Health Industry Washington Watch : Washington DC Healthcare Industry Law Firm : Reed Smith : Health Industry Washington Watch : Regulations, Medicare/Medicaid, Governmental Organizations

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The Reed Smith Health Industry Washington Watch blog has been updated to discuss a variety of health policy developments, including the following:  

• Legislative Developments. The Senate has begun debate on its major health reform package, while a CMS Office of the Actuary report raises questions about the House-approved plan’s potential to control health care spending. The House has approved Medicare physician payment reform legislation, along with a bill to create a new loan guarantee program to help small health care practices purchase of certain health information technology. A number of Congressional committees have held hearings on health policy issues, and a hearing is scheduled next week on drug pricing.  
• Regulatory Developments. CMS has withdrawn a proposed Medicaid rehabilitation coverage rule and further delayed final Medicaid benefits and cost-sharing flexibility rules. CMS also has released the Federal Medical Assistance Percentages for FY 2011. 
• Other CMS Developments. Among other things, CMS has: posted the 2010 Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule; solicited quality measure suggestions for the 2011 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI); issued guidance on home health outlier payments; delayed certain requirements for ordering providers on DMEPOS and other Part B claims; and announced 2009 Medicare and Medicaid improper payment rates.
• OIG & GAO Reports. The HHS OIG has issued its Semiannual Report to Congress for the second half of FY 2009, along with its summary of Top Management and Performance Challenges in the Department of Health and Human Services for FY 2009. The OIG also releases a report on NIH grantees’ financial conflicts of interest policies. The GAO has issued a report on deficiencies in CMS contract management internal controls.
• FDA Developments. The FDA has announced the Safe Use Initiative for drug products and has issued warning letters regarding certain medical products sold via the internet. The agency also is examining the promotion of FDA-regulated medical products using the internet and social media tools. The FDA also has released a number of final and draft guidance documents.
• Odds & Ends. President Obama has issued an Executive Order on “Reducing Improper Payments and Eliminating Waste in Federal Programs.” MedPAC has released a report to Congress on “Measuring Regional Variation in Service Use,” and the Congressional Budget Office has issued an Economic and Budget Issue Brief on "Promotional Spending for Prescription Drugs." HHS has announced a restructuring of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
• Health Industry Events. CMS is holding educational calls and meetings on OASIS-C , the 2009 PQRI, and applications for IPPS/OPPS new medical service and technology payments. HIT Policy and Standards Committee meetings also have been scheduled.