Essential Caregivers Act of 2024

S. 3109/H.R. 8018, the Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act. S. 3766/H.R. 7274, the Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act. No bill number. Discussed fraud and means testing for federal benefits. No bill number. Discussed Medicare coverage of telehealth services. No bill number. Discussed Medicare coverage of dental services. No bill number. Discussed SHIPs and Medicare low-income beneficiary outreach and enrollment activities. No bill number. Discussed Medicare primary care workforce access and shortages. No bill number. Discussed Medicaid managed care. No bill number. Discussed Medicaid program proposals. No bill number. Discussed Medicare Advantage network adequacy. H.R.10437, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the guaranteed issue of Medigap policies to all Medigap-eligible Medicare beneficiaries and Medicare Advantage enrollees, and for other purposes. No bill number. Discussed care at home. H.R. 8108, the Care for Military Kids Act. No bill number. Discussed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule and Caregiver Training Services. H.R. 8331/S. 4280, the Essential Caregivers Act. H.R. 3227/H.R. 8244, the Ensuring Seniors Access to Quality Care Act. HR 7513/S.3410, the Protecting Americas Seniors Access to Care Act. H.R. 468/H.R. 9067, the Building Americas Health Care Workforce Act. S. 5023, the Stand Strong Falls Prevention Act. H.R. 7618, the Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act. No bill number. Discussed Nursing Home Staffing Standard.

Client expense: $5,580,000 · Firm income: Not reported

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

H.R.2365/S.1064 - National Plan to End Parkinson's Act: A bill to create an advisory council comprising members of federal agencies that support research, care, and services for Parkinson's disease, as well as patients, care partners, researchers, clinicians, and other non-federal experts, to ensure efficient and effective coordination among all federal entities responsible for managing, treating, and curing Parkinson's disease. General Parkinson's Disease Information: Covers symptoms, triggers, health coverage, health costs, social determinants of health, data collection, research, environmental risks, and health access for underserved communities, particularly through the CDC's National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System (NNCSS). H.R.2630/S.652/S.1339 - Safe Step Act: Requires group health plans to provide an exception process for any medication step therapy protocol to ensure that individuals living with Parkinson's disease can access treatments safely and efficiently. Establishing Parkinson's Disease ICD-10-CM Codes: Aims to assist in the coordination of care for Parkinson's patients who experience OFF episodes and to allow researchers to gather data to study disease progression. S.1544/H.R.1199 - Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics Act of 2023: A bill to establish separate payment requirements for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, including DaTscans, which aid in confirming a Parkinson's diagnosis under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient services. H.R.3432 - Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2023: Permanently removes Medicare's originating site requirements for mental health services furnished via telehealth. Parkinson's non-motor symptoms include mental health conditions, and many people with Parkinson's are Medicare beneficiaries who may face barriers due to in-person requirements. H.R.830/S.1375 - Help Ensure Lower Patient Copays Act: A bill requiring health insurance plans to apply certain payments, including third-party payments, financial assistance, and product vouchers, toward a plan's cost-sharing requirements. This helps Parkinson's patients afford medications for managing symptoms. The Medicare Part D Six Protected Classes Policy: Requires Part D plans to cover all drugs in six protected classes, including antidepressants and antipsychotics. For individuals with Parkinson's disease, these medications are crucial for managing non-motor symptoms such as depression and psychosis. H.R.4752/S.2379 - CHANGE Act of 2023: A bill to improve early screening, detection, and diagnosis of Alzheimer's and related dementias, including Parkinson's disease dementia, during Medicare wellness visits. H.R.4942/S.655 - Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act: Reauthorizes the Conrad State 30 program and improves policies to address health care provider shortages, supporting neurological care for Parkinson's patients. H.R.8702/S.4532 - Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act: Establishes requirements regarding the use of prior authorization under Medicare Advantage plans. H.R.9233/S.- The HEALTHY Brains Act: Draft legislation to create a Centers of Excellence grant program within the National Institutes of Health to focus on the intersection between environmental risk factors and neurodegenerative diseases. H.R.8331/S. 4280 - Essential Caregivers Act of 2024: To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to require skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities for the intellectually disabled, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities to permit essential caregivers access during any period in which regular visitation is restricted. General Outreach for Establishing an ""Office of Caregiver Health"": Supports the creation of an Office of Caregiver Health within the Department of Health and Human Services to address the needs of caregivers, particularly in relation to Parkinson's disease care.

Lobbying to Increase Prescription Drug Affordability and Accessibility: Advocacy for Medicare Part D redesign and benefits for people living with Parkinson's, including expanding the low-income subsidy (LIS) program, capping out-of-pocket costs, implementing a smoothing mechanism, and streamlining utilization management processes. The Medicare Part D Six Protected Classes Policy: Requires Part D plans to cover all drugs in six classes: immunosuppressants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antiretrovirals, and antineoplastics. For people living with Parkinson's, most of whom are Medicare beneficiaries, it is essential to have access to a wide range of treatment options for antidepressants and antipsychotics, which are crucial for managing non-motor symptoms like depression and psychosis. Signed Coalition Letters: - Medicare Access for Prescription Rx (MAPRx): Comment letter in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance. - Patient and Provider Advocates for Telehealth: Comment letter in response to CMS CY 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) supporting expanded access to telehealth. - Alliance for Aging Research: Coalition letter in response to Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part One Guidance supporting proposed beneficiary protections. H.R.4752/S.2379 - CHANGE Act of 2023: A bill to better utilize existing Medicare wellness visits for early screening, detection, and diagnosis of Alzheimer's and related dementias, including Parkinson's disease dementia. S.1544/H.R.1199 - Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics Act of 2023: A bill to establish separate payment requirements for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, including DaTscans used to confirm Parkinson's diagnoses, under the Medicare outpatient prospective payment system. CMS-1809-P (2025 Medicare OPPS Proposed Rule): Comment supporting CMS's proposal to separately reimburse certain diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals used in diagnosing Parkinson's disease and atypical parkinsonisms. H.R.8702/S.4532 - Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act: Establishes requirements for the use of prior authorization under Medicare Advantage plans to ensure timely access to care for seniors, including those with Parkinson's. S.3109/H.R.8018 - Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers (ABC) Act: Requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Social Security to simplify processes and communications for family caregivers to assist individuals in accessing and utilizing benefits. S.3766/H.R.7274 - Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act: Amends the Social Security Act to provide outreach and education to Medicare beneficiaries and simplify access to information for family caregivers through 1-800-MEDICARE. Advocacy for Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Access: Lobbying CMS to direct Medicare contractors to clarify claims procedures for DME therapies requiring administration via external infusion pumps, ensuring quick access to new Parkinson's therapies after FDA approval. H.R.8331/S. 4280 - Essential Caregivers Act of 2024: To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to require skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities for the intellectually disabled, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities to permit essential caregivers access during any period in which regular visitation is restricted.

Linking Seniors to Needed Legal Services Act (H.R. 8588) Accelerating Access to Dementia & Alzheimers Provider Training (AADAPT) Act (S. 4276/H.R. 7688) Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging (H. Res. 1029) Improving Seniors' Access to Timely Care Act (S. 4532/H.R. 8702) to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish requirements with respect to the use of prior authorization under Medicare Advantage plans Harmonizing Environmental Analyses and Launching Therapeutic Hubs to Yield Bolstered Research And Innovation in Neurological Science (HEALTHY BRAINS) Act (H.R. 9233) Better Empowerment Now to Enhance Framework and Improve Treatments Act of 2023 (BENEFIT) Act (S. 526/H.R. 1092) Essential Caregivers Act of 2024 (S. 4280/H.R. 8331) Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act (H.R. 1691) PACE Part D Choice Act of 2023 (S. 1703/H.R. 3549) Credit for Caring Act of 2024 (S. 3702/H.R. 7165) Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit Extension and Enhancement Act (S. 3680) CONNECT for Health Act of 2023 (S. 2016 / H.R. 4189) Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act (H.R. 6160) to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize a lifespan respite care program DeOndra Dixon Investigation of Co-occurring Conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down Syndrome (INCLUDE) Project Act of 2024 (H.R. 7406) NAPA Reauthorization Act (S. 133/H.R. 619/P.L. 118-92) Alzheimers Accountability and Investment Act (S. 134/H.R. 620/P.L. 118-93) Comprehensive Care for Alzheimers Act (S. 626/H.R. 1637) Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act of 2023 (S. 141/H.R. 542) VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of 2023 (S. 10) Mandating Exclusive Review of Individual Treatments (MERIT) Act (H.R. 133) Access to Innovative Treatments Act of 2023 (H.R. 2408) Elder Justice Reauthorization and Modernization Act of 2023 (H.R. 2718/S. 1198) Expanding Veterans Options for Long Term Care Act (H.R.1815/S. 495) Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (S.2243) Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics Act of 2023 (H.R. 1199/S. 1544) Supporting Our Seniors Act (S. 2584) Alleviating Barriers for Caregiving Act (S. 3109) Reauthorization of the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act (P.L. 115-406) BOLD Reauthorization Act (S. 3775/ H.R. 7218) Other matters related to Monoclonal Antibodies Directed Against Amyloid for the Treatment of Alzheimers Disease Other matters related to care payment models, including the GUIDE model Other matters related to Medicare care planning code 99483 Other matters related to health care workforce shortages Other matters related to home- and community-based services Other matters related to disaster preparedness and older adults Other matters related to Social Security Other matters related to technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity-building models (Project ECHO) Other matters related to beta amyloid PET scans Other matters related to selected diagnoses and services rendered under ICD-10 Other matters related to caregiving Other matters related to medical devices other matters related to rural health other matters related to veterans health other matters related to Tricare Other matters related to research Other matters related to biomarkers including blood based tests and cerebral spinal fluid (csf)

S. 3109/H.R. 8018, the Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act. S. 3766/H.R. 7274, the Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act. No bill number. Discussed funding for SHIP low-income outreach and enrollment programs. No bill number. Discussed Medicare Advantage and health savings accounts. H.R.7623/S.3697, the Telehealth Modernization Act. S. 5070/H.R. 8107, the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Programs Act. No bill number. Discussed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for calendar year 2025. No bill number. Discussed Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System for calendar year 2025. No bill number. Discussed Fiscal Year 2025 Home Health Prospective Payment System Rate Update. No bill number. Discussed Medicare open enrollment. H.R. 8702/S.4532, the Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024. H.R. 8331/S. 4280, the Essential Caregivers Act. H.J.Res.139, Providing for Congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting. S.J.Res.91, A joint resolution providing for Congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting" H.R. 8244, the Ensuring Seniors Access to Quality Care Act. S.1749/H.R. 3227, the Ensuring Seniors Access to Quality Care Act. S.3410/H.R. 7513, the Protecting Americas Seniors Access to Care Act. H.R. 468, the Building Americas Health Care Workforce Act. H.R. 9067, the Building Americas Health Care Workforce Act. S. 5023, the Stand Strong Falls Prevention Act. S.1190, the Direct Support Worker Training Reimbursement Act of 2023. S.1196, the Mollie Baldwin Upskilling of Personal and Home Care Aides Act of 2023. S.1192, the CADSAW Act of 2023. No bill number. Discussed Medicaid home and community-based services and presumptive eligibility and self-directed services. No bill number. Discussed Caregiver Training Services. No bill number. Discussed GUIDE Model. No bill number. Discussed Medicare, Medicaid, and family caregivers. No bill number. Discussed Medicaid access final rule. H.R. 8108, the Care for Military Kids Act. H. R. 8106, to increase transparency and expand coverage options for home and community-based services under a Medicaid waiver. No bill number. Discussed long-term care. H.R. 9803, the Hospice Care Act.

No bill number. Discussed medically necessary dental coverage and oral health care in Medicare. No bill number. Discussed Medicare coverage for telehealth services. No bill number. Discussed workforce training, physician reimbursement, and Medicare provider access. No bill number. Discussed Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024. H.R. 2407, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act. No bill number. Discussed Medicaid estate recovery. No bill number. Discussed Medicare Advantage data. H.R. 3549/ S. 1703, the PACE Part D Choice Act of 2023. No bill number. Discussed family caregivers and Medicare and Medicaid policy. No bill number. Discussed Medicare FY25 Skilled Nursing Facility Payment Proposed Rule. No bill number. Discussed Medicare FY25 Hospital Inpatient Payment Proposed Rule. No bill number. Discussed hospitals and a buffer of essential medicines. No bill number. Discussed Medicaid unwinding. H.R. 8114, To prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from finalizing a rule proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to place certain limitations on Medicaid payments for home or community-based services. No bill number. Discussed Care Executive Order. H.R. 8018, the Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act. S. 3109, Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act. S. 3766/H.R. 7274, Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act. No bill number. Discussed Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver and family caregivers. No bill number. Discussed family caregivers, direct care workers, care at home, and in other settings. S. 4120/H.R. 7994, the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act. H.R. 8094, to amend Title XIX of the Social Security Act to modify certain asset recovery rules. H.R. 7573, the Stop Unfair Medicaid Recoveries Act. No bill number. Discussed the Coordinating Care for Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act. No bill number. Discussed nursing home staffing standards. No bill number. Discussed Medicare home health and hospice benefits. No bill number. Discussed health care coverage expansion. H.R. 8331/S. 4280, the Essential Caregivers Act. H.R. 7442, Philippine Medicare Portability Study Act. H.R. 3227, the Ensuring Seniors Access to Quality Care Act. H.R. 8244, Ensuring Seniors Access to Quality Care Act. H.R.468, the Building Americas Health Care Workforce Act. HR 7513/S.3410, the Protecting Americas Seniors Access to Care Act. H.J.Res.139, Providing for Congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting. S.J.Res.91, A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to "Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting" S.4137, the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2024.