mr ROBERT KENNEDY

Issues related to the commercial health insurance market in western Pennsylvania and promotion of greater access to health care for all Americans.

Issues related to unionizing efforts.

Hospital wage index reclassification and resolution of regional disparities. Issues related to avoiding the full implementation of cuts to payments for hospital care contained in the Affordable Care Act; cuts to payments for evaluation and management services provided in outpatient departments; reductions to payments for graduate medical education; additional across-the-board cuts to Medicare inpatient hospital rates through the use of coding adjustments; restrictions on state provider assessments; and reductions tolow-income Medicare beneficiaries (bad debt). Clarifying the Medicare and Medicaid health information technology (HIT) incentive payments. Worked to improve the Medicare payment methodology for unique teaching and research-centered inpatient rehabilitation facilities and creating a new pool of graduate medical education (GME) funding for womens hospitals. Preventing the scheduled cut to physicians' Medicare payments from taking effect.

Issues related to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010 around health care reform including coverage expansion, medicaid expansion, medicaid/medicare disproportionate share payments, hopsital payment updates, health insurance reforms, medicare physician payments, independent payment advisory board, and 340B drug program.

Urge support for delaying the medicaid/medicare disproportionate share payments, sequestration, physician cuts and certain taxes.

Issues related to the tax-exempt status of not-for-profit health care entities.

Issues related to unionizing efforts.

Issues related to the commercial health insurance market in western Pennsylvania and promotion of greater access to health care for all Americans.

Issues related to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010 around health care reform including coverage expansion, medicaid expansion, medicaid/medicare disproportionate share payments, hopsital payment updates, health insurance reforms, payment bundling, readmissions, accountable care organizations, value-based purchasing, hospital-acquired conditions, medicare physician payments, physician self-referral, independent payment advisory board, 340B drug program, and liability reform.

Issues related to unionizing efforts.

Issues related to the tax-exempt status of not-for-profit health care entities.

Issues related to the Employee Free Choice Act (HR 1409/S 560) including the right to a secret ballot and binding arbitration.

Hospital wage index reclassification and resolution of regional disparities. Issues related to the reduction of the coding offset cut. Expanding Medicare payment rules for stroke related telehealth services to include urban areas and clinical trials. Permanently eliminate the scheduled reductions of Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) cut to physician payments. Clarifying the Medicare and Medicaid health information technology (HIT) incentive payments. Proposed changes to Direct Graduate Medical Education (DGME and Indirect Medical Education (IME) payments. Secured clarification on meaningful use attestation requirements for clinical quality measures. Secured favorable revisions to the value-based purchasing and Medicare shared savings program rules. Worked to improve the Medicare payment methodology for unique teaching and research-centered inpatient rehabilitation facilities and creating a new pool of graduate medical education (GME) funding for womens hospitals.

Urge support for maintaining Medicare payments to physicians, increasing Medicaid aid to the states, extending the moratorium on Medicaid and Medicare regulations, expanding health information technology grants.

Issues related to the commercial health insurance market in western Pennsylvania and promotion of greater access to health care for all Americans.

Issues related to the tax-exempt status of not-for-profit health care entities.

Hospital wage index reclassification and resolution of regional disparities. Issues related to the reduction of the coding offset cut. Expanding Medicare payment rules for stroke related telehealth services to include urban areas and clinical trials. Permanently eliminate the scheduled reductions of Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) cut to physician payments. Clarifying the Medicare and Medicaid health information technology (HIT) incentive payments. Proposed changes to Direct Graduate Medical Education (DGME and Indirect Medical Education (IME) payments. Secured clarification on meaningful use attestation requirements for clinical quality measures. Secured favorable revisions to the value-based purchasing and Medicare shared savings program rules. Worked to improve the Medicare payment methodology for unique teaching and research-centered inpatient rehabilitation facilities and creating a new pool of graduate medical education (GME) funding for womens hospitals

Hospital wage index reclassification and resolution of regional disparities. Issues related to the reduction of the annual disproportionate share (DSH) payments. Expanding Medicare payment rules for stroke related telehealth services to include urban areas and clinical trials. Urged support to to repeal the Medicare competitive acquisition program for durable medical equipment. Permanently eliminate the scheduled reductions in Medicare Physician Payments and the elimination of the Medicare Caps for physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Extend for additional quarters the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). Re-evaluate the proposed Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) regulation that would apply a reduction to hospitals payments in FY 2012. Clarifying the Medicare and Medicaid health information technology (HIT) incentive payments. Proposed changes to Direct Graduate Medical Education (DGME) and Indirect Medical Education (IME) payments.

Issues related to the Employee Free Choice Act (HR 1409/S 560) including the right to a secret ballot and binding arbitration.

Issues related to the tax-exempt status of not-for-profit health care entities.

Hospital wage index reclassification and resolution of regional disparities. Issues related to the reduction of the annual disproportionate share (DSH) payments. Expanding Medicare payment rules for stroke related telehealth services to include urban areas and clinical trials. Urged support to to repeal the Medicare competitive acquisition program for durable medical equipment. Permanently eliminate the scheduled reductions in Medicare Physician Payments and the elimination of the Medicare Caps for physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Extend for additional quarters the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). Re-evaluate the proposed Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) regulation that would apply a reduction to hospitals payments in FY 2012. Clarifying the Medicare and Medicaid health information technology (HIT) incentive payments. Proposed changes to Direct Graduate Medical Education (DGME) and Indirect Medical Education (IME) payments. Oppose the proposed payment reductions for Evaluation and Management services (E/M) in Hospital Outpatient Departments (HOPDs).

Issues related to the Employee Free Choice Act (HR 1409/S 560) including the right to a secret ballot and binding arbitration.

Urge support for maintaining Medicare payments to physicians, increasing Medicaid aid to the states, extending the moratorium on Medicaid and Medicare regulations, expanding health information technology grants. Department of Defense Appropriations, 2011, appropriations for Automated Patient Management System to Mitigate Hemorrhage and Inflamation During Air Evacuation, Multimodal Program to Prevent and Treat Acute Pain in Military Populations, National Guard and Reserve Suicide Prevention Pilot Demonstration and Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation Research.

Hospital wage index reclassification and resolution of regional disparities. Issues related to the reduction of the annual disproportionate share (DSH) payments. Expanding Medicare payment rules for stroke related telehealth services to include urban areas and clinical trials. Urged support to to repeal the Medicare competitive acquisition program for durable medical equipment. Permanently eliminate the scheduled reductions in Medicare Physician Payments and the elimination of the Medicare Caps for physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Extend for additional quarters the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). Re-evaluate the proposed Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) regulation that would apply a reduction to hospitals payments in FY 2012. Clarifying the Medicare and Medicaid health information technology (HIT) incentive payments. Proposed changes to Direct Graduate Medical Education (DGME) and Indirect Medical Education (IME) payments.

Issues related to the Employee Free Choice Act (HR 1409/S 560) including the right to a secret ballot and binding arbitration.

Issues related to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010 and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act (HCEARA) of 2010 around health care reform including coverage expansion, medicaid expansion, medicaid/medicare disproportionate share payments, hopsital payment updates, health insurance reforms, payment bundling, readmissions, accountable care organizations, value-based purchasing, hospital-acquired conditions, medicare physician payments, physician self-referral, independent payment advisory board, 340B drug program, medical education, and liability reform.

Issues related to the Employee Free Choice Act (HR 1409/S 560) including the right to a secret ballot and binding arbitration.

Issues related to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010 and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act (HCEARA) of 2010 around health care reform including coverage expansion, medicaid expansion, medicaid/medicare disproportionate share payments, hopsital payment updates, health insurance reforms, payment bundling, readmissions, accountable care organizations, value-based purchasing, hospital-acquired conditions, medicare physician payments, physician self-referral, independent payment advisory board, 340B drug program, medical education, and liability reform.

Hospital wage index reclassification and resolution of regional disparities. Issues related to the reduction of the annual disproportionate share (DSH) payments. Expanding Medicare payment rules for stroke related telehealth services to include urban areas and clinical trials. Urged support to to repeal the Medicare competitive acquisition program for durable medical equipment. Permanently eliminate the scheduled reductions in Medicare Physician Payments and the elimination of the Medicare Caps for physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Extend for additional quarters the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). Re-evaluate the proposed Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) regulation that would apply a reduction to hospitals payments in FY 2012. Clarifying the Medicare and Medicaid health information technology (HIT) incentive payments. Proposed changes to Direct Graduate Medical Education (DGME) and Indirect Medical Education (IME) payments.

Issues related to the commercial health insurance market in western Pennsylvania and promotion of greater access to health care for all Americans.

Urge support for maintaining Medicare payments to phsyicians, increasing Medicaid aid to the states, extending the moratorium on Medicaid and Medicare regulations, expanding health information technology grants, emphasizing the benefits of additional investments in the nation's capacity to respond to bioterrorism by creating a center to develop and manufacture drugs and vaccines. Department of Defense Appropriations, 2011, appropriations for Diabetes Model Program, Biomarkers: Evaluating & Treating Acute & Chronic TBI, Neuroprosthetics & Solutions for Spinal Cord Dysfunctions, National Guard Simulation Training, Combat Medic Training, Digital Pathology, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Muscle Regeneration Project and Combat Casualty Simulation Center at WHMC. Labor, HHS, Education, Appropriations, 2011, appropriations for UPMC Braddock Steps to a Healthy Community Initiative, UPMC Horizon Digital Mammography Services and Pharmacy Robotics, Depression and Cardiovascular Disease in Minority Women, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic Serving Children and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Telepsychiatry Center, UPMC Bedford Digital Mammography, UPMC Northwest Telemedicine Project and Hillman Cancer Center Equipment.

Issues related to the tax-exempt status of not-for-profit health care entities.

Issues related to the Employee Free Choice Act (HR 1409/S 560) including the right to a secret ballot and binding arbitration.

Hospital wage index reclassification and resolution of regional disparities. Issues related to the reduction of the annual disproportionate share (DSH) payments. Expanding Medicare payment rules for stroke related telehealth services to include urban areas and clinical trials. Urged support to to repeal the Medicare competitive acquisition program for durable medical equipment. Permanently eliminate the scheduled reductions in Medicare Physician Payments and the elimination of the Medicare Caps for physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Extend for additional quarters the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). Re-evaluate the proposed Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) regulation that would apply a 2.9 percent cut to hospitals payments in FY 2011. Clarifying the Medicare and Medicaid health information technology (HIT) incentive payments. Proposed changes to Direct Graduate Medical Education (DGME) and Indirect Medical Education (IME) payments.

Urge support for maintaining Medicare payments to phsyicians, increasing Medicaid aid to the states, extending the moratorium on Medicaid and Medicare regulations, expanding health information technology grants, emphasizing the benefits of additional investments in the nation's capacity to respond to bioterrorism by creating a center to develop and manufacture drugs and vaccines. Department of Defense Appropriations, 2011, appropriations for Diabetes Model Program, Biomarkers: Evaluating & Treating Acute & Chronic TBI, Neuroprosthetics & Solutions for Spinal Cord Dysfunctions, National Guard Simulation Training, Combat Medic Training, Digital Pathology, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Muscle Regeneration Project and Combat Casualty Simulation Center at WHMC. Labor, HHS, Education, Appropriations, 2011, appropriations for UPMC Braddock Steps to a Healthy Community Initiative, UPMC Horizon Digital Mammography Services and Pharmacy Robotics, Depression and Cardiovascular Disease in Minority Women, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic Serving Children and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Telepsychiatry Center, UPMC Bedford Digital Mammography, UPMC Northwest Telemedicine Project and Hillman Cancer Center Equipment.

Issues related to the tax-exempt status of not-for-profit health care entities.

Issues related to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010 and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act (HCEARA) of 2010 around health care reform including coverage expansion, medicaid expansion, medicaid/medicare disproportionate share payments, hopsital payment updates, health insurance reforms, payment bundling, readmissions, accountable care organizations, value-based purchasing, hospital-acquired conditions, medicare physician payments, physician self-referral, independent payment advisory board, 340B drug program, medical education, and liability reform.

Hospital wage index reclassification and resolution of regional disparities. Issues related to the reduction of the annual disproportionate share (DSH) payments. Expanding Medicare payment rules for stroke related telehealth services to include urban areas and clinical trials. Urged support to to repeal the Medicare competitive acquisition program for durable medical equipment. Permanently eliminate the scheduled reductions in Medicare Physician Payments and the elimination of the Medicare Caps for physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Extend for additional quarters the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). Re-evaluate the proposed Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) regulation that would apply a 2.9 percent cut to hospitals payments in FY 2011. Clarifying the Medicare and Medicaid health information technology (HIT) incentive payments. Proposed changes to Direct Graduate Medical Education (DGME) and Indirect Medical Education (IME) payments.

Issues related to the Employee Free Choice Act (HR 1409/S 560) including the right to a secret ballot and binding arbitration.

Urge support for maintaining Medicare payments to phsyicians, increasing Medicaid aid to the states, extending the moratorium on Medicaid and Medicare regulations, expanding health information technology grants, emphasizing the benefits of additional investments in the nation's capacity to respond to bioterrorism by creating a center to develop and manufacture drugs and vaccines. Department of Defense Appropriations, 2011, appropriations for Diabetes Model Program, Biomarkers: Evaluating & Treating Acute & Chronic TBI, Neuroprosthetics & Solutions for Spinal Cord Dysfunctions, National Guard Simulation Training, Combat Medic Training, Digital Pathology, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Muscle Regeneration Project and Combat Casualty Simulation Center at WHMC. Labor, HHS, Education, Appropriations, 2011, appropriations for UPMC Braddock Steps to a Healthy Community Initiative, UPMC Horizon Digital Mammography Services and Pharmacy Robotics, Depression and Cardiovascular Disease in Minority Women, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic Serving Children and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Telepsychiatry Center, UPMC Bedford Digital Mammography, UPMC Northwest Telemedicine Project and Hillman Cancer Center Equipment.

Issues related to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010 and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act (HCEARA) of 2010 around health care reform including coverage expansion, medicaid expansion, medicaid/medicare disproportionate share payments, hopsital payment updates, health insurance reforms, payment bundling, readmissions, accountable care organizations, value-based purchasing, hospital-acquired conditions, medicare physician payments, physician self-referral, independent payment advisory board, 340B drug program, medical education, and liability reform.

Issues related to the tax-exempt status of not-for-profit health care entities.

Issues related to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010 and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act (HCEARA) of 2010 around health care reform including coverage expansion, medicaid expansion, medicaid/medicare disproportionate share payments, hopsital payment updates, health insurance reforms, payment bundling, readmissions, accountable care organizations, value-based purchasing, hospital-acquired conditions, medicare physician payments, physician self-referral, independent payment advisory board, 340B drug program, medical education, and liability reform.

Issues related to the commercial health insurance market in western Pennsylvania and promotion of greater access to health care for all Americans.

Urge support for maintaining Medicare payments to phsyicians, increasing Medicaid aid to the states, extending the moratorium on Medicaid and Medicare regulations, expanding health information technology grants, emphasizing the benefits of additional investments in the nation's capacity to respond to bioterrorism by creating a center to develop and manufacture drugs and vaccines. Department of Defense Appropriations, 2011, appropriations for Diabetes Model Program, Biomarkers: Evaluating & Treating Acute & Chronic TBI, Neuroprosthetics & Solutions for Spinal Cord Dysfunctions, National Guard Simulation Training, Combat Medic Training, Digital Pathology, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Muscle Regeneration Project and Combat Casualty Simulation Center at WHMC. Labor, HHS, Education, Appropriations, 2011, appropriations for UPMC Braddock Steps to a Healthy Community Initiative, UPMC Horizon Digital Mammography Services and Pharmacy Robotics, Depression and Cardiovascular Disease in Minority Women, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic Serving Children and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Telepsychiatry Center, UPMC Bedford Digital Mammography, UPMC Northwest Telemedicine Project and Hillman Cancer Center Equipment.

Issues related to the Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 around health care reform including determining how reform will be paid for; carving out the role for government in quality, offering a public plan option, cost reduction, and other items.

"American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" urge support for maintaining Medicare capital IME payments, increasing Medicaid aid to the states, extending the moratorium on Medicaid and Medicare regulations, expanding health information technology grants, emphasizing the benefits of additional investments in the nation's capacity to respond to bioterrorism by creating a center to develop and manufacture drugs and vaccines. Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010, appropriations for UPMC Brain Trauma Research Center for evaluating and treating tramatic brain injury, Physiologic Resuscitation and Inflammation Modulating Environment, Strategic Bio-Defense Emergency Operations and Communications System, and Neuroprosthetics & Solutions for Spinal Cord Dysfunctions. Labor, HHS, Education, Appropriations Bill, 2010, appropriations for UPMC Braddock Steps to a Healthy Community Initiative, UPMC Horizon digital mammography services for at-risk minority women, Magee Women's Hospital healthcare for women with disabilities and oncology patient navigator program and UPMC Cancer Centers oncology reimbursement and cancer pathways demonstration project.

Issues related to the Employee Free Choice Act (HR 1409/S 560) including the right to a secret ballot and binding arbitration.

Issues related to the commercial health insurance market in western Pennsylvania and promotion of greater access to health care for all Americans.

"American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" urge support for maintaining Medicare capital IME payments, increasing Medicaid aid to the states, extending the moratorium on Medicaid and Medicare regulations, expanding health information technology grants, emphasizing the benefits of additional investments in the nation's capacity to respond to bioterrorism by creating a center to develop and manufacture drugs and vaccines. Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010, appropriations for UPMC Brain Trauma Research Center for evaluating and treating tramatic brain injury, Physiologic Resuscitation and Inflammation Modulating Environment, Strategic Bio-Defense Emergency Operations and Communications System, and Neuroprosthetics & Solutions for Spinal Cord Dysfunctions. Labor, HHS, Education, Appropriations Bill, 2010, appropriations for UPMC Braddock Steps to a Healthy Community Initiative, UPMC Horizon digital mammography services for at-risk minority women, Magee Women's Hospital healthcare for women with disabilities and oncology patient navigator program and UPMC Cancer Centers oncology reimbursement and cancer pathways demonstration project.

Issues related to the commercial health insurance market in western Pennsylvania and promotion of greater access to health care for all Americans.

"American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" urge support for maintaining Medicare capital IME payments, increasing Medicaid aid to the states, extending the moratorium on Medicaid and Medicare regulations, expanding health information technology grants, emphasizing the benefits of additional investments in the nation's capacity to respond to bioterrorism by creating a center to develop and manufacture drugs and vaccines. Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010, appropriations for UPMC Brain Trauma Research Center for evaluating and treating tramatic brain injury, Physiologic Resuscitation and Inflammation Modulating Environment, Strategic Bio-Defense Emergency Operations and Communications System, and Neuroprosthetics & Solutions for Spinal Cord Dysfunctions. Labor, HHS, Education, Appropriations Bill, 2010, appropriations for UPMC Braddock Steps to a Healthy Community Initiative, UPMC Horizon digital mammography services for at-risk minority women, Magee Women's Hospital healthcare for women with disabilities and oncology patient navigator program and UPMC Cancer Centers oncology reimbursement and cancer pathways demonstration project.

Issues related to the commercial health insurance market in western Pennsylvania and promotion of greater access to health care for all Americans.

Issues related to the cost of prescription pharmaceuticals and the impact of that cost on hospitals and health care providers.

"American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" urge support for maintaining Medicare capital IME payments, increasing Medicaid aid to the states, extending the moratorium on Medicaid and Medicare regulations, expanding health information technology grants, emphasizing the benefits of additional investments in the nation's capacity to respond to bioterrorism by creating a center to develop and manufacture drugs and vaccines. Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010, appropriations for UPMC Brain Trauma Research Center for evaluating and treating tramatic brain injury, Physiologic Resuscitation and Inflammation Modulating Environment, Strategic Bio-Defense Emergency Operations and Communications System, and Neuroprosthetics & Solutions for Spinal Cord Dysfunctions. Labor, HHS, Education, Appropriations Bill, 2010, appropriations for UPMC Braddock Steps to a Healthy Community Initiative, UPMC Horizon digital mammography services for at-risk minority women, Magee Women's Hospital healthcare for women with disabilities and oncology patient navigator program and UPMC Cancer Centers oncology reimbursement and cancer pathways demonstration project.

Issues related to the commercial health insurance market in western Pennsylvania and promotion of greater access to health care for all Americans.

Issues related to the cost of prescription pharmaceuticals and the impact of that cost on hospitals and health care providers.

Issues related to the commercial health insurance market in western Pennsylvania and promotion of greater access to health care for all Americans.

"American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" urge support for maintaining Medicare capital IME payments, increasing Medicaid aid to the states, extending the moratorium on Medicaid and Medicare regulations, expanding health information technology grants, emphasizing the benefits of additional investments in the nation's capacity to respond to bioterrorism by creating a center to develop and manufacture drugs and vaccines. Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010, appropriations for UPMC Brain Trauma Research Center for evaluating and treating tramatic brain injury, Physiologic Resuscitation and Inflammation Modulating Environment, Strategic Bio-Defense Emergency Operations and Communications System, and Neuroprosthetics & Solutions for Spinal Cord Dysfunctions. Labor, HHS, Education, Appropriations Bill, 2010, appropriations for UPMC Braddock Steps to a Healthy Community Initiative, UPMC Horizon digital mammography services for at-risk minority women, Magee Women's Hospital healthcare for women with disabilities and oncology patient navigator program and UPMC Cancer Centers oncology reimbursement and cancer pathways demonstration project.

Health care related issues.

Health care related issues.

Issues related to the commercial health insurance market in western Pennsylvania and promotion of greater access to health care for all Americans.

"FY 2009 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) rule" urging CMS to withdraw a proposal to eliminate the Medicare indirect medical education (IME) adjustment for teaching hospitals that is provided under the Medicare capital payment system. Preserving Access to Healthcare (PATH) Act of 2008 (S. 3656/H.R. 7241) which would retroactively delay for six months a two-year phase-out of capital IME payments for teaching hospitals that was implemented on October 1, 2008. Hospital wage index reclassification and resolution of regional disparity. Issues related to the reduction of the annual disproportionate share (DSH) payment and problems with the SSI formula calculation. Expanding Medicare payment rules for stroke related telehealth services to include urban areas and the "Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act of 2008" (S.3505/HR2567) to provide coverage for infusion-related services, supplies and equipment under Medicare Part B.

Issues related to the commercial health insurance market in western Pennsylvania and promotion of greater access to health care for all Americans.

Issues related to the tax-exempt status of not-for-profit health care entities.

"FY 2009 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) rule" urging CMS to withdraw a proposal to eliminate the Medicare indirect medical education (IME) adjustment for teaching hospitals that is provided under the Medicare capital payment system. Preserving Access to Healthcare (PATH) Act of 2008 (S. 3656/H.R. 7241) which would retroactively delay for six months a two-year phase-out of capital IME payments for teaching hospitals that was implemented on October 1, 2008. Hospital wage index reclassification and resolution of regional disparity. Issues related to the reduction of the annual disproportionate share (DSH) payment and problems with the SSI formula calculation. Expanding Medicare payment rules for stroke related telehealth services to include urban areas and the "Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act of 2008" (S.3505/HR2567) to provide coverage for infusion-related services, supplies and equipment under Medicare Part B.

Issues related to the cost of prescription pharmaceuticals and the impact of that cost on hospitals and health care providers.

Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2009, appropriations for two UPMC Diabetes Institute research projects one focusing on the diabetes model program and the other on gastric banding/bypass, three Children's Hospital projects focusing on diabetes, muscular dystrophy, and lung defense against pathogens, UPMC Center for Biosecurity vaccine manufacturing facility, UPMC Brain Trauma Research Center for evaluating and treating tramatic brain injury, UPMC Institute for Rehabilitation and Research to restore sensorimotor functions, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute for the gynecologic disease center at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the national functional genomics coalition, and five UPMC Innovative Medical and Information Technologies Center projects for strategic emergency medical training and response, dynamic workload allocation and enterprise imaging exchange system, physiologic resuscitation and inflammation modulating environment, regional telepathology initiative at Keesler AFB, and casualty care simulation training at Wilford Hall Medical Center. Labor, HHS, Education, Appropriations Bill, 2009, appropriations for UPMC Braddock Health Initiative, Magee Womens Research Institute healthcare for women with disabilities and breastfeeding program, UPMC Passavant medical surge capabilities, UPMC Bedford expansion project, UPMC Horizon and McKeesport digital mammography services, UPMC Cancer Centers equipment, and the minority women's heart initiative.

H.R. 5613, Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008, support delaying Medicaid rules regarding rehabilitation services, targeted case management, school-based transportation and outreach, provider taxes, hospital outpatient services, graduate medical education and intergovernmental payment transfers; Preventing cuts in physician reimbursements from Medicare; Hosptial wage index reclassification and resolution of regional disparity; Issues related to the reduction of the annual disproportionate share (DSH) payment and problems with the SSI formula calculation; Expanding Medicare payment rules for stroke related telehealth services to include urban areas; and the Medicare competitive bid program for Durable Medical Equipment Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) services implementation.

Issues related to the tax-exempt status of not-for-profit health care entities.

Issues related to the commercial health insurance market in western Pennsylvania; Promotion of greater access to health care for all Americans.

Issues related to the cost of prescription pharmaceuticals and the impact of that cost on hospitals and health care providers.

S. 2499, Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act, 2007, Titles II and III, provisions related to Medicare and Medicaid; Increase the physician payment update and extend components of the Medicare program; Hospital wage index reclassification and resolution of regional disparity; Issues related to the implementation of Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.

Issues related to the tax-exempt status of not-for-profit health care entities.

Managed care and HMO reform; Issues related to the commercial health insurance market in western Pennsylvania; Promotion of greater access to health care for all Americans.

Issues related to the cost of prescription pharmaceuticals and the impact of that cost on hospitals and health care providers.

Managed care and HMO reform; Issues related to the commercial health insurance market in western Pennsylvania; Promotion of greater access to health care for all Americans.

Issues related to the tax-exempt status of not-for-profit health care entities.

H.Con.Res. 376, Title I and II, provisions related to Medicare and Medicaid; S.Con.Res. 83, Title 1 and II, provisions related to Medicare and Medicaid; Medicaly liability insurance reform; HIPAA regulations.

manufacturing facility, AMStar Envirochem Inc.'s poly chlorinated biphenyls decontamination initiative, continuing project with Vanderbilt and U.S. Army Special Ops, Navy special warfare performance and injury program, ImPACT project for battlefield head injury diagnosis and triage program, WISER, three projects for UPCI, Tactical Operational Medicine Initiative, CombineNet, Gulf Coast Nursing Leadership and Simulation Center, ECMO/VAD project, High Intensity Frequency Unifier, UPMC Institute for Regeneration and Rehabilitation project in partnership with Water Reed Army Medical Center, and traumatic brain injury reseach project in tandem with University of Florida. H.R. 5647, Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Bill, 2007, Title II, appropriations for UPMC Braddock Health Initiative, Magee Womens Research Institute, and renovation of Passavant Cranberry's Emergency Department. S. 3078, Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Bill, 2007, Title II, appropriations for UPMC Braddock Health Initiative, Magee Womens Research Institute, Children's Hospital, and the Minority Women's Heart Initiative. H.R. 5672, Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill, 2007, Title I, appropriations for UPMC, Temple University and Arizona State University joint research project on juvenile offenders. H.R. 5441, Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, 2007, Title III and IV, appropriations for UPMC Disaster Management Center. H.R. 5385, Military Quality of Life and Department of Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill, 2007, Title II, appropriations for ECMO/VAD project. H.R. 5631, Dept. of Defense Appropriations Act, 2007, Titles II, IV, and VI, appropriations for UPMC Diabetes Institute, UPMC Center for Biosecurity, three research projects - two focusing on diabetes, one on muscular dystrophy at Children's Hospital, vaccine

Managed care and HMO reform; Issues related to the commercial health insurance market in western Pennsylvania; Promotion of greater access to health care for all Americans.

H.R. 4241, Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Title III, provisions related to Medicaid; S. 1932, Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Title V - provisions related to Medicare and Title VI - provisions related to Medicaid; Hospital wage index reclassification and resolution of regional disparity; Issues related to the implementation of Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA).

Issues related to the cost of prescription pharmaceuticals and the impact of that cost on hospitals and health care providers.

Issues related to the tax-exempt status of not-for-profit health care entities.