JAYNE CHAMBERS

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Oppose any reductions to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - Advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act/Better Care Reconciliation Act" - Advocated for appropriate Medicaid payment and appropriate flexibility and restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed. Stark - Discussions regarding possible legislation to amend physician self-referral law. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Advocate for EHR Meaningful Use program improvements. H.R. 2267/S. 1301 "Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act" - Advocated to increase the number of Medicare funded residency positions. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine.

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - Advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act/Better Care Reconciliation Act" - Expressed significant concern with revised Senate legislation. Opposed loss of coverage. Advocated for appropriate Medicaid payment and appropriate flexibility and restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed. H.R. 3173 "Stark Administrative Simplification Act" and H.R. 3178 "Medicare Part B Improvement Act" - Discussions regarding reforms to physician self-referral law. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. Medicaid DSH - Advocate for a two year delay of the Medicaid DSH cuts. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Market Stabilization - Support efforts to fund Cost Sharing Reductions. Children's Health Insurance Plans (CHIP) - Support an appropriate extension of the CHIP program.

H.R. 1156 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Oppose any reductions to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 1955/ S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - Advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act" - Advocated for the appropriate Medicaid payment and appropriate flexibility. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act" - Advocated for restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed. Stark - Discussions regarding possible legislation to amend physician self-referral law. Support access to affordable prescription drugs.

H.R. 1156 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Oppose any reductions to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 1955/ S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - Advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act" - Advocated for the appropriate Medicaid payment and appropriate flexibility. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act" - Advocated for restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed. Stark - Discussions regarding possible legislation to amend physician self-referral law. Support access to affordable prescription drugs.

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Oppose any reductions to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - Advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act/Better Care Reconciliation Act" - Advocated for appropriate Medicaid payment and appropriate flexibility and restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed. Stark - Discussions regarding possible legislation to amend physician self-referral law. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Advocate for EHR Meaningful Use program improvements. H.R. 2267/S. 1301 "Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act" - Advocated to increase the number of Medicare funded residency positions. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine.

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. Medicaid DSH - Advocate for a two year delay of the Medicaid DSH cuts. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Market Stabilization - Support efforts to fund Cost Sharing Reductions. Children's Health Insurance Plans (CHIP) - Support an appropriate extension of the CHIP program. H.R. 849 - "Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act" - Advocated in support of bill which would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - Advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act/Better Care Reconciliation Act" - Expressed significant concern with revised Senate legislation. Opposed loss of coverage. Advocated for appropriate Medicaid payment and appropriate flexibility and restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed. H.R. 3173 "Stark Administrative Simplification Act" and H.R. 3178 "Medicare Part B Improvement Act" - Discussions regarding reforms to physician self-referral law. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. Medicaid DSH - Advocate for a two year delay of the Medicaid DSH cuts. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Market Stabilization - Support efforts to fund Cost Sharing Reductions. Children's Health Insurance Plans (CHIP) - Support an appropriate extension of the CHIP program.

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Oppose any reductions to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - Advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act/Better Care Reconciliation Act" - Advocated for appropriate Medicaid payment and appropriate flexibility and restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed. Stark - Discussions regarding possible legislation to amend physician self-referral law. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Advocate for EHR Meaningful Use program improvements. H.R. 2267/S. 1301 "Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act" - Advocated to increase the number of Medicare funded residency positions. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine.

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - Advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act/Better Care Reconciliation Act" - Expressed significant concern with revised Senate legislation. Opposed loss of coverage. Advocated for appropriate Medicaid payment and appropriate flexibility and restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed. H.R. 3173 "Stark Administrative Simplification Act" and H.R. 3178 "Medicare Part B Improvement Act" - Discussions regarding reforms to physician self-referral law. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. Medicaid DSH - Advocate for a two year delay of the Medicaid DSH cuts. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Market Stabilization - Support efforts to fund Cost Sharing Reductions. Children's Health Insurance Plans (CHIP) - Support an appropriate extension of the CHIP program.

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. Medicaid DSH - Advocate for a two year delay of the Medicaid DSH cuts. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Market Stabilization - Support efforts to fund Cost Sharing Reductions. Children's Health Insurance Plans (CHIP) - Support an appropriate extension of the CHIP program. H.R. 849 - "Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act" - Advocated in support of bill which would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Oppose any reductions to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - Advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act/Better Care Reconciliation Act" - Advocated for appropriate Medicaid payment and appropriate flexibility and restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed. Stark - Discussions regarding possible legislation to amend physician self-referral law. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Advocate for EHR Meaningful Use program improvements. H.R. 2267/S. 1301 "Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act" - Advocated to increase the number of Medicare funded residency positions. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine.

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - Advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act/Better Care Reconciliation Act" - Expressed significant concern with revised Senate legislation. Opposed loss of coverage. Advocated for appropriate Medicaid payment and appropriate flexibility and restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed. H.R. 3173 "Stark Administrative Simplification Act" and H.R. 3178 "Medicare Part B Improvement Act" - Discussions regarding reforms to physician self-referral law. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. Medicaid DSH - Advocate for a two year delay of the Medicaid DSH cuts. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Market Stabilization - Support efforts to fund Cost Sharing Reductions. Children's Health Insurance Plans (CHIP) - Support an appropriate extension of the CHIP program.

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - Advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act/Better Care Reconciliation Act" - Expressed significant concern with revised Senate legislation. Opposed loss of coverage. Advocated for appropriate Medicaid payment and appropriate flexibility and restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed. H.R. 3173 "Stark Administrative Simplification Act" and H.R. 3178 "Medicare Part B Improvement Act" - Discussions regarding reforms to physician self-referral law. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. Medicaid DSH - Advocate for a two year delay of the Medicaid DSH cuts. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Market Stabilization - Support efforts to fund Cost Sharing Reductions. Children's Health Insurance Plans (CHIP) - Support an appropriate extension of the CHIP program.

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. Medicaid DSH - Advocate for a two year delay of the Medicaid DSH cuts. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Market Stabilization - Support efforts to fund Cost Sharing Reductions. Children's Health Insurance Plans (CHIP) - Support an appropriate extension of the CHIP program. H.R. 849 - "Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act" - Advocated in support of bill which would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Oppose any reductions to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - Advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act/Better Care Reconciliation Act" - Advocated for appropriate Medicaid payment and appropriate flexibility and restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed. Stark - Discussions regarding possible legislation to amend physician self-referral law. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Advocate for EHR Meaningful Use program improvements. H.R. 2267/S. 1301 "Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act" - Advocated to increase the number of Medicare funded residency positions. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine.

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - Advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act/Better Care Reconciliation Act" - Expressed significant concern with revised Senate legislation. Opposed loss of coverage. Advocated for appropriate Medicaid payment and appropriate flexibility and restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed. H.R. 3173 "Stark Administrative Simplification Act" and H.R. 3178 "Medicare Part B Improvement Act" - Discussions regarding reforms to physician self-referral law. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. Medicaid DSH - Advocate for a two year delay of the Medicaid DSH cuts. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Market Stabilization - Support efforts to fund Cost Sharing Reductions. Children's Health Insurance Plans (CHIP) - Support an appropriate extension of the CHIP program.

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. Medicaid DSH - Advocate for a two year delay of the Medicaid DSH cuts. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Market Stabilization - Support efforts to fund Cost Sharing Reductions. Children's Health Insurance Plans (CHIP) - Support an appropriate extension of the CHIP program. H.R. 849 - "Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act" - Advocated in support of bill which would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Oppose any reductions to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - Advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act/Better Care Reconciliation Act" - Advocated for appropriate Medicaid payment and appropriate flexibility and restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed. Stark - Discussions regarding possible legislation to amend physician self-referral law. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Advocate for EHR Meaningful Use program improvements. H.R. 2267/S. 1301 "Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act" - Advocated to increase the number of Medicare funded residency positions. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine.

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - Advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act/Better Care Reconciliation Act" - Expressed significant concern with revised Senate legislation. Opposed loss of coverage. Advocated for appropriate Medicaid payment and appropriate flexibility and restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed. H.R. 3173 "Stark Administrative Simplification Act" and H.R. 3178 "Medicare Part B Improvement Act" - Discussions regarding reforms to physician self-referral law. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. Medicaid DSH - Advocate for a two year delay of the Medicaid DSH cuts. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Market Stabilization - Support efforts to fund Cost Sharing Reductions. Children's Health Insurance Plans (CHIP) - Support an appropriate extension of the CHIP program.

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. Medicaid DSH - Advocate for a two year delay of the Medicaid DSH cuts. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Market Stabilization - Support efforts to fund Cost Sharing Reductions. Children's Health Insurance Plans (CHIP) - Support an appropriate extension of the CHIP program. H.R. 849 - "Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act" - Advocated in support of bill which would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Oppose any reductions to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - Advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act/Better Care Reconciliation Act" - Advocated for appropriate Medicaid payment and appropriate flexibility and restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed. Stark - Discussions regarding possible legislation to amend physician self-referral law. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Advocate for EHR Meaningful Use program improvements. H.R. 2267/S. 1301 "Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act" - Advocated to increase the number of Medicare funded residency positions. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine.

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Oppose any reductions to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - Advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act/Better Care Reconciliation Act" - Advocated for appropriate Medicaid payment and appropriate flexibility and restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed. Stark - Discussions regarding possible legislation to amend physician self-referral law. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Advocate for EHR Meaningful Use program improvements. H.R. 2267/S. 1301 "Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act" - Advocated to increase the number of Medicare funded residency positions. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine.

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. Medicaid DSH - Advocate for a two year delay of the Medicaid DSH cuts. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Market Stabilization - Support efforts to fund Cost Sharing Reductions. Children's Health Insurance Plans (CHIP) - Support an appropriate extension of the CHIP program. H.R. 849 - "Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act" - Advocated in support of bill which would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).

H.R. 1156/S.1133 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. H.R. 1955/S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - Advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act/Better Care Reconciliation Act" - Expressed significant concern with revised Senate legislation. Opposed loss of coverage. Advocated for appropriate Medicaid payment and appropriate flexibility and restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed. H.R. 3173 "Stark Administrative Simplification Act" and H.R. 3178 "Medicare Part B Improvement Act" - Discussions regarding reforms to physician self-referral law. Support access to affordable prescription drugs. Medicare DSH - Mitigate the impact of the IPPS proposed Medicare DSH redistribution in the FY18 proposed rule. Medicaid DSH - Advocate for a two year delay of the Medicaid DSH cuts. H.R. 2556/S.1016 "CONNECT for Health Act of 2017" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Market Stabilization - Support efforts to fund Cost Sharing Reductions. Children's Health Insurance Plans (CHIP) - Support an appropriate extension of the CHIP program.

H.R. 1156 "Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Oppose any reductions to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 1955/ S. 872 - "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017" - Advocate for the extension of the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - Against extending the Medicare sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - Advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act" - Advocated for the appropriate Medicaid payment and appropriate flexibility. H.R. 1628 "American Health Care Act" - Advocated for restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed. Stark - Discussions regarding possible legislation to amend physician self-referral law. Support access to affordable prescription drugs.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatient site neutral rates. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Provided guidance on Medicare hospital payment reform legislative drafts: Medicare Crosswalk Hospital Code Development Act of 2015, Strengthening DSH and Medicare Through Subsidy Recapture and Payment Reform Act of 2015, Medicare Crosswalk IME Pool Act of 2015, and the Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015-under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee. H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care - provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments. Under Development - Advocate for technical change to the HOPD policy in the BBA15 (H.R. 1314/P.L. 114-74) to allow for an under development exception. Ensure appropriate implementation of exempt off-campus provider-based emergency departments from the hospital outpatient site neutral policy. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Advocated for Medicaid Supplemental Payments, to support an adequate Medicaid payment rate. Commented on potential policy changes to both the Hospital Acquired Conditions Program and the Readmissions Program.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. Advocated for limits to CMMI Pilots. H.R. 6226 "Pre-Claims Undermine Seniors Health Act" - Support delay of pre-claim review for home health services. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions. H.R. 3298 "Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015" - Provided comments on Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015. Advocated for restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. H.R. 6226 "Pre-Claims Undermine Seniors Health Act" - Support delay of pre-claim review for home health services. Hospital Stars Rating - Support for delay in the CMS Hospitals Stars Program data release. DSH/S-10 - Advocate for delay and reform of the Administration's DSH/S-10 proposal. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions. Stark - Provided comments to Senate Finance Committee regarding reform of Stark physician self-referral law and Medicare anti-kickback statute. H.R. 3298 "Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015" - Provided comments on Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. H.R. 2156 "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. S. 2822 "Flexibility in Electronic Health Record Reporting Act" - Advocate for 90 day reporting under meaningful use program requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Medicaid Provider Tax - Oppose efforts to limit states ability to use Medicaid provider taxes. Commented on potential policy changes to both the Hospital Acquired Conditions Program and the Readmissions Program. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. Home Health Prior Authorization - Oppose home health prior authorization proposed demonstration project. Hospital Stars Rating - Support for delay in the CMS Hospitals Stars Program data release. DSH/S-10 - Advocate for delay and reform of the Administration's DSH/S-10 proposal. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. H.R. 2156 "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. S. 2822 "Flexibility in Electronic Health Record Reporting Act" - Advocate for 90 day reporting under meaningful use program requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Medicaid Provider Tax - Oppose efforts to limit states ability to use Medicaid provider taxes. Commented on potential policy changes to both the Hospital Acquired Conditions Program and the Readmissions Program. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. Home Health Prior Authorization - Oppose home health prior authorization proposed demonstration project. Hospital Stars Rating - Support for delay in the CMS Hospitals Stars Program data release. DSH/S-10 - Advocate for delay and reform of the Administration's DSH/S-10 proposal. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatient site neutral rates. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Provided guidance on Medicare hospital payment reform legislative drafts: Medicare Crosswalk Hospital Code Development Act of 2015, Strengthening DSH and Medicare Through Subsidy Recapture and Payment Reform Act of 2015, Medicare Crosswalk IME Pool Act of 2015, and the Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015-under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee. H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care - provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments. Under Development - Advocate for technical change to the HOPD policy in the BBA15 (H.R. 1314/P.L. 114-74) to allow for an under development exception. Ensure appropriate implementation of exempt off-campus provider-based emergency departments from the hospital outpatient site neutral policy. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Advocated for Medicaid Supplemental Payments, to support an adequate Medicaid payment rate. Commented on potential policy changes to both the Hospital Acquired Conditions Program and the Readmissions Program.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. H.R. 6226 "Pre-Claims Undermine Seniors Health Act" - Support delay of pre-claim review for home health services. Hospital Stars Rating - Support for delay in the CMS Hospitals Stars Program data release. DSH/S-10 - Advocate for delay and reform of the Administration's DSH/S-10 proposal. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions. Stark - Provided comments to Senate Finance Committee regarding reform of Stark physician self-referral law and Medicare anti-kickback statute. H.R. 3298 "Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015" - Provided comments on Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. Advocated for limits to CMMI Pilots. H.R. 6226 "Pre-Claims Undermine Seniors Health Act" - Support delay of pre-claim review for home health services. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions. H.R. 3298 "Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015" - Provided comments on Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015. Advocated for restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. H.R. 2156 "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. S. 2822 "Flexibility in Electronic Health Record Reporting Act" - Advocate for 90 day reporting under meaningful use program requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Medicaid Provider Tax - Oppose efforts to limit states ability to use Medicaid provider taxes. Commented on potential policy changes to both the Hospital Acquired Conditions Program and the Readmissions Program. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. Home Health Prior Authorization - Oppose home health prior authorization proposed demonstration project. Hospital Stars Rating - Support for delay in the CMS Hospitals Stars Program data release. DSH/S-10 - Advocate for delay and reform of the Administration's DSH/S-10 proposal. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatient site neutral rates. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Provided guidance on Medicare hospital payment reform legislative drafts: Medicare Crosswalk Hospital Code Development Act of 2015, Strengthening DSH and Medicare Through Subsidy Recapture and Payment Reform Act of 2015, Medicare Crosswalk IME Pool Act of 2015, and the Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015-under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee. H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care - provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments. Under Development - Advocate for technical change to the HOPD policy in the BBA15 (H.R. 1314/P.L. 114-74) to allow for an under development exception. Ensure appropriate implementation of exempt off-campus provider-based emergency departments from the hospital outpatient site neutral policy. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Advocated for Medicaid Supplemental Payments, to support an adequate Medicaid payment rate. Commented on potential policy changes to both the Hospital Acquired Conditions Program and the Readmissions Program.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatient site neutral rates. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Provided guidance on Medicare hospital payment reform legislative drafts: Medicare Crosswalk Hospital Code Development Act of 2015, Strengthening DSH and Medicare Through Subsidy Recapture and Payment Reform Act of 2015, Medicare Crosswalk IME Pool Act of 2015, and the Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015-under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee. H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care - provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments. Under Development - Advocate for technical change to the HOPD policy in the BBA15 (H.R. 1314/P.L. 114-74) to allow for an under development exception. Ensure appropriate implementation of exempt off-campus provider-based emergency departments from the hospital outpatient site neutral policy. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Advocated for Medicaid Supplemental Payments, to support an adequate Medicaid payment rate. Commented on potential policy changes to both the Hospital Acquired Conditions Program and the Readmissions Program.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. H.R. 6226 "Pre-Claims Undermine Seniors Health Act" - Support delay of pre-claim review for home health services. Hospital Stars Rating - Support for delay in the CMS Hospitals Stars Program data release. DSH/S-10 - Advocate for delay and reform of the Administration's DSH/S-10 proposal. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions. Stark - Provided comments to Senate Finance Committee regarding reform of Stark physician self-referral law and Medicare anti-kickback statute. H.R. 3298 "Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015" - Provided comments on Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. Advocated for limits to CMMI Pilots. H.R. 6226 "Pre-Claims Undermine Seniors Health Act" - Support delay of pre-claim review for home health services. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions. H.R. 3298 "Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015" - Provided comments on Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015. Advocated for restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. S. 2822 "Flexibility in Electronic Health Record Reporting Act" - Advocate for 90 day reporting under meaningful use program requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H.R 4442/S. 2484 "The Connect for Health ACT" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. UDI - Provide guidance on appropriate use and implementation of any changes to the Unique Device Identifier. Opioid - Provide guidance on legislation that would reduce the abuse of opioids. Mental Health - Support and provide guidance on mental health legislation that would provide Medicaid access for adults to stand-alone behavioral health facilities. S. 3056 "Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2016" - Supported legislation that would increase access to generic drugs. H.R. 6 "21st Century Cures Act" - Ensure proposed Cures legislation does not contain hospital cuts.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. S. 2822 "Flexibility in Electronic Health Record Reporting Act" - Advocate for 90 day reporting under meaningful use program requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H.R 4442/S. 2484 "The Connect for Health ACT" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Mental Health - Support and provide guidance on mental health legislation that would provide Medicaid access for adults to stand-alone behavioral health facilities. S. 3056 "Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2016" - Supported legislation that would increase access to generic drugs. H.R. 6 "21st Century Cures Act" - Ensure proposed Cures legislation does not contain hospital cuts.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. H.R. 6226 "Pre-Claims Undermine Seniors Health Act" - Support delay of pre-claim review for home health services. Hospital Stars Rating - Support for delay in the CMS Hospitals Stars Program data release. DSH/S-10 - Advocate for delay and reform of the Administration's DSH/S-10 proposal. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions. Stark - Provided comments to Senate Finance Committee regarding reform of Stark physician self-referral law and Medicare anti-kickback statute. H.R. 3298 "Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015" - Provided comments on Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. Advocated for limits to CMMI Pilots. H.R. 6226 "Pre-Claims Undermine Seniors Health Act" - Support delay of pre-claim review for home health services. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions. H.R. 3298 "Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015" - Provided comments on Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015. Advocated for restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. H.R. 2156 "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. S. 2822 "Flexibility in Electronic Health Record Reporting Act" - Advocate for 90 day reporting under meaningful use program requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Medicaid Provider Tax - Oppose efforts to limit states ability to use Medicaid provider taxes. Commented on potential policy changes to both the Hospital Acquired Conditions Program and the Readmissions Program. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. Home Health Prior Authorization - Oppose home health prior authorization proposed demonstration project. Hospital Stars Rating - Support for delay in the CMS Hospitals Stars Program data release. DSH/S-10 - Advocate for delay and reform of the Administration's DSH/S-10 proposal. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. S. 2822 "Flexibility in Electronic Health Record Reporting Act" - Advocate for 90 day reporting under meaningful use program requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H.R 4442/S. 2484 "The Connect for Health ACT" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. UDI - Provide guidance on appropriate use and implementation of any changes to the Unique Device Identifier. Opioid - Provide guidance on legislation that would reduce the abuse of opioids. Mental Health - Support and provide guidance on mental health legislation that would provide Medicaid access for adults to stand-alone behavioral health facilities. S. 3056 "Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2016" - Supported legislation that would increase access to generic drugs. H.R. 6 "21st Century Cures Act" - Ensure proposed Cures legislation does not contain hospital cuts.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. S. 2822 "Flexibility in Electronic Health Record Reporting Act" - Advocate for 90 day reporting under meaningful use program requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H.R 4442/S. 2484 "The Connect for Health ACT" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Mental Health - Support and provide guidance on mental health legislation that would provide Medicaid access for adults to stand-alone behavioral health facilities. S. 3056 "Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2016" - Supported legislation that would increase access to generic drugs. H.R. 6 "21st Century Cures Act" - Ensure proposed Cures legislation does not contain hospital cuts.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H..R 4442/S. 2484 "The Connect for Health ACT" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. UDI - Provide guidance on appropriate use and implementation of any changes to the Unique Device Identifier. Opioid - Provide guidance on legislation that would reduce the abuse of opioids. Mental Health - Support and provide guidance on mental health legislation that would provide Medicaid access for adults to stand-alone behavioral health facilities. S. 3056 "Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2015" - Supported legislation that would increase access to generic drugs. H.R. 6 "21st Century Cures Act" - Ensure proposed Cures legislation does not contain hospital cuts. S. 2588 "Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2014" - Support implementation of corporate cybersecurity efforts around CISA.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. Advocated for limits to CMMI Pilots. H.R. 6226 "Pre-Claims Undermine Seniors Health Act" - Support delay of pre-claim review for home health services. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions. H.R. 3298 "Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015" - Provided comments on Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015. Advocated for restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. H.R. 6226 "Pre-Claims Undermine Seniors Health Act" - Support delay of pre-claim review for home health services. Hospital Stars Rating - Support for delay in the CMS Hospitals Stars Program data release. DSH/S-10 - Advocate for delay and reform of the Administration's DSH/S-10 proposal. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions. Stark - Provided comments to Senate Finance Committee regarding reform of Stark physician self-referral law and Medicare anti-kickback statute. H.R. 3298 "Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015" - Provided comments on Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. H.R. 6226 "Pre-Claims Undermine Seniors Health Act" - Support delay of pre-claim review for home health services. Hospital Stars Rating - Support for delay in the CMS Hospitals Stars Program data release. DSH/S-10 - Advocate for delay and reform of the Administration's DSH/S-10 proposal. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions. Stark - Provided comments to Senate Finance Committee regarding reform of Stark physician self-referral law and Medicare anti-kickback statute. H.R. 3298 "Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015" - Provided comments on Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. Advocated for limits to CMMI Pilots. H.R. 6226 "Pre-Claims Undermine Seniors Health Act" - Support delay of pre-claim review for home health services. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions. H.R. 3298 "Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015" - Provided comments on Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015. Advocated for restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatient site neutral rates. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Provided guidance on Medicare hospital payment reform legislative drafts: Medicare Crosswalk Hospital Code Development Act of 2015, Strengthening DSH and Medicare Through Subsidy Recapture and Payment Reform Act of 2015, Medicare Crosswalk IME Pool Act of 2015, and the Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015-under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee. H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care - provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments. Under Development - Advocate for technical change to the HOPD policy in the BBA15 (H.R. 1314/P.L. 114-74) to allow for an under development exception. Ensure appropriate implementation of exempt off-campus provider-based emergency departments from the hospital outpatient site neutral policy. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Advocated for Medicaid Supplemental Payments, to support an adequate Medicaid payment rate. Commented on potential policy changes to both the Hospital Acquired Conditions Program and the Readmissions Program.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. H.R. 2156 "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. S. 2822 "Flexibility in Electronic Health Record Reporting Act" - Advocate for 90 day reporting under meaningful use program requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Medicaid Provider Tax - Oppose efforts to limit states ability to use Medicaid provider taxes. Commented on potential policy changes to both the Hospital Acquired Conditions Program and the Readmissions Program. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. Home Health Prior Authorization - Oppose home health prior authorization proposed demonstration project. Hospital Stars Rating - Support for delay in the CMS Hospitals Stars Program data release. DSH/S-10 - Advocate for delay and reform of the Administration's DSH/S-10 proposal. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H.R.776 -- Stark Administrative Simplification Act of 2015 -- supports legislation that would allow for simplified single civil monetary penalty as an alternative sanction to those already established for compensation arrangements between a physician (or an immediate family member) and a person or entity that is in violation of the limitation on certain physician referrals (Stark Law) solely due to technical noncompliance. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to accept the voluntary disclosure of a technically non-complaint compensation arrangement by a person or entity in violation of the Stark Law under certain circumstances. Telemedicine Reforms - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Hospital Preparedness Funds - Advocate for increased appropriations for the Hospital Preparedness Program to ensure hospitals are adequately prepared for emerging public health emergencies. UDI - Provide guidance on appropriate use and implementation of any changes to the Unique Device Identifier. Opioid - Provide guidance on legislation that would reduce the abuse of opioids. Mental Health - Support and provide guidance on mental health legislation that would provide Medicaid access for adults to stand-alone behavioral health facilities.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. S. 2822 "Flexibility in Electronic Health Record Reporting Act" - Advocate for 90 day reporting under meaningful use program requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H.R 4442/S. 2484 "The Connect for Health ACT" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Mental Health - Support and provide guidance on mental health legislation that would provide Medicaid access for adults to stand-alone behavioral health facilities. S. 3056 "Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2016" - Supported legislation that would increase access to generic drugs. H.R. 6 "21st Century Cures Act" - Ensure proposed Cures legislation does not contain hospital cuts.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. S. 2822 "Flexibility in Electronic Health Record Reporting Act" - Advocate for 90 day reporting under meaningful use program requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H.R 4442/S. 2484 "The Connect for Health ACT" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. UDI - Provide guidance on appropriate use and implementation of any changes to the Unique Device Identifier. Opioid - Provide guidance on legislation that would reduce the abuse of opioids. Mental Health - Support and provide guidance on mental health legislation that would provide Medicaid access for adults to stand-alone behavioral health facilities. S. 3056 "Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2016" - Supported legislation that would increase access to generic drugs. H.R. 6 "21st Century Cures Act" - Ensure proposed Cures legislation does not contain hospital cuts.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H..R 4442/S. 2484 "The Connect for Health ACT" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. UDI - Provide guidance on appropriate use and implementation of any changes to the Unique Device Identifier. Opioid - Provide guidance on legislation that would reduce the abuse of opioids. Mental Health - Support and provide guidance on mental health legislation that would provide Medicaid access for adults to stand-alone behavioral health facilities. S. 3056 "Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2015" - Supported legislation that would increase access to generic drugs. H.R. 6 "21st Century Cures Act" - Ensure proposed Cures legislation does not contain hospital cuts. S. 2588 "Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2014" - Support implementation of corporate cybersecurity efforts around CISA.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. S. 2822 "Flexibility in Electronic Health Record Reporting Act" - Advocate for 90 day reporting under meaningful use program requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H.R 4442/S. 2484 "The Connect for Health ACT" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. UDI - Provide guidance on appropriate use and implementation of any changes to the Unique Device Identifier. Opioid - Provide guidance on legislation that would reduce the abuse of opioids. Mental Health - Support and provide guidance on mental health legislation that would provide Medicaid access for adults to stand-alone behavioral health facilities. S. 3056 "Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2016" - Supported legislation that would increase access to generic drugs. H.R. 6 "21st Century Cures Act" - Ensure proposed Cures legislation does not contain hospital cuts.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. H.R. 2156 "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. S. 2822 "Flexibility in Electronic Health Record Reporting Act" - Advocate for 90 day reporting under meaningful use program requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Medicaid Provider Tax - Oppose efforts to limit states ability to use Medicaid provider taxes. Commented on potential policy changes to both the Hospital Acquired Conditions Program and the Readmissions Program. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. Home Health Prior Authorization - Oppose home health prior authorization proposed demonstration project. Hospital Stars Rating - Support for delay in the CMS Hospitals Stars Program data release. DSH/S-10 - Advocate for delay and reform of the Administration's DSH/S-10 proposal. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. S. 2822 "Flexibility in Electronic Health Record Reporting Act" - Advocate for 90 day reporting under meaningful use program requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H.R 4442/S. 2484 "The Connect for Health ACT" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Mental Health - Support and provide guidance on mental health legislation that would provide Medicaid access for adults to stand-alone behavioral health facilities. S. 3056 "Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2016" - Supported legislation that would increase access to generic drugs. H.R. 6 "21st Century Cures Act" - Ensure proposed Cures legislation does not contain hospital cuts.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. S. 2822 "Flexibility in Electronic Health Record Reporting Act" - Advocate for 90 day reporting under meaningful use program requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H.R 4442/S. 2484 "The Connect for Health ACT" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Mental Health - Support and provide guidance on mental health legislation that would provide Medicaid access for adults to stand-alone behavioral health facilities. S. 3056 "Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2016" - Supported legislation that would increase access to generic drugs. H.R. 6 "21st Century Cures Act" - Ensure proposed Cures legislation does not contain hospital cuts.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H..R 4442/S. 2484 "The Connect for Health ACT" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. UDI - Provide guidance on appropriate use and implementation of any changes to the Unique Device Identifier. Opioid - Provide guidance on legislation that would reduce the abuse of opioids. Mental Health - Support and provide guidance on mental health legislation that would provide Medicaid access for adults to stand-alone behavioral health facilities. S. 3056 "Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2015" - Supported legislation that would increase access to generic drugs. H.R. 6 "21st Century Cures Act" - Ensure proposed Cures legislation does not contain hospital cuts. S. 2588 "Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2014" - Support implementation of corporate cybersecurity efforts around CISA.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. S. 2822 "Flexibility in Electronic Health Record Reporting Act" - Advocate for 90 day reporting under meaningful use program requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H.R 4442/S. 2484 "The Connect for Health ACT" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. UDI - Provide guidance on appropriate use and implementation of any changes to the Unique Device Identifier. Opioid - Provide guidance on legislation that would reduce the abuse of opioids. Mental Health - Support and provide guidance on mental health legislation that would provide Medicaid access for adults to stand-alone behavioral health facilities. S. 3056 "Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2016" - Supported legislation that would increase access to generic drugs. H.R. 6 "21st Century Cures Act" - Ensure proposed Cures legislation does not contain hospital cuts.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. Advocated for limits to CMMI Pilots. H.R. 6226 "Pre-Claims Undermine Seniors Health Act" - Support delay of pre-claim review for home health services. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions. H.R. 3298 "Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015" - Provided comments on Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015. Advocated for restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatient site neutral rates. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Provided guidance on Medicare hospital payment reform legislative drafts: Medicare Crosswalk Hospital Code Development Act of 2015, Strengthening DSH and Medicare Through Subsidy Recapture and Payment Reform Act of 2015, Medicare Crosswalk IME Pool Act of 2015, and the Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015-under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee. H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care - provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments. Under Development - Advocate for technical change to the HOPD policy in the BBA15 (H.R. 1314/P.L. 114-74) to allow for an under development exception. Ensure appropriate implementation of exempt off-campus provider-based emergency departments from the hospital outpatient site neutral policy. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Advocated for Medicaid Supplemental Payments, to support an adequate Medicaid payment rate. Commented on potential policy changes to both the Hospital Acquired Conditions Program and the Readmissions Program.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. H.R. 2156 "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. S. 2822 "Flexibility in Electronic Health Record Reporting Act" - Advocate for 90 day reporting under meaningful use program requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Medicaid Provider Tax - Oppose efforts to limit states ability to use Medicaid provider taxes. Commented on potential policy changes to both the Hospital Acquired Conditions Program and the Readmissions Program. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. Home Health Prior Authorization - Oppose home health prior authorization proposed demonstration project. Hospital Stars Rating - Support for delay in the CMS Hospitals Stars Program data release. DSH/S-10 - Advocate for delay and reform of the Administration's DSH/S-10 proposal. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. H.R. 6226 "Pre-Claims Undermine Seniors Health Act" - Support delay of pre-claim review for home health services. Hospital Stars Rating - Support for delay in the CMS Hospitals Stars Program data release. DSH/S-10 - Advocate for delay and reform of the Administration's DSH/S-10 proposal. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions. Stark - Provided comments to Senate Finance Committee regarding reform of Stark physician self-referral law and Medicare anti-kickback statute. H.R. 3298 "Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015" - Provided comments on Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. H.R. 6226 "Pre-Claims Undermine Seniors Health Act" - Support delay of pre-claim review for home health services. Hospital Stars Rating - Support for delay in the CMS Hospitals Stars Program data release. DSH/S-10 - Advocate for delay and reform of the Administration's DSH/S-10 proposal. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions. Stark - Provided comments to Senate Finance Committee regarding reform of Stark physician self-referral law and Medicare anti-kickback statute. H.R. 3298 "Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015" - Provided comments on Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. H.R. 2156 "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. S. 2822 "Flexibility in Electronic Health Record Reporting Act" - Advocate for 90 day reporting under meaningful use program requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Medicaid Provider Tax - Oppose efforts to limit states ability to use Medicaid provider taxes. Commented on potential policy changes to both the Hospital Acquired Conditions Program and the Readmissions Program. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. Home Health Prior Authorization - Oppose home health prior authorization proposed demonstration project. Hospital Stars Rating - Support for delay in the CMS Hospitals Stars Program data release. DSH/S-10 - Advocate for delay and reform of the Administration's DSH/S-10 proposal. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Oppose any effort to lower such payments. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Oppose any reductions to such payments. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose any additional site neutral cuts. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. H.R. 5273 "Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016" - Advocated for targeted, appropriate Hospital Outpatient Department under development language in the House Ways and Means package including LTCH provision. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Part B Demo - Opposed administration's proposed Part B Drug Demo. Advocated for limits to CMMI Pilots. H.R. 6226 "Pre-Claims Undermine Seniors Health Act" - Support delay of pre-claim review for home health services. H.R. 1343/S. 688 "Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act of 2015" - SES risk adjustment for hospital payment and readmissions. H.R. 3298 "Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015" - Provided comments on Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015. Advocated for restoration of hospital Medicare cuts if Affordable Care Act is repealed.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H..R 4442/S. 2484 "The Connect for Health ACT" - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. UDI - Provide guidance on appropriate use and implementation of any changes to the Unique Device Identifier. Opioid - Provide guidance on legislation that would reduce the abuse of opioids. Mental Health - Support and provide guidance on mental health legislation that would provide Medicaid access for adults to stand-alone behavioral health facilities. S. 3056 "Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2015" - Supported legislation that would increase access to generic drugs. H.R. 6 "21st Century Cures Act" - Ensure proposed Cures legislation does not contain hospital cuts. S. 2588 "Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2014" - Support implementation of corporate cybersecurity efforts around CISA.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. Group Purchasing Organization Regulations - Monitor policy proposals that would result in additional federal regulation of Group Purchasing Organizations. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. ICD-10 -- discussions of effects of possible delay in implementation of the new ICD-10 coding system. H.R.776 -- Stark Administrative Simplification Act of 2015 -- supports legislation that would allows for simplified single civil monetary penalty as an alternative sanction to those already established for compensation arrangements between a physician (or an immediate family member) and a person or entity that is in violation of the limitation on certain physician referrals (Stark Law) solely due to technical noncompliance. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to accept the voluntary disclosure of a technically non-complaint compensation arrangement by a person or entity in violation of the Stark Law under certain circumstances. CyberSecurity - H.R. 1731 - legislation to create infrastructure for government and private industry to share cyber threat information; advocate for passage and reasonable approach to new data security mandates. Advocate for sufficient government resources to support hospital preparedness and response to Ebola and/or other pandemics. Advocated for improvements to the HIPAA research provisions in the 21st Century Cures draft legislation. Telemedicine Reforms - 21st Century Cures Initiative -- Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Budgets - H.CON.RES.27 / S.CON.RES.11 - House/Senate Resolutions to Establish the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2016 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2017 through 2025. Support measures to reform the liability system: limit non-economic damages to $250,000; reform joint and several liability; cap attorneys fees; and allow periodic payments for future award payments. Support "Standard of Care Protection Act" - H.R. 2 -- Support language to prevent any expansion of health care from leading to new legal standards of care in state medical liability lawsuits. By clarifying that payment rules, new guidelines, standards and other provision of federal health care statutes are not intended to define the applicable standard of care or duty of care in a medical liability lawsuit, such language hopefully would ensure that clinical best practices represent a medical guideline and not a legal standard.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. Group Purchasing Organization Regulations - Monitor policy proposals that would result in additional federal regulation of Group Purchasing Organizations. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. ICD-10 -- discussions of effects of possible delay in implementation of the new ICD-10 coding system. H.R.776 -- Stark Administrative Simplification Act of 2015 -- supports legislation that would allows for simplified single civil monetary penalty as an alternative sanction to those already established for compensation arrangements between a physician (or an immediate family member) and a person or entity that is in violation of the limitation on certain physician referrals (Stark Law) solely due to technical noncompliance. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to accept the voluntary disclosure of a technically non-complaint compensation arrangement by a person or entity in violation of the Stark Law under certain circumstances. CyberSecurity - H.R. 1731 - legislation to create infrastructure for government and private industry to share cyber threat information; advocate for passage and reasonable approach to new data security mandates. Advocate for sufficient government resources to support hospital preparedness and response to Ebola and/or other pandemics. Advocated for improvements to the HIPAA research provisions in the 21st Century Cures draft legislation. Telemedicine Reforms - 21st Century Cures Initiative -- Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Budgets - H.CON.RES.27 / S.CON.RES.11 - House/Senate Resolutions to Establish the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2016 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2017 through 2025. Support measures to reform the liability system: limit non-economic damages to $250,000; reform joint and several liability; cap attorneys fees; and allow periodic payments for future award payments. Support "Standard of Care Protection Act" - H.R. 2 -- Support language to prevent any expansion of health care from leading to new legal standards of care in state medical liability lawsuits. By clarifying that payment rules, new guidelines, standards and other provision of federal health care statutes are not intended to define the applicable standard of care or duty of care in a medical liability lawsuit, such language hopefully would ensure that clinical best practices represent a medical guideline and not a legal standard.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. Group Purchasing Organization - Monitor policy proposals that would impact Group Purchasing Organizations. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H.R.776 -- Stark Administrative Simplification Act of 2015 -- supports legislation that would allow for simplified single civil monetary penalty as an alternative sanction to those already established for compensation arrangements between a physician (or an immediate family member) and a person or entity that is in violation of the limitation on certain physician referrals (Stark Law) solely due to technical noncompliance. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to accept the voluntary disclosure of a technically non-complaint compensation arrangement by a person or entity in violation of the Stark Law under certain circumstances. H.R. 1314 Balanced Budget Act of 2015 - legislation to create infrastructure for government and private industry to share cyber threat information; advocate for passage and reasonable approach to new data security mandates. Telemedicine Reforms - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Support measures to reform the liability system: limit non-economic damages to $250,000; reform joint and several liability; cap attorneys fees; and allow periodic payments for future award payments.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatient site neutral proposal rates. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Provided guidance on Medicare hospital payment reform legislative drafts: Medicare Crosswalk Hospital Code Development Act of 2015, Strengthening DSH and Medicare Through Subsidy Recapture and Payment Reform Act of 2015, Medicare Crosswalk IME Pool Act of 2015, and the Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015-under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee. H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. CMS "2 Midnight" Policy - advocate for policy to allow for physician judgment on whether a patient should be considered inpatient or outpatient status, and other modifications to the policy. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care - provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments. Under Development - Advocate for technical change to the HOPD policy in the BBA15 (H.R. 1314/P.L. 114-74) to allow for an under development exception. H.R. 1314 "Balanced Budget Act of 2015" - Advocated to exempt off-campus provider-based emergency departments from the hospital outpatient site neutral policy. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Advocated for Medicaid Supplemental Payments, to support an adequate Medicaid payment rate.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. Group Purchasing Organization Regulations - Monitor policy proposals that would result in additional federal regulation of Group Purchasing Organizations. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H.R.776 -- Stark Administrative Simplification Act of 2015 -- supports legislation that would allows for simplified single civil monetary penalty as an alternative sanction to those already established for compensation arrangements between a physician (or an immediate family member) and a person or entity that is in violation of the limitation on certain physician referrals (Stark Law) solely due to technical noncompliance. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to accept the voluntary disclosure of a technically non-complaint compensation arrangement by a person or entity in violation of the Stark Law under certain circumstances. H.R. 1731, "The National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act"; H.R. 1560 "The Protecting Cyber Networks Act"; S. 754 "Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2014 (CISA) - legislation to create infrastructure for government and private industry to share cyber threat information; advocate for passage and reasonable approach to new data security mandates. Telemedicine Reforms - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Support measures to reform the liability system: limit non-economic damages to $250,000; reform joint and several liability; cap attorneys fees; and allow periodic payments for future award payments.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. Group Purchasing Organization Regulations - Monitor policy proposals that would result in additional federal regulation of Group Purchasing Organizations. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. ICD-10 -- discussions of effects of possible delay in implementation of the new ICD-10 coding system. H.R.776 -- Stark Administrative Simplification Act of 2015 -- supports legislation that would allows for simplified single civil monetary penalty as an alternative sanction to those already established for compensation arrangements between a physician (or an immediate family member) and a person or entity that is in violation of the limitation on certain physician referrals (Stark Law) solely due to technical noncompliance. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to accept the voluntary disclosure of a technically non-complaint compensation arrangement by a person or entity in violation of the Stark Law under certain circumstances. CyberSecurity - H.R. 1731 - legislation to create infrastructure for government and private industry to share cyber threat information; advocate for passage and reasonable approach to new data security mandates. Advocate for sufficient government resources to support hospital preparedness and response to Ebola and/or other pandemics. Advocated for improvements to the HIPAA research provisions in the 21st Century Cures draft legislation. Telemedicine Reforms - 21st Century Cures Initiative -- Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Budgets - H.CON.RES.27 / S.CON.RES.11 - House/Senate Resolutions to Establish the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2016 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2017 through 2025. Support measures to reform the liability system: limit non-economic damages to $250,000; reform joint and several liability; cap attorneys fees; and allow periodic payments for future award payments. Support "Standard of Care Protection Act" - H.R. 2 -- Support language to prevent any expansion of health care from leading to new legal standards of care in state medical liability lawsuits. By clarifying that payment rules, new guidelines, standards and other provision of federal health care statutes are not intended to define the applicable standard of care or duty of care in a medical liability lawsuit, such language hopefully would ensure that clinical best practices represent a medical guideline and not a legal standard.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. Group Purchasing Organization Regulations - Monitor policy proposals that would result in additional federal regulation of Group Purchasing Organizations. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H.R.776 -- Stark Administrative Simplification Act of 2015 -- supports legislation that would allows for simplified single civil monetary penalty as an alternative sanction to those already established for compensation arrangements between a physician (or an immediate family member) and a person or entity that is in violation of the limitation on certain physician referrals (Stark Law) solely due to technical noncompliance. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to accept the voluntary disclosure of a technically non-complaint compensation arrangement by a person or entity in violation of the Stark Law under certain circumstances. H.R. 1731, "The National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act"; H.R. 1560 "The Protecting Cyber Networks Act"; S. 754 "Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2014 (CISA) - legislation to create infrastructure for government and private industry to share cyber threat information; advocate for passage and reasonable approach to new data security mandates. Telemedicine Reforms - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Support measures to reform the liability system: limit non-economic damages to $250,000; reform joint and several liability; cap attorneys fees; and allow periodic payments for future award payments.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. Group Purchasing Organization Regulations - Monitor policy proposals that would result in additional federal regulation of Group Purchasing Organizations. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. ICD-10 -- discussions of effects of possible delay in implementation of the new ICD-10 coding system. H.R.776 -- Stark Administrative Simplification Act of 2015 -- supports legislation that would allows for simplified single civil monetary penalty as an alternative sanction to those already established for compensation arrangements between a physician (or an immediate family member) and a person or entity that is in violation of the limitation on certain physician referrals (Stark Law) solely due to technical noncompliance. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to accept the voluntary disclosure of a technically non-complaint compensation arrangement by a person or entity in violation of the Stark Law under certain circumstances. CyberSecurity - H.R. 1731 - legislation to create infrastructure for government and private industry to share cyber threat information; advocate for passage and reasonable approach to new data security mandates. Advocate for sufficient government resources to support hospital preparedness and response to Ebola and/or other pandemics. Advocated for improvements to the HIPAA research provisions in the 21st Century Cures draft legislation. Telemedicine Reforms - 21st Century Cures Initiative -- Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Budgets - H.CON.RES.27 / S.CON.RES.11 - House/Senate Resolutions to Establish the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2016 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2017 through 2025. Support measures to reform the liability system: limit non-economic damages to $250,000; reform joint and several liability; cap attorneys fees; and allow periodic payments for future award payments. Support "Standard of Care Protection Act" - H.R. 2 -- Support language to prevent any expansion of health care from leading to new legal standards of care in state medical liability lawsuits. By clarifying that payment rules, new guidelines, standards and other provision of federal health care statutes are not intended to define the applicable standard of care or duty of care in a medical liability lawsuit, such language hopefully would ensure that clinical best practices represent a medical guideline and not a legal standard.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. Group Purchasing Organization Regulations - Monitor policy proposals that would result in additional federal regulation of Group Purchasing Organizations. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. ICD-10 -- discussions of effects of possible delay in implementation of the new ICD-10 coding system. H.R.776 -- Stark Administrative Simplification Act of 2015 -- supports legislation that would allows for simplified single civil monetary penalty as an alternative sanction to those already established for compensation arrangements between a physician (or an immediate family member) and a person or entity that is in violation of the limitation on certain physician referrals (Stark Law) solely due to technical noncompliance. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to accept the voluntary disclosure of a technically non-complaint compensation arrangement by a person or entity in violation of the Stark Law under certain circumstances. CyberSecurity - H.R. 1731 - legislation to create infrastructure for government and private industry to share cyber threat information; advocate for passage and reasonable approach to new data security mandates. Advocate for sufficient government resources to support hospital preparedness and response to Ebola and/or other pandemics. Advocated for improvements to the HIPAA research provisions in the 21st Century Cures draft legislation. Telemedicine Reforms - 21st Century Cures Initiative -- Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Budgets - H.CON.RES.27 / S.CON.RES.11 - House/Senate Resolutions to Establish the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2016 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2017 through 2025. Support measures to reform the liability system: limit non-economic damages to $250,000; reform joint and several liability; cap attorneys fees; and allow periodic payments for future award payments. Support "Standard of Care Protection Act" - H.R. 2 -- Support language to prevent any expansion of health care from leading to new legal standards of care in state medical liability lawsuits. By clarifying that payment rules, new guidelines, standards and other provision of federal health care statutes are not intended to define the applicable standard of care or duty of care in a medical liability lawsuit, such language hopefully would ensure that clinical best practices represent a medical guideline and not a legal standard.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. Group Purchasing Organization Regulations - Monitor policy proposals that would result in additional federal regulation of Group Purchasing Organizations. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. ICD-10 -- discussions of effects of possible delay in implementation of the new ICD-10 coding system. H.R.776 -- Stark Administrative Simplification Act of 2015 -- supports legislation that would allows for simplified single civil monetary penalty as an alternative sanction to those already established for compensation arrangements between a physician (or an immediate family member) and a person or entity that is in violation of the limitation on certain physician referrals (Stark Law) solely due to technical noncompliance. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to accept the voluntary disclosure of a technically non-complaint compensation arrangement by a person or entity in violation of the Stark Law under certain circumstances. CyberSecurity - H.R. 1731 - legislation to create infrastructure for government and private industry to share cyber threat information; advocate for passage and reasonable approach to new data security mandates. Advocate for sufficient government resources to support hospital preparedness and response to Ebola and/or other pandemics. Advocated for improvements to the HIPAA research provisions in the 21st Century Cures draft legislation. Telemedicine Reforms - 21st Century Cures Initiative -- Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Budgets - H.CON.RES.27 / S.CON.RES.11 - House/Senate Resolutions to Establish the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2016 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2017 through 2025. Support measures to reform the liability system: limit non-economic damages to $250,000; reform joint and several liability; cap attorneys fees; and allow periodic payments for future award payments. Support "Standard of Care Protection Act" - H.R. 2 -- Support language to prevent any expansion of health care from leading to new legal standards of care in state medical liability lawsuits. By clarifying that payment rules, new guidelines, standards and other provision of federal health care statutes are not intended to define the applicable standard of care or duty of care in a medical liability lawsuit, such language hopefully would ensure that clinical best practices represent a medical guideline and not a legal standard.

Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions the "PACE Act of 2015", H.R. 2513 -- relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. S.332, "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" and H.R. 663, "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015." Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatients rates for Evaluation and Management visits in a hospital Support H.R. 2, "Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015" repeal of the Sustainable Growth Rate for Physician payments in Medicare and CHIP reauthorization. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset to the TAA and other trade legislation. Advocate in support of reauthorization of funding for quality measure development, endorsement, pre-rulemaking review and recommendations, and collection of data analyzing measure implementation under MIPPA (P.L. 110-275, Section 1980 ) and ACA (P.L. 111-148, Section 3014) for the consensus-based entity (National Quality Forum). H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. CMS "2 Midnight" Policy - advocate for policy to allow for physician judgment on whether a patient should be considered inpatient or outpatient status, and other modifications to the policy. National Quality Forum -Advocated for inclusion of private-sector multi-stakeholder processes in development, endorsement and use of quality measures in federal payment programs under consideration. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Provided advocacy comments regarding a House Ways and Means discussion draft, the Hospital Improvements for Payment Act of 2014 concerning hospital payment, self-referral, quality, accreditation and data release issue. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care -- provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments.

Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions the "PACE Act of 2015", H.R. 2513 -- relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. S.332, "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" and H.R. 663, "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015." Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatients rates for Evaluation and Management visits in a hospital Support H.R. 2, "Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015" repeal of the Sustainable Growth Rate for Physician payments in Medicare and CHIP reauthorization. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset to the TAA and other trade legislation. Advocate in support of reauthorization of funding for quality measure development, endorsement, pre-rulemaking review and recommendations, and collection of data analyzing measure implementation under MIPPA (P.L. 110-275, Section 1980 ) and ACA (P.L. 111-148, Section 3014) for the consensus-based entity (National Quality Forum). H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. CMS "2 Midnight" Policy - advocate for policy to allow for physician judgment on whether a patient should be considered inpatient or outpatient status, and other modifications to the policy. National Quality Forum -Advocated for inclusion of private-sector multi-stakeholder processes in development, endorsement and use of quality measures in federal payment programs under consideration. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Provided advocacy comments regarding a House Ways and Means discussion draft, the Hospital Improvements for Payment Act of 2014 concerning hospital payment, self-referral, quality, accreditation and data release issue. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care -- provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatient site neutral proposal rates. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Provided guidance on Medicare hospital payment reform legislative drafts: Medicare Crosswalk Hospital Code Development Act of 2015, Strengthening DSH and Medicare Through Subsidy Recapture and Payment Reform Act of 2015, Medicare Crosswalk IME Pool Act of 2015, and the Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015-under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee. H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. CMS "2 Midnight" Policy - advocate for policy to allow for physician judgment on whether a patient should be considered inpatient or outpatient status, and other modifications to the policy. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care - provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments. Under Development - Advocate for technical change to the HOPD policy in the BBA15 (H.R. 1314/P.L. 114-74) to allow for an under development exception. H.R. 1314 "Balanced Budget Act of 2015" - Advocated to exempt off-campus provider-based emergency departments from the hospital outpatient site neutral policy. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Advocated for Medicaid Supplemental Payments, to support an adequate Medicaid payment rate.

H.R. 2513/S. 1099 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatient site neutral proposal rates. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Provided guidance on Medicare hospital payment reform legislative drafts: Medicare Crosswalk Hospital Code Development Act of 2015, Strengthening DSH and Medicare Through Subsidy Recapture and Payment Reform Act of 2015, Medicare Crosswalk IME Pool Act of 2015, and the Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015-under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee. H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. CMS "2 Midnight" Policy - advocate for policy to allow for physician judgment on whether a patient should be considered inpatient or outpatient status, and other modifications to the policy. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Provided advocacy comments regarding a House Ways and Means discussion draft, the Hospital Improvements for Payment Act of 2014 concerning hospital payment, self-referral, quality, accreditation and data release issue. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care -- provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatient site neutral proposal rates. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Provided guidance on Medicare hospital payment reform legislative drafts: Medicare Crosswalk Hospital Code Development Act of 2015, Strengthening DSH and Medicare Through Subsidy Recapture and Payment Reform Act of 2015, Medicare Crosswalk IME Pool Act of 2015, and the Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015-under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee. H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. CMS "2 Midnight" Policy - advocate for policy to allow for physician judgment on whether a patient should be considered inpatient or outpatient status, and other modifications to the policy. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care - provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments. Under Development - Advocate for technical change to the HOPD policy in the BBA15 (H.R. 1314/P.L. 114-74) to allow for an under development exception. H.R. 1314 "Balanced Budget Act of 2015" - Advocated to exempt off-campus provider-based emergency departments from the hospital outpatient site neutral policy. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Advocated for Medicaid Supplemental Payments, to support an adequate Medicaid payment rate.

H.R. 2513/S. 1099 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatient site neutral proposal rates. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Provided guidance on Medicare hospital payment reform legislative drafts: Medicare Crosswalk Hospital Code Development Act of 2015, Strengthening DSH and Medicare Through Subsidy Recapture and Payment Reform Act of 2015, Medicare Crosswalk IME Pool Act of 2015, and the Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015-under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee. H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. CMS "2 Midnight" Policy - advocate for policy to allow for physician judgment on whether a patient should be considered inpatient or outpatient status, and other modifications to the policy. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Provided advocacy comments regarding a House Ways and Means discussion draft, the Hospital Improvements for Payment Act of 2014 concerning hospital payment, self-referral, quality, accreditation and data release issue. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care -- provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments.

Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions the "PACE Act of 2015", H.R. 2513 -- relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. S.332, "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" and H.R. 663, "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015." Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatients rates for Evaluation and Management visits in a hospital Support H.R. 2, "Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015" repeal of the Sustainable Growth Rate for Physician payments in Medicare and CHIP reauthorization. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset to the TAA and other trade legislation. Advocate in support of reauthorization of funding for quality measure development, endorsement, pre-rulemaking review and recommendations, and collection of data analyzing measure implementation under MIPPA (P.L. 110-275, Section 1980 ) and ACA (P.L. 111-148, Section 3014) for the consensus-based entity (National Quality Forum). H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. CMS "2 Midnight" Policy - advocate for policy to allow for physician judgment on whether a patient should be considered inpatient or outpatient status, and other modifications to the policy. National Quality Forum -Advocated for inclusion of private-sector multi-stakeholder processes in development, endorsement and use of quality measures in federal payment programs under consideration. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Provided advocacy comments regarding a House Ways and Means discussion draft, the Hospital Improvements for Payment Act of 2014 concerning hospital payment, self-referral, quality, accreditation and data release issue. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care -- provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatient site neutral proposal rates. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Provided guidance on Medicare hospital payment reform legislative drafts: Medicare Crosswalk Hospital Code Development Act of 2015, Strengthening DSH and Medicare Through Subsidy Recapture and Payment Reform Act of 2015, Medicare Crosswalk IME Pool Act of 2015, and the Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015-under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee. H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. CMS "2 Midnight" Policy - advocate for policy to allow for physician judgment on whether a patient should be considered inpatient or outpatient status, and other modifications to the policy. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care - provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments. Under Development - Advocate for technical change to the HOPD policy in the BBA15 (H.R. 1314/P.L. 114-74) to allow for an under development exception. H.R. 1314 "Balanced Budget Act of 2015" - Advocated to exempt off-campus provider-based emergency departments from the hospital outpatient site neutral policy. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Advocated for Medicaid Supplemental Payments, to support an adequate Medicaid payment rate.

H.R. 2513/S. 1099 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatient site neutral proposal rates. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Provided guidance on Medicare hospital payment reform legislative drafts: Medicare Crosswalk Hospital Code Development Act of 2015, Strengthening DSH and Medicare Through Subsidy Recapture and Payment Reform Act of 2015, Medicare Crosswalk IME Pool Act of 2015, and the Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015-under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee. H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. CMS "2 Midnight" Policy - advocate for policy to allow for physician judgment on whether a patient should be considered inpatient or outpatient status, and other modifications to the policy. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Provided advocacy comments regarding a House Ways and Means discussion draft, the Hospital Improvements for Payment Act of 2014 concerning hospital payment, self-referral, quality, accreditation and data release issue. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care -- provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments.

Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions the "PACE Act of 2015", H.R. 2513 -- relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. S.332, "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" and H.R. 663, "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015." Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatients rates for Evaluation and Management visits in a hospital Support H.R. 2, "Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015" repeal of the Sustainable Growth Rate for Physician payments in Medicare and CHIP reauthorization. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset to the TAA and other trade legislation. Advocate in support of reauthorization of funding for quality measure development, endorsement, pre-rulemaking review and recommendations, and collection of data analyzing measure implementation under MIPPA (P.L. 110-275, Section 1980 ) and ACA (P.L. 111-148, Section 3014) for the consensus-based entity (National Quality Forum). H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. CMS "2 Midnight" Policy - advocate for policy to allow for physician judgment on whether a patient should be considered inpatient or outpatient status, and other modifications to the policy. National Quality Forum -Advocated for inclusion of private-sector multi-stakeholder processes in development, endorsement and use of quality measures in federal payment programs under consideration. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Provided advocacy comments regarding a House Ways and Means discussion draft, the Hospital Improvements for Payment Act of 2014 concerning hospital payment, self-referral, quality, accreditation and data release issue. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care -- provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments.

H.R. 2513 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatient site neutral proposal rates. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Provided guidance on Medicare hospital payment reform legislative drafts: Medicare Crosswalk Hospital Code Development Act of 2015, Strengthening DSH and Medicare Through Subsidy Recapture and Payment Reform Act of 2015, Medicare Crosswalk IME Pool Act of 2015, and the Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015-under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee. H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. CMS "2 Midnight" Policy - advocate for policy to allow for physician judgment on whether a patient should be considered inpatient or outpatient status, and other modifications to the policy. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care - provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments. Under Development - Advocate for technical change to the HOPD policy in the BBA15 (H.R. 1314/P.L. 114-74) to allow for an under development exception. H.R. 1314 "Balanced Budget Act of 2015" - Advocated to exempt off-campus provider-based emergency departments from the hospital outpatient site neutral policy. Advocated for Medicaid expansion and the role hospitals have in caring for patients in Medicaid populations. Advocated for Medicaid Supplemental Payments, to support an adequate Medicaid payment rate.

H.R. 2513/S. 1099 "PACE Act of 2015" - Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. H.R. 663/S.332 "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" - Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatient site neutral proposal rates. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset. Provided guidance on Medicare hospital payment reform legislative drafts: Medicare Crosswalk Hospital Code Development Act of 2015, Strengthening DSH and Medicare Through Subsidy Recapture and Payment Reform Act of 2015, Medicare Crosswalk IME Pool Act of 2015, and the Medicare Post-Acute Care Value-Based Purchasing Act of 2015-under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee. H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. CMS "2 Midnight" Policy - advocate for policy to allow for physician judgment on whether a patient should be considered inpatient or outpatient status, and other modifications to the policy. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Provided advocacy comments regarding a House Ways and Means discussion draft, the Hospital Improvements for Payment Act of 2014 concerning hospital payment, self-referral, quality, accreditation and data release issue. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care -- provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments.

Oppose efforts to repeal certain provisions the "PACE Act of 2015", H.R. 2513 -- relating to the limitation on the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals and to transparency reports and reporting of physician ownership or investment interests. Bad Debt Payments to Hospitals - Lawmakers have proposed lowering the amount of Medicare Bad Debt payments to hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries who fail to pay their cost-sharing obligations for treatments provided by the hospital. Direct and Indirect Graduate Medical Education Payments - Lawmakers have proposed changes to the way that hospitals are reimbursed for the costs of training physicians and other medical professionals. Advocate for the extension the Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) and current Low-Volume Hospital (LVH) programs. S.332, "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015" and H.R. 663, "Rural Hospital Access Act of 2015." Oppose the lowering of Medicare outpatients rates for Evaluation and Management visits in a hospital Support H.R. 2, "Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015" repeal of the Sustainable Growth Rate for Physician payments in Medicare and CHIP reauthorization. Oppose the proposal of lowering Medicare reimbursements to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Sequestration - against extending the Medicare Sequester and oppose Medicare sequester increase and extension as an offset to the TAA and other trade legislation. Advocate in support of reauthorization of funding for quality measure development, endorsement, pre-rulemaking review and recommendations, and collection of data analyzing measure implementation under MIPPA (P.L. 110-275, Section 1980 ) and ACA (P.L. 111-148, Section 3014) for the consensus-based entity (National Quality Forum). H.R. 2156, "Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015" supports legislation to improve Medicare audits and provided comments to Senate Finance Committee to improve draft legislation. Price Transparency - advocate for meaningful price transparency for consumers by ensuring they have access to out of pocket price information. CMS "2 Midnight" Policy - advocate for policy to allow for physician judgment on whether a patient should be considered inpatient or outpatient status, and other modifications to the policy. National Quality Forum -Advocated for inclusion of private-sector multi-stakeholder processes in development, endorsement and use of quality measures in federal payment programs under consideration. Meaningful Use - Advocate for reasonable Stage 3 meaningful use requirements as part of the EHR Incentive Program. Provided advocacy comments regarding a House Ways and Means discussion draft, the Hospital Improvements for Payment Act of 2014 concerning hospital payment, self-referral, quality, accreditation and data release issue. Worked to restore funding for AHRQ and CMMI in the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, H.R. 3020. Chronic Care -- provided comments and policy suggestions on Senate Finance Committee efforts to improve chronic care outcomes and treatments.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. Group Purchasing Organization Regulations - Monitor policy proposals that would result in additional federal regulation of Group Purchasing Organizations. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H.R.776 -- Stark Administrative Simplification Act of 2015 -- supports legislation that would allows for simplified single civil monetary penalty as an alternative sanction to those already established for compensation arrangements between a physician (or an immediate family member) and a person or entity that is in violation of the limitation on certain physician referrals (Stark Law) solely due to technical noncompliance. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to accept the voluntary disclosure of a technically non-complaint compensation arrangement by a person or entity in violation of the Stark Law under certain circumstances. H.R. 1731, "The National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act"; H.R. 1560 "The Protecting Cyber Networks Act"; S. 754 "Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2014 (CISA) - legislation to create infrastructure for government and private industry to share cyber threat information; advocate for passage and reasonable approach to new data security mandates. Telemedicine Reforms - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Support measures to reform the liability system: limit non-economic damages to $250,000; reform joint and several liability; cap attorneys fees; and allow periodic payments for future award payments.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. Group Purchasing Organization Regulations - Monitor policy proposals that would result in additional federal regulation of Group Purchasing Organizations. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. ICD-10 -- discussions of effects of possible delay in implementation of the new ICD-10 coding system. H.R.776 -- Stark Administrative Simplification Act of 2015 -- supports legislation that would allows for simplified single civil monetary penalty as an alternative sanction to those already established for compensation arrangements between a physician (or an immediate family member) and a person or entity that is in violation of the limitation on certain physician referrals (Stark Law) solely due to technical noncompliance. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to accept the voluntary disclosure of a technically non-complaint compensation arrangement by a person or entity in violation of the Stark Law under certain circumstances. CyberSecurity - H.R. 1731 - legislation to create infrastructure for government and private industry to share cyber threat information; advocate for passage and reasonable approach to new data security mandates. Advocate for sufficient government resources to support hospital preparedness and response to Ebola and/or other pandemics. Advocated for improvements to the HIPAA research provisions in the 21st Century Cures draft legislation. Telemedicine Reforms - 21st Century Cures Initiative -- Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Budgets - H.CON.RES.27 / S.CON.RES.11 - House/Senate Resolutions to Establish the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2016 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2017 through 2025. Support measures to reform the liability system: limit non-economic damages to $250,000; reform joint and several liability; cap attorneys fees; and allow periodic payments for future award payments. Support "Standard of Care Protection Act" - H.R. 2 -- Support language to prevent any expansion of health care from leading to new legal standards of care in state medical liability lawsuits. By clarifying that payment rules, new guidelines, standards and other provision of federal health care statutes are not intended to define the applicable standard of care or duty of care in a medical liability lawsuit, such language hopefully would ensure that clinical best practices represent a medical guideline and not a legal standard.

Health Reform Implementation -The Affordable Care Act enacted comprehensive reform of the health care delivery and payments systems in the United States. Specifically, FAH is advocating on implementation issues related to delivery reform affecting hospitals and insurance reform. HITECH Act - Implementation of meaningful use and privacy and security provisions in HITECH Act of 2009. Group Purchasing Organization - Monitor policy proposals that would impact Group Purchasing Organizations. Realignment - educate policymakers on the driving factors, benefits and implications of hospital realignment. H.R.776 -- Stark Administrative Simplification Act of 2015 -- supports legislation that would allow for simplified single civil monetary penalty as an alternative sanction to those already established for compensation arrangements between a physician (or an immediate family member) and a person or entity that is in violation of the limitation on certain physician referrals (Stark Law) solely due to technical noncompliance. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to accept the voluntary disclosure of a technically non-complaint compensation arrangement by a person or entity in violation of the Stark Law under certain circumstances. H.R. 1314 Balanced Budget Act of 2015 - legislation to create infrastructure for government and private industry to share cyber threat information; advocate for passage and reasonable approach to new data security mandates. Telemedicine Reforms - Support programs to encourage and properly reimburse telemedicine. Support measures to reform the liability system: limit non-economic damages to $250,000; reform joint and several liability; cap attorneys fees; and allow periodic payments for future award payments.