 2015 H.R. 1369, the Veterans Access to Extended Care Act of 2015 H.R. 1379 H.R. 1380 H.R. 1414, the Pay As You Rate Act H.R. 1569 H.R. 1575 H.R. 1607, the Ruth Moore Act of 2015 H.R. 1603, the Military Sexual Assault Victims Empowerment Act H.R. 1688 H.R. 1735, the National Defense Authorization Act H.R. 1769/S. 901, the Toxic Exposure Research Act H.R. 1862, the Veterans Credit Protection Act H.R. 1904 The Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act H.R. 1994/ S. 1082, the VA Accountability Act of 2015 H.R. 2001, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act H.R. 2214, the Disabled Veterans Access to Medical Exams Improvement Act H.R. 2257 H.R. 2275, the Jobs for Veterans Act of 2015 H.R. 2344, the Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Improvement Act H.R. 2464, the Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act of 2015 H.R. 2605, the Veterans Fiduciary Reform Act of 2015 H.R. 2639 Marriage and Family Therapists for Veterans Act H.R. 2691, the Veterans Survivors Claims Processing Automation Act of 2015 H.R. 2894 H.R. 2914, the Build a Better VA Act H.R. 2915, the Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act H.R. 3016, the Veterans Employment, Education, and Healthcare Improvement Act H.R. 3106, the Construction Reform Act H.R. 3234, the Failing VA Medical Center Recovery Act H.R. 3471 Veterans Mobility Safety Act of 2015 H.R. 3549, the VA Billing Accountability Act H.R. 3975/S. 2277, the Veterans Homebuyer Accessibility Act H.R. 4144/S. 2251, the Seniors and Veterans Emergency Benefits Act H.R. 4150, the "Department of Veterans Emergency Medical Staffing Recruitment and Retention Act" H.R. 4764, the "Puppies Assisting Wounded Service Members (PAWS)Act" H.R. 4782/S. 3032, the "Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living (COLA) Act" H.R. 4892 H.R. 5047, the "Protecting Veterans Educational Choice Act" H.R. 5083, the "VA Appeals Modernization Act" H.R. 5091 H.R. 5162, the "Vet Connect Act of 2016" H.R. 5166/S. 3081, the "WINGMAN Act" H.R. 5392, the "No Veterans Cris Line Should Go Unanswered Act" H.R. 5407 H.R. 5416, the "Promising Responsible Opioid Management and Incorporating Scientific Expertise Act" S. 207, the Veterans Access to Community Care Act S. 244 S. 290, the Increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability to Veterans Act S. 425, the Veterans Homeless Programs, Caregiver Services and Other Improvements Act S. 469, the Women Veterans and Families Health Services Act of 2015 S. 471, the Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act S. 563, the Physician Ambassadors Helping Veterans Act S. 603, the "Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act" S. 657, the Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act of 2015 S. 684, the Homeless Veterans Prevention Act S. 717, the Community Provider Readiness Recognition Act of 2015. S. 1085 "Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2015 S. 1117, the Ensuring Veteran Safety Through Accountability Act of 2015 S. 1203, the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery and Other Improvements Act S. 1450, the Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Medical Staffing Recruitment and Retention Act S. 1451, the Veterans Survivors Claims Processing Automation Act S. 1460, the Fry Scholarship Enhancement Act of 2015 S. 1641, the Jason Simcakoski Memorial Opioid Safety Act S. 1676, the Delivering Opportunities for Care and Services for Veterans Act of 2015 S. 1693 S. 1856 S. 1938, the Career Ready Student Veterans Act S. 2000, the Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act S. 2013, the Los Angeles Homeless Veterans Leasing Act of 2015 S. 2106, the Wounded Warrior Employment Improvement Act S. 2123, the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act S. 2134, the Grow Our Own Directive: Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act S. 2170 S. 2179, the Veteran CARE Act S. 2210, the "Veterans Partners' Efforts to Enhance Reintegration Act" S. 2253 S. 2279, the "Veterans Health Care Staffing Improvement Act" S. 2291, the VA Patient Protection Act S. 2316, veterans fiduciaries S. 2473, the "Express Appeals Act" S. 2487, the "Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act" S. 2520, the "Newborn Care Improvement Act" S. 2633, the Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act S. 2646, the "Veterans Choice Improve Act" S. 2679, the "Helping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act" S. 2883, the "Janey Eisminger Act of 2016" S. 2896, the "Care Veterans Deserve Act" S. 2919, the "SOLVE Act" S. 3021 S. 3023, the "Arla Harrell Act" S. 3035, the "Maximizing Efficiency and Improving Access to Providers at the Department of Veterans Affairs Act of 2016" S. 3055, the "Department of Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance Reauthorization Act of 2016" Implementation of P.L. 113-146, the "Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act"
Client expense: $66,363 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2016 · second_quarter · Veterans
dialysis issues, S2646, S2633, S2921
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $10,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · first_quarter · Veterans
Veterans care in the community (S. 2633, S. 2646, and H.R. 4591)
Client expense: $1,370,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
2016 · first_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Medicare Program; Part B Drug Payment Model, Proposed rule, CMS-1670-P (March 8, 2016) - Provisions related to the Medicare Part B Drug Payment Model Medicaid Program: Covered Outpatient Drugs (CMS-2345-FC) - Provisions related to line extension drug definition, effective date and other issues S. 31: Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Secretary negotiation authority in Part D program S. 141: Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) repeal S. 275: Medicare Home Infusion Site of Care Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Medicare coverage S. 480: National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Reauthorization Act of 2015 - Provisions related to the reauthorization of the national controlled substance monitoring program S. 648: Medicare Formulary Improvement Act of 2015 - Provisions related to codification of six protected classes in Part D program S. 1083: Medicare Drug Savings Act of 2015 - Provisions related to drug rebates in Medicare Part D S. 1253: Patient Access to Disposable Medical Technology Act of 2015 - Provisions related to capitated payments for disposable medical technology S. 1396: Value-Based Insurance Design Seniors Copayment Reduction Act of 2015 - Provisions related to changes to the Medicare Advantage Program S. 1884: Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2015 - Provisions related to the Medicare Operated Prescription Drug Plan Option S. 1913: Stopping Medication Abuse and Protecting Seniors Act of 2015 - Provisions related to programs to prevent prescription drug abuse under the Medicare program S. 2023: Prescription Drug Affordability Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Secretary negotiation authority in Part D program, Medicare and Medicaid rebates, resolution of government enforcement actions, and reporting of certain drug manufacturer expenditures S. 2409: Medicare and Medicaid Improvements and Adjustments Act of 2015 - Provisions related to outpatient reimbursement rates S. 2646: Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 - Provisions related to TRICARE drug pricing H.R. 22: FAST Act - Medicare related offsets to the biopharmaceutical industry HR. 512 - the Developing an Innovative Strategy for Antimicrobial Resistant Microorganisms Act of 2014 H.R. 1190: Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act of 2015 - Provisions related to IPAB repeal H.R. 2005: Medicare Drug Savings Act of 2015 - Provisions related to changes to Part D rebates H.R. 2298: Medicare Patient Safety and Drug Abuse Prevention Act - Provisions related to the design of a Part D Lock-in program H.R. 3513: Prescription Drug Affordability Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Secretary negotiation authority in Part D program, Medicare and Medicaid rebates, resolution of government enforcement actions, and reporting of certain drug manufacturer expenditures H.R. 4273: Medicare and Medicaid Improvements and Adjustments Act of 2015 - Provisions related to outpatient reimbursement rates Medicaid Managed Care, CHIP Delivered in Managed Care, Medicaid and CHIP Comprehensive Quality Strategies, and Revisions Related to Third Party Liability; Proposed rules [CMS-2390-P] - Provisions related to Medicaid Proposed Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) rule for 2016 (CMS-1633-P) Proposed Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS) rule for 2016 (CMS-1631-P) Hospital Improvements for Payment Act (discussion draft) - Provisions related to Medicare Parts A and B reform Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) delivery system reform issues and regulatory barriers to innovation Medicare Part B Average Sales Price (ASP) policy issues Medicare Part D rebates policy issues Drug cost and pricing policy issues Transparency policy issues Medication adherence policy issues Alternative payment models policy issues Value-based arrangements policy issues Coding and reimbursement policy issues including for biologics Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) transparency policy issues Chronic Care Working Group - Medicare policy affecting drugs
Client expense: $1,490,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Vice President of the U.S.
2016 · first_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Medicare Program; Part B Drug Payment Model, Proposed rule, CMS-1670-P (March 8, 2016) - Provisions related to the Medicare Part B Drug Payment Model Medicaid Program: Covered Outpatient Drugs (CMS-2345-FC) - Provisions related to line extension drug definition, effective date and other issues S. 31: Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Secretary negotiation authority in Part D program S. 141: Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) repeal S. 275: Medicare Home Infusion Site of Care Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Medicare coverage S. 480: National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Reauthorization Act of 2015 - Provisions related to the reauthorization of the national controlled substance monitoring program S. 648: Medicare Formulary Improvement Act of 2015 - Provisions related to codification of six protected classes in Part D program S. 1083: Medicare Drug Savings Act of 2015 - Provisions related to drug rebates in Medicare Part D S. 1253: Patient Access to Disposable Medical Technology Act of 2015 - Provisions related to capitated payments for disposable medical technology S. 1396: Value-Based Insurance Design Seniors Copayment Reduction Act of 2015 - Provisions related to changes to the Medicare Advantage Program S. 1884: Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2015 - Provisions related to the Medicare Operated Prescription Drug Plan Option S. 1913: Stopping Medication Abuse and Protecting Seniors Act of 2015 - Provisions related to programs to prevent prescription drug abuse under the Medicare program S. 2023: Prescription Drug Affordability Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Secretary negotiation authority in Part D program, Medicare and Medicaid rebates, resolution of government enforcement actions, and reporting of certain drug manufacturer expenditures S. 2409: Medicare and Medicaid Improvements and Adjustments Act of 2015 - Provisions related to outpatient reimbursement rates S. 2646: Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 - Provisions related to TRICARE drug pricing H.R. 22: FAST Act - Medicare related offsets to the biopharmaceutical industry H.R. 1190: Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act of 2015 - Provisions related to IPAB repeal H.R. 2005: Medicare Drug Savings Act of 2015 - Provisions related to changes to Part D rebates H.R. 2298: Medicare Patient Safety and Drug Abuse Prevention Act - Provisions related to the design of a Part D Lock-in program H.R. 3513: Prescription Drug Affordability Act of 2015 - Provisions related to Secretary negotiation authority in Part D program, Medicare and Medicaid rebates, resolution of government enforcement actions, and reporting of certain drug manufacturer expenditures H.R. 4273: Medicare and Medicaid Improvements and Adjustments Act of 2015 - Provisions related to outpatient reimbursement rates Medicaid Managed Care, CHIP Delivered in Managed Care, Medicaid and CHIP Comprehensive Quality Strategies, and Revisions Related to Third Party Liability; Proposed rules [CMS-2390-P] - Provisions related to Medicaid Proposed Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) rule for 2016 (CMS-1633-P) Proposed Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS) rule for 2016 (CMS-1631-P) Hospital Improvements for Payment Act (discussion draft) - Provisions related to Medicare Parts A and B reform Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) delivery system reform issues and regulatory barriers to innovation Medicare Part B Average Sales Price (ASP) policy issues Medicare Part D rebates policy issues Drug cost and pricing policy issues Transparency policy issues Medication adherence policy issues Alternative payment models policy issues Value-based arrangements policy issues Coding and reimbursement policy issues including for biologics Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) transparency policy issues Chronic Care Working Group - Medicare policy affecting drugs
Client expense: $5,950,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Vice President of the U.S.
2016 · first_quarter · Veterans
Veterans care in the community (S. 2633, S. 2646, and H.R. 4591)
Client expense: $1,310,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
2016 · first_quarter · Veterans
S.2000: The Veteran Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act and VA Provider Agreement and Proposal S.2646: Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 AHCA monitored and lobbied on issues relating to the February 25, 2016, Markup of House VA Committee Chairman Millers Draft legislation, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into agreements with certain health care providers to furnish hospital care, medical services, and extended care to veterans. We monitored amendments relating to the draft legislation that were offered as well, and expressed our concerns on one in particular that was offered by Representative Takano.
Client expense: $920,000 · 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), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2016 · first_quarter · Health Issues
H.R. 6, 21st Century Cures Act (Upton) - new cures and treatments H.R. 691, Telehealth Modernization Act (Matsui-Johnson) - telemedicine H.R. 1189, Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act (Kline) - employee wellness programs H.R. 2646, Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act (Murphy) - mental health reforms H.R. 2712, Commonsense Reporting and Verification Act (Black) - employer reporting and eligibility verification for ACA subsidies H.R. 2745, Standard Merger and Acquisition Reviews Through Equal Rules Act (Farenthold) - FTC-DOJ rules for reviewing mergers H.R. 3099, RAISE Family Caregivers Act (Harper) - national strategy to support family caregivers H.R. 3463, Aligning Childrens Dental Coverage Act (Griffith-DeGette) - rules for stand-alone dental plans H.R. 4771, HEALTH Act (Franks) - medical liability reforms S. 185, Promise for Antibiotics and Therapeutics for Health Act (Hatch) - FDA drug approval process S. 466, Quality Care for Moms and Babies Act (Stabenow) - pediatric quality measures S. 524, Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (Whitehouse) - prescription opioid abuse S. 620, Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act (Alexander) - employee wellness programs S. 961, Data Security Act (Carper) - data security S. 1077, Advancing Breakthrough Devices for Patients Act (Burr) - priority review of breakthrough medical devices S. 1427, Quality Measure Alignment Act (Stabenow) - facilitating coordination and alignment between public and private sectors on quality and efficiency measures S. 1719, RAISE Family Caregivers Act (Collins) - national strategy to support family caregivers S. 1996, Commonsense Reporting Act (Warner) - employer reporting and eligibility verification for ACA subsidies S. 2141, TRUST IT Act, (Cassidy) - health IT rating system S. 2646, Veterans Choice Improvement Act (Burr) - veterans health care S. 2680, Mental Health Reform Act (Alexander) - parity requirements, mental health services Regulatory Issues: HIPAA administrative simplification issues, including standards for privacy, security, and electronic transactions and code sets (including ICD-10), identifiers including the health plan identifier, enforcement; cybersecurity; FEHBP enrollment data clearinghouse initiative, the enrollment reconciliation process, and a related OPM reimbursement factor for records that cannot be reconciled; issues relating to health insurance plan participation in FEHBP, including contract requirements; issues relating to similarly sized subscriber group (SSSG) and MLR requirements under the FEHBP;. implementation of the health savings account provisions of the Medicare Act; issues related to Medicare Secondary Payer requirements; issues related to implementation of the National Health Information Infrastructure; electronic health records, personal health records, and similar technologies; issues relating to market consolidation; issues related to hospital consolidation; issues relating to quality improvement; issues related to potential priority research topics for the effective health care program; issues relating to the national health data stewardship; issues relating to hospital outpatient measurement and reporting; prescription drug pricing; issues relating to "meaningful use" requirements for health information technology; issues related to the collection of race and ethnicity data; issues related to medical loss ratios; reference pricing; review of rates for reasonableness; preexisting condition insurance plans; issues relating to antitrust; accountable care organizations; provider non-discrimination; coverage of preventive services; contraceptive coverage; pre-existing condition exclusions; lifetime and annual dollar limits on benefits; patient protections; grandfathered health plan provisions; issues relating to the annual fee on health insurance providers; health plan automatic enrollment requirements; issues related to qualified health plans including certification and rate filing templates; health insurance market rules; reinsurance, risk corridors, and risk adjustment (commonly referred to as the 3 Rs); dependent coverage; summary of benefits and coverage disclosures; benefit and payment parameters for 2014; essential health benefits, actuarial value, and accreditation; issues related to fraud, waste, abuse, Stark/Anti-Kickback laws and regulations; issues related to supplemental products; issues related to HIPAA excepted benefits; issues related to the federally-facilitated marketplaces (i.e., Exchanges/formerly referred to as the web portal); issues related to business continuity in relation to pandemics or natural events (e.g., hurricane, tornado, etc.); issues related to small employer group size; issues related to Certificate of Public Advantage; and other issues relating to health care reform implementation.
Client expense: $2,210,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Pension & Welfare Benefits Administration, SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2016 · first_quarter · Veterans
Lobbied for advance appropriations for VA health care to shield most employees in anticipation of additional furloughs. Lobbied against S 2646, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act, and S 2633, the Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act, and urged oversight of the problems veterans face with the current Choice program. HR 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 - continued lobbying for veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Lobbied for reintroduction of nurse staffing legislation. Continued lobbying against HR 1994 that strips every non-management VA employee of due process rights, including 100,000 veterans in VA workforce. Lobbied for HR 2999, Takano bill, to ensure accountability measures to reduce mismanagement while protecting whistleblowers and other employees harmed by retaliation or other prohibited personnel practices. Lobbied for S 1856, establishing highly effective mechanisms for increasing VA accountability while preserving due process rights of whistleblowers. Assures comprehensive accountability to improve management training and performance measures and curtails revolving door problem in VA. Lobbied against S 1082 and its reduction of accountability by stripping due process rights away from non-management VA employee, including VA whistleblowers and veterans. Supported Substitute Amendment by Sen Blumenthal. Supported S 1450, legislation to increase veterans access to care, improve efficiency, and aid in recruitment and retention of health care professionals by providing scheduling flexibility for emergency medicine physicians and physician assistants and hospitalists. Supported legislation for a reduction in the workload of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) employees working in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), specifically those who process traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and VR&E claims. Continued lobbying efforts to: --Provide and expand Title 38 bargaining rights and whistleblower; --Provide VA Canteen Service employees with Title 5 rights to appeal terminations. --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28 as Federal Nurses Week.
Client expense: $350,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Air Force, Dept of, Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Army, Dept of (Other), Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Defense Commissary Agency, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Navy, Dept of, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Marines, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2016 · first_quarter · Veterans
Matters related to Veteran Affairs and construction of dialysis facilities. S. 2646 - Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 (All provisions) S. 2633 - Improving Veterans Access to Care in Community Act (All provisions)
Client expense: $920,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2016 · first_quarter · Veterans
Veterans healthcare; S. 2633, Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act; S. 2646, Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $80,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · first_quarter · Veterans
S. 2170, Veterans E-Health & Telemedicine Support (VETS) Act of 2015, all provisions S. 2179, Veteran Care Agreements Rule Enhancement (CARE) Act, all provisions S. 2646, Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016, all provisions H.R. 1604, Veterans' Mental Health Care Access Act, all provisions S. 2633, Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act, all provisions Veterans and telemedicine VA Choice Program Reform Scope of Practice Veterans Choice and Nursing Handbook Access to Care Tricare access Telehealth and remote patient monitoring services Ethics of medical practice
Client expense: $6,600,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), 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, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
2016 · first_quarter · Veterans
dialysis issues, S2646, S2633
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $10,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE