TIMOTHY ECKELS

Pursued legislation to preserve Medicare pass-through funding for hospital-affiliated nursing colleges that are required to separately incorporate by an accreditation organization. Sought solutions for a low GME slot cap at St. Vincent Hospital. Discussed with lawmakers the need to avoid hospital cuts in next Congress, and to address regulatory issues regarding RACs, Two Midnight Rule, 96-hour rule, and physician supervision in Critical Access Hospitals.

Pursued legislation to preserve Medicare pass-through funding for hospital-affiliated nursing colleges that are required to separately incorporate by an accredidation organization. Sought solution for low GME slot cap at St. Vincent Hospital.

Supported a fix to the Sustainable Growth Rate Formula while urging delegation to avoid new hospital cuts. Sought to influence "Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014," including extension of GPCI work floor, Medicare Dependent Hospital Program, and Low Volume Program. Urged repeal of 96 hour rule, modification of two-midnight rule and outpatient supervision rule, and RAC program reforms. Sought relief for nursing colleges at risk of losing pass-through funding, and for GME cap at St. Vincent Hospital.

Supported a fix to the Sustainable Growth Rate Formula while requesting delegation to avoid new hospital cuts. Sought extension of GPCI work component floor for physicians. Sought relief for nursing colleges affected by the new requirements from accrediting body that will inadvertently end Medicare pass-through payments. Urged support for Medicare Audit Improvement Act (HR 1250/S 1012); DSH Reduction Relief Act (HR1920/S 1555); and Rural Hospital Access Act (HR 1787/S 842).

Supported a fix to the Sustainable Growth Rate Formula while requesting delegation to avoid new hospital cuts. Sought relief for nursing colleges affected by new requirements from accrediting body that will inadvertently end Medicare pass-through payments. Requested support letters for grant applications to CMMI and PCORI.

Urged delegation to co-sponsor the DSH Reduction Relief Act (H.R. 1920), the Medicare Audit Improvement Act (H.R.1250), and the Rural Hospital Access Act (H.R. 1787), including the Senate counterpart bills. Supported a fix to the Sustainable Growth Rate Formula while requesting delegation to avoid new hospital cuts. Promoted enhancements in value-based payment. Sought relief for nursing colleges affected by new requirements from accrediting body that will inadvertently end Medicare pass-through payments.

Promoted HSHS innovations aimed at quality and efficiency. Argued against additional Medicare and Medicaid payment cuts, including impact of the sequester. Promoted HR 1201, the "Training Tomorrow's Doctors Today Act."

Promoted HSHS innovations aimed at quality and efficiency. Argued against additional Medicare and Medicaid payment cuts, including damanging impacts of the sequester. Promoted HR 1201, the "Training Tomorrow's Doctors Today Act."

Promoted HSHS Care Integration/Quality/Efficiency initiatives, urged fix for SGR physician cut, promoted extension of physician GPCI payment floor, asked for extension of Medicare Dependent Hospital and Low Volume payment programs, and argued against cuts in hospital payment during budget/fiscal cliff debate. Requested letters of support for a grant application to PCORI.

Promoted HSHS innovation aimed at quality and efficiency in the delivery of care. Pressed lawmakers to avoid blunt cuts in upcoming budget negotiations, extend certain rural payment provisions, and avoid policy changes that would hurt ability of Critical Access Hospitals to serve their communities. Asked lawmakers to co-sponsor S.2620/H.R.5943, the Rural Hospital Access Act of 2012. Supported introduction of H.R.6352, the Resident Shortage Reduction and Graduate Medical Education Accountability Act.

Promoted HSHS and sought support for an application to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation for an "Innovation Challenge Grant" on a medical home project. Pressed to avert the formula-driven physician payment cut (SGR), extend certain rural payment provisions, avoid lossening restrictions on physician self-referral, and avoid Medicare and Medicaid cuts in the "Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012" (HR3630). Pressed for new legislation to expand GME training slots.

Promoted HSHS innovations aimed at quality and efficiency in the delivery of care. Pressed lawmakers to avoid blunt cuts in upcoming budget negotiations, extend certain rural payment provisions (especially Medicare Dependent Hospital status), and avoid policy changes that would hurt Critical Access Hospitals. Urged passage of drug shortage legislation. Argued for exemption for religously sponsored organizations objecting to HHS mandate for employer coverage of contraceptive and sterilization services.

Promoted HSHS and sought support for possible future application(s) to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation for yet-to-be determined delivery reform pilots. Argued against blunt cuts to Medicare and Medicaid in FY2011 and FY2012 budgets. Urged Congress to reduce the CMS-imposed cut in Medicare payment known as the "coding offset."

Promoted HSHS and sought support for possible future applicaiton(s) to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation for yet-to-be determined delivery reform pilots. Argued against blunt cuts to Medicare and Medicaid in FY2011 and FY2012 budgets. Urged Congress to reduce the CMS-imposed cut in Medicare payment known as the "coding offset."

Promoted HSHS and sought support for possible future applications(s) to the Center for Medicare/Medicaid Innovation for yet-to-be specified delivery reform pilots. Argued generally against blunt cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

Promoted HSHS and sought support for possible future applications to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation for a "Ready Network Learning Collaborative." Pressed to avert formula-driven physician payment cut (SGR), extend certain rural payment provisions, avoid loosening restrictions on physician self-referral to physician-owned hospitals, and avoid Medicare and Medicaid cuts in the "Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act" (HR3630, HR3736).

Promoted HSHS and sought support for possible future applications to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation for a "Ready Network Learning Collaborative." Pressed to avert formula-driven physician payment cut (SGR), extend certain rural payment provisions, avoid loosening restrictions on physician self-referral to physician-owned hospitals, and avoid Medicare and Medicaid cuts in the "Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act" (HR3630, HR3736).

Promoted HSHS and sought support for possible future applications to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation for a "Ready Network Learning Collaborative." Argued agains blunt Medicare and Medicaid cuts during the debt ceiling debate and in preparation for the Super Committee process.

Promoted HSHS and sought support for possible future applicaiton(s) to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. for yet-to-be determined delivery reform pilots. Argued against blunt cuts to Medicare and Medicaid in FY2011 and FY2012 budgets. Urged Congress to reduce the CMS-imposed cut in Medicare payment known as the "coding offset."

Promoted HSHS and sought support for possible future application(s) to the Center for Medicare/Medicaid Innovation for yet-to-be specified delivery reform pilots. Argued generally against blunt cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

Pursued six month extension of an enhanced match for the Medicaid (FMAP) program as contained in H.R. 1586. Promoted expansion of 340B program and amelioration of CMS-imposed "coding offset" cut to hospitals. Promoted desire of HSHS to participate in unspecified delivery system reform pilots to be funded by CMS as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, HR 3590.

Pursued six month extension of an enhanced match for the Medicaid (FMAP) program. Promoted amelioration of CMS-imposed "coding offset" cut to hospitals. Promoted desire of HSHS to participate in unspecified delivery system reform pilots to be funded by CMS as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, HR 3590. Pushed for extension of physician payment rates as contained in HR3962, the Preservation of Acces to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2010, HR4851, Temorary Extension Act

Promoted progress and urged changes to Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, HR3590, including maximizing of coverage for the uninsured, modification of readmission penalties, minimizing of hospital payment cuts, strengthening of provisions and pilot funding to encourage delivery system reform, and strengthening of provisions to protect against federal funding of abortion. Urged postponement of physician payment cut as contained in HR469, Temporary Extension Act of 2010.

Promoted extension of physician payment and expansion of 240B discounts in HR5712, the Physician Payment and Therapy Releif Acto of 2010. Urged Congress to reduce the CMS-imposed cut in Medicare payment knowns as the "coding offset." Promoted regulatory relief for Care Integration, including relief from anti-trust and Stark law regulations that would prevent appropriate integration of providers. Sought CMS consideration of HSHS for future and undetermined delivery system reform pilots.

Coverage and access for the uninsured; health care reform; health delivery system reform; Medicare payment and regulations; Medicaid payment and regulations; hospital tax-exempt status; medical tort reform; Health Information Technology; health reform pilots, demonstrations, and grant funding

Coverage and access for the uninsured; health care reform; health delivery system reform; Medicare payment and regulations; Medicaid payment and regulations; hospital tax-exempt status; medical tort reform; Health Information Technology; health reform pilots, demonstrations, and grant funding