New Postings on the Reed Smith Health Industry Washington Watch Blog
The Reed Smith Health Industry Washington Watch blog has been updated to discuss a variety of health policy developments, including the following:
- Congressional Update. The Senate Finance Committee has approved the “America’s Healthy Future Act,” representing the last step in the committee process before health reform legislation can move to the full Senate for a vote. Legislation also has been enacted to delay Medicare DME accreditation requirements for pharmacies, and Congressional panels have had votes and hearings on a variety of health policy issues.
- Regulatory Developments. CMS has proposed new rules for Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans. New regulations also have been issued to implement the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008. The FDA has published a proposed rule clarifying postmarketing safety reporting requirements for combination products. The OIG is seeking information from organizations with the capability to be monitors of health care entities under quality-of-care corporate integrity agreements.
- Other HHS Developments. CMS has provided an update on the timing for bidding under the DMEPOS competitive bidding program, and it has issued a transmittal to contractors highlighting OIG reports with recommendations to address Medicare’s vulnerability to questionable claims. CMS also is accepting applications for the 2011 HCPCS update. The FDA has issued its “Strategic Plan for Risk Communication,” which outlines how the agency intends to communicate information about the risks and benefits of FDA-regulated products, and it has issued a variety of guidance documents for industry.
- OIG & GAO Reports. The OIG has released its FY 2010 Work Plan, and the GAO has issued reports on nursing home quality of care and utilization of physician services.
- Odds & Ends. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has released its Consumer Preferences Draft Requirements Document for public comment. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is soliciting applications for $100 million in Recovery Act funding for comparative effectiveness grants. MedPAC recently met to discuss Medicare policy issues.
- Looking Ahead. Upcoming health industry events include meetings and educational calls regarding health information technology policy, the DMEPOS competitive bidding program, the proposed end-stage renal disease prospective payment system, Medicare coverage issues, the OASIS-C home health data set, pediatric clinical trials, transparency in FDA activities, and Medicare physician resource use.
