Medicare Mental Health Access Act
Legislative Progress
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vs 5,086 other S bills in the 116th — cohort avg 30d
Medicare Mental Health Access Act This bill expands the definition of "physician," for purposes of the Medicare program, to include a clinical psychologist with respect to the furnishing of qualified psychologist services.
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Filing registrants (11)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Introduced in Senate
Bills with similar content found using semantic analysis.
Sources: Congress.gov
2020 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Lobbying Issues Description: Budget and appropriations for disease and injury prevention, including obesity and related diseases; pandemic influenza and emerging infectious diseases; physical activity; public health bioterrorism preparedness; food safety, environmental health; paid sick days; womens and childrens health; community-based public health interventions, and substance misuse/behavioral health issues. Specific Legislation: 1.Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) 2.Implementation of Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act and Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (Public Law 113-5, 116-22) 3.Implementation of Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-296) 4.Implementation of Every Student Succeeds Act (Public Law 114-95) 5.Implementation of the Comprehensive Addition and Recovery Act (Public Law 114-98) 6.Midnight Rules Relief Act (S.34/H.R. 21) 7.Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act (S. 21/H.R. 26) 8.Regulatory Accountability Act (S.951/H.R. 5/H.R. 45/H.Res.33) 9.Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome (SCRUB) Act (H.R. 998) 10.Regulatory Integrity Act (H.R. 1004) 11.OIRA Insight, Reform, and Accountability Act (S. 676/H.R. 1009) 12.A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2017 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2018 through 2026 (S.Con.Res. 3) 13.American Health Care Act (H.R. 1628/H.Res. 228) 14.Ozone Standards Implementation Act (S. 263/H.R. 806) 15.Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule of the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation" (S.J. Res. 11/H.J.Res.36) 16.Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act (S. 261/H.R. 772) 17.Reinvigorating Antibiotic and Diagnostic Innovation (READI) Act (H.R. 1840) 18.Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (H.R. 1587) 19.Preventing Antibiotic Resistance Act (S. 629) 20.Better Care Reconciliation Act (H.R. 1628) and related amendments 21.Public Health Emergency Response Act (S. 196) 22.Recognizing the importance of vaccinations and immunizations in the United States (H.Res.327) 23.Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (S. 830/H.R. 1953) 24.Community Health and Medical Professionals Improve Our Nation (CHAMPION) Act (H.R. 3922) 25.Community Health Investment, Modernization, and Excellence Act of 2017 (S. 1899) 26.Tobacco Tax Equity Act (S. 1837) 27.Healthy Kids Act (S. 1821/H.R. 3921) 28.Implementation of the Drug Quality and Security Act (P.S. 113-54) 29.Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-56) 30.Friendly Airports for Mothers Act (S. 1110/H.R. 2375) 31.Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act (S. 1583/H.R. 8713) 32.Supporting Working Moms Act (S. 2122/H.R. 3255) 33.Championing Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 3922) 34.Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes (Public Law 115-90) 35.An Act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue Department of Homeland Security-wide guidance and develop training programs as part of the Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign, and for other purposes (Public Law 115-96) 36.Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Public Law 115-97) 37.Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Advancing Innovation Act (P.L. 116-22) 38.Vaccine Access Improvement Act (H.R. 4993) 39.Relief from New Source Performance Standards Act (H.R. 453) 40.Strategies to Address Antimicrobial Resistance (S. 2469) 41.Opioid Quota Reform Act (S. 2535) 42.Hospital Preparedness Program Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4776) 43.Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns Act (H.R. 1917) 44.Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 (S. 2680) 45.Agriculture and Nutrition Act (H.R. 2) 46.Agriculture Improvement Act (S. 3042) 47.SECURE Act (H.R. 5998) 48.Trauma-Informed Care for Children and Families Act (S. 774) 49.SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6) 50.Centers for Disease Control Emergency Response Act (S. 3161) 51.LABEL Opioids Act (S. 3428) 52.Relief from New Source Performance Standards Act (S. 1857) 53.Outdoors for All Act (S. 3499) 54.The MOMMA Act (H.R. 5977) 55.Preventing Maternal Deaths Act (H.R. 1318) 56.Medicare Access to Vaccines Equity Act (not yet introduced) 57.The Support Act (H.R. 6) 58.Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act (S. 529) 59.NURSE Act (H.R. 1597) 60.Investing for the People Act (H.R. 2021) 61.Child Care for Working Families Act (H.R. 365/S. 568) 62.FAMILY Act (H.R. 1185/S. 463) 63.Transportation Alternatives Enhancement Act (S. 1098) 64.Lower Health Care Costs Act (S. 1895) 65.LIFT America Act (H.R 2479) 66.Public Health Funding Restoration Act (H.R. 3447/S. 1944) 67.Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 (HR 4334) 68.Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act (H.R. 3591) 69.Healthier Students for Stronger Campuses Act (S. 1281) 70.Saving Lives Through Better Data Act (S. 1793) 71.VACCINES Act (H.R. 2862) 72.DISARM Act (H.R. 4100/S. 1712) 73.Community Access, Resources, and Education for Families Act (H.R. 3117) 74.Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act (S. 1872) 75.Tobacco-Free Youth Act (S. 1541) 76.Tobacco to 21 Act (H.R. 2411/S. 1258) 77.Investing for People Act (H.R. 2021) 78.School Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act (H.R.2075/S.1013) 79.Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 (H.R. 2339) 80.Social Determinants Accelerator Act (H.R. 4004/S. 2986) 81.Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act (H.R. 2431) 82.The UNDERSTAND Act (S. 1323) 83.Americas Transportation Infrastructure Act (S. 2302) 84.Barriers to Suicide Act of 2019 (H.R. 4309) 85.Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act (S. 1608/H.R. 2891) 86.Public Health Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2019 (H.R. 5321) 87.Supporting Healthy Mothers and Infants Act (H.R. 5249) 88.Lead-Free Future Act (H.R. 4416) 89.Home Visiting to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Act (H.R. 4768) 90.Recognizing the anniversary of the eradication of smallpox and the importance of vaccination in the United States and worldwide (H. Res. 592) 91.Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 6074) 92.Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) 93.Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748) 94.Connecting Americas Transportation Infrastructure Act (H.R. 5696/S. 3391)) 95.Improving Access to Remote Behavioral Health Treatment Act (S. 2244/H.R. 4131) 96.National Suicide Hotline Designation Act (S. 2661/H.R. 4194) 97.Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act (H.R. 4564) 98.Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act (H.R. 4585) 99.Medicaid Reentry Act (H.R. 1329) 100.Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act (S. 824/H.R. 1767) 101.Mental Health Services for Students Act (S. 1122/H.R. 1109) 102.Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention (STANDUP) Act (S. 2492/H.R. 2599) 103.Mental Health Parity Compliance Act (S. 1737/H.R. 3165) 104.Behavioral Health Transparency Act (S. 1576/H.R. 2874) 105.Medicare Mental Health Access Act (S. 2772/H.R. 884) 106.Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act (S. 3309) 107.Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (H.R. 5041) 108.Protecting the Health of Americas Older Adults During COVID-19 and Beyond Act (H.R. 6935) 109.Improving Social Determinants Act (H.R. 6561/S. 4440) 110.Urging the establishment of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (H.Con.Res.100/S.Con.Res.50) 111.FY 2021 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations (TBD) 112.Better Tools for Healthy Living Act (S. 1805) 113.The WIC Act (H.R. 6811/S. 2358) 114.Health Equity and Accountability Act (H.R. 6637/S. 4819) 115.Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 266) 116.The HEROES Act (H.R.6800) 117.Community Solutions for COVID-19 Act (H.R.7077/S.3877) 118.The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2020 (H.R. 6142) 119.COVID-19 Bias and Anti-Racism Training Act (H.R. 7618/S. 4248) 120.Urging the establishment of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (H. Con. Res. 100) 121.Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act of 2020 (H.R. 8061) 122.Public Safety Officer Support Act (H.R. 7568) 123.COVID-19 Behavioral Health Support Act (S. 4059) 124.Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Act (H.R. 6578) 125.Strengthening the Public Health Workforce Act (S. 3737) 126.A resolution declaring racism a public health crisis (S. Res. 655) 127.Pandemic Child Hunger Prevention Act (H.R.7887) 128.Public Health Infrastructure Saves Lives Act (S. 4740) 129.CARE for Families Act (H.R. 3117/S. 3354) 130.Improving Data Collection for Adverse Childhood Experiences Act (H.R. 7689/S. 4980) 131.The STANDUP Act of 2020 (H.R. 7293) 132.The Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act (H.R. 4861) 133.The Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act of 2019 (H.R. 5469) 134.The Improving Mental Health Access from the Emergency Department Act (H.R. 2519/S. 1334) 135.The Suicide Prevention Act (H.R. 5619/S. 3198) 136.The Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) Act (H.R. 1646/S. 3244) 137.The Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act (H.R. 4585) 138.The Maternal Health Immunization Enhancement Act (S. 4690) 139.Pandemic Vaccine Access Improvement Act (Not yet introduced) 140.Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2) 141.Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (HR 8319) Coronavirus Response Additional Supplemental Appropriations Act (S. 4320). 142.ETHIC Act (H.R. 8205) 143.Safely Back to School and Work Act (S. 4322) 144.Supporting the goals and ideals of BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month (H.Res. 1064) 145.COVID-19 Health Disparities Action Act (S. 4262) 146.Protecting American Heroes Act of 2020 (S. 4368) 147.Health STATISTICS Act (H.R. 8080) 148.Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act (H.R. 4995) 149.Helping MOMS Act of 2020 (H.R. 4996) 150.Maternal Immunization Enhancement Act 151.FY2021 Omnibus and COVID Relief and Response Act (P.L. 116-260) 152.Helping Adults Protect Immunity (HAPI) Act (H.R. 4864) 153.Secure Affordable Vaccines Equally (SAVE) for Seniors Act (H.R. 8623) House(s) of Congress and Federal Agencies lobbied during the quarter: House, Senate, Exec Office of Pres, HHS, CDC, FDA, CMS, OMB, DOT, HUD, EPA, NIMH, Education, USDA, DHS, FEMA, and SAMHSA.
Client expense: $41,268 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Transportation, Dept of (DOT)
2020 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Lobbying Issues Description: Budget and appropriations for disease and injury prevention, including obesity and related diseases; pandemic influenza and emerging infectious diseases; physical activity; public health bioterrorism preparedness; food safety, environmental health; paid sick days; womens and childrens health; community-based public health interventions, and substance misuse/behavioral health issues. Specific Legislation: 1.Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) 2.Implementation of Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act and Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (Public Law 113-5, 116-22) 3.Implementation of Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-296) 4.Implementation of Every Student Succeeds Act (Public Law 114-95) 5.Implementation of the Comprehensive Addition and Recovery Act (Public Law 114-98) 6.Midnight Rules Relief Act (S.34/H.R. 21) 7.Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act (S. 21/H.R. 26) 8.Regulatory Accountability Act (S.951/H.R. 5/H.R. 45/H.Res.33) 9.Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome (SCRUB) Act (H.R. 998) 10.Regulatory Integrity Act (H.R. 1004) 11.OIRA Insight, Reform, and Accountability Act (S. 676/H.R. 1009) 12.A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2017 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2018 through 2026 (S.Con.Res. 3) 13.American Health Care Act (H.R. 1628/H.Res. 228) 14.Ozone Standards Implementation Act (S. 263/H.R. 806) 15.Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule of the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation" (S.J. Res. 11/H.J.Res.36) 16.Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act (S. 261/H.R. 772) 17.Reinvigorating Antibiotic and Diagnostic Innovation (READI) Act (H.R. 1840) 18.Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (H.R. 1587) 19.Preventing Antibiotic Resistance Act (S. 629) 20.Better Care Reconciliation Act (H.R. 1628) and related amendments 21.Public Health Emergency Response Act (S. 196) 22.Recognizing the importance of vaccinations and immunizations in the United States (H.Res.327) 23.Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (S. 830/H.R. 1953) 24.Community Health and Medical Professionals Improve Our Nation (CHAMPION) Act (H.R. 3922) 25.Community Health Investment, Modernization, and Excellence Act of 2017 (S. 1899) 26.Tobacco Tax Equity Act (S. 1837) 27.Healthy Kids Act (S. 1821/H.R. 3921) 28.Implementation of the Drug Quality and Security Act (P.S. 113-54) 29.Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-56) 30.Friendly Airports for Mothers Act (S. 1110/H.R. 2375) 31.Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act (S. 1583/H.R. 8713) 32.Supporting Working Moms Act (S. 2122/H.R. 3255) 33.Championing Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 3922) 34.Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes (Public Law 115-90) 35.An Act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue Department of Homeland Security-wide guidance and develop training programs as part of the Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign, and for other purposes (Public Law 115-96) 36.Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Public Law 115-97) 37.Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Advancing Innovation Act (P.L. 116-22) 38.Vaccine Access Improvement Act (H.R. 4993) 39.Relief from New Source Performance Standards Act (H.R. 453) 40.Strategies to Address Antimicrobial Resistance (S. 2469) 41.Opioid Quota Reform Act (S. 2535) 42.Hospital Preparedness Program Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4776) 43.Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns Act (H.R. 1917) 44.Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 (S. 2680) 45.Agriculture and Nutrition Act (H.R. 2) 46.Agriculture Improvement Act (S. 3042) 47.SECURE Act (H.R. 5998) 48.Trauma-Informed Care for Children and Families Act (S. 774) 49.SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6) 50.Centers for Disease Control Emergency Response Act (S. 3161) 51.LABEL Opioids Act (S. 3428) 52.Relief from New Source Performance Standards Act (S. 1857) 53.Outdoors for All Act (S. 3499) 54.The MOMMA Act (H.R. 5977) 55.Preventing Maternal Deaths Act (H.R. 1318) 56.Medicare Access to Vaccines Equity Act (not yet introduced) 57.The Support Act (H.R. 6) 58.Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act (S. 529) 59.NURSE Act (H.R. 1597) 60.Investing for the People Act (H.R. 2021) 61.Child Care for Working Families Act (H.R. 365/S. 568) 62.FAMILY Act (H.R. 1185/S. 463) 63.Transportation Alternatives Enhancement Act (S. 1098) 64.Lower Health Care Costs Act (S. 1895) 65.LIFT America Act (H.R 2479) 66.Public Health Funding Restoration Act (H.R. 3447/S. 1944) 67.Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 (HR 4334) 68.Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act (H.R. 3591) 69.Healthier Students for Stronger Campuses Act (S. 1281) 70.Saving Lives Through Better Data Act (S. 1793) 71.VACCINES Act (H.R. 2862) 72.DISARM Act (H.R. 4100/S. 1712) 73.Community Access, Resources, and Education for Families Act (H.R. 3117) 74.Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act (S. 1872) 75.Tobacco-Free Youth Act (S. 1541) 76.Tobacco to 21 Act (H.R. 2411/S. 1258) 77.Investing for People Act (H.R. 2021) 78.School Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act (H.R.2075/S.1013) 79.Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 (H.R. 2339) 80.Social Determinants Accelerator Act (H.R. 4004/S. 2986) 81.Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act (H.R. 2431) 82.The UNDERSTAND Act (S. 1323) 83.Americas Transportation Infrastructure Act (S. 2302) 84.Barriers to Suicide Act of 2019 (H.R. 4309) 85.Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act (S. 1608/H.R. 2891) 86.Public Health Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2019 (H.R. 5321) 87.Supporting Healthy Mothers and Infants Act (H.R. 5249) 88.Lead-Free Future Act (H.R. 4416) 89.Home Visiting to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Act (H.R. 4768) 90.Recognizing the anniversary of the eradication of smallpox and the importance of vaccination in the United States and worldwide (H. Res. 592) 91.Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 6074) 92.Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) 93.Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748) 94.Connecting Americas Transportation Infrastructure Act (H.R. 5696/S. 3391)) 95.Improving Access to Remote Behavioral Health Treatment Act (S. 2244/H.R. 4131) 96.National Suicide Hotline Designation Act (S. 2661/H.R. 4194) 97.Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act (H.R. 4564) 98.Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act (H.R. 4585) 99.Medicaid Reentry Act (H.R. 1329) 100.Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act (S. 824/H.R. 1767) 101.Mental Health Services for Students Act (S. 1122/H.R. 1109) 102.Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention (STANDUP) Act (S. 2492/H.R. 2599) 103.Mental Health Parity Compliance Act (S. 1737/H.R. 3165) 104.Behavioral Health Transparency Act (S. 1576/H.R. 2874) 105.Medicare Mental Health Access Act (S. 2772/H.R. 884) 106.Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act (S. 3309) 107.Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (H.R. 5041) 108.Protecting the Health of Americas Older Adults During COVID-19 and Beyond Act (H.R. 6935) 109.Improving Social Determinants Act (H.R. 6561/S. 4440) 110.Urging the establishment of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (H.Con.Res.100/S.Con.Res.50) 111.FY 2021 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations (TBD) 112.Better Tools for Healthy Living Act (S. 1805) 113.The WIC Act (H.R. 6811/S. 2358) 114.Health Equity and Accountability Act (H.R. 6637/S. 4819) 115.Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 266) 116.The HEROES Act (H.R.6800) 117.Community Solutions for COVID-19 Act (H.R.7077/S.3877) 118.The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2020 (H.R. 6142) 119.COVID-19 Bias and Anti-Racism Training Act (H.R. 7618/S. 4248) 120.Urging the establishment of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (H. Con. Res. 100) 121.Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act of 2020 (H.R. 8061) 122.Public Safety Officer Support Act (H.R. 7568) 123.COVID-19 Behavioral Health Support Act (S. 4059) 124.Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Act (H.R. 6578) 125.Strengthening the Public Health Workforce Act (S. 3737) 126.A resolution declaring racism a public health crisis (S. Res. 655) 127.Pandemic Child Hunger Prevention Act (H.R.7887) 128.Public Health Infrastructure Saves Lives Act (S. 4740) 129.CARE for Families Act (H.R. 3117/S. 3354) 130.Improving Data Collection for Adverse Childhood Experiences Act (H.R. 7689/S. 4980) 131.The STANDUP Act of 2020 (H.R. 7293) 132.The Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act (H.R. 4861) 133.The Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act of 2019 (H.R. 5469) 134.The Improving Mental Health Access from the Emergency Department Act (H.R. 2519/S. 1334) 135.The Suicide Prevention Act (H.R. 5619/S. 3198) 136.The Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) Act (H.R. 1646/S. 3244) 137.The Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act (H.R. 4585) 138.The Maternal Health Immunization Enhancement Act (S. 4690) 139.Pandemic Vaccine Access Improvement Act (Not yet introduced) 140.Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2) 141.Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (HR 8319) Coronavirus Response Additional Supplemental Appropriations Act (S. 4320). 142.ETHIC Act (H.R. 8205) 143.Safely Back to School and Work Act (S. 4322) 144.Supporting the goals and ideals of BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month (H.Res. 1064) 145.COVID-19 Health Disparities Action Act (S. 4262) 146.Protecting American Heroes Act of 2020 (S. 4368) 147.Health STATISTICS Act (H.R. 8080) 148.Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act (H.R. 4995) 149.Helping MOMS Act of 2020 (H.R. 4996) 150.Maternal Immunization Enhancement Act 151.FY2021 Omnibus and COVID Relief and Response Act (P.L. 116-260) 152.Helping Adults Protect Immunity (HAPI) Act (H.R. 4864) 153.Secure Affordable Vaccines Equally (SAVE) for Seniors Act (H.R. 8623) House(s) of Congress and Federal Agencies lobbied during the quarter: House, Senate, Exec Office of Pres, HHS, CDC, FDA, CMS, OMB, DOT, HUD, EPA, NIMH, Education, USDA, DHS, FEMA, and SAMHSA.
2020 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Supported the Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3107). Supported the Access to Assistive Technology and Devices for Americans Study Act (Triple A Study Act), (H.R. 8581) Supported the Medicare Mental Health Access Act (H.R. 884; S. 2772). Supported the Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth (STURDY) Act (S. 1902). Urged CMS to expand telehealth services beyond the PHE. Urged CMS to remove the proposed definition of reasonable and necessary in the Medicare Coverage of Innovative Technology (MCIT) rules. Opposed cuts to reimbursement rates for physical, occupational, and speech therapy in Proposed Physician Fee Schedule to CMS. Opposed CMS rule requiring COVID-19 testing in nursing homes but not in any other institutional or congregate settings and objected to use of quality adjusted life years (QALYS) measures in estimating cost effectiveness. Urged CDC, NIH, and NIDILRR to emphasize the importance of disability-specific research on COVID-19 and provided a list of proposed research topics on the impact of the pandemic for people with disabilities. Urged NCMRR within NIH to continue emphasis on patient-centered care and maintaining diverse patients and researchers in its proposed Rehab Research Plan Objectives.
Client expense: $40,000 · Firm income: Not reported
2020 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Lobby members of Congress regarding issues related to telemedicine. Advocate for increased transparency regarding drug pricing. Lobby members of the House to join the Congressional Skin Cancer Caucus. Advocate for adequate and accurate network coverage for dermatologic care within health insurance exchange networks. Support H.R. 1959, Preserving Patient Access to Compounded Medications Act. Support H.R. 2077/S. 2546, Safe Step Act. Support H.R. 1035, Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act. Support H.R. 985, Fair Access for Safe and Timely Generics Act. Support S. 476, C-THRU Act. Support S. 989, Ensuring Childrens Access to Specialty Care Act. Support H.R. 1034/S. 640, Phair Pricing Act. Support S. 657, Drug Price Transparency Act Support H.R. 938, BLOCKING Act Support H.R. 2375/S. 64, Preserve Access to Affordable Generics & Biosimilars Act Support H.R. 1499, Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act Support H.R. 2296/S. 1391, Fair Accountability & Innovative Research (FAIR) Drug Pricing Act Support H.R. 2069, Stopping the Pharmaceutical Industry from Keeping drugs Expensive (SPIKE) Act. Support H.R. 2115, Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act Support H.R. 2376/S. 1227, Prescription Pricing for the People Act Support H.R. 1379/S. 560, Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act. Advocate for relief from prior authorization requirements under Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans. Support H.R. 3107, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act Support pediatric subspecialty loan repayment in any reauthorization of the Title VII programs. Support S. 2443 Investment in Tomorrows Pediatric Health Care Workforce Act Support H.R. 1554, Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act. Advocate for the continued and increased funding of Community Health Centers. Lobby members of Congress to cosponsor H. Res. 323, which would support state, local, and community initiatives to encourage parents, teachers, camp counselors, and childcare professionals to take measures to prevent sunburns in the minors they care for, and would express the sense of the House of Representatives that state, local, and community entities should continue to support efforts to curb the incidences of skin cancer beginning with childhood skin protection. In the context of legislation to address surprise medical bills, advocate for an independent dispute resolution (IDR) process to resolve disputes between payers and physicians and against provisions that would set out-of-network reimbursement rates at a benchmark level. (H.R. 2328, H.R. 3502, S. 1531, S. 1895, H.R. 133) Support H.R. 4575, Improving Provider Directories Act, which would require group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage to establish a process to address inaccurate information listed in publicly accessible provider directories of such plans and issuers. Support the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effect Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2019 (S. 2741/H.R. 4932), which would increase access to telehealth services. Support legislation to address drug shortages by providing additional authority to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure a stable supply of medications (S. 2723, Mitigating Emergency Drug Shortages Act; H.R. 6080, Preventing Drug Shortages Act). Similar provisions to mitigate drug shortages included in CARES Act (H.R. 748, S. 3548). Request resources to provide personal protection equipment (PPE) and supplies and relief from Medicare payment sequester and relief from penalties in Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) under MACRA in the CARES Act (H.R. 748, S. 3548). Support the Coronavirus Health Care Worker Wellness Act (H.R. 7255) to help promote mental health wellness among physicians and other health care workers during the Public Health Emergency. Advocate for congressional action to hold health care professionals harmless from any cuts related to CMS Evaluation and Management Code proposals in any forthcoming legislative package (H.R. 8702/S. 5007, Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act; S. 8505, a bill to provide a one-year waiver of budget neutrality adjustment under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule; H.R. 133, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021). Support H.R. 7233, the KEEP Telehealth Options Act. Oppose H.R 884/S. 2772 the Medicare Mental Health Access Act
2020 · fourth_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Advocate for adequate and accurate network coverage for dermatologic care within Medicare Advantage. Advocate for increased funding and reforms to Graduate Medical Education. Lobby members of Congress regarding improvements to Health Information Technology implementation. Advocate for expansion of telemedicine services under Medicare and increased reimbursement for such services. Advocate for improving disease management and care coordination for patients with chronic diseases. Support preservation of the In-Offices Ancillary Services Exemption (IOASE) under Stark Law regarding physician self-referral and oppose repeal of the in-office ancillary and physician services exception. Oppose H.R. 2143, Promoting Integrity in Medicare Act (PIMA) of 2019. Advocate regarding possible changes to IOASE and Stark Law relative to implementation of Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA P.L. 114-110) Support H.R. 2282/S.966 Medicare Care Coordination Improvement Act of 2019 Advocate for relief from Medicare regulations under Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA P.L. 114-110), including the Quality Payment Program (QPP) and specifically the development of advanced alternative payment models (APMs) and implementation of the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Advocate for relief for from prior authorization requirements under Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans. Support H.R. 3107, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act Advocate against a Medicare physician payment freeze beginning in January 2020 that was created under MACRA (P.L. 114-110) and the creation of the Quality Payment Program. Advocate expanding the period for reporting and returning overpayments beyond the 60 days statutorily required under audits by Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs). Lobby Congress to urge CMS to strengthen Qualified Clinical Data Registries (QCDRs) by removing barriers that restrict access to data from EHRs. Support H.R. 3302, Keep Physicians Serving Patients Act. Support the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effect Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2019 (S. 2741/H.R. 4932), which would increase access to telehealth services Request relief from Medicare payment sequester and relief from penalties in Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) under MACRA in the CARES Act (H.R. 748, S. 3548, H.R. 133) Extend moratorium of the Medicare sequester included in the CARES Act until end of COVID-19 public health emergency in H.R. 133, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Support H.R. 8840, the Medicare Sequester COVID Moratorium Act, which would extend relief from the Medicare sequester through end of the COVID 19 public health emergency (PHE). Support the Knowing the Efficiency and Efficacy of Permanent (KEEP) Telehealth Options Act (H.R. 7233) Advocate for congressional action to hold health care professionals harmless from any cuts related to CMS Evaluation and Management Code proposals in any forthcoming legislative package. Support H.R. 8702/S. 5007, Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act Support S. 8505, a bill to provide a one-year waiver of budget neutrality adjustment under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Oppose H.R 884/S. 2772 the Medicare Mental Health Access Act.
| Democratic |
| VT |
| Sheldon Whitehouse | Democratic | RI |
| Susan M. Collins | Republican | ME |
Client expense: $36,974 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Transportation, Dept of (DOT)
Government targets: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE
Client expense: $310,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
Client expense: $310,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · fourth_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Advocate for adequate and accurate network coverage for dermatologic care within Medicare Advantage. Advocate for increased funding and reforms to Graduate Medical Education. Lobby members of Congress regarding improvements to Health Information Technology implementation. Advocate for expansion of telemedicine services under Medicare and increased reimbursement for such services. Advocate for improving disease management and care coordination for patients with chronic diseases. Support preservation of the In-Offices Ancillary Services Exemption (IOASE) under Stark Law regarding physician self-referral and oppose repeal of the in-office ancillary and physician services exception. Oppose H.R. 2143, Promoting Integrity in Medicare Act (PIMA) of 2019. Advocate regarding possible changes to IOASE and Stark Law relative to implementation of Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA P.L. 114-110) Support H.R. 2282/S.966 Medicare Care Coordination Improvement Act of 2019 Advocate for relief from Medicare regulations under Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA P.L. 114-110), including the Quality Payment Program (QPP) and specifically the development of advanced alternative payment models (APMs) and implementation of the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Advocate for relief for from prior authorization requirements under Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans. Support H.R. 3107, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act Advocate against a Medicare physician payment freeze beginning in January 2020 that was created under MACRA (P.L. 114-110) and the creation of the Quality Payment Program. Advocate expanding the period for reporting and returning overpayments beyond the 60 days statutorily required under audits by Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs). Lobby Congress to urge CMS to strengthen Qualified Clinical Data Registries (QCDRs) by removing barriers that restrict access to data from EHRs. Support H.R. 3302, Keep Physicians Serving Patients Act. Support the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effect Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2019 (S. 2741/H.R. 4932), which would increase access to telehealth services Request relief from Medicare payment sequester and relief from penalties in Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) under MACRA in the CARES Act (H.R. 748, S. 3548, H.R. 133) Extend moratorium of the Medicare sequester included in the CARES Act until end of COVID-19 public health emergency in H.R. 133, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Support H.R. 8840, the Medicare Sequester COVID Moratorium Act, which would extend relief from the Medicare sequester through end of the COVID 19 public health emergency (PHE). Support the Knowing the Efficiency and Efficacy of Permanent (KEEP) Telehealth Options Act (H.R. 7233) Advocate for congressional action to hold health care professionals harmless from any cuts related to CMS Evaluation and Management Code proposals in any forthcoming legislative package. Support H.R. 8702/S. 5007, Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act Support S. 8505, a bill to provide a one-year waiver of budget neutrality adjustment under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Oppose H.R 884/S. 2772 the Medicare Mental Health Access Act.
Client expense: $310,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Lobby members of Congress regarding issues related to telemedicine. Advocate for increased transparency regarding drug pricing. Lobby members of the House to join the Congressional Skin Cancer Caucus. Advocate for adequate and accurate network coverage for dermatologic care within health insurance exchange networks. Support H.R. 1959, Preserving Patient Access to Compounded Medications Act. Support H.R. 2077/S. 2546, Safe Step Act. Support H.R. 1035, Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act. Support H.R. 985, Fair Access for Safe and Timely Generics Act. Support S. 476, C-THRU Act. Support S. 989, Ensuring Childrens Access to Specialty Care Act. Support H.R. 1034/S. 640, Phair Pricing Act. Support S. 657, Drug Price Transparency Act Support H.R. 938, BLOCKING Act Support H.R. 2375/S. 64, Preserve Access to Affordable Generics & Biosimilars Act Support H.R. 1499, Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act Support H.R. 2296/S. 1391, Fair Accountability & Innovative Research (FAIR) Drug Pricing Act Support H.R. 2069, Stopping the Pharmaceutical Industry from Keeping drugs Expensive (SPIKE) Act. Support H.R. 2115, Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act Support H.R. 2376/S. 1227, Prescription Pricing for the People Act Support H.R. 1379/S. 560, Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act. Advocate for relief from prior authorization requirements under Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans. Support H.R. 3107, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act Support pediatric subspecialty loan repayment in any reauthorization of the Title VII programs. Support S. 2443 Investment in Tomorrows Pediatric Health Care Workforce Act Support H.R. 1554, Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act. Advocate for the continued and increased funding of Community Health Centers. Lobby members of Congress to cosponsor H. Res. 323, which would support state, local, and community initiatives to encourage parents, teachers, camp counselors, and childcare professionals to take measures to prevent sunburns in the minors they care for, and would express the sense of the House of Representatives that state, local, and community entities should continue to support efforts to curb the incidences of skin cancer beginning with childhood skin protection. In the context of legislation to address surprise medical bills, advocate for an independent dispute resolution (IDR) process to resolve disputes between payers and physicians and against provisions that would set out-of-network reimbursement rates at a benchmark level. (H.R. 2328, H.R. 3502, S. 1531, S. 1895, H.R. 133) Support H.R. 4575, Improving Provider Directories Act, which would require group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage to establish a process to address inaccurate information listed in publicly accessible provider directories of such plans and issuers. Support the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effect Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2019 (S. 2741/H.R. 4932), which would increase access to telehealth services. Support legislation to address drug shortages by providing additional authority to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure a stable supply of medications (S. 2723, Mitigating Emergency Drug Shortages Act; H.R. 6080, Preventing Drug Shortages Act). Similar provisions to mitigate drug shortages included in CARES Act (H.R. 748, S. 3548). Request resources to provide personal protection equipment (PPE) and supplies and relief from Medicare payment sequester and relief from penalties in Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) under MACRA in the CARES Act (H.R. 748, S. 3548). Support the Coronavirus Health Care Worker Wellness Act (H.R. 7255) to help promote mental health wellness among physicians and other health care workers during the Public Health Emergency. Advocate for congressional action to hold health care professionals harmless from any cuts related to CMS Evaluation and Management Code proposals in any forthcoming legislative package (H.R. 8702/S. 5007, Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act; S. 8505, a bill to provide a one-year waiver of budget neutrality adjustment under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule; H.R. 133, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021). Support H.R. 7233, the KEEP Telehealth Options Act. Oppose H.R 884/S. 2772 the Medicare Mental Health Access Act
Client expense: $310,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · fourth_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Advocate for adequate and accurate network coverage for dermatologic care within Medicare Advantage. Advocate for increased funding and reforms to Graduate Medical Education. Lobby members of Congress regarding improvements to Health Information Technology implementation. Advocate for expansion of telemedicine services under Medicare and increased reimbursement for such services. Advocate for improving disease management and care coordination for patients with chronic diseases. Support preservation of the In-Offices Ancillary Services Exemption (IOASE) under Stark Law regarding physician self-referral and oppose repeal of the in-office ancillary and physician services exception. Oppose H.R. 2143, Promoting Integrity in Medicare Act (PIMA) of 2019. Advocate regarding possible changes to IOASE and Stark Law relative to implementation of Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA P.L. 114-110) Support H.R. 2282/S.966 Medicare Care Coordination Improvement Act of 2019 Advocate for relief from Medicare regulations under Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA P.L. 114-110), including the Quality Payment Program (QPP) and specifically the development of advanced alternative payment models (APMs) and implementation of the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Advocate for relief for from prior authorization requirements under Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans. Support H.R. 3107, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act Advocate against a Medicare physician payment freeze beginning in January 2020 that was created under MACRA (P.L. 114-110) and the creation of the Quality Payment Program. Advocate expanding the period for reporting and returning overpayments beyond the 60 days statutorily required under audits by Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs). Lobby Congress to urge CMS to strengthen Qualified Clinical Data Registries (QCDRs) by removing barriers that restrict access to data from EHRs. Support H.R. 3302, Keep Physicians Serving Patients Act. Support the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effect Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2019 (S. 2741/H.R. 4932), which would increase access to telehealth services Request relief from Medicare payment sequester and relief from penalties in Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) under MACRA in the CARES Act (H.R. 748, S. 3548, H.R. 133) Extend moratorium of the Medicare sequester included in the CARES Act until end of COVID-19 public health emergency in H.R. 133, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Support H.R. 8840, the Medicare Sequester COVID Moratorium Act, which would extend relief from the Medicare sequester through end of the COVID 19 public health emergency (PHE). Support the Knowing the Efficiency and Efficacy of Permanent (KEEP) Telehealth Options Act (H.R. 7233) Advocate for congressional action to hold health care professionals harmless from any cuts related to CMS Evaluation and Management Code proposals in any forthcoming legislative package. Support H.R. 8702/S. 5007, Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act Support S. 8505, a bill to provide a one-year waiver of budget neutrality adjustment under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Oppose H.R 884/S. 2772 the Medicare Mental Health Access Act.
Client expense: $310,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Lobby members of Congress regarding issues related to telemedicine. Advocate for increased transparency regarding drug pricing. Lobby members of the House to join the Congressional Skin Cancer Caucus. Advocate for adequate and accurate network coverage for dermatologic care within health insurance exchange networks. Support H.R. 1959, Preserving Patient Access to Compounded Medications Act. Support H.R. 2077/S. 2546, Safe Step Act. Support H.R. 1035, Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act. Support H.R. 985, Fair Access for Safe and Timely Generics Act. Support S. 476, C-THRU Act. Support S. 989, Ensuring Childrens Access to Specialty Care Act. Support H.R. 1034/S. 640, Phair Pricing Act. Support S. 657, Drug Price Transparency Act Support H.R. 938, BLOCKING Act Support H.R. 2375/S. 64, Preserve Access to Affordable Generics & Biosimilars Act Support H.R. 1499, Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act Support H.R. 2296/S. 1391, Fair Accountability & Innovative Research (FAIR) Drug Pricing Act Support H.R. 2069, Stopping the Pharmaceutical Industry from Keeping drugs Expensive (SPIKE) Act. Support H.R. 2115, Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act Support H.R. 2376/S. 1227, Prescription Pricing for the People Act Support H.R. 1379/S. 560, Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act. Advocate for relief from prior authorization requirements under Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans. Support H.R. 3107, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act Support pediatric subspecialty loan repayment in any reauthorization of the Title VII programs. Support S. 2443 Investment in Tomorrows Pediatric Health Care Workforce Act Support H.R. 1554, Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act. Advocate for the continued and increased funding of Community Health Centers. Lobby members of Congress to cosponsor H. Res. 323, which would support state, local, and community initiatives to encourage parents, teachers, camp counselors, and childcare professionals to take measures to prevent sunburns in the minors they care for, and would express the sense of the House of Representatives that state, local, and community entities should continue to support efforts to curb the incidences of skin cancer beginning with childhood skin protection. In the context of legislation to address surprise medical bills, advocate for an independent dispute resolution (IDR) process to resolve disputes between payers and physicians and against provisions that would set out-of-network reimbursement rates at a benchmark level. (H.R. 2328, H.R. 3502, S. 1531, S. 1895, H.R. 133) Support H.R. 4575, Improving Provider Directories Act, which would require group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage to establish a process to address inaccurate information listed in publicly accessible provider directories of such plans and issuers. Support the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effect Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2019 (S. 2741/H.R. 4932), which would increase access to telehealth services. Support legislation to address drug shortages by providing additional authority to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure a stable supply of medications (S. 2723, Mitigating Emergency Drug Shortages Act; H.R. 6080, Preventing Drug Shortages Act). Similar provisions to mitigate drug shortages included in CARES Act (H.R. 748, S. 3548). Request resources to provide personal protection equipment (PPE) and supplies and relief from Medicare payment sequester and relief from penalties in Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) under MACRA in the CARES Act (H.R. 748, S. 3548). Support the Coronavirus Health Care Worker Wellness Act (H.R. 7255) to help promote mental health wellness among physicians and other health care workers during the Public Health Emergency. Advocate for congressional action to hold health care professionals harmless from any cuts related to CMS Evaluation and Management Code proposals in any forthcoming legislative package (H.R. 8702/S. 5007, Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act; S. 8505, a bill to provide a one-year waiver of budget neutrality adjustment under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule; H.R. 133, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021). Support H.R. 7233, the KEEP Telehealth Options Act. Oppose H.R 884/S. 2772 the Medicare Mental Health Access Act
Client expense: $310,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · fourth_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Advocate for adequate and accurate network coverage for dermatologic care within Medicare Advantage. Advocate for increased funding and reforms to Graduate Medical Education. Lobby members of Congress regarding improvements to Health Information Technology implementation. Advocate for expansion of telemedicine services under Medicare and increased reimbursement for such services. Advocate for improving disease management and care coordination for patients with chronic diseases. Support preservation of the In-Offices Ancillary Services Exemption (IOASE) under Stark Law regarding physician self-referral and oppose repeal of the in-office ancillary and physician services exception. Oppose H.R. 2143, Promoting Integrity in Medicare Act (PIMA) of 2019. Advocate regarding possible changes to IOASE and Stark Law relative to implementation of Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA P.L. 114-110) Support H.R. 2282/S.966 Medicare Care Coordination Improvement Act of 2019 Advocate for relief from Medicare regulations under Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA P.L. 114-110), including the Quality Payment Program (QPP) and specifically the development of advanced alternative payment models (APMs) and implementation of the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Advocate for relief for from prior authorization requirements under Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans. Support H.R. 3107, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act Advocate against a Medicare physician payment freeze beginning in January 2020 that was created under MACRA (P.L. 114-110) and the creation of the Quality Payment Program. Advocate expanding the period for reporting and returning overpayments beyond the 60 days statutorily required under audits by Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs). Lobby Congress to urge CMS to strengthen Qualified Clinical Data Registries (QCDRs) by removing barriers that restrict access to data from EHRs. Support H.R. 3302, Keep Physicians Serving Patients Act. Support the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effect Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2019 (S. 2741/H.R. 4932), which would increase access to telehealth services Request relief from Medicare payment sequester and relief from penalties in Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) under MACRA in the CARES Act (H.R. 748, S. 3548, H.R. 133) Extend moratorium of the Medicare sequester included in the CARES Act until end of COVID-19 public health emergency in H.R. 133, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Support H.R. 8840, the Medicare Sequester COVID Moratorium Act, which would extend relief from the Medicare sequester through end of the COVID 19 public health emergency (PHE). Support the Knowing the Efficiency and Efficacy of Permanent (KEEP) Telehealth Options Act (H.R. 7233) Advocate for congressional action to hold health care professionals harmless from any cuts related to CMS Evaluation and Management Code proposals in any forthcoming legislative package. Support H.R. 8702/S. 5007, Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act Support S. 8505, a bill to provide a one-year waiver of budget neutrality adjustment under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Oppose H.R 884/S. 2772 the Medicare Mental Health Access Act.
Client expense: $310,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Lobby members of Congress regarding issues related to telemedicine. Advocate for increased transparency regarding drug pricing. Lobby members of the House to join the Congressional Skin Cancer Caucus. Advocate for adequate and accurate network coverage for dermatologic care within health insurance exchange networks. Support H.R. 1959, Preserving Patient Access to Compounded Medications Act. Support H.R. 2077/S. 2546, Safe Step Act. Support H.R. 1035, Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act. Support H.R. 985, Fair Access for Safe and Timely Generics Act. Support S. 476, C-THRU Act. Support S. 989, Ensuring Childrens Access to Specialty Care Act. Support H.R. 1034/S. 640, Phair Pricing Act. Support S. 657, Drug Price Transparency Act Support H.R. 938, BLOCKING Act Support H.R. 2375/S. 64, Preserve Access to Affordable Generics & Biosimilars Act Support H.R. 1499, Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act Support H.R. 2296/S. 1391, Fair Accountability & Innovative Research (FAIR) Drug Pricing Act Support H.R. 2069, Stopping the Pharmaceutical Industry from Keeping drugs Expensive (SPIKE) Act. Support H.R. 2115, Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act Support H.R. 2376/S. 1227, Prescription Pricing for the People Act Support H.R. 1379/S. 560, Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act. Advocate for relief from prior authorization requirements under Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans. Support H.R. 3107, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act Support pediatric subspecialty loan repayment in any reauthorization of the Title VII programs. Support S. 2443 Investment in Tomorrows Pediatric Health Care Workforce Act Support H.R. 1554, Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act. Advocate for the continued and increased funding of Community Health Centers. Lobby members of Congress to cosponsor H. Res. 323, which would support state, local, and community initiatives to encourage parents, teachers, camp counselors, and childcare professionals to take measures to prevent sunburns in the minors they care for, and would express the sense of the House of Representatives that state, local, and community entities should continue to support efforts to curb the incidences of skin cancer beginning with childhood skin protection. In the context of legislation to address surprise medical bills, advocate for an independent dispute resolution (IDR) process to resolve disputes between payers and physicians and against provisions that would set out-of-network reimbursement rates at a benchmark level. (H.R. 2328, H.R. 3502, S. 1531, S. 1895, H.R. 133) Support H.R. 4575, Improving Provider Directories Act, which would require group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage to establish a process to address inaccurate information listed in publicly accessible provider directories of such plans and issuers. Support the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effect Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2019 (S. 2741/H.R. 4932), which would increase access to telehealth services. Support legislation to address drug shortages by providing additional authority to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure a stable supply of medications (S. 2723, Mitigating Emergency Drug Shortages Act; H.R. 6080, Preventing Drug Shortages Act). Similar provisions to mitigate drug shortages included in CARES Act (H.R. 748, S. 3548). Request resources to provide personal protection equipment (PPE) and supplies and relief from Medicare payment sequester and relief from penalties in Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) under MACRA in the CARES Act (H.R. 748, S. 3548). Support the Coronavirus Health Care Worker Wellness Act (H.R. 7255) to help promote mental health wellness among physicians and other health care workers during the Public Health Emergency. Advocate for congressional action to hold health care professionals harmless from any cuts related to CMS Evaluation and Management Code proposals in any forthcoming legislative package (H.R. 8702/S. 5007, Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act; S. 8505, a bill to provide a one-year waiver of budget neutrality adjustment under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule; H.R. 133, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021). Support H.R. 7233, the KEEP Telehealth Options Act. Oppose H.R 884/S. 2772 the Medicare Mental Health Access Act
Client expense: $310,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
H. Res. 480, Acknowledging the racial disparities in diagnosing and treating mental health among youth in communities of color H.R. 1554, the Resident Education Deferred Interest Act H.R. 1763 / S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2019 H.R. 2734 / S. 1448, the Safer Prescribing of Controlled Substances Act H.R. 3180/ S. 1770, the RISE from Trauma Act H.R. 3239/ S. 2135, the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act H.R. 3253, the Empowering Beneficiaries, Ensuring Access, and Strengthening Accountability Act H.R. 3417, BETTER Act of 2019 H.R. 4194/S. 2661, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019 H.R. 4309, the Barriers to Suicide Act H.R. 4327, the Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act H.R. 4861/ S. 3006, the Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act H.R. 4932 / S. 2741, the CONNECT for Health Act H.R. 4995, the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act of 2019 H.R. 4996, the Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services Act of 2019 H.R. 5201, the Telemental Health Expansion Act of 2019 H.R. 5473, the Enhance Access to Support Essential Behavioral Health Services Act H.R.5469/ S.4388, the Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act of 2019 H.R.5575, the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act of 2020 Out of network billing legislation S. 1227, the Prescription Pricing for the People Act of 2019 S. 2443, the Investment in Tomorrow's Pediatric Health Care Workforce Act S. 824, the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act S.1659, the Ensuring Childrens Access to Specialty Care Act of 2019 Title III Sec. 305 Timely Bills to Patients within the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019 (S. 1895) Cures 2.0 Title X Family Planning Program Administration Rule Efforts related to psychiatric bed shortages. H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act H.R. 4996, the Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services (MOMS) Act, and Senate efforts. S. 311, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act S. 3275, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act H.R. 4056 and S. 2446, the Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act of 2019 H.R. 5575, the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act Telehealth provisions as related to Covid-19. H.R. 6644, the Health Care at Home Act Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015 and related Medicare and Medicaid payment updates. Emergency financial relief and stability funding for 501(c)(6) tax-exempt medical and dental trade associations impacted by the pandemic H.R. 7078, the Evaluating Disparities and Outcomes of Telehealth During the COVID-19 Emergency Act of 2020 (EDOT Act of 2020) H.R. 7255, the Coronavirus Health Care Worker Wellness Act of 2020 S. 3919, the Military Suicide Prevention in the 21st Century Act H.R. 7608, the Legislative Vehicle for the Fiscal 2021 Four-Bill Appropriations Package H.R. 7539, the Strengthening Behavioral Health Parity Act H.R. 4564, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2019 H.R. 5619/ S. 3198, the Suicide Prevention Act H.R. 4585, the Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act H.R. 1646/ S. 3244, the Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) Act of 2019 H.R. 2519/ S. 1334, the Improving Mental Health Access from the Emergency Department Act of 2019 H.R. 7147, the Creating Resources to Improve Situations of Inherent Severity Act (CRISIS Act) H.R. 7159/S. 4282, the Crisis Care Improvement and Suicide Prevention Act of 2020 H.R. 7689, the Improving Data Collection for Adverse Childhood Experiences Act H.R. 8094/S. 4349, the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act H.R. 6561/S. 4440, the Improving Social Determinants of Health Act H.R. 7511/ S. 4211, the Facilitating Reforms that Offer Necessary Telehealth in Every Rural (FRONTIER) Community Act H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act H.R. 3935, the Protecting Patients Transportation to Care Act H.R. 4564, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2020 S. Res. 738, Recognizing suicide as a serious public health problem and expressing support for the designation of September as National Suicide Prevention Month S. 4113, the Broadband Reform and Investment to Drive Growth in the Economy Act of 2020 (BRIDGE Act) H.R. 7859, the Strengthening Behavioral Health Supports for Schools Act S. 4421, the Temporary Reciprocity to Ensure Access to Treatment (TREAT) Act H.R. 8141, the Strengthening Mental Health Supports for BIPOC Communities Act HR 7510, the Assimilating Health and Equity Assessments into Decision-making Act of 2020 or AHEAD Act H.R. 5469/S.4388, the Mental Health Equity Act of 2020 H.R. 7059, the Coronavirus Provider Protection Act, S. 3792, the Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act of 2020. HR 6810 to provide COBRA subsidies for unemployed and furloughed individuals during COVID H.R. 7593/S. 4103, the Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act H.R. 6645, the Mental Health Research Act H.R. 5201, the Telemental Health Expansion Act of 2019 H.R. 6561/S. 3595, the Ensuring Understanding for COVID-19 to Protect Public Health Act S. 4524, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act S. 4486, the Achieving Thorough Transparency & Accessibility for Information Navigation (ATTAIN) on Mental Health Act H.R. 6800/H.R. 8406, the HEROES Act S. 4230, the Telehealth Expansion Act of 2020 H.R. 7391, the Protect Telehealth Access Act of 2020 H.R. 7760, To make a supplemental appropriation for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program of the Federal Communications Commission for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020 H.R.8067, the Addressing COVID-19 Health Disparities Act H.R. 2862, the VACCINES Act of 2019 (G6 letter for internal purposes) Efforts related to Collaborative Care Model S. 3197, the Improving Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Areas Act H.R. 6139, the COVID-19 Health Care Worker Protection Act of 2020 H.Res. 908 (S.Res. 580) Condemning all forms of Anti-Asian Sentiment as related to COVID-19 H.R. 6585, the Equitable Data Collection and Disclosure on COVID-19 Act H.R. 7078, the EDOT Act of 2020 HR 7077, the Community Solutions for COVID-19 Act H.R. 7780, the Virtual Community Support Act of 2020 H. R. 8016, the Peer Assisted Relief Through Empathetic Resources and Supports (PARTNERS) Act H. R. 8206, the Promoting Effective and Empowering Recovery Services in Medicare Act of 2020 (PEERS Medicare Act of 2020) 2021 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule, E/M (H.R. 8702; H.R. 8505; S. 4932) H.R. 9035, the Permanency for Audio Only Telehealth Act H.R. 7663, Protecting Access to Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Act of 2020 H.R. 8283/S. 4421 TREAT Act H.R. 2482/S. 2074 Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act of 2019 Misuse of race data within clinical algorithms.
Client expense: $238,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of the Vice President of the United States, SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
2020 · fourth_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
S.2772 - Medicare Mental Health Access Act H.R.3772- Medicare Diagnostic Radiopharmaceutical Payment Equality Act of 2019 H.R. 7078, the Evaluating Disparities and Outcomes of Telehealth During the COVID-19 Emergency Act of 2020 Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) S.475 - RxCAP Act of 2019 H.R. 945/S. 286, the Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019 Support of an out-of-pocket spending cap for Medicare Part D Support for Value Based Arrangements in Medicare and Medicaid
Client expense: $18,500 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), SENATE
2020 · fourth_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
S. 2772, H.R. 884: Medicare Mental Health Access Act. H.R. 1301: The Mental Health Telemedicine Expansion Act H.R.1839: Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019 H.R. 1530, S. 595: Treat & Reduce Obesity H.R. 1329: Medicaid Reentry Act H.R. 3417: Beneficiary Education Tools Telehealth Extender Reauthorization Act of 2019 H.R. 5575: Primary Care and Behavioral Health Access Act H/S bill is under HCR S.3999: Mental and Behavioral Health Connectivity Act H.R. 6644, S. 3741: Health Care at Home Act H.R. 5201: Telemental Health Expansion Act H.R. 7663: Protecting Access to Post Covid-19 Telehealth Act H.R.4996: Helping MOMS Act of 2020 SF H.R.7539: Strengthening Behavioral Health Parity Act H.R. 9035: Permanency for Audio-Only Telehealth Act H,R, 8702, S. 5007: Holding Providers Harmless From Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act H.R. 8840: Medicare Sequester COVID Moratorium Act S. 4013, H.R. 7593: TREATS Act
Client expense: $216,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Natl Science Foundation (NSF), SENATE
2020 · fourth_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Medicare/Medicaid coverage of telebehavioral healthcare Urging an extension and increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage during the PHE Urging HHS to waive budget neutrality requirements for new Medicare E&M office visit payments Requesting that CMS consider making permanent certain telehealth flexibilities S.2772 / H.R.884 Medicare Mental Health Access Act Urging CMS to implement and pay CPT Code 99072 to compensate for the additional expenses in treating patients during the pandemic
Client expense: $20,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), White House Office
2020 · fourth_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported H.R. 3925, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act, introduced by Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and David McKinley (R-VA). The bill would prohibit state Medicaid programs, beginning in October 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2025, from imposing prior authorizations or other types of utilization control policies or procedures on medications approved to treat OUD, including, with respect to the provision of those medications, counseling services and behavioral therapy. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Opposed passage of the MORE Act H.R. 3884, which would, among other things, remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances under the CSA. Provided comments on a draft Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) bill Provided comments on CARA 2.0 legislation, S. 5000, related to prescriber education and curricula grants Joined coalition letter to FDA urging the Commissioner to commence rulemaking to prohibit menthol as characterizing flavor in cigarettes Discussions regarding draft legislation on Medicaid reimbursement for addition treatment providers and repeal of the IMD exclusion in Medicaid for residential addiction treatment Discussions regarding the EASY MAT Act, HR 2281, CBO score Submitted letter of support for S. 4612, the Methamphetamine Response Act, which would declare methamphetamine an emerging drug threst
Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Office of Natl Drug Control Policy (NDCP), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
2020 · fourth_quarter · Health Issues
Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported H.R. 3925, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act, introduced by Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and David McKinley (R-VA). The bill would prohibit state Medicaid programs, beginning in October 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2025, from imposing prior authorizations or other types of utilization control policies or procedures on medications approved to treat OUD, including, with respect to the provision of those medications, counseling services and behavioral therapy. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Opposed passage of the MORE Act H.R. 3884, which would, among other things, remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances under the CSA. Provided comments on a draft Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) bill Provided comments on CARA 2.0 legislation, S. 5000, related to prescriber education and curricula grants Joined coalition letter to FDA urging the Commissioner to commence rulemaking to prohibit menthol as characterizing flavor in cigarettes Discussions regarding draft legislation on Medicaid reimbursement for addition treatment providers and repeal of the IMD exclusion in Medicaid for residential addiction treatment Discussions regarding the EASY MAT Act, HR 2281, CBO score Submitted letter of support for S. 4612, the Methamphetamine Response Act, which would declare methamphetamine an emerging drug threst
Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Office of Natl Drug Control Policy (NDCP), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
2020 · fourth_quarter · Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported H.R. 3925, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act, introduced by Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and David McKinley (R-VA). The bill would prohibit state Medicaid programs, beginning in October 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2025, from imposing prior authorizations or other types of utilization control policies or procedures on medications approved to treat OUD, including, with respect to the provision of those medications, counseling services and behavioral therapy. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Opposed passage of the MORE Act H.R. 3884, which would, among other things, remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances under the CSA. Provided comments on a draft Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) bill Provided comments on CARA 2.0 legislation, S. 5000, related to prescriber education and curricula grants Joined coalition letter to FDA urging the Commissioner to commence rulemaking to prohibit menthol as characterizing flavor in cigarettes Discussions regarding draft legislation on Medicaid reimbursement for addition treatment providers and repeal of the IMD exclusion in Medicaid for residential addiction treatment Discussions regarding the EASY MAT Act, HR 2281, CBO score Submitted letter of support for S. 4612, the Methamphetamine Response Act, which would declare methamphetamine an emerging drug threst
Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Office of Natl Drug Control Policy (NDCP), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
2020 · fourth_quarter · Budget/Appropriations
Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported H.R. 3925, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act, introduced by Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and David McKinley (R-VA). The bill would prohibit state Medicaid programs, beginning in October 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2025, from imposing prior authorizations or other types of utilization control policies or procedures on medications approved to treat OUD, including, with respect to the provision of those medications, counseling services and behavioral therapy. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Opposed passage of the MORE Act H.R. 3884, which would, among other things, remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances under the CSA. Provided comments on a draft Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) bill Provided comments on CARA 2.0 legislation, S. 5000, related to prescriber education and curricula grants Joined coalition letter to FDA urging the Commissioner to commence rulemaking to prohibit menthol as characterizing flavor in cigarettes Discussions regarding draft legislation on Medicaid reimbursement for addition treatment providers and repeal of the IMD exclusion in Medicaid for residential addiction treatment Discussions regarding the EASY MAT Act, HR 2281, CBO score Submitted letter of support for S. 4612, the Methamphetamine Response Act, which would declare methamphetamine an emerging drug threst
Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Office of Natl Drug Control Policy (NDCP), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
2020 · fourth_quarter · Medical/Disease Research/Clinical Labs
Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported H.R. 3925, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act, introduced by Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and David McKinley (R-VA). The bill would prohibit state Medicaid programs, beginning in October 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2025, from imposing prior authorizations or other types of utilization control policies or procedures on medications approved to treat OUD, including, with respect to the provision of those medications, counseling services and behavioral therapy. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Opposed passage of the MORE Act H.R. 3884, which would, among other things, remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances under the CSA. Provided comments on a draft Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) bill Provided comments on CARA 2.0 legislation, S. 5000, related to prescriber education and curricula grants Joined coalition letter to FDA urging the Commissioner to commence rulemaking to prohibit menthol as characterizing flavor in cigarettes Discussions regarding draft legislation on Medicaid reimbursement for addition treatment providers and repeal of the IMD exclusion in Medicaid for residential addiction treatment Discussions regarding the EASY MAT Act, HR 2281, CBO score Submitted letter of support for S. 4612, the Methamphetamine Response Act, which would declare methamphetamine an emerging drug threst
Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Office of Natl Drug Control Policy (NDCP), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
2020 · fourth_quarter · Insurance
Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported H.R. 3925, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act, introduced by Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and David McKinley (R-VA). The bill would prohibit state Medicaid programs, beginning in October 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2025, from imposing prior authorizations or other types of utilization control policies or procedures on medications approved to treat OUD, including, with respect to the provision of those medications, counseling services and behavioral therapy. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Opposed passage of the MORE Act H.R. 3884, which would, among other things, remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances under the CSA. Provided comments on a draft Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) bill Provided comments on CARA 2.0 legislation, S. 5000, related to prescriber education and curricula grants Joined coalition letter to FDA urging the Commissioner to commence rulemaking to prohibit menthol as characterizing flavor in cigarettes Discussions regarding draft legislation on Medicaid reimbursement for addition treatment providers and repeal of the IMD exclusion in Medicaid for residential addiction treatment Discussions regarding the EASY MAT Act, HR 2281, CBO score Submitted letter of support for S. 4612, the Methamphetamine Response Act, which would declare methamphetamine an emerging drug threst
Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Office of Natl Drug Control Policy (NDCP), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
2020 · third_quarter · Health Issues
Lobbying Issues Description: Budget and appropriations for disease and injury prevention, including obesity and related diseases; pandemic influenza and emerging infectious diseases; physical activity; public health bioterrorism preparedness; food safety, environmental health; paid sick days; womens and childrens health; community-based public health interventions, and substance misuse/behavioral health issues. Specific Legislation: 1.Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) 2.Implementation of Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act and Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (Public Law 113-5, 116-22) 3.Implementation of Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-296) 4.Implementation of Every Student Succeeds Act (Public Law 114-95) 5.Implementation of the Comprehensive Addition and Recovery Act (Public Law 114-98) 6.Midnight Rules Relief Act (S.34/H.R. 21) 7.Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act (S. 21/H.R. 26) 8.Regulatory Accountability Act (S.951/H.R. 5/H.R. 45/H.Res.33) 9.Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome (SCRUB) Act (H.R. 998) 10.Regulatory Integrity Act (H.R. 1004) 11.OIRA Insight, Reform, and Accountability Act (S. 676/H.R. 1009) 12.A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2017 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2018 through 2026 (S.Con.Res. 3) 13.American Health Care Act (H.R. 1628/H.Res. 228) 14.Ozone Standards Implementation Act (S. 263/H.R. 806) 15.Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule of the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation" (S.J. Res. 11/H.J.Res.36) 16.Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act (S. 261/H.R. 772) 17.Reinvigorating Antibiotic and Diagnostic Innovation (READI) Act (H.R. 1840) 18.Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (H.R. 1587) 19.Preventing Antibiotic Resistance Act (S. 629) 20.Better Care Reconciliation Act (H.R. 1628) and related amendments 21.Public Health Emergency Response Act (S. 196) 22.Recognizing the importance of vaccinations and immunizations in the United States (H.Res.327) 23.Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (S. 830/H.R. 1953) 24.Community Health and Medical Professionals Improve Our Nation (CHAMPION) Act (H.R. 3922) 25.Community Health Investment, Modernization, and Excellence Act of 2017 (S. 1899) 26.Tobacco Tax Equity Act (S. 1837) 27.Healthy Kids Act (S. 1821/H.R. 3921) 28.Implementation of the Drug Quality and Security Act (P.S. 113-54) 29.Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-56) 30.Friendly Airports for Mothers Act (S. 1110/H.R. 2375) 31.Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act (S. 1845) 32.Supporting Working Moms Act (S. 2122/H.R. 3255) 33.Championing Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 3922) 34.Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes (Public Law 115-90) 35.An Act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue Department of Homeland Security-wide guidance and develop training programs as part of the Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign, and for other purposes (Public Law 115-96) 36.Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Public Law 115-97) 37.Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Advancing Innovation Act (S. 2852/H.R. 6378/H.R. 7328/S. 1379/H.R. 269) 38.Vaccine Access Improvement Act (H.R. 4993) 39.Relief from New Source Performance Standards Act (H.R. 453) 40.Strategies to Address Antimicrobial Resistance (S. 2469) 41.Opioid Quota Reform Act (S. 2535) 42.Hospital Preparedness Program Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4776) 43.Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns Act (H.R. 1917) 44.Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 (S. 2680) 45.Agriculture and Nutrition Act (H.R. 2) 46.Agriculture Improvement Act (S. 3042) 47.SECURE Act (H.R. 5998) 48.Trauma-Informed Care for Children and Families Act (S. 774) 49.SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6) 50.Centers for Disease Control Emergency Response Act (S. 3161) 51.LABEL Opioids Act (S. 3428) 52.Relief from New Source Performance Standards Act (S. 1857) 53.Outdoors for All Act (S. 3499) 54.The MOMMA Act (H.R. 5977) 55.Preventing Maternal Deaths Act (H.R. 1318) 56.Medicare Access to Vaccines Equity Act (not yet introduced) 57.The Support Act (H.R. 6) 58.Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act (S. 529) 59.NURSE Act (H.R. 1597) 60.Investing for the People Act (H.R. 2021) 61.Child Care for Working Families Act (H.R. 365/S. 568) 62.FAMILY Act (H.R. 1185/S. 463) 63.Transportation Alternatives Enhancement Act (S. 1098) 64.Lower Health Care Costs Act (S. 1895) 65.LIFT America Act (H.R 2479) 66.Public Health Funding Restoration Act (H.R. 3447/S. 1944) 67.Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 (HR 4334) 68.Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act (H.R. 3591) 69.Healthier Students for Stronger Campuses Act (S. 1281) 70.Saving Lives Through Better Data Act (S. 1793) 71.VACCINES Act (H.R. 2862) 72.DISARM Act (H.R. 4100/S. 1712) 73.Community Access, Resources, and Education for Families Act (H.R. 3117) 74.Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act (S. 1872) 75.Tobacco-Free Youth Act (S. 1541) 76.Tobacco to 21 Act (H.R. 2411/S. 1258) 77.Investing for People Act (H.R. 2021) 78.School Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act (H.R.2075/S.1013) 79.Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 (H.R. 2339) 80.Social Determinants Accelerator Act (H.R. 4004/S. 2986) 81.Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act (H.R. 2431) 82.The UNDERSTAND Act (S. 1323) 83.Americas Transportation Infrastructure Act (S. 2302) 84.Barriers to Suicide Act of 2019 (H.R. 4309) 85.Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act (S. 1608/H.R. 2891) 86.Public Health Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2019 (H.R. 5321) 87.Supporting Healthy Mothers and Infants Act (H.R. 5249) 88.Lead-Free Future Act (H.R. 4416) 89.Home Visiting to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Act (H.R. 4768) 90.Recognizing the anniversary of the eradication of smallpox and the importance of vaccination in the United States and worldwide (H. Res. 592) 91.Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 6074) 92.Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) 93.Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748) 94.Connecting Americas Transportation Infrastructure Act (H.R. 5696/S. 3391)) 95.Improving Access to Remote Behavioral Health Treatment Act (S. 2244/H.R. 4131) 96.National Suicide Hotline Designation Act (S. 2661/H.R. 4194) 97.Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act (H.R. 4564) 98.Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act (H.R. 4585) 99.Medicaid Reentry Act (H.R. 1329) 100.Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act (S. 824/H.R. 1767) 101.Mental Health Services for Students Act (S. 1122/H.R. 1109) 102.Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention (STANDUP) Act (S. 2492/H.R. 2599) 103.Mental Health Parity Compliance Act (S. 1737/H.R. 3165) 104.Behavioral Health Transparency Act (S. 1576/H.R. 2874) 105.Medicare Mental Health Access Act (S. 2772/H.R. 884) 106.Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act (S. 3309) 107.Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (H.R. 5041) 108.Protecting the Health of Americas Older Adults During COVID-19 and Beyond Act (H.R. 6935) 109.Improving Social Determinants Act (H.R. 6561/S. 4440) 110.Urging the establishment of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (H.Con.Res.100) 111.FY 2021 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations (TBD) 112.Better Tools for Healthy Living Act (S. 1805) 113.The WIC Act (H.R. 6811/S. 2358) 114.Health Equity and Accountability Act (H.R. 6637) 115.Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 266) 116.The HEROES Act (H.R.6800) 117.Community Solutions for COVID-19 Act (H.R.7077/S.3877) 118.The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2020 (H.R. 6142) 119.COVID-19 Bias and Anti-Racism Training Act (H.R. 7618/S. 4248) 120.Urging the establishment of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (H. Con. Res. 100) 121.Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act of 2020 (H.R. 8061) 122.Public Safety Officer Support Act (H.R. 7568) 123.COVID-19 Behavioral Health Support Act (S. 4059) 124.Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Act (H.R. 6578) 125.Strengthening the Public Health Workforce Act (S. 3737) 126.A resolution declaring racism a public health crisis (S. Res. 655) 127.Pandemic Child Hunger Prevention Act (H.R.7887) 128.Public Health Infrastructure Saves Lives Act (S. 4740) 129.CARE for Families Act (H.R. 3117/S. 3354) 130.Improving Data Collection for Adverse Childhood Experiences Act (H.R. 7689) 131.The STANDUP Act of 2020 (H.R. 7293) 132.The Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act (H.R. 4861) 133.The Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act of 2019 (H.R. 5469) 134.The Improving Mental Health Access from the Emergency Department Act (H.R. 2519/S. 1334) 135.The Suicide Prevention Act (H.R. 5619/S. 3198) 136.The Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) Act (H.R. 1646/S. 3244) 137.The Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act (H.R. 4585) 138.The Maternal Health Immunization Enhancement Act (S. 4690) 139.Pandemic Vaccine Access Improvement Act (Not yet introduced) 140.Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2) 141.Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (HR 8319) Coronavirus Response Additional Supplemental Appropriations Act (S. 4320). 142.ETHIC Act (H.R. 8205) 143.Safely Back to School and Work Act (S. 4322) 144.Supporting the goals and ideals of BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month (H.Res. 1064) 145.COVID-19 Health Disparities Action Act (S. 4262) 146.Protecting American Heroes Act of 2020 (S. 4368) 147.Health STATISTICS Act (H.R. 8080) House(s) of Congress and Federal Agencies lobbied during the quarter: House, Senate, Exec Office of Pres, HHS, CDC, FDA, CMS, OMB, DOT, HUD, EPA, NIMH, Education, USDA, DHS, FEMA, and SAMHSA.
Client expense: $36,974 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Transportation, Dept of (DOT)
2020 · third_quarter · Health Issues
Coalition letter addressed to the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services urging CMS to sunset waivers involving scope of practice and licensure when the COVID public health emergency concludes. Coalition letter addressed to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Leader Kevin McCarthy, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Ranking Member Charles Schumer asking that unanticipated medical bills be addressed separately from any upcoming COVID-19 relief legislation. Coalition letter addressed to Chairman Frank Pallone, Ranking Member Greg Walden, Chairman Richard Neal, Ranking Member Kevin Brady, Chairman Chuck Grassley and Ranking Member Ron Wyden urging opposition to H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would decrease the overall access and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries by inappropriately allowing psychologists to provide services well beyond their education and training. H.R. 663, the "Truth in Healthcare Marketing Act of 2020," all provisions. H.R. 7059, the Coronavirus Provider Protection Act," all provisions. H.R. 4056 and S. 2446, the "Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act" all provisions. H.R. 3502, the "Protecting People from Surprise Medical Bills Act," all provisions. S. 1531, the "STOP Surprise Medical Bills Act," to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide protections to health insurance consumers from surprise billing, all provisions. S. 1895, the "Lower Health Care Costs Act," to lower health care costs, all provisions. H.R. 3630, the "No Surprises Act," to protect health care consumers from surprise billing practices, and for other purposes, all provisions. Issues pertaining to scope of practice legislation; in general. Issues related to hearing healthcare; in general. Issues pertaining to health information technology and electronic health records; in general. Federal "Truth in Advertising" Legislation; in general. Issues pertaining to Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids (LEAD-K) and parent choice; in general. Issues pertaining to the Early Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program, in general. Issues pertaining to surprise out of network bills, in general. Issues pertaining to Graduate Medical Education; in general. Issues pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic, in general. Issues pertaining to healthcare liability reform, in general.
Client expense: $200,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · third_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Coalition letter addressed to the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services urging CMS to sunset waivers involving scope of practice and licensure when the COVID public health emergency concludes. Coalition letter addressed to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Leader Kevin McCarthy, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Ranking Member Charles Schumer asking that unanticipated medical bills be addressed separately from any upcoming COVID-19 relief legislation. Coalition letter addressed to Chairman Frank Pallone, Ranking Member Greg Walden, Chairman Richard Neal, Ranking Member Kevin Brady, Chairman Chuck Grassley and Ranking Member Ron Wyden urging opposition to H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would decrease the overall access and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries by inappropriately allowing psychologists to provide services well beyond their education and training. H.R. 3107, the "Improving Senior Timely Access to Care Act," to establish requirements with respect to the use of prior authorization under Medicare Advantage plans, and for other purposes, all provisions. H.R. 4056 and S. 2446, the "Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act" all provisions. H.R. 3502, the "Protecting People from Surprise Medical Bills Act," all provisions. S. 1531, the "STOP Surprise Medical Bills Act," to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide protections to health insurance consumers from surprise billing, all provisions. S. 1895, the "Lower Health Care Costs Act," to lower health care costs, all provisions. H.R. 3630, the "No Surprises Act," to protect health care consumers from surprise billing practices, and for other purposes, all provisions. Issues pertaining to scope of practice legislation; in general. Issues related to hearing healthcare; in general. Issues pertaining to health information technology and electronic health records; in general. Issues pertaining to the Early Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program, in general. Issues pertaining to surprise out of network bills, in general. Issues pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic, in general.
Client expense: $200,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · third_quarter · Health Issues
Lobby members of Congress to conduct oversight of implementation of Public Law 113-54, the Drug Quality and Security Act and to protect and preserve the use of compounded pharmaceuticals in the physician office prior to receipt of a patient prescription. Lobby members of Congress to direct the FDA to issue rulemaking pertaining to physicians access to compounded medications for use in the physician office setting. Lobby members of Congress regarding issues related to telemedicine. Advocate for increased transparency regarding drug pricing. Lobby members of the House to join the Congressional Skin Cancer Caucus. Advocate for adequate and accurate network coverage for dermatologic care within health insurance exchange networks. Support H.R. 1959, Preserving Patient Access to Compounded Medications Act. Support H.R. 2077/S. 2546, Safe Step Act. Support H.R. 1035, Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act. Support H.R. 985, Fair Access for Safe and Timely Generics Act. Support S. 476, C-THRU Act. Support S. 989, Ensuring Childrens Access to Specialty Care Act. Support H.R. 1034/S. 640, Phair Pricing Act. Support S. 657, Drug Price Transparency Act Support H.R. 938, BLOCKING Act Support H.R. 2375/S. 64, Preserve Access to Affordable Generics & Biosimilars Act Support H.R. 1499, Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act Support H.R. 2296/S. 1391, Fair Accountability & Innovative Research (FAIR) Drug Pricing Act Support H.R. 2069, Stopping the Pharmaceutical Industry from Keeping drugs Expensive (SPIKE) Act. Support H.R. 2115, Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act Support H.R. 2376/S. 1227, Prescription Pricing for the People Act Support H.R. 1379/S. 560, Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act. Advocate for relief from prior authorization requirements under Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans. Support H.R. 3107, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act Support pediatric subspecialty loan repayment in any reauthorization of the Title VII programs. Support S. 2443 Investment in Tomorrows Pediatric Health Care Workforce Act Support H.R. 1554, Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act. Advocate for the continued and increased funding of Community Health Centers. Lobby members of Congress to cosponsor H. Res. 323, which would support state, local, and community initiatives to encourage parents, teachers, camp counselors, and childcare professionals to take measures to prevent sunburns in the minors they care for, and would express the sense of the House of Representatives that state, local, and community entities should continue to support efforts to curb the incidences of skin cancer beginning with childhood skin protection. In the context of legislation to address surprise medical bills, advocate for an independent dispute resolution (IDR) process to resolve disputes between payers and physicians and against provisions that would set out-of-network reimbursement rates at a benchmark level. (H.R. 2328, H.R. 3502, S. 1531, S. 1895) Support H.R. 4575, Improving Provider Directories Act, which would require group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage to establish a process to address inaccurate information listed in publicly accessible provider directories of such plans and issuers. Support the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effect Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2019 (S. 2741/H.R. 4932), which would increase access to telehealth services. Support legislation to address drug shortages by providing additional authority to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure a stable supply of medications (S. 2723, Mitigating Emergency Drug Shortages Act; H.R. 6080, Preventing Drug Shortages Act). Similar provisions to mitigate drug shortages included in CARES Act (H.R. 748, S. 3548). Request resources to provide personal protection equipment (PPE) and supplies and relief from Medicare payment sequester and relief from penalties in Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) under MACRA in the CARES Act (H.R. 748, S. 3548). Support the Coronavirus Health Care Worker Wellness Act (H.R. 7255) to help promote mental health wellness among physicians and other health care workers during the Public Health Emergency. Advocate for congressional action to hold health care professionals harmless from any cuts related to CMS Evaluation and Management Code proposals in any forthcoming legislative package. Support H.R. 7233, the KEEP Telehealth Options Act. Oppose H.R 884/S. 2772 the Medicare Mental Health Access Act.
Client expense: $340,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · third_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Advocate for adequate and accurate network coverage for dermatologic care within Medicare Advantage. Advocate for increased funding and reforms to Graduate Medical Education. Lobby members of Congress regarding improvements to Health Information Technology implementation. Advocate for expansion of telemedicine services under Medicare and increased reimbursement for such services. Advocate for improving disease management and care coordination for patients with chronic diseases. Support preservation of the In-Offices Ancillary Services Exemption (IOASE) under Stark Law regarding physician self-referral and oppose repeal of the in-office ancillary and physician services exception. Oppose H.R. 2143, Promoting Integrity in Medicare Act (PIMA) of 2019. Advocate regarding possible changes to IOASE and Stark Law relative to implementation of Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA P.L. 114-110) Support H.R. 2282/S.966 Medicare Care Coordination Improvement Act of 2019 Advocate for relief from Medicare regulations under Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA P.L. 114-110), including the Quality Payment Program (QPP) and specifically the development of advanced alternative payment models (APMs) and implementation of the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Advocate for relief for from prior authorization requirements under Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans. Support H.R. 3107, Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act Advocate against a Medicare physician payment freeze beginning in January 2020 that was created under MACRA (P.L. 114-110) and the creation of the Quality Payment Program. Advocate expanding the period for reporting and returning overpayments beyond the 60 days statutorily required under audits by Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs). Lobby Congress to urge CMS to strengthen Qualified Clinical Data Registries (QCDRs) by removing barriers that restrict access to data from EHRs. Support H.R. 3302, Keep Physicians Serving Patients Act. Support the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effect Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2019 (S. 2741/H.R. 4932), which would increase access to telehealth services Request relief from Medicare payment sequester and relief from penalties in Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) under MACRA in the CARES Act (H.R. 748, S. 3548). Support the Knowing the Efficiency and Efficacy of Permanent (KEEP) Telehealth Options Act (H.R. 7233) Advocate for congressional action to hold health care professionals harmless from any cuts related to CMS Evaluation and Management Code proposals in any forthcoming legislative package. Oppose H.R 884/S. 2772 the Medicare Mental Health Access Act.
Client expense: $340,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2020 · third_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
H.R. 5201, Telemental Health Expansion Act of 2019, provisions relating to 1834(m) of the Social Security Act; geographic and originating sites H.R. 3417, Beneficiary Education Tools, Telehealth, and Extenders Reauthorization (BETTER) Act of 2019, all provisions H.R. 7391, Protect Telehealth Access Act of 2020, all provisions H.R. 7233, KEEP Telehealth Options Act of 2020, all provisions H.R. 7663, Protecting Access to Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Act of 2020, all provisions S. 4375, Telehealth Modernization Act, all provisions H.R. 1301, Mental Health Telemedicine Expansion Act, all provisions H.R. 3, Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, all provisions H.R. 19, Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2019, all provisions H.R. 3414, Opioid Workforce Act of 2019, all provisions H.R. 7791, Value in Health Care Act of 2020, all provisions H.R. 3107, Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2019, all provisions H.R. 6379, Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act, provisions related to Medicare and Medicaid H.R. 6837, Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments Improvement Act of 2020, all provisions S. 3750, Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments Improvement Act of 2020, all provisions H.R. 7154, Outpatient Therapy Modernization and Stabilization Act, all provisions H.R. 6585, Equitable Data Collection and Disclosure on COVID-19 Act, all provisions H.R. 884, Medicare Mental Health Access Act, all provisions S. 2772, Medicare Mental Health Access Act, all provisions H.R. 945, Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019, all provisions H.R. 1763, Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2019, all provisions H.R. 6774, Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Demonstration Pilot Act of 2020, all provisions H.R. 4004, Social Determinants Accelerator Act of 2019, all provisions H.R. 4996, Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services (MOMS) Act of 2020, all provisions H.R. 6090, Physician Shortage GME Cap Flex Act of 2020, all provisions H.R. 913, CLINICAL TREATMENT Act, all provisions H.R. 4932, Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2019, all provisions S, 2741, Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2019, all provisions Medicare program: P.L. 113-93 Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA), provisions relating to imaging appropriate use criteria Medicare program: Sequester exemption Medicare program: Laboratory developed tests for COVID-19/coverage Medicare program: Medicare for All Medicare program: CY 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule/E&M/Budget Neutrality Medicare program: Inpatient Rehab Facility/Prospective Payment System (IRF/PPS)/Scope issues Medicare program: Public Health Emergency/Scope and licensure waivers sunset Medicare program: Medicare Advanced Payment Program improvements Medicare program: Regulatory Relief/Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs)/Prior authorization and utilization management Medicare program: Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)/Quality/cost/improvement activity/interoperability Medicare program: Program integrity Medicare program: Interoperability and data blocking Medicare program: Quality Payment Program/physician burdens Medicare program: Health IT physician burdens Medicare program: Open Payments Medicare program: PECOS Enrollment/Revalidation Medicare program: Graduate Medical Education/cap flexibility Medicare program: Diabetes Prevention Program Medicare program: MACRA/Alternative Payment Model (APM) bonus payments Medicare program: MACRA/radiation oncology payments Medicare program: Accelerated and Advance Payment Program/physician relief Medicare and Medicaid programs: Medicare Provider Relief Fund extension Medicare and Medicaid programs: 21st Century Cures Act/health data and privacy Medicare and Medicaid program: Electronic health record (EHR) certification Medicare and Medicaid programs: P.L. 114-10 Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) Medicare and Medicaid programs: Accountable Care Organizations Medicare and Medicaid programs: Telehealth waivers Medicare and Medicaid programs: Qualifying APM Physician Thresholds Medicare and Medicaid programs: Opioid use disorder Medicare and Medicaid programs: Validated home blood pressure monitors/coverage Medicaid program: Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) increases Medicaid program: Georgia's Section 1332 waiver
Client expense: $4,260,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Education, Dept of, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Natl Drug Control Policy (NDCP), President of the U.S., SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
2020 · third_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
S. 2772, H.R. 884: Medicare Mental Health Access Act. H.R. 1301: The Mental Health Telemedicine Expansion Act H.R.1839: Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019 H.R. 1530, S. 595: Treat & Reduce Obesity H.R. 1329: Medicaid Reentry Act H.R. 3417: Beneficiary Education Tools Telehealth Extender Reauthorization Act of 2019 H.R. 5575: Primary Care and Behavioral Health Access Act S.3999 Mental and Behavioral Health Connectivity Act H.R. 6644/S3741 Health Care at Home Act H.R. 5201 Telemental Health Expansion Act H.R. Protecting Access to Post Covid-19 Telehealth Act
Client expense: $280,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Science Foundation (NSF), Natl Security Agency (NSA), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2020 · third_quarter · Health Issues
H. Res. 480, Acknowledging the racial disparities in diagnosing and treating mental health among youth in communities of color H.R. 1109, the Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2019 H.R. 1554, the Resident Education Deferred Interest Act H.R. 1763 / S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2019 H.R. 2279/ S. 2546, the Safe Step Act H.R. 2482/ S. 2074, the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act of 2019 H.R. 2734 / S. 1448, the Safer Prescribing of Controlled Substances Act H.R. 3180/ S. 1770, the RISE from Trauma Act H.R. 3239/ S. 2135, the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act H.R. 3253, the Empowering Beneficiaries, Ensuring Access, and Strengthening Accountability Act H.R. 3414/ S. 2892, the Opioid Workforce Act H.R. 3417, BETTER Act of 2019 H.R. 4194/S. 2661, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019 H.R. 4309, the Barriers to Suicide Act H.R. 4327, the Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act H.R. 4861/ S. 3006, the Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act H.R. 4932 / S. 2741, the CONNECT for Health Act H.R. 4995, the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act of 2019 H.R. 4996, the Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services Act of 2019 H.R. 5, the Equality Act H.R. 5201, the Telemental Health Expansion Act of 2019 H.R. 5473, the Enhance Access to Support Essential Behavioral Health Services Act H.R.5469, the Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act of 2019 H.R.5575, the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act of 2020 Out of network billing legislation S. 1227, the Prescription Pricing for the People Act of 2019 S. 2443, the Investment in Tomorrow's Pediatric Health Care Workforce Act S. 824, the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act S.1659, the Ensuring Childrens Access to Specialty Care Act of 2019 Title III Sec. 305 Timely Bills to Patients within the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019 (S. 1895) Cures 2.0 Title X Family Planning Program Administration Rule Efforts related to psychiatric bed shortages. H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act H.R. 2895/ S. 948, the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act H.R. 4996, the Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services (MOMS) Act, and Senate efforts. S. 311, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act S. 3275, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act H.R. 4056 and S. 2446, the Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act of 2019 H.R. 5575, the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act Telehealth provisions as related to Covid-19. H.R. 6644, the Health Care at Home Act H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), including the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, and more. Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015 and related Medicare and Medicaid payment updates. Emergency financial relief and stability funding for 501(c)(6) tax-exempt medical and dental trade associations impacted by the pandemic H.R. 7078, the Evaluating Disparities and Outcomes of Telehealth During the COVID-19 Emergency Act of 2020 (EDOT Act of 2020) H.R. 7255, the Coronavirus Health Care Worker Wellness Act of 2020 S. 3919, the Military Suicide Prevention in the 21st Century Act H.R. 7608, the Legislative Vehicle for the Fiscal 2021 Four-Bill Appropriations Package Recommendations on confidential mental health records sharing. H.R. 7539, the Strengthening Behavioral Health Parity Act H.R. 4564, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2019 H.R. 5619, the Suicide Prevention Act H.R. 4585, the Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act H.R. 1646, the Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) Act of 2019 H.R. 2519, the Improving Mental Health Access from the Emergency Department Act of 2019 H.R. 7147, the Creating Resources to Improve Situations of Inherent Severity Act (CRISIS Act) H.R. 7159/S. 4282, the Crisis Care Improvement and Suicide Prevention Act of 2020 21st Century Cures Act, RE: Opioid State Targeted Response Grants H.R. 7689, the Improving Data Collection for Adverse Childhood Experiences Act H.R. 8094/S. 4349, the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act H.R. 6561/S. 4440, the Improving Social Determinants of Health Act H.R. 7511/ S. 4211, the Facilitating Reforms that Offer Necessary Telehealth in Every Rural (FRONTIER) Community Act H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act H.R. 1763, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2019 S. 2661, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 (Sen. Gardner - Energy and Commerce) H.R. 3935, the Protecting Patients Transportation to Care Act H.R. 4564, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2020 S. Res. 738, Recognizing suicide as a serious public health problem and expressing support for the designation of September as National Suicide Prevention Month S. 4113, the Broadband Reform and Investment to Drive Growth in the Economy Act of 2020 (BRIDGE Act) H.R. 7859, the Strengthening Behavioral Health Supports for Schools Act S. 4421, the Temporary Reciprocity to Ensure Access to Treatment (TREAT) Act H.R. 8141, the Strengthening Mental Health Supports for BIPOC Communities Act HR 7510, the Assimilating Health and Equity Assessments into Decision-making Act of 2020 or AHEAD Act H.R. 5469/S.4388, the Mental Health Equity Act of 2020 H.R. 7059, the Coronavirus Provider Protection Act, S. 3792, the Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act of 2020. HR 6810 to provide COBRA subsidies for unemployed and furloughed individuals during COVID H.R. 7593/S. 4103, the Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act H.R. 6645, the Mental Health Research Act H.R. 7539, the Strengthening Behavioral Health Parity Act H.R. 5201, the Telemental Health Expansion Act of 2019 H.R. 6561/S. 3595, the Ensuring Understanding for COVID-19 to Protect Public Health Act S. 4524, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act S. 4486, the Achieving Thorough Transparency & Accessibility for Information Navigation (ATTAIN) on Mental Health Act H.R. 6800/H.R. 8406, the HEROES Act H.R. 7663, the Protecting Access to Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Act of 2020 S. 4230, the Telehealth Expansion Act of 2020 H.R. 7391, the Protect Telehealth Access Act of 2020 H.R. 7760, To make a supplemental appropriation for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program of the Federal Communications Commission for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020 H.R.8067, the Addressing COVID-19 Health Disparities Act H.R. 2862, the VACCINES Act of 2019 (G6 letter for internal purposes) Efforts related to Collaborative Care Model S. 3197, the Improving Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Areas Act H.R. 6139, the COVID-19 Health Care Worker Protection Act of 2020 H.Res. 908 (S.Res. 580) Condemning all forms of Anti-Asian Sentiment as related to COVID-19 H.R. 6585, the Equitable Data Collection and Disclosure on COVID-19 Act H.R. 7078, the EDOT Act of 2020 HR 7077, the Community Solutions for COVID-19 Act S. 4441, the Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS) Act
Client expense: $144,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of the Vice President of the United States, SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
2020 · third_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported H.R. 3925, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act, introduced by Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and David McKinley (R-VA). The bill would prohibit state Medicaid programs, beginning in October 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2025, from imposing prior authorizations or other types of utilization control policies or procedures on medications approved to treat OUD, including, with respect to the provision of those medications, counseling services and behavioral therapy. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Submitted comments on the Department of Labors (DOL) proposed update to the 2020 MHPAEA Self-Compliance Tool and commended DOL for the updates to the Self-Compliance Tool, while offering several detailed recommendations to clarify and strengthen the tool. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, requesting his support for a waiver of at least two years of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) interpretation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Civil Monetary Penalties as applied to the implementation of contingency management for the treatment of addiction. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Supported House Resolution 1057 that would express the sense of the House of Representatives that investments in mental health care and substance use disorder care are necessary to address the high prevalence of those suffering from behavioral health conditions. It also recognizes the need for health care reform to integrate mental health care and substance use disorder treatment in the health care system. Supported HR 7859, the Stregthening Behavioral Health Supports for Schools Act, that would establish in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration a Center for School Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Informational discussions with CMS regarding coverage of digital therapeutics for addiction treatment
Client expense: $70,000 · 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), Office of Natl Drug Control Policy (NDCP), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
2020 · third_quarter · Insurance
Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported H.R. 3925, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act, introduced by Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and David McKinley (R-VA). The bill would prohibit state Medicaid programs, beginning in October 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2025, from imposing prior authorizations or other types of utilization control policies or procedures on medications approved to treat OUD, including, with respect to the provision of those medications, counseling services and behavioral therapy. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Submitted comments on the Department of Labors (DOL) proposed update to the 2020 MHPAEA Self-Compliance Tool and commended DOL for the updates to the Self-Compliance Tool, while offering several detailed recommendations to clarify and strengthen the tool. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, requesting his support for a waiver of at least two years of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) interpretation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Civil Monetary Penalties as applied to the implementation of contingency management for the treatment of addiction. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Supported House Resolution 1057 that would express the sense of the House of Representatives that investments in mental health care and substance use disorder care are necessary to address the high prevalence of those suffering from behavioral health conditions. It also recognizes the need for health care reform to integrate mental health care and substance use disorder treatment in the health care system. Supported HR 7859, the Stregthening Behavioral Health Supports for Schools Act, that would establish in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration a Center for School Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Informational discussions with CMS regarding coverage of digital therapeutics for addiction treatment
Client expense: $70,000 · 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), Office of Natl Drug Control Policy (NDCP), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
2020 · third_quarter · Medical/Disease Research/Clinical Labs
Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported H.R. 3925, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act, introduced by Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and David McKinley (R-VA). The bill would prohibit state Medicaid programs, beginning in October 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2025, from imposing prior authorizations or other types of utilization control policies or procedures on medications approved to treat OUD, including, with respect to the provision of those medications, counseling services and behavioral therapy. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Submitted comments on the Department of Labors (DOL) proposed update to the 2020 MHPAEA Self-Compliance Tool and commended DOL for the updates to the Self-Compliance Tool, while offering several detailed recommendations to clarify and strengthen the tool. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, requesting his support for a waiver of at least two years of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) interpretation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Civil Monetary Penalties as applied to the implementation of contingency management for the treatment of addiction. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Supported House Resolution 1057 that would express the sense of the House of Representatives that investments in mental health care and substance use disorder care are necessary to address the high prevalence of those suffering from behavioral health conditions. It also recognizes the need for health care reform to integrate mental health care and substance use disorder treatment in the health care system. Supported HR 7859, the Stregthening Behavioral Health Supports for Schools Act, that would establish in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration a Center for School Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Informational discussions with CMS regarding coverage of digital therapeutics for addiction treatment
Client expense: $70,000 · 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), Office of Natl Drug Control Policy (NDCP), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
2020 · third_quarter · Budget/Appropriations
Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported H.R. 3925, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act, introduced by Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and David McKinley (R-VA). The bill would prohibit state Medicaid programs, beginning in October 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2025, from imposing prior authorizations or other types of utilization control policies or procedures on medications approved to treat OUD, including, with respect to the provision of those medications, counseling services and behavioral therapy. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Submitted comments on the Department of Labors (DOL) proposed update to the 2020 MHPAEA Self-Compliance Tool and commended DOL for the updates to the Self-Compliance Tool, while offering several detailed recommendations to clarify and strengthen the tool. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, requesting his support for a waiver of at least two years of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) interpretation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Civil Monetary Penalties as applied to the implementation of contingency management for the treatment of addiction. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Supported House Resolution 1057 that would express the sense of the House of Representatives that investments in mental health care and substance use disorder care are necessary to address the high prevalence of those suffering from behavioral health conditions. It also recognizes the need for health care reform to integrate mental health care and substance use disorder treatment in the health care system. Supported HR 7859, the Stregthening Behavioral Health Supports for Schools Act, that would establish in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration a Center for School Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Informational discussions with CMS regarding coverage of digital therapeutics for addiction treatment
Client expense: $70,000 · 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), Office of Natl Drug Control Policy (NDCP), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
2020 · third_quarter · Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported H.R. 3925, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act, introduced by Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and David McKinley (R-VA). The bill would prohibit state Medicaid programs, beginning in October 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2025, from imposing prior authorizations or other types of utilization control policies or procedures on medications approved to treat OUD, including, with respect to the provision of those medications, counseling services and behavioral therapy. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Submitted comments on the Department of Labors (DOL) proposed update to the 2020 MHPAEA Self-Compliance Tool and commended DOL for the updates to the Self-Compliance Tool, while offering several detailed recommendations to clarify and strengthen the tool. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, requesting his support for a waiver of at least two years of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) interpretation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Civil Monetary Penalties as applied to the implementation of contingency management for the treatment of addiction. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Supported House Resolution 1057 that would express the sense of the House of Representatives that investments in mental health care and substance use disorder care are necessary to address the high prevalence of those suffering from behavioral health conditions. It also recognizes the need for health care reform to integrate mental health care and substance use disorder treatment in the health care system. Supported HR 7859, the Stregthening Behavioral Health Supports for Schools Act, that would establish in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration a Center for School Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Informational discussions with CMS regarding coverage of digital therapeutics for addiction treatment
Client expense: $70,000 · 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), Office of Natl Drug Control Policy (NDCP), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
2020 · third_quarter · Health Issues
Advocated for FY2021 Labor HHS Appropriations bill - appropriations related to strengthening the addiction services workforce, including full funding of the loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce authorized in the SUPPORT Act, increase in funding for the mental and substance use disorders training demonstration program authorized in 21st Century Cures Act, funding for preventive medicine residency programs, and $8.8 billion for discretionary Health Resources and Services Administration programs. Supported HR 3414 (and prior versions)/ S. 2892 - Opioid Workforce Act of 2019 - bill increases the number of residency positions eligible for graduate medical education payments under Medicare for hospitals that have addiction or pain management programs, with an aggregate increase of 1,000 positions over a five-year period. Supported HR 3165 and S 1737 - Mental Health Parity Compliance Act - strengthen parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Advocated for its inclusion in the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. Supported S 873 and HR 1879 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act which would provide for 12 months of continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP to ensure better access to care and reduce churn. This bill is not specific to mental health, but it would provide significant stability to those patients and providers. Supported H.R.1329 - Medicaid Reentry Act - This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. Supported HR 4974/S 4640: the MATE Act - to amend the Controlled Substances Act to require physicians and other prescribers of controlled substances to complete training on treating and managing patients with opioid and other substance use disorders (which shall also satisfy certain training required to receive a waiver for dispensing narcotic drugs for maintenance or detoxification treatment),and for other purposes. Supported a conditional endorsement of The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, which is contingent upon the elimination of DEA regulations on medications in Schedules III-V that are based on the prescribing intent to treat addiction and a requirement that all DEA controlled substance prescribers complete medical education on addiction. Supported the Humane Correctional Health Care Act , H.R. 4141/S. 2305, which would repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion. The exclusion strips health coverage from Medicaid enrollees who are involved in the criminal justice system. Supported H.R. 3925, the Reducing Barriers to Substance Use Treatment Act, introduced by Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and David McKinley (R-VA). The bill would prohibit state Medicaid programs, beginning in October 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2025, from imposing prior authorizations or other types of utilization control policies or procedures on medications approved to treat OUD, including, with respect to the provision of those medications, counseling services and behavioral therapy. Supported HR 7593/S 4103, the TREATS Act, that would increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes Advocated for at least $38.5B in emergency relief funds for mental health disorder and addiction treatment providers as a result of losses suffered due to COVID-19, as well as direct funding from SAMHSA to opioid treatment programs and qualified practice settings Advocated for an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid as a result of COVID-19 Supported the Improving Medicaid Programs Response to Overdose Victims and Enhancing (IMPROVE) Addiction Care Act which would require state Medicaid programs to use their existing drug utilization review (DUR) programs to increase access to addiction treatment and boost safeguards for those on Medicaid who have experienced a non-fatal, opioid-related overdose. Opposed passage of H.R. 884 / S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act, which would change the definition of physician under the Medicare program to include clinical psychologists. Supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.4349). The legislation would greatly reduce and prevent suicide and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals. Submitted comments on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment (Value in Treatment) Demonstration design. The 4-year demonstration program was authorized by section 6042 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Supported additional research funding for NIAAA to study alcohol use related to the impact of COVID-19 Submitted comments on the proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Comments stressed the importance of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services altering the MPFS to expand access to treatment for as many beneficiaries suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) as possible by introducing new codes for telehealth, expanding the range of eligible disorders for the billing of certain bundled payments, and empowering ED clinicians through the creation of a new code. Submitted its response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information (RFI) on Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS). The RFI solicited feedback from stakeholders about whether CMS should include exceptions to the electronic prescribing of controlled substances and under what circumstances, and whether CMS should impose penalties for noncompliance with this mandate in its rulemaking, and what those penalties should be. Submitted response to CMS supporting EPCS as a way to assure quality and reduce errors and fraud in the transmission of prescriptions from the prescribing health care practitioner to the dispensing pharmacist but recommending CMS consider the financial impact of this requirement on small practices that do not yet have electronic systems in place that allow for EPCS, and extend the waiver timeline as well as provide additional resources or incentives for these practices to adopt such technology. Submitted comments on the Department of Labors (DOL) proposed update to the 2020 MHPAEA Self-Compliance Tool and commended DOL for the updates to the Self-Compliance Tool, while offering several detailed recommendations to clarify and strengthen the tool. Urged Senate leadership to include $58 million for syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction service providers in the next COVID relief package. Supported H.R. 7286, the Quit Because of COVID-19 Act. This legislation would ensure that all Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments. Sent a letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, requesting his support for a waiver of at least two years of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) interpretation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and Civil Monetary Penalties as applied to the implementation of contingency management for the treatment of addiction. Supported includsion of S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Act, in the next COVID supplemental package Supported House Resolution 1057 that would express the sense of the House of Representatives that investments in mental health care and substance use disorder care are necessary to address the high prevalence of those suffering from behavioral health conditions. It also recognizes the need for health care reform to integrate mental health care and substance use disorder treatment in the health care system. Supported HR 7859, the Stregthening Behavioral Health Supports for Schools Act, that would establish in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration a Center for School Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Informational discussions with CMS regarding coverage of digital therapeutics for addiction treatment
Client expense: $70,000 · 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), Office of Natl Drug Control Policy (NDCP), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
2020 · third_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Medicare/Medicaid coverage of telebehavioral healthcare Urging an extension and increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage during the COVID-19 national health emergency Urging HHS to waive budget neutrality requirements for new Medicare E&M office visit payments Requesting that CMS consider making permanent certain telehealth flexibilities S.2772 / H.R.884 Medicare Mental Health Access Act
Client expense: $15,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP), President of the U.S., SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), White House Office
2020 · second_quarter · Health Issues
Lobbying Issues Description: Budget and appropriations for disease and injury prevention, including obesity and related diseases; pandemic influenza and emerging infectious diseases; physical activity; public health bioterrorism preparedness; food safety, environmental health; paid sick days; womens and childrens health; community-based public health interventions, and substance misuse/behavioral health issues. Specific Legislation: 1. Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) 2. Implementation of Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act and Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (Public Law 113-5, 116-22) 3. Implementation of Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Public Law 111- 296) 4. Implementation of Every Student Succeeds Act (Public Law 114-95) 5. Implementation of the Comprehensive Addition and Recovery Act (Public Law 114-98) 6. Midnight Rules Relief Act (S.34/H.R. 21) 7. Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act (S. 21/H.R. 26) 8. Regulatory Accountability Act (S.951/H.R. 5/H.R. 45/H.Res.33) 9. Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome (SCRUB) Act (H.R. 998) 10. Regulatory Integrity Act (H.R. 1004) 11. OIRA Insight, Reform, and Accountability Act (S. 676/H.R. 1009) 12. A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2017 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2018 through 2026 (S.Con.Res. 3) 13. American Health Care Act (H.R. 1628/H.Res. 228) 14. Ozone Standards Implementation Act (S. 263/H.R. 806) 15. Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule of the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation" (S.J. Res. 11/H.J.Res.36) 16. Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act (S. 261/H.R. 772) 17. Reinvigorating Antibiotic and Diagnostic Innovation (READI) Act (H.R. 1840) 18. Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (H.R. 1587) 19. Preventing Antibiotic Resistance Act (S. 629) 20. Better Care Reconciliation Act (H.R. 1628) and related amendments 21. Public Health Emergency Response Act (S. 196) 22. Recognizing the importance of vaccinations and immunizations in the United States (H.Res.327) 23. Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (S. 830/H.R. 1953) 24. Community Health and Medical Professionals Improve Our Nation (CHAMPION) Act (H.R. 3922) 25. Community Health Investment, Modernization, and Excellence Act of 2017 (S. 1899) 26. Tobacco Tax Equity Act (S. 1837) 27. Healthy Kids Act (S. 1821/H.R. 3921) 28. Implementation of the Drug Quality and Security Act (P.S. 113-54) 29. Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-56) 30. Friendly Airports for Mothers Act (S. 1110/H.R. 2375) 31. Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act (S. 1845) 32. Supporting Working Moms Act (S. 2122/H.R. 3255) 33. Championing Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 3922) 34. Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes (Public Law 115-90) 35. An Act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue Department of Homeland Security-wide guidance and develop training programs as part of the Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign, and for other purposes (Public Law 115- 96) 36. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Public Law 115-97) 37. Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Advancing Innovation Act (S. 2852/H.R. 6378/H.R. 7328/S. 1379/H.R. 269) 38. Vaccine Access Improvement Act (H.R. 4993) 39. Relief from New Source Performance Standards Act (H.R. 453) 40. Strategies to Address Antimicrobial Resistance (S. 2469) 41. Opioid Quota Reform Act (S. 2535) 42. Hospital Preparedness Program Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4776) 43. Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns Act (H.R. 1917) 44. Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 (S. 2680) 45. Agriculture and Nutrition Act (H.R. 2) 46. Agriculture Improvement Act (S. 3042) 47. SECURE Act (H.R. 5998) 48. Trauma-Informed Care for Children and Families Act (S. 774) 49. SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6) 50. Centers for Disease Control Emergency Response Act (S. 3161) 51. LABEL Opioids Act (S. 3428) 52. Relief from New Source Performance Standards Act (S. 1857) 53. Outdoors for All Act (S. 3499) 54. The MOMMA Act (H.R. 5977) 55. Preventing Maternal Deaths Act (H.R. 1318) 56. Medicare Access to Vaccines Equity Act (not yet introduced) 57. The Support Act (H.R. 6) 58. Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act (S. 529) 59. NURSE Act (H.R. 1597) 60. Investing for the People Act (H.R. 2021) 61. Child Care for Working Families Act (H.R. 365/S. 568) 62. FAMILY Act (H.R. 1185/S. 463) 63. Transportation Alternatives Enhancement Act (S. 1098) 64. Lower Health Care Costs Act (S. 1895) 65. LIFT America Act (H.R 2479) 66. Public Health Funding Restoration Act (H.R. 3447/S. 1944) 67. Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 (HR 4334) 68. Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act (H.R. 3591) 69. Healthier Students for Stronger Campuses Act (S. 1281) 70. Saving Lives Through Better Data Act (S. 1793) 71. VACCINES Act (H.R. 2862) 72. DISARM Act (H.R. 4100/S. 1712) 73. Community Access, Resources, and Education for Families Act (H.R. 3117) 74. Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act (S. 1872) 75. Tobacco-Free Youth Act (S. 1541) 76. Tobacco to 21 Act (H.R. 2411/S. 1258) 77. Investing for People Act (H.R. 2021) 78. School Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act (H.R.2075/S.1013) 79. Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 (H.R. 2339) 80. Social Determinants Accelerator Act (H.R. 4004) 81. Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act (H.R. 2431) 82. The UNDERSTAND Act (S. 1323) 83. Americas Transportation Infrastructure Act (S. 2302) 84. Barriers to Suicide Act of 2019 (H.R. 4309) 85. Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act (S. 1608/H.R. 2891) 86. Public Health Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2019 (H.R. 5321) 87. Supporting Healthy Mothers and Infants Act (H.R. 5249) 88. Lead-Free Future Act (H.R. 4416) 89. Home Visiting to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Act (H.R. 4768) 90. Recognizing the anniversary of the eradication of smallpox and the importance of vaccination in the United States and worldwide (H. Res. 592) 91. Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 6074) 92. Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) 93. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748) 94. Connecting Americas Transportation Infrastructure Act (S. 2302) 95. Improving Access to Remote Behavioral Health Treatment Act (S. 2244/H.R. 4131) 96. National Suicide Hotline Designation Act (S. 2661/H.R. 4194) 97. Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act (H.R. 4564) 98. Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act (H.R. 4585) 99. Medicaid Reentry Act (H.R. 1329) 100. Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act (S. 824/H.R. 1767) 101. Mental Health Services for Students Act (S. 1122/H.R. 1109) 102. Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention (STANDUP) Act (S. 2492/H.R. 2599) 103. Mental Health Parity Compliance Act (S. 1737/H.R. 3165) 104. Behavioral Health Transparency Act (S. 1576/H.R. 2874) 105. Medicare Mental Health Access Act (S. 2772/H.R. 884) 106. Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act (S. 3309) 107. Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (H.R. 5041) 108. Protecting the Health of Americas Older Adults During COVID-19 and Beyond Act (H.R. 6935) 109. Improving Social Determinants Act (H.R. 6561) 110. Urging the establishment of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (H.Con.Res.100) 111. FY 2021 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations (TBD) 112. Better Tools for Healthy Living Act (S. 1805) 113. The WIC Act (S. 2358) 114. Health Equity and Accountability Act (H.R. 6637) 115. Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 266) 116. The HEROES Act (H.R.6800) 117. Community Solutions for COVID-19 Act (H.R.7077/S.3877) 118. The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2020 (H.R. 6142) 119. COVID-19 Bias and Anti-Racism Training Act (S.___) 120. Urging the establishment of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (H. Con. Res. 100) 121. Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act of 2020 (H.R._____) 122. Public Safety Officer Support Act (H.R. 7568) 123. COVID-19 Behavioral Health Support Act (S. 4059) 124. Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Act (H.R. 6578) 125. Strengthening the Public Health Workforce Act (S. 3737) House(s) of Congress and Federal Agencies lobbied during the quarter: House, Senate, Exec Office of Pres, HHS, CDC, FDA, CMS, OMB, DOT, HUD, EPA, NIMH, Education, USDA, DHS, FEMA, and SAMHSA
Client expense: $32,208 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Transportation, Dept of (DOT)
2020 · second_quarter · Health Issues
H. Res. 480, Acknowledging the racial disparities in diagnosing and treating mental health among youth in communities of color H.R. 1109, the Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2019 H.R. 1554, the Resident Education Deferred Interest Act H.R. 1763 / S. 348, the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2019 H.R. 2062 / S. 1012 (42 CFR Part 2) H.R. 2279/ S. 2546, the Safe Step Act H.R. 2482/ S. 2074, the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act of 2019 H.R. 2734 / S. 1448, the Safer Prescribing of Controlled Substances Act H.R. 2862, the VACCINES Act of 2019 H.R. 3, Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 H.R. 3180/ S. 1770, the RISE from Trauma Act H.R. 3239/ S. 2135, the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act H.R. 3253, the Empowering Beneficiaries, Ensuring Access, and Strengthening Accountability Act H.R. 3414/ S. 2892, the Opioid Workforce Act H.R. 3417, BETTER Act of 2019 H.R. 4194, S. 2661, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2019 H.R. 4309, the Barriers to Suicide Act H.R. 4327, the Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act H.R. 4861/ S. 3006, the Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department Act H.R. 4932 / S. 2741, the CONNECT for Health Act H.R. 4995, the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act of 2019 H.R. 4996, the Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services Act of 2019 H.R. 5, the Equality Act H.R. 5201, the Telemental Health Expansion Act of 2019 H.R. 5473, the Enhance Access to Support Essential Behavioral Health Services Act H.R.5469, the Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act of 2019 H.R.5575, the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act of 2020 Out of network billing legislation S. 1227, the Prescription Pricing for the People Act of 2019 S. 2443, the Investment in Tomorrow's Pediatric Health Care Workforce Act S. 824, the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act S.1659, the Ensuring Childrens Access to Specialty Care Act of 2019 Title III Sec. 305 Timely Bills to Patients within the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019 (S. 1895) Cures 2.0 Suggestions related to addressing mental health in rural communities. Title X Family Planning Program Administration Rule Efforts related to psychiatric bed shortages. H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act H.R. 2895, S. 948, the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act H.R. 4996, the Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services (MOMS) Act, and Senate efforts. S. 311, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act S. 3275, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act H.R. 4056 and S. 2446, the Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act of 2019 H.R. 5575, the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act Telehealth provisions as related to Covid-19. H.R. 6644, the Health Care at Home Act H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), including the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, the provider fund (for MH funding), and more. Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015 and related Medicare and Medicaid payment updates. Emergency financial relief and stability funding for 501(c)(6) tax-exempt medical and dental trade associations impacted by the pandemic H.R.7078 , the Evaluating Disparities and Outcomes of Telehealth During the COVID-19 Emergency Act of 2020 (EDOT Act of 2020) H.R. 7255, the Coronavirus Health Care Worker Wellness Act of 2020 S.3919, Military Suicide Prevention in the 21st Century Act H.R. 7608, Legislative Vehicle for the Fiscal 2021 Four-Bill Appropriations Package H.R. 6788/S. 3599, Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act Recommendations on confidential mental health records sharing. H.R. 4564, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2019 H.R. 5619, the Suicide Prevention Act H.R. 4585, the Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act H.R. 1646, the Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) Act of 2019 H.R.884/S. 2772, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act H.R. 2519, the Improving Mental Health Access from the Emergency Department Act of 2019 H.R. 7147, the Creating Resources to Improve Situations of Inherent Severity Act (CRISIS Act) H.R. 7159, the Crisis Care Improvement and Suicide Prevention Act of 2020 21st Century Cures Act, RE: Opioid State Targeted Response Grants S.4088, the Ensuring Access to Primary Care for Women & Children Act H.R. 6159, the KIDS Access to Primary Care Act S. 3741, the Health Care at Home Act S. 3792, the Tele-mental Health Improvement Act H.R. 6697, the Local Chamber, Tourism, and 501(c)(6) Protection Act
Client expense: $162,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of the Vice President of the United States, SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office
2020 · second_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
S. 2772, H.R. 884: Medicare Mental Health Access Act. H.R. 1301: The Mental Health Telemedicine Expansion Act H.R.1839: Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019 H.R. 1530, S. 595: Treat & Reduce Obesity Act H.R. 1329: Medicaid Reentry Act H.R. 3417: Beneficiary Education Tools Telehealth Extender Reauthorization Act of 2019 H.R. 5575: Primary Care and Behavioral Health Access Act S.3999 Mental and Behavioral Health Connectivity Act H.R. 6644/S3741 Health Care at Home Act H.R. 5201 Telelmental Health Expansion Act
Client expense: $320,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ), Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Natl Science Foundation (NSF), Natl Security Agency (NSA), Office of Natl Drug Control Policy (NDCP), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2020 · first_quarter · Health Issues
Lobbying Issues Description: Budget and appropriations for disease and injury prevention, including obesity and related diseases; pandemic influenza and emerging infectious diseases; physical activity; public health bioterrorism preparedness; food safety, environmental health; paid sick days; womens and childrens health; community-based public health interventions, and substance misuse/behavioral health issues. Specific Legislation: 1. Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) 2. Implementation of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (Public Law 111353) 3. Implementation of Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act and Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (Public Law 113-5, 116-22) 4. Implementation of Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Public Law 111296) 5. Implementation of Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-186) 6. Implementation of Every Student Succeeds Act (Public Law 114-95) 7. Implementation of the Comprehensive Addition and Recovery Act (Public Law 114-98) 8. FY 2020 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations (H.R. 2740/Not Yet Introduced)) 9. FY 2020 Departments of Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations (H.R. 3164/Not yet introduced) 10. FY2020 Departments of Transportation, HUD and related agencies Appropriations (H.R. 3163/Not Yet Introduced) 11. FY2020 Further Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 1865/P.L. 116-94) 12. Midnight Rules Relief Act (S.34/H.R. 21) 13. Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act (S. 21/H.R. 26) 14. Regulatory Accountability Act (S.951/H.R. 5/H.R. 45/H.Res.33) 15. Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome (SCRUB) Act (H.R. 998) 16. Regulatory Integrity Act (H.R. 1004) 17. OIRA Insight, Reform, and Accountability Act (S. 676/H.R. 1009) 18. A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2017 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2018 through 2026 (S.Con.Res. 3) 19. American Health Care Act (H.R. 1628/H.Res. 228) 20. Ozone Standards Implementation Act (S. 263/H.R. 806) 21. Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule of the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation" (S.J. Res. 11/H.J.Res.36) 22. Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act (S. 261/H.R. 772) 23. Reinvigorating Antibiotic and Diagnostic Innovation (READI) Act (H.R. 1840) 24. Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (H.R. 1587) 25. Preventing Antibiotic Resistance Act (S. 629) 26. Better Care Reconciliation Act (H.R. 1628) and related amendments 27. Public Health Emergency Response Act (S. 196) 28. Recognizing the importance of vaccinations and immunizations in the United States (H.Res.327) 29. Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31) 30. Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (S. 830/H.R. 1953) 31. Community Health and Medical Professionals Improve Our Nation (CHAMPION) Act (H.R. 3922) 32. Community Health Investment, Modernization, and Excellence Act of 2017 (S. 1899) 33. Tobacco Tax Equity Act (S. 1837) 34. Healthy Kids Act (S. 1821/H.R. 3921) 35. Implementation of the Drug Quality and Security Act (P.S. 113-54) 36. Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-56) 37. Friendly Airports for Mothers Act (S. 1110/H.R. 2375) 38. Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act (S. 1845) 39. Supporting Working Moms Act (S. 2122/H.R. 3255) 40. Championing Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 3922) 41. Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes (Public Law 115-90) 42. An Act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue Department of Homeland Security-wide guidance and develop training programs as part of the Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign, and for other purposes (Public Law 11596) 43. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Public Law 115-97) 44. Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Advancing Innovation Act (S. 2852/H.R. 6378/H.R. 7328/S. 1379/H.R. 269) 45. Vaccine Access Improvement Act (H.R. 4993) 46. Relief from New Source Performance Standards Act (H.R. 453) 47. Strategies to Address Antimicrobial Resistance (S. 2469) 48. Opioid Quota Reform Act (S. 2535) 49. Hospital Preparedness Program Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4776) 50. Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns Act (H.R. 1917) 51. Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 (S. 2680) 52. Agriculture and Nutrition Act (H.R. 2) 53. Agriculture Improvement Act (S. 3042) 54. SECURE Act (H.R. 5998) 55. Trauma-Informed Care for Children and Families Act (S. 774) 56. SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6) 57. Centers for Disease Control Emergency Response Act (S. 3161) 58. LABEL Opioids Act (S. 3428) 59. Relief from New Source Performance Standards Act (S. 1857) 60. Outdoors for All Act (S. 3499) 61. The MOMMA Act (H.R. 5977) 62. Preventing Maternal Deaths Act (H.R. 1318) 63. Medicare Access to Vaccines Equity Act (note yet introduced) 64. The Support Act (H.R. 6) 65. Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act (S. 529) 66. FY 2020 Departments of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 3052/Not Yet Introduced) 67. NURSE Act (H.R. 1597) 68. Investing for the People Act (H.R. 2021) 69. Child Care for Working Families Act (H.R. 365/S. 568) 70. FAMILY Act (H.R. 1185/S. 463) 71. Transportation Alternatives Enhancement Act (S. 1098) 72. Lower Health Care Costs Act (S. 1895) 73. LIFT America Act (H.R 2479) 74. Public Health Funding Restoration Act (H.R. 3447/S. 1944) 75. Older Americans Act reauthorization (not yet introduced) 76. Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act (H.R. 3591) 77. Healthier Students for Stronger Campuses Act (S. 1281) 78. Saving Lives Through Better Data Act (S. 1793) 79. VACCINES Act (H.R. 2862) 80. DISARM Act (H.R. 4100/S. 1712) 81. Community Access, Resources, and Education for Families Act (H.R. 3117) 82. Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act (S. 1872) 83. Tobacco-Free Youth Act (S. 1541) 84. Tobacco to 21 Act (H.R. 2411/S. 1258) 85. Investing for People Act (H.R. 2021) 86. School Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act (H.R.2075/S.1013) 87. Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 (H.R. 2339) 88. Social Determinants Accelerator Act (H.R. 4004) 89. Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act (H.R. 2431) 90. The UNDERSTAND Act (S. 1323) 91. Americas Transportation Infrastructure Act (S. 2302) 92. Health Equity and Accountability Act (Not yet introduced) 93. Barriers to Suicide Act of 2019 (H.R. 4309) 94. Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act (S. 1608/H.R. 2891) 95. Public Health Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2019 (H.R. 5321) 96. Supporting Healthy Mothers and Infants Act (H.R. 5249) 97. Lead-Free Future Act (H.R. 4416) 98. Home Visiting to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Act (H.R. 4768) 99. Recognizing the anniversary of the eradication of smallpox and the importance of vaccination in the United States and worldwide (H. Res. 592) 100. Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 6074) 101. Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) 102. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748) 103. Connecting Americas Transportation Infrastructure Act (S. 2302) 104. Improving Access to Remote Behavioral Health Treatment Act (S. 2244/H.R. 4131) 105. National Suicide Hotline Designation Act (S. 2661/H.R. 4194) 106. Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act (H.R. 4564) 107. Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act (H.R. 4585) 108. Medicaid Reentry Act (H.R. 1329) 109. Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Expansion Act (S. 824/H.R. 1767) 110. Mental Health Services for Students Act (S. 1122/H.R. 1109) 111. Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention (STANDUP) Act (S. 2492/H.R. 2599) 112. Mental Health Parity Compliance Act (S. 1737/H.R. 3165) 113. Behavioral Health Transparency Act (S. 1576/H.R. 2874) 114. Medicare Mental Health Access Act (S. 2772/H.R. 884) 115. Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act (S. 3309) 116. Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (H.R. 5041) House(s) of Congress and Federal Agencies lobbied during the quarter: House, Senate, Exec Office of Pres, HHS, CDC, FDA, CMS, OMB, DOT, HUD, EPA, NIMH, Education, USDA, DHS, FEMA, and SAMHSA
Client expense: $35,610 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Transportation, Dept of (DOT)
2020 · first_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
S. 2772, H.R. 884: Medicare Mental Health Access Act. H.R. 1301: The Mental Health Telemedicine Expansion Act H.R.1839: Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019 H.R. 1530, S. 595: Treat & Reduce Obesity Act H.R. 1329: Medicaid Reentry Act H.R. 3417: Beneficiary Education Tools Telehealth Extender Reauthorization Act of 2019 H.R. 5575: Primary Care and Behavioral Health Access Act
Client expense: $230,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ), Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism (NIAA), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Natl Science Foundation (NSF), Natl Security Agency (NSA), Office of Natl Drug Control Policy (NDCP), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)
2020 · first_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
Support H.R. 1329, Medicaid Reentry Act. Support S. 2772/H.R. 884, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act.
Client expense: $37,156 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Office of the Vice President of the United States, SENATE, Vice President of the U.S., White House Office
2019 · fourth_quarter · Medicare/Medicaid
S. 2772, H.R. 884: Medicare Mental Health Access Act. H.R. 1301: The Mental Health Telemedicine Expansion Act H.R.1839: Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019 H.R. 1530, S. 595: Treat & Reduce Obesity Act H.R. 1329: Medicaid Reentry Act H.R. 3417: Beneficiary Education Tools Telehealth Extender Reauthorization Act of 2019
Client expense: $200,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ), Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Employment & Training Administration, Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Natl Science Foundation (NSF), Natl Security Agency (NSA), SENATE, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)