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:
- Legislative Developments. Yesterday House Democratic leaders unveiled the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which House leaders hope to bring to the House floor for a vote next week. The Senate failed on a procedural vote to allow consideration of a bill to avert an upcoming Medicare physician fee schedule cut, while House members have released their plan to fix the Medicare fee schedule formula. Legislation also is moving through Congress to: exempt certain small health practices from identity theft “Red Flags” rule; promote generic drug competition; end insurance anti-trust protections; reauthorize the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program; and support U.S. medical isotopes production. A number of Congressional committees have held hearings on health policy issues, including strategies to prevent health care fraud.
- Regulatory Developments. CMS has updated its inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) services coverage rules and manual provisions to conform to policies adopted in the August 7, 2009 IRF PPS rule; a provider education call also has been scheduled on the new policies. CMS has proposed further delaying two rules regarding Medicaid benefit packages and beneficiary cost-sharing. In addition, CMS has announced Medicare Part A and Part B premium and deductible levels for 2010.
- Other HHS Developments. CMS has officially opened the bidding window for the Round 1 Rebid of the Medicare DMEPOS competitive bidding program and announced various upcoming deadlines for participation in the program. AHRQ is seeking comments on a draft technology assessment regarding off-label uses of cancer therapies. The FDA has issued a number of guidance documents for industry along with a report on new molecular entity postmarketing safety.
- OIG & GAO Reports. The OIG has issued reports on Medicare Part D e-prescribing, adverse event reporting for medical devices, and beneficiary appeals in Medicare Advantage. The OIG also has issued the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program Annual Report and released tips on preventing medical identity fraud. The GAO has issued reports on physician resource use, oversight of clinical investigators, and drugs approved on the basis of surrogate endpoints.
- Looking Ahead. Upcoming health industry events include CMS meetings and educational calls on DMEPOS competitive bidding, physician resource use measurement, and the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative, and the second meeting of the FDA Transparency Task Force.
