MARK REISINGER

Contacted Cong. Meuser, his staff and USDA staff to discuss Geisinger grant opportunities for potential funding. Contacted Sen. Casey to request his support for the STREAMS Act and AMLER/AMLR program funding. Submitted Geisinger written comments to CMS on numerous proposed rules including OPPS, IPPS and MA.

Met with Cong. Meuser to discuss Geisinger's ongoing COVID issues and challenges. Discussed staffing issues, COVID vaccination challenges and expressed support for legislation providing funding for vaccinations and for Hospital in the Home legislation. As part of an association "Hill Day" met with members of Sen. Casey and Sen. Toomey staff in support of making telemedicine waivers put into place during the pandemic permanent. Submitted written comments to CMS in support of the establishment of drivers of health care being included in health measurements in quality and payment programs. Letter supported the inclusion of social determinants of health in the proposed rule. Conducted numerous conversations with Sen. Casey's staff and Cong. Meuser's staff about funding earmarks and seeking direction on submissions. Contacted FEMA to discuss Geisinger reimbursement for COVID related expenses. Advocated for the inclusion of reimbursement for Geisinger deployment of staff during the pandemic.

Provided COVID updates to Cong. Dan Meuser and Sen. Bob Casey. Discussed COVID vaccination experience and future needs and staffing issues including traveler nurse expenses. Requested further federal funding to help offset hospital financial losses. Geisinger signed onto joint national letter with various hospitals in support of the TRAIN Act which would assist hospital based nursing schools. Also contacted Amy Duggan in Sen. Sherrod Brown's office in support of the TRAIN Act. Geisinger signed onto joint letter to congressional leaders in support of extension of acute hospital care at home waiver. Participated in call with the White House (Catherine Oaker--Sp. Asst. to the President for Public Health & Disparities) to discuss key waivers that Geisinger was interested in having extended. Contacted Cong. Fred Keller to request he reach out to CMS to have Geisinger Muncy Hospital receive its hospital provider # ASAP.

Sen. Casey visited Geisinger to discuss COVID issues and to tour the Geisinger COVID vaccination site. Advocated for increased staffing and for the senator to support the Governor's federal FEMA request. Geisinger signed onto a joint hospital letter in support of the advanced acute hospital care at home waiver program implemented by CMS. Contacted Cong. Keller, Meuser and Cartwright to urge action to stop projected Medicare provider cuts. Urged stand alone bill. Contacted the PA Governor to request federal staffing assistance (strike teams) for Geisinger hospitals to assist with the COVID surge. Contacted Sen. Casey and Cong. Cartwright to request their support of the Governor's request for federal COVID staffing and COVID mitigation efforts. Urged they both contact FEMA in support of the Governor's ask.

Contacted Sen. Casey's office to discuss hospital staffing issues and requested the senator contact the U.S. Department of State to have international nurse visas receive higher priority to stop the backlog of nurses from seeking positions in the US. Contacted both Sen. Casey and Sen. Toomey's offices to seek support for the nomination of Hampton Dellinger for a position in the DOJ. Geisinger Health Plan signed a letter to congressional leadership advocating for continuous 12-month eligibility for children in CHIP. Participated in federal coalition calls with hospitals who have hospital-based schools of nursing to advocate in opposition to CMS attempt to collect/recoup past funding provided to the schools.

Contacted Rachel Cohen in Cong. Cartwright's office to advocate for Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Center of Excellence continued funding. Contacted Cong. Keller, Meuser and Cartwright staff to request that they advocate to have any final Infrastructure bill contain Geisinger's key healthcare issues. Contacted staff in the offices of Senator Casey and Toomey to request the senator's co-sponsor S1568 to stop CMS from recouping funds from hospital based schools of nursing.

Contacted Cong. Matt Cartwright's staff to discuss Geisinger's precision medicine and MyCode genetics sequencing programs. Requested funding assistance for both programs. Contacted PA's congressional delegation to request support for a delay in the CMS proposed action to force Schools of Nursing to pay back funding. Contacted Sen. Casey's office to advocate for the LIFE Geisinger program to receive additional funding. Contacted Sen. Casey's office to request he co-sign a letter requesting the Biden Administration issue a rulemaking limiting STLDI (junk insurance plans).

Contacted PA congressional delegation staff (Cartwright, Keller, Meuser) requesting they sign onto letter on HHS reporting requirements. Discussed with Sen. Casey the support for pre-existing conditions in the ACA moving forward, the implications of not keeping rural health in the ACA, and the need to ensure that the insurance marketplace stays stable in any legislation. Contacted Rep. Keller to request he sign onto a 340B program support letter. Sent comments to HHS (Dep. Sec. Hargan) detailing Geisinger comments and suggestions on the Department's Rural Health Action Plan. Contacted Sen. Casey's office to register Geisinger concerns for HHS definition change of "lost revenue" in calculations for CARES Act funding. Contacted Rep. Meuser to discuss COVID supply needs. Requested testing assays and other equipment. Contacted Geisinger's congressional delegation to urge that they sign onto a support letter for an amendment to the CR that would postpone the recoupment of funds from hospital-based nursing schools. Sent letter to PA Governor and cc'd Geisinger's congressional delegation requesting strong support for increased COVID mitigation efforts in PA.

Contacted Matt Baker, HHS Region III Director, to provide HHS contact to discuss rural definition concerns with CARES Act funding distribution. Participated in IHCA calls with congressional staff (Cong. Joyce, Kelleer Meuser and Reschenthaler) to discuss Geisinger position and concerns with risk adjustment for small and regional health plans. Geisinger leadership participated on PA health system CEO calls with Senators Casey and Toomey to urge consideration of turning the APP Program from a loan program to a grant program. Geisinger signed onto PA congressional delegation letter urging increased NIH funding. Geisinger sent letter to Cong. Keller, Meuser and Cartwright in support of directing CARES Act funding to the LIFE Geisinger program. Cong. Kller and staff visited Geisinger Lewistown Hospital to be briefed on COVID issues and to learn about Geisinger COVID needs. Geisinger Holy Spirit Hospital hosted HHS Dep. Secretary Hargan and staff to discuss, COVID issues, telemedicine and the Department's Rural Health Action Plan. Geisinger to provide input on rural plan. Geisinger participated in virtual hill day on 340B program. Discussed program funding and other concerns with congressional staff--Toomey, Casey, Meuser, Cartwright and Keller.

Signed onto letter to the FCC in support of HR 6474--rural broadband expansion during COVID pandemic. Contacted Theo Merkel (Domestic Policy) and John Gray (VP Pence Office) at the White House to advocate for COVID funding for rural hospitals in CARES Act distributions. Contacted HHS, the White House (Theo Merkel) and Sen., Toomey's Office to advocate for Medicare Advantage be included in calculations for future HHS CARES Act distributions. Supported Cong. Keller's legislation (HR6427) to halt all inmate movement until the COVID pandemic ended. Contacted Sen. Casey's office for consideration of hospital physician's request to have her brother enter the US for surgery and to ultimately receive a green card for residence in US. Contacted Geisinger's congressional delegation in support of making APP a grant program rather than a loan. Also requested several members co-sponsor legislation on the issue. Contacted Senators Toomey and Casey staff and Cong. Cartwright staff to request that Geisinger be included in the COVID drug Remdesivir distribution. Contacted the staff of Senators Casey and Toomey in support of SB 3599 (Health Workforce Resilience Act). Contacted Cong. Cartwright's office to co-sponsor HR 6926 which would provide COVID funding for substance abuse addiction treatment in residential facilities.

Signed onto Premier letter in support of 42 CFR Part 2 amended language.

Hosted Sen. Bob Casey in Scranton to tour Geisinger Fresh Food Farmacy and 65 Forward programs. Explored federal funding opportunities for Fresh Food Farmacy program. Met with Geisinger congressional delegation members and staff(Cong. Mike Kelly staff, Cong. Boyle staff and Senate HELP staff) to express Geisinger thoughts and position on Surprise Balance Billing and 340B legislation. Provided written comments to CMS on proposed information collection request by CMS to survey 340B hospitals to obtain data. Expressed opposition to survey based on cost and administrative burden. Conducted call with HHS Region III Director to respond to HHS survey questions on health care issues. Provided suggestions on HHS direction on health policy issues. Requested Cong. Cartwright sponsor House legislation on the Rural Health Hospital Global Budget model. In conjunction with ACHP staff, met with Senators Casey and Munchen, HHS Dep. Secretary, and SAMHSA Administrator to discuss and give feedback and Geisinger position on 42 CFR Part 2 related to release and privacy of information related to substance abuse disorder.

Contacted Sen. Casey and Sen. Toomey's office for guidance and assistance with the FTC on Geisinger hospital sale. Requested letters of support directed to FTC. Met with Cong. Perry to discuss Geisinger sale of hospital and requested letter of support on the sale to the PA Attorney General. Met with Sen. Casey's office in support of Surprise Balance Billing legislation. Conveyed opposition to amendments to the bill to Geisinger's congressional delegation. Provided written comments to CMS, ONC and HHS on the 21st Century CURES Act proposed rule on interoperability, information blocking, and ONC's Health Certificate Program. Comments included Geisinger's concerns and recommendations.

Contacted Sen. Casey and Sen. Toomey's office for guidance and assistance with the FTC on Geisinger hospital sale. Requested letters of support directed to FTC. Met with Cong. Perry to discuss Geisinger sale of hospital and requested letter of support on the sale to the PA Attorney General. Met with Sen. Casey's office in support of Surprise Balance Billing legislation. Conveyed opposition to amendments to the bill to Geisinger's congressional delegation. Provided written comments to CMS, ONC and HHS on the 21st Century CURES Act proposed rule on interoperability, information blocking, and ONC's Health Certificate Program. Comments included Geisinger's concerns and recommendations.

Met with PA Congressional delegation members (Marino and Kelly) and Cong. Stivers, Balderson, Higgins, and Boyle in support of genetic counseling bill which would provide Medicare reimbursement for genetic counseling. Contacted HRSA official to express interest in establishing a FQHC and to learn about application criteria and program requirements. Met with PA Congressional delegation members (Sen. Casey & Toomey and Cong. Meuser and Cartwright)and House Ways & Means Committee staff to discuss the Presidents Drug Rebate Program and offer recommendations. Also discussed the CREATES Act and its impact on Geisinger's Health Plan and drug pricing. Joined ACHP leadership to attend a stakeholder meeting with Senate HELP staff to discuss Surprise Balance Billing legislation. Provided Geisinger thoughts on the legislation and made recommendations.

Contacted Cong. Tom Marino and Sen. Casey staff to discuss PIC line infections in substance abuse patients and register support for medical coverage. Authored and submitted written comments to CMS on the Medicare Shared Savings proposed rule. Provided recommendations and outlined concerns. Geisinger authorized its signature on a Premier, Inc. letter in support of HR6082 (42 CFR). In conjunction with ACHP, met with Sen. Casey and Sen. Toomey staff in support of the inclusion of 42 CFR language in any opioid legislation,registered support for a Medicare Advantage Benchmark Cap fix, and supported the PA Rural Hospital Global Payment program as presented to the Senate Finance Committee. Contacted Region III HRSA Director to discuss Geisinger's interest in developing a FQHC. Met with Sen. Toomey staff in support of GPOs and their protection from onerous legislation/regulation. Authored and submitted written comments to CMS on its rulemaking on Medicare programs--Primary Index for Drugs for Medicare Part D (340b). Comments included concerns and recommendations.

Contacted Cong. Tom Marino's office to request the congressman contact Humana Tricare to resolve Geisinger provider listing issues. Met with Senators Toomey and Casey's staff and members of the PA congressional delegation in opposition to proposed 340b program cuts. Participated in Cong. Marino's roundtable discussion on rural broadband needs in PA. Supported further expansion and funding. Hosted Sen. Casey for roundtable discussion on preserving the ability of health insurance to cover individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. Met with members of Geisinger congressional delegation in opposition to planned 340b program cuts and in support of inclusion of 42 CFR Part 2 language in the final opioid legislative package. Contacted CMS to request Geisinger's reconsideration for its application to remain a Counselor Designated Organization (CDO). Contacted Senators Toomey and Casey to request they sign onto the Portman/Stabanow letter urging the opposition to CMS's expansion of site neutral payments. Signed onto ACHP letter to the Senate urging he inclusion of 42 CFR language in the Senate's opioid legislative package.

Hosted Sen. Pat Toomey at Geisinger to discuss the opioid epidemic and innovative programs/initiatives that Geisinger is employing to reduce opioid prescriptions and use among patients. Con. Tom Marino visited Geisinger to meet with Geisinger's transplant team to discuss transplant and donor legislation. Geisinger advocated to support of the Living Donor Protection Act and the Patients Act. Geisinger hosted HHS Chief Technology Officer to meet with and present before Geisinger leadership. Discussed Geisinger opioid programs that reduce patient use, population health strategies, and Geisinger's Fresh Food Farmacy to reduce diabetes and provide fresh food in food deserts. Geisinger presented testimony before the Senate Finance Committee on Rural Hospitals. The testimony was supportive of the adoption of PA's Rural Hospital Global Budget proposal as a way to support rural hospitals. Cong. Barletta was contacted requesting support for Geisinger's LIFE program for seniors. Sen. Toomey's staffer (Theo Merkel) was contacted to request that the senator reach out to HHS Secretary Azar to administratively fix the Medicare Benchmark Cap issue rather than have Congress legislatively address the issue.

Contacted Sen. Casey's office (Gillian Mueller)in support of single accreditation process for GME and opposed to movement to dual process. Contacted Sen. Casey's office (Gillian Mueller) to request support to get Medicare Home Health rural add-on restored and avoid payment reductions. Met with Sen. Toomey's office (Frank Mazza) in support of S109 (Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act). Met with CMS officials(Kim Brandt)and CMMI office to discuss Geisinger opioid programs to combat addiction and to explore potential funding for Geisinger programs/initiatives. Met with HHS Regional Director, Matt Baker, to discuss regulatory burdens that impacted the delivery of care and the treatment of opioid addicted patients.

Met with CMS officials and key congressional leaders in support of controlling the rising price of pharmaceutical drugs. Discussed the impacts of costly drugs on healthcare. Contacted Theo Merkel (Sen. Toomey) in opposition to language in tax reform legislation that would provide for the elimination of tax-exempt private activity bonds. Contacted Gillian Mueller (Sen. Casey) to request the senator's support in not seeking any additional cuts to hospital funding in any final spending bill. Contacted Matt Powell (Cong. Marino), Emily Ackerman (Cong. Barletta)and Stephen Coffey (Cong. Cartwright)to urge each member to co-sponsor and support House legislation (HR 4932) that would reverse the CMS rule to cut 340B programs.

Contacted and sent letter to PA congressional delegation (Senators Casey & Toomey and Congressmen Barletta, Marino and Cartwright) in support of CSR (subsidy payments) being continued for Geisinger Health Plan members. Contacted and sent letter to PA congressional delegation (above members) and CMS in opposition to CMS proposal to cut 340B payments to hospitals. Signed onto PA Children's Hospital letter to PA delegation in support of CHIP reauthorization. Sent letter to CMS in opposition to MU and MIPS measurement policies. Sent letter to Cong. Barletta in support of reauthorization of Maternal Early Childhood Home Visitation program.

Discussed Geisinger issues with ACA Repeal & Replace and ACA replacement bill proposals with PA congressional delegation--Senators Casey & Toomey and Cong. Marino, Barletta, and Cartwright. Discussed need to continue CSR payments to stabilize insurance exchange marketplace. Met with congressional committee staff (House Ways & Means and Senate Finance in support of Geisinger candidate for nomination to serve on MedPAC. Also met with MedPAC Executive Director in support of candidate. Met with FCC staff in support of RHC Program to grow broadband coverage in rural America. Requested letters of support from PA delegation on issue.

Discussed Geisinger issues with ACA Repeal & Replace and ACA replacement bill proposals with PA congressional delegation--Senators Casey & Toomey and Cong. Marino, Barletta, and Cartwright. Discussed need for rural transportation and telemedicine with Sen. Casey. Requested Congress hold to their scheduled implementation of super-protected information CFR. Requested PA congressional delegation to move slowly on any Medicaid changes. Geisinger signed letter to CMS on MACRA and Medicare Advantage rate notice. Met with PCORI staff to discuss potential research opportunities for Geisinger.

Attended cyber-security forum to interact with PA Congressmen on security measures and to discuss best practices and solicit information from government sources on potential legislation on the topic. Contacted PA congressional delegation to request support for Geisinger letter submitted to the FCC on increased funding for rural broadband support.

Hosted PCORI executive director to discuss PCORI health research interests and to explore potential PCORI health research funding opportunities.

Hosted SAMHSA Regional Administrator to discuss mental health and opioid abuse issues and made recommendations on best practice. Met with PA congressional delegation in support of CURES Bill and to register concerns with ACA repeal and replace insurance marketplace transition issues.

Requested congressional delegation support for risk corridor payments for health insurance plans. Informed delegation of health plan experience with health exchange and registered concerns.

Submitted written comments to CMS on 2017 Medicare Outpatient PPS proposed rule. Provided Concerns and suggested recommendations for corrective action. Contacted CMS to advocate for flexibility in any HOPD rule and that current practices be grandfathered into any new rule.

Supported Medicare Advantage Program (MA) and advocated against implementation of CMS benchmark cap on the MA Program. Requested PA congressional delegation support for HR 4275 which would effectively deal with benchmark cap issue and for Senate sponsorship of companion bill to HR 4275. Requested PA delegation co-sponsor subject legislation and sign "Dear Colleague" letters to have bills considered and passed. Sent letter of support on issue to HHS Regional Director and requested Senate contacts with HHS Secretary to administratively "fix" issue.

Contacted PA senatorial delegation to request delay of Hospital Star Quality ratings. Met with PA congressional delegation in support of LIFE Geisinger program and in support of site-neutral payment fix. Met with delegation to discuss NIH funding for autism research and for Precision Medicine funding.

Contacted PA congressional delegation to register opposition to only 12.6% of risk corridor payment made to health plans instead of promised 100%. Advocated for risk corridor fix.

Supported Medicare Advantage Program (MA) and advocated against implementation of CMS benchmark cap on the MA Program. Requested House support for HR 4275 which would deal with benchmark cap issue and for Senate sponsorship of companion bill to HR 4275.

Supported Medicare Advantage Program (MA) and advocated against implementation of CMS benchmark cap on the MA Program.

Contacted PA congressional delegation to register opposition to only 12.6% of risk corridor payment made to health plans instead of promised 100%.

Participated in Senate Finance Committee Field hearing on opioid/heroin abuse and provided testimony on issue and made recommendations for curbing problem.

Met and/or contacted HHS Secretary, White House, CMS and Sen. Casey to discuss concerns with risk corridor insurance issue and express opposition to risk corridor payment. Discussed HIT policy and interoperability issues with HHS and ONC. Contacted PA congressional delegation in opposition to outpatient Medicare hospital payments. Provided written comments to CMS on ACOs. Expressed support for 340B program with MedPAC. Provided written comments to CMS on bundled payments for care improvement initiatives.

Discussed addiction and mental health issues and Geisinger programs/initaitives with Sen. Pat Toomey. Provied written comments to CMS on proposed rule for care of joint replacements. Contacted Cong. Tom Marino on health insurance carrier consolidation providing Geisinger perspective. Provided comments to House Energy and Commerce staff on best practices for physician prescribing of opiods. Discussed with CMS leadership mportance of Medicare Advantage program and need for continued funding.

Contacted CMS in support of payment of home health agency services. Met with members of Congress on Geisinger programs for elderly community care. Contacted CMS in support of EHR certification and MU 3 UDI implanted in medical devices. Supported Medical Device Tax Repeal Bill with PA congressional delegation. Supported restoration of PCORI and AHRQ funding in NIH budget with PA congressional delegation. Contacted Sen. Casey and CMS to request reconsideration of Geisinger vendor claims data error submission. Discussed with Senate HELP Committee Geisinger patinet engagement programs and HIT and MU 3 issues.

Discussed EHR security issues with Cong. Cartwright for inclusion in legislation. Supported HR 270 which provided flexibility in meeting Meningful Use requirements in 2015. Discussed Geisinger genomics program and support for CDC budget for President's Precision Medicine Initiative. Opposed Medicare Advantage program cuts and benchmark caps being implemented. Met with AHRQ director to express Geisinger intertest in resarch grants.

Supported Ebola funding for hospitals designated as Ebola centers in omnibus bill. Urged rejection of capping health insurance risk corrodirs in omnibus bill. Advocated to not further delay implemntation of ICD-10.

Discussed with congressional staff Geisinger experience with Federal Insurance Exchange. Advocated against Medicare Advantage caps. Requested NJ delegation support for Geisinger-Atlanticare merger. Advocacted support for telemedicine funding and for telemedicine consults to be reimbursed. Requested CMS assistance in use of Ipads for patient care and for Geisinger to be end to end testing site for ICD-10. Requested congressional suport to have IRS application expedited.

Supported Cong. Black's national bundling legislation with members of Congress. Supported increased funding for ICUs and advocated for telemedicine reimbursement. Briefed legislative staff on merits of systems engineering efforts in healthhcare settings. Discussed Medicaid innovation and requested support from PA Congressional delegation. Requested congressional funding for Geisinger drug take back pilot project. Requested CMS stop enactment of drug guidance for hospice patients (Part D).

Requested HHS support CHIP decision on Medicaid. Supported HB 3698 to delay Two-Midnight Rule. Requested PA congressional delegation oppose using Medicare cuts to offset extension of unemployment benefits and they contact US DOE in support of reinstating Title IV funding to Lewistown Hospital School of Nursing. Requested congressional support for Rep. Black's bundling legislation. Registered opposition to using hospitals cuts to offset SGR legislation. Urged WH on delivery system reform.

ACO sustainability. ACA implementation efforts. Geisinger Health System innovation and health care reform. Support for Medicare Advantage plans. Support for SGR permanent fix w/o hospital payment cuts and outpatient cuts to E & M. Support for Two-Midnight legislation (Gerlach bill) to delay implementation. Support for national bundling bill.

Sought support for inpatient rehab letter. Opposed 340b GPO exclusion. Sought congressional assistance to expedite funding for VA patient. Discussed institutional support for PA medicaid expansion. Sought support for Geisinger CMMI grant submissions. Supported Meaningful Use 2 delay. Expressed opposition to SGR fix being payed for out of hospital payment reductions and conveyed opposition to further hospital payment reductions. Supported CMS "Two-Midnight Rule" implementation be delayed.

Supported delay of 340B GPO exclusionary policy. Requested federal funding for eICU project. Requested House and Senate Committee support for regional health insurance plans (Geisinger) to participate in federal insurance exchanges. Discussed ACA implementation, ACO sustainability and IDS reform with WH and Congress. Requested USDA funding for Geisinger Rural Aging Study. Supported UDI be part of HIT meaningful use. Promoted FDA finding solutions to drug shortages.

Provided Senate Finance Committee with ACO implementation issues. Opposed Medicare Advantage program changes--contacted PA congressional delegation. Provided written comments to CMS in opposition to Medicare Advantage changes. Supported Medicaid expansion in PA with Cong. Schwartz. Contacted CMS to expedite PA consideration of Medicaid MCO contract and resolution of payment issues. Supported compliance deadline extension/delay of 340B program utilizing GPOs.

Provided Sen. Finance Committee with ACO implementation issues. Opposed Medicare Advantage program changes with PA Congressional delegation. Provided written comments to CMS in opposition of Medicare Advantage changes. Supported Medicaid expansion with Cong. Schwartz. Contacted CMS to expedite PA consideration of Medicaid MCO contract and resolution of payment issues. Supported compliance deadline extension/delay of 340B program utilizing GPOs.

Advocated for SGR (Doc Fix) without hospital payment reductions. Opposed further Medicare & Medicaid cuts to hospital payments. Inquired about federal health insurance exchange developments. Discussed Medicaid policy with CMS. Opposed reducing payments for Eval & Mgmt services in hospital outpatient settings. Discussed with ONC at HHS "meaningful use" HIT policy and regs. Discussed diagnostic imaging and self-refferal policy. Requested CDC mtg. on PA Marcellus Shale (Natural Gas) Health Study.

Funding support for Geisinger Marcellus Shale Health Study by Congress and CDC. Provided written comments to FCC on rural broadband and HIT issues. Opposition to hospital provider cuts (Medicare & Medicaid) by Congress. Opposition to proposed 340B program changes. Support for congressional funding for Geisinger LIFE program. Support for health insurer issues contained in ACA legislation. Provided Congress with Geisinger health delivery system reform (innovation) ideas for health care reform.

Support for eICU program funding and drug disposal pilot project funding. Support for medical education funding and interest rate stabilization for med student loans. Provided written comments to FCC on rural HIT and comments on HIT Meaningful Use Stage 2. Support for drug shortage and UDI legislation. Funding support for Geisinger Rural Aging Study from USDA, Geisinger's Reaching Rural Veterans--PTSD program and Geisinger's Marcellus Shale Longitudinal Study. Discussed SGR fix .

Support for extension of Sec. 508 (Medicare Area Wage Index). Opposition to Medicare and MA hospital cuts. Support for continued USDA funding for joint Penn State and Geisinger Rural Aging Study. Funding support for Geisinger's Reaching Rural Veterans--PTSD program. Support for Geisinger Health Plan commercial insurance interests in West Virginia and New Jersey. Provided feedback on Sen. Wyden's Wellness Bill. Sought temporary medical visa assistance from Sen. Casey's office.

Support for extension of Sec. 508 (Area Wage Index). Federal funding request for Geisinger's Reaching Rural Veterans Program. Support for SRG leg. without hospital payment reductions. Support for Geisinger drug dusposal pilot project funding. Support of Cong. Marino's EHR liability proposed legislation. Support of continued LIFE program funding. Support of HB 2245 to manage drug shortages. Support of SB 1096 on osteoperosis testing access. Suppport for increased NIH funding. Support for CMMI.

Funding support from CMS (CMMI) for "Ready Network" Learning Collaborative with partners Bon Secours & Hosputal Sisters. Request funding for Geisinger Reaching Riral Veterans --PTSD program. Urged Congress to limit CMS cuts to IPPS. Urged consideration of national network of health insurance exchanges. Urged funding continuation for NCI NCCCP cancer program. Requested Super Deficit Committee not target NIH, MA and Medicare cuts. Supported extension of Sec. 508 (Area Wage Index)

Requested support for GHS proposals for CMMI funding. Supported med. ed. funding. Opposed budget cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. Supported HIT sharing program for national patient identifier. Requested extension of Sec. 508 (Area Wage Index). REquested funding from DEA for drug disposal pilot. Commented on proposed CMS ACO regulations. Discussed Stark reg. concerns with eICU project. Conveyed opposition to proposed IPPS funding cuts. Support for HIT multi-campus legislation.

Supported EHR safeguards against liability in HR 5. Commented against CMS reg. that would require physician sig. on labs. Provided comments on ACOs to CMS. Discussed state insurance exchange development and health insurance issues. Requested support for GHS proposals for CMMI funding. Discussed ACA (Health Reform) Act and health provider concerns. Requested no program funding cuts to NACCCP (Community Cancer) program. Requested reversal of reg that dealth with H-1B visa cap exemption

Requested funding for Geisinger projects including Reaching Rural Veterans, Biobank Expansion and eICU. Advocacted for conversion of PGP Demo to ACO status and supported ACO development. Met with FCC to discuss rural broadband grant. Met with NIH to discuss Geisinger research platform and potential areas of collaboration. Supported Sec. 508 (Medicare Area Wage Index) extension in Extenders Bill. Advocacted for funding of CMS Innovation Center project on eICU.

Requested congressional funding support for Geisinger biobank expansion and electronic ICU project. Requested no funding cuts to NCCCP NIH community cancer program. Urged moderation of IPPS "coding offset" in IPPS rule and support for legislation (HR 6072 & S 3708) for EHR "multi-campus" issue. Submitted written comments on FCC rural broadband grant. Discussed with Beacon Community Grant leadership future opportunities for Geisinger HIT involvement.

Support for Sec. 508 extension and.FMAP extension. Support BTOP stimulus grant at DOC and requested CMS suport for PGP demo being converted to ACO status. Contacted VA for repayment of bills and contacted DEA to allow digital prescribing of controlled substances. Requested funding for Geisinger Biobank expansion and electronic ICU system. Provided input on HIT "meaningful use" definition and sought support for HIT Beacon Grant submission. Protect GPO safe harbor and adm. fee structure.

Support for Sec. 508 (Area Wage Index) in Health Care Reform bills. Opposition to Medicare Advantage cuts and insurer tax and support for insurer quality bonus payments in Reform Bills. Sought support from CMS for PGP demo extension. Sought appropriations support for Biobank expansion and electronic ICU program. Interacted with CMS, National HIT Coordinator and congressional members in support of HIT definitional changes for "meaningful use" and "provider-based" for stimulus funding.

Support for Sec. 508 extension in Health Care Reform bills. Opposition to insurer tax and Medicare Advantage cuts in health reform bills. Support for CMS Innovation Center and e-ICU provisions in Senate health reform bill. Sought input in "multi-state exchange" provision of health reform bill. Support for Geisinger stimulus grant submissions. Intereacted with HHS (National HIT Coordinator) on HIT definitions of "meaningful use" and "provider based" for stimulus funding. Support for S. 254- Home Infusion Therapy Act.

Support for Sec. 508 (Area Wage Index) extension in Health Care Reform Bills. Support for S.254 Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act of 2009. Opposition to Medicare Advantage cuts in Health Care Reform Bills. Support for CMS Innovation Center (Rapid Learning Network) and funding in Health Reform Bills. Support for Hospital Simulation Center Legislation. Support for Electronic ICU amendment in Senate Finance Health Reform Bill. Support for Geisinger Stimulus Grant Submissions.

Support for Sec. 508 (Medicare Area Wage Index) extension in Health Care Reform bills; support for S.254 Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act of 2009; Opposition to "Card Check" legislation; Funding requests for e-ICU project, digital mammography equipment and neuro OR equipment, and for rural veterans --PTSD project. Opposition to Medicare & Medicaid hospital cuts in various health care reform bills. Support for CMS "Office of Innovation" and opposition to osteoporosis testing reimbursement cuts in 2010.

Opposition to cuts in Medicare Advantage Program and Excessive Broker Commissions for Program via CMS Regulations. Support for Sec. 508 (Medicare Area Wage Index) Extension in Medicare Bill and Support for S.254 Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act of 2009. Opposition to "Card Check" Legislation. Requests for HHS and DOD Funding for Rural Veterans--PTSD Project and for e-ICU Equipment. Support for Group Practice Physicians to Receive Health Information Technology (EHR) Stimulus Payments.

Support for SB 3505 Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act of 2008 Support of Brady-Wilson House letter for inclusion of hospital issues in Economic Stimulus package Support of Rural Vets--PTSD and Geisinger-Bucknell Teaching/Research earmarks in Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill Opposition to cuts in Medicare Advantage insurance program and excessive broker commissions for program via CMS regs.

Testimony before Senate Finance Committee Hearing on Health Care Reform Opposition to Highmark-Independence Blue Cross Merger in Pennsylvania Extension of Sec. 508 (Medicare Area Wage Index) in the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act--HR6331 Support for SB 3505 Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act of 2008

HHS (HRSA) Appropriation Request for Rural Veterans PTSD Initiative HHS (HRSA) Appropriation Request for the Bucknell University-Geisinger Health System Joint Research, Teaching and Development Program Extension of Sec. 508 (Medicare Area Wage Index) in the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act--.HR. 6331

HHS Appropriation Request for Rural Veterans PTSD Initiative HHS (HRSA) Appropriation Request for the Bucknell University-Geisinger Health System Joint Research, Teaching and Development Program

Healthcare Appropriations Medicare Area Wage Index (Sec. 508)

Healthcare Appropriations Medicare Area Wage Index (Sec. 508)