Keeping Obstetrics Local Act

Extension of COVID-19 public health emergency waivers Nurse staffing shortages Removing barriers to care (H.R.2713/S.2418) I CAN Act (S.1586/H.R.3623) Educating Future Nurses Act (S.1869) SITE Act (S.3860/H.R.7546) Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act (H.R.2530 / S.1113) Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act (H.R. 7513) Protecting Americas Seniors Access to Care Act Issues surrounding Medicare Part B reform Issues surrounding CMS Long Term Care staffing final rule (H.J. Res. 139) Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, 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 under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, 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. 2016/H.R. 4189) CONNECT for Health Act (H.R.2583/S.3481) Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act H.R.3227 - Ensuring Seniors Access to Quality Care Act H.R.468 - Building Americas Health Care Workforce Act (S.5236) Keeping Obstetrics Local Act S.4338 - Pay PCPs Act of 2024 Issues surrounding Medicare reimbursement (H.R. 8702/S. 4532) Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024 (H.R.10445) Further Continuing Appropriations and Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2025 (H.R.10545) American Relief Act, 2025 (H.R.10515) American Relief Act, 2025 Issues surrounding surgical smoke

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

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Abortion access (general); Access to mifepristone (general); Contraception (general); Maternal mortality and morbidity (general); H.R. 1117, Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act; Inclusion of pregnant and lactating individuals in research (general); Obstetric and gynecologic care in rural and underserved areas (general); impact of closures of ob-gyn units in rural hospitals on patient access to care and maternal morbidity and mortality; I H.R. 3305/S. 1606, Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act; H.R. 2569, Doctors of Community (DOC) Act; Teaching Health Center Graduate Medication Education (general); H.R. 3838/S. 2415, Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023; H.R. 3226/S. 1573, PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2023; Telemedicine (general); H.R. 5012/S. 2647, SHINE for Autumn Act; S. 712/H.R. 8532, Connected MOM Act; S. 4079/H.R. 8383, Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in medicine (general); S. 5236, Keeping Obstetrics Local Act; Implementation of P.L. 117-328, Pregnant Workers Fairness Act; National Health Service Corps (general); H.R. 8037/S. 4147, NIH IMPROVE Act; S. 2840, Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act; S. 1840/H.R. 3916, SCREENS for Cancer Act; H.R. 10280, Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act; S. 5428/S. 10297, Jeanette Acosta Invest in Womens Health Act; S. 3247/H.R. 6298 Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act; H.R. 3503, NIH Clinical Trial Diversity Act; S. 3211/H.R. 6025, Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act; H.R. 3633, PREVENT HPV Cancers Act; S. 1409/H.R. 7891, Kids Online Safety Act; Patient-physician relationship (general); Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health; Residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology (general); Abortion training in obstetrics and gynecology residency programs (general); Obstetrician-gynecologist workforce (general); Reproductive health data privacy (general); Substance use disorder during pregnancy (general); Maternal mental health (general); Coverage for infertility (general); Protections for in vitro fertilization (general); HPV vaccination (general); RSV vaccination (general); NIH restructuring (general); NICHD Strategic Plan (general); physician liability (general); Task Force on Research Specific to Pregnant Women and Lactating Women (PRGLAC) recommendations (general); NIH/NICHD womens health research (general);; human milk in NICUs; Executive Order 13952; EMTALA implementation (general); Medicare conditions of participation regarding opioids; Paid leave for patients who experience a stillbirth; menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars; nicotine limits in cigarettes; National Strategic Plans for HIV/AIDS, STIs, Vaccines and Viral Hepatitus; environmental health curriculum in medical school; heat-related deaths; hypertension in pregnancy and postpartum; adolescent reproductive health; immediate postpartum LARC; no-cost contraceptive coverage; access to fertility services and treatments; improving postpartum health care visit rates; worksite lactation support programs; newborn nutrition; Levels of Maternal Care; newborn screening; contraceptive and fertility counseling for patients with cancer; access to PrEP; maternal vaccinations; HPV vaccinations; syphilis screening during pregnancy; oral health care during pregnancy; opioid use disorder treatment for pregnant and postpartum individuals.

Extension of COVID-19 public health emergency waivers Nurse staffing shortages Removing barriers to care (H.R.2713/S.2418) I CAN Act (S.1586/H.R.3623) Educating Future Nurses Act (S.1869) SITE Act (S.3860/H.R.7546) Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act (H.R.2530 / S.1113) Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act (H.R. 7513) Protecting Americas Seniors Access to Care Act Issues surrounding Medicare Part B reform Issues surrounding CMS Long Term Care staffing final rule (H.J. Res. 139) Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, 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 under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, 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. 2016/H.R. 4189) CONNECT for Health Act (H.R.2583/S.3481) Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act H.R.3227 - Ensuring Seniors Access to Quality Care Act H.R.468 - Building Americas Health Care Workforce Act (S.5236) Keeping Obstetrics Local Act S.4338 - Pay PCPs Act of 2024 Issues surrounding Medicare reimbursement Issues surrounding surgical smoke (H.R. 8702/S. 4532) Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act of 2024 (H.R.10445) Further Continuing Appropriations and Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2025 (H.R.10545) American Relief Act, 2025 (H.R.10515) American Relief Act, 2025

No Bill No. - Congressional Primary Care Caucus No Bill No. - Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act No Bill No. - Medicare Physician Payment Reform No Bill No. - MACRA Implementation No Bill No. - CY2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule No Bill No. - CY 2024 Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System No Bill No. - Site Neutrality and Consolidation No Bill No. - CMS Prior Authorization Rules No Bill No. - Tobacco Users Quiet Act No Bill No. - G2211 Code (Physician Fee Schedule) No Bill No. - Reducing Medically Unnecessary Delays in Care Act No Bill No. - G2211 implementation/modifier 25 No Bill No. - HEALTH for Mom Act No Bill No. - Pay PCP Act No Bill No. - Seniors Timely Access to Care Act No Bill No. - CY25 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule No Bill No. - Physician Fee Stabilization Act (H.R. 952) Kids Access to Primary Care Act (H.R. 2400/S. 1165) The Reentry Act (H.R. 3074) Due Process Continuity of Care Act (H.R. 3766) Extending Access to Addiction Treatment Act (H.R. 4950/S. 2841) Improve Addiction Care Act (H.R. 4771) Children's Health Insurance Program Permanency Act (H.R. 4968) GOLD Card Act of 2023 (S. 2556) Improving Care for Youth Act (H.R. 5013) Value in Health Care Act (S. 2816) Medicaid for Every Child Act (H.R. 6545) Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act (H.R. 5434/S.3138) Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act (H.R. 5395) SURS Extension Act (H.R. 3487/S. 3805) No Fees for EFTs Act (S. 1316) Save Children's Coverage Act (H.R. 6997/S. 3010) Nutrition CARE Act (H.R. 6780/S. 2133) - Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Demonstration Pilot Act (H.R. 8235) - Rural Physician Workforce Preservation Act (H.R. 7512) - Real-Time Benefit Tool Implementation Act (H.R. 1770/S. 2477) - Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Act (S. 4349) - Electronic Prior Authorization for Prescription Drugs Act (H.R. 5434/S. 3138) - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act (S. 5432) - Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act (S. 5236) - Keeping Obstetrics Local Act

Discuss Medicare and Medicaid issues with HHS staff. Discuss with Congressional staff and HHS staff support for Medicare GME expansion and changes to GME program: the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, the Pathway to Practice Act of 2021, the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act (H.R. 7050); additional GME slots in CAA, 2021 and CAA, 2023; Rural Residency Planning and Development Act (H.R. 7855); concerns on Rural Physician Workforce Preservation Act; Senate Finance Committee proposals to increase GME slots. Discussion with CMS on the interpretation of CAA, 2021, Sec. 131, and resetting of GME caps pertaining to Sec. 131. Discuss technical amendment to CAA, 2021, Sec. 131 pertaining to Medicare GME with Congressional staff. Discuss with Congressional staff distribution methodology for Medicare GME slots created in the CAA, 2021. Discuss expiring COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Medicare flexibilities with Congressional staff and HHS staff and support legislative proposals to extend PHE telehealth flexibilities and Acute Hospital Care at Home Waiver (H.R. 7623). Support extension of Medicare Dependent Hospital and Low-Volume Adjustment programs. Support proposals to reduce payment cut in CY 2025 Physician Fee Schedule final rule. Discuss opposition to Medicare site-neutral payment policies with Congressional staff. Oppose changes to NPIs for hospital outpatient departments (H.R. 7623, H.R. 4509, H.R. 7623 as amended, H.R. 4822). Comment on FY 2024 IPPS rule to increase payment update to hospitals, Transforming Episodic Accountability Model, AHEAD Model, and CAA, 2023 Sec 4122 GME slot distribution methodology, and discuss comments with Congressional staff and CMS staff. Discuss proposals that stabilize long-term care and post-acute care providers: establish a temporary per diem Medicare payment to ease capacity issues and address financial challenges from slow discharges (support), make permanent three-day hospital stay waiver (support) and other COVID-19 PHE regulatory flexibilities. Support certain changes to Medicaid DSH payments: support two-year elimination of Medicaid DSH cut scheduled for January 1, 2025; support Save Our Safety Net Hospitals Act (H.R. 9351) to restore pre-CAA, 2021 DSH cap calculation methodology and include dual-eligible patients in state DSH cap calculation. Discuss Medicaid waiver proposal with Congressional staff and HHS. Discuss CMMI initiatives on global budgets and primary care in NYS Medicaid waiver. Discuss Medicaid IMD exclusion policies with Congressional staff. Support legislation to increase Medicaid payment rates for labor and delivery services for certain hospitals (S.5236). Discuss with Congressional staff support for CMS approval of Medicaid managed care organization tax proposed in New York State budget. Oppose CMS final rule to establish minimum nurse staffing in Medicare- and Medicaid-certified long-term care facilities (89 FR 40876) and support legislative efforts to repeal rule. Support Medicare Advantage prior authorization reforms - Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act (S. 4532/H.R. 8702). Meet with CMS staff and CMS Regional Administrator to discuss Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and MA utilization management practices. Discuss wage index issues with Congressional staff: H.R. 8561 to address MA local area growth under projection, FY 2025 IPPS/LTCH interim final rule, indirect medical education (IME) payments to hospitals. Meet with CMS Innovation Center to discuss CMMI models of care. Meet with CMS leadership to discuss Medicare and Medicaid issues: prior authorization and MA insurance denials, concerns on mandatory participation for AHEAD and TEAM models, Medicare support for health care workforce; support for telehealth flexibilities and Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver extension.

H.R.5378, Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, Issues related to site neutral payment cuts, hospital price transparency, unique health identifier, 340B Program; H.R. 3173 / S. 4532, Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care, all provisions; S.4350 / H.R. 8260, Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act of 2024, all provisions; Draft Bill, Issues pertaining to proposed changes to the Medicare Graduate Medical Education program and solutions to address workforce shortages in rural areas; S.4338, the Pay PCPs Act , Feedback to improve physician reimbursement and value-based primary care; S. 1110, the Rural Hospital Support Act, all provisions; H.R. 6430, Assistance for Rural Community Hospitals (ARCH)Act, all provisions; H.R. 7711, Advancing Access to Telehealth Act,all provisions; H.R. 3432, Telemental Health Care Access Act, all provisions; H.R. 3875, the Expanded Telehealth Access Act, all provisions; H.R. 5611, Helping Ensure Access to Local Telehealth (HEALTH) Act of 2023, all provisions; H.R. 6033, Supporting Patient Education and Knowledge (SPEAK) Act of 2023, all provisions; Draft Bill, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to adjust long-term care hospital payment rates under the Medicare program, Issues related to LTCH payment policy reforms; S. 5236, A bill to amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to enhance financial support for rural and safety net hospitals providing maternity, labor, and delivery services to vulnerable populations, and for other purposes, Reimbursements to rural and safety net hospitals providing maternity, labor, and delivery services; H.R. 7623, Telehealth Modernization Act, Issues pertaining to Telehealth, Hospital at Home, Unique Health Identifier; H. Jes Res 139 / S.J. Res 91, A joint resolution for congressional disapproval of a rule relating to "Medicare and Medicaid Programs, Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting", All provisions; S. 2016/ H.R. 4189, The CONNECT for Health Act of 2023, Specifically telehealth waivers, geographic restrictions, originating site requirements, in person requirement behavioral health, RHCs and FQHCs access; H.R. 1110, KEEP Telehealth Option Act, All provisions; H.R. 5541, the Temporary Reciprocity to Ensure Access to Treatment (TREAT) Act, All provisions; HR 2389/ S. 1302, Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023, All provisions; H.R. 977/S. 470, Patient Access to Higher Quality Care Act, all provisions; Draft Bill, Obstetric care in Critical Access Hospitals (CAH); Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program Draft Guidance, Issues pertaining to the implementation of the Medicare drug price negotiation program; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare Program; Alternative Payment Model Updates and the Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) Model, Issues pertaining to Value Based Care and feedback on proposed IOTA model; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), FY 2025 Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals; Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments, Issues pertaining to the FY2025 Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems Rule and Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments Changes in FY25 IPPS Rule; Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), 2025 Priorities, Issues pertaining to 340B Drug Pricing Program, inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) payments, the physician fee schedule (PFS) and telehealth in the new cycle; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Home Health Prospective; Payment System (HH PPS) Rate Update, Issues pertaining to the CY25 Home Health Proposed Rule; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Physician fee schedule (PFS) proposed rule for calendar year (CY) 2025, Issues pertaining to physician fee schedule; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) Proposed rule for Calendar Year (CY2025), Issues pertaining to outpatient and ambulatory surgery center prospective payment system, conditions of participation for maternal health; Health & Human Services (HHS), Letter to HHS, Medicare Advantage Organizations' Use of Prior Authorization for Post-Acute Care; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Significant, Anomalous and Highly Suspect (SAHS) billing in Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) in Calendar Year 2023, Issues pertaining to proposed rule to mitigate the impact of significant, anomalous and highly suspect (SAHS) billing activity within the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) in calendar year (CY) 2023; Site Neutral Payments, Issues related to site neutral payment cuts for drug administration; Provider Reimbursements, Issues related to provider reimbursement, site neutral payment cuts, Medicare/Medicaid program funding, facility fees, DSH cuts; Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) program, Medicaid DSH program; LTCH High Cost Outlier Threshold, SFC / W&M Meeting / CMS Meeting , Issues concerning High Cost Outlier in LTCH payment policy; National Provider Identifier (NPI), Included in E&C markup statement in September , Unique identifiers for off-campus Hospital Outpatient Departments (HOPDs); Access to inpatient rehabilitation care, Letter to CMS / Supported Hill Led Effort, Access to inpatient rehabilitation care for MA enrollees; Rural Hospitals, Issues pertaining to the sustainability of MDHS, CAHs, SCHs, and REHs; Physician Payments, Issues pertaining to proposed solutions to improve MACRA, alternative payment models, mental health of workforce; Health Plan Accountability, Issues specific to prior authorization, patient access to care, adequate provider networks, inappropriate denials, reducing account receivables, prompt pay and cost-based reimbursement for critical access hospitals under Medicare Advantage.

Abortion access (general); Access to mifepristone (general); Contraception (general); IUD insertion (general); Maternal mortality and morbidity (general); H.R. 1117, Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act; Inclusion of pregnant and lactating individuals in research (general); Obstetric and gynecologic care in rural and underserved areas (general); impact of closures of ob-gyn units in rural hospitals on patient access to care and maternal morbidity and mortality; Impact of abortion restrictions on patient outcomes and the ob-gyn workforce (general); H.R. 3305/S. 1606, Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act; H.R. 3310/S. 2239, Kira Johnson Act; H.R. 3312/S. 1602, Moms Matter Act; H.R. 3320/S. 1599, Data to Save Moms Act; H.R. 3523/S. 1710, Perinatal Workforce Act;; H.R. 2389/S. 1302, Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act; H.R. 2569, Doctors of Community (DOC) Act; Teaching Health Center Graduate Medication Education (general); H.R. 3838/S. 2415, Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023; H.R. 3226/S. 1573, PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2023; Telemedicine (general); H.R. 5012/S. 2647, SHINE for Autumn Act; implementation of P.L. 118-69, Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act; Stillbirth prevention (general); S.___, Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Act; S. 712/H.R. 8532, Connected MOM Act; S. 4079/H.R. 8383, Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in medicine (general); S. 5236, Keep Obstetrics Local Act; H.R. 7855, H.R.___, Diane Powis Ovarian Cancer Testing Access Act;; S. 4445, Right to IVF Act; Implementation of P.L. 117-328, Pregnant Workers Fairness Act; National Health Service Corps (general); ; H.R. 8796/S. 4619, Stop Comstock Act; H.R. 8037/S. 4147, NIH Improve Act; H.R. 9886, Broadening Utilization of Proven and Effective Treatment for Recovery Act or the BUPE for Recovery Act; S. 4522, Dads Matter Act; H.R. 6716/S. 3509, Healthy MOM Act; H.R. 8839, Maternal and Infant Syphilis Prevention Act; H.R. 8223/S. 4246 Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Womens Health Act; H.R. 3851/S. 2464, Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act of 2023; S. 964, Mothers and Newborns Success Act; H.R. 4572/S. 2303, Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2023; H.R. 4534/S. 2245, Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2023; S. 3447, Pregnant and Postpartum Women Treatment Reauthorization Act; S. 3370, Promoting Maternal and Child Health Through Substance Use Prevention Act; H.R. 3946/S. 1800, FASD Respect Act; H.R. __ /S.__ Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act; Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (general); Patient-physician relationship (general); Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health; Residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology (general); Abortion training in obstetrics and gynecology residency programs (general); Obstetrician-gynecologist workforce (general); Reproductive health data privacy (general); Substance use disorder during pregnancy (general); Maternal mental health (general); Coverage for infertility (general); Protections for in vitro fertilization (general); HPV vaccination (general); RSV vaccination (general); Remote patient monitoring (general); Fertility preservation services for sickle cell patients treated with cell and gene therapies; Prenatal supplements (general); Care for pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals (general); Gun violence as a public health issue (general);; H.Res.1448, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that every person has the basic right to emergency health care, including abortion care; CURES 2.0 Act; NIH restructuring (general); family care plans (general); FDA Advisory Committees (general); FDA Diversity Action Plan (general); NICHD Strategic Plan (general); physician liability (general); pharmacist-prescribed contraceptives (general); Task Force on Research Specific to Pregnant Women and Lactating Women (PRGLAC) recommendations (general); Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food packages (general); Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Patient Engagement, Information Sharing, and Public Health Interoperability rule (general).

Extension of COVID-19 public health emergency waivers Nurse staffing shortages Removing barriers to care (H.R.2713/S.2418) I CAN Act (S.1586/H.R.3623) Educating Future Nurses Act (S.1869) SITE Act (S.3860/H.R.7546) Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act (H.R.2530 / S.1113) Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act (H.R. 7513) Protecting Americas Seniors Access to Care Act Issues surrounding Medicare Part B reform Issues surrounding CMS Long Term Care staffing final rule (H.J. Res. 139) Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, 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 under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, 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. 2016/H.R. 4189) CONNECT for Health Act (H.R.2583/S.3481) Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act H.R.3227 - Ensuring Seniors Access to Quality Care Act H.R.468 - Building Americas Health Care Workforce Act (S.5236) Keeping Obstetrics Local Act S.4338 - Pay PCPs Act of 2024

Client expense: $270,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Extension of COVID-19 public health emergency waivers Nurse staffing shortages Removing barriers to care (H.R.2713/S.2418) I CAN Act (S.1586/H.R.3623) Educating Future Nurses Act (S.1869) SITE Act (S.3860/H.R.7546) Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act (H.R.2530 / S.1113) Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act (H.R. 7513) Protecting Americas Seniors Access to Care Act Issues surrounding Medicare Part B reform Issues surrounding CMS Long Term Care staffing final rule (H.J. Res. 139) Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, 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 under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, 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. 2016/H.R. 4189) CONNECT for Health Act (H.R.2583/S.3481) Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act H.R.3227 - Ensuring Seniors Access to Quality Care Act H.R.468 - Building Americas Health Care Workforce Act (S.5236) Keeping Obstetrics Local Act S.4338 - Pay PCPs Act of 2024

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

Discuss Medicare and Medicaid issues with HHS staff. Discuss with Congressional staff and HHS staff support for Medicare GME expansion: the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, the Pathway to Practice Act of 2021, the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act; additional GME slots in CAA, 2021 and CAA, 2023; Rural Residency Planning and Development Act (H.R. 7855). Discussion with CMS on the interpretation of CAA, 2021, Sec. 131, and resetting of GME caps pertaining to Sec. 131. Discuss technical amendment to CAA, 2021, Sec. 131 pertaining to Medicare GME with Congressional staff. Discuss with Congressional staff distribution methodology for Medicare GME slots created in the CAA, 2021. Discuss expiring COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Medicare flexibilities with Congressional staff and HHS staff and support legislative proposals to extend PHE telehealth flexibilities and Acute Hospital Care at Home Waiver (H.R. 7623). Discuss legislation to provide financial support for safety net hospitals. Discuss opposition to Medicare site-neutral payment policies with Congressional staff. Support certain changes to Medicaid DSH: support two year elimination of Medicaid DSH cut scheduled for January 1, 2025; support Save Our Safety Net Hospitals Act (H.R. 9351) to restore pre-CAA, 2021 DSH cap calculation methodology and include dual-eligible patients in state DSH cap calculation. Discuss Medicaid waiver proposal with Congressional staff and HHS. Discuss CMMI initiatives on global budgets and primary care in NYS Medicaid waiver. Discuss Medicaid IMD exclusion policies with Congressional staff. Support legislation to increase Medicaid payment rates for labor and delivery services for certain hospitals (S.5236). Discuss with Congressional staff support for CMS approval of Medicaid managed care organization tax proposed in New York State budget. Discuss comments on FY 2024 IPPS proposed rule to increase payment update to hospitals, Transforming Episodic Accountability Model, AHEAD Model, and CAA, 2023 Sec 4122 GME slot proposed distribution methodology and discuss comments with Congressional staff and CMS staff. Discuss Medicare payment for nursing and allied health with Senate Finance Committee staff. Meet with CMS Regional Administrator to discuss the behavioral health care workforce. Meet with CMS to discuss hospital price transparency regulations. Discuss proposals that stabilize long-term care and post-acute care providers: establish a temporary per diem Medicare payment to ease capacity issues and address financial challenges from slow discharges (support), make permanent three-day hospital stay waiver (support) and other COVID-19 PHE regulatory flexibilities. Oppose CMS final rule to establish minimum nurse staffing in Medicare- and Medicaid-certified long-term care facilities (89 FR 40876) and support legislative efforts to repeal rule. Meet with CMS staff to discuss behavioral health coverage for commercial insurers. Discussion with HHS Health Insurance Administrator and CMS Hospital Quality, Safety, and Oversight Group on CMS Interpretive Guidance on Informed Consent. Support Medicare Advantage prior authorization reforms. Meet with CMS staff and CMS Regional Administrator to discuss Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and MA utilization management practices. Discuss wage index issues with Congressional staff: H.R. 8561 to address MA local area growth under projection, FY 2025 IPPS/LTCH interim final rule, indirect medical education (IME) payments to hospitals. Meet with CMS Innovation Center to discuss CMMI models of care. Meet with CMS leadership to discuss Medicare and Medicaid issues: prior authorization and MA insurance denials, concerns on mandatory participation for AHEAD and TEAM models, Medicare support for health care workforce; support for telehealth flexibilities and Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver extension. Meet with CMS/Acute Care regarding the definition of new residency programs.