Updates by Reed Smith on U.S. legislative & regulatory developments affecting the health care industry
On January 27, 2015, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on bipartisan public health legislation, including:
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On May 4, 2011, CMS published a proposed rule that would require certain Medicare and Medicaid providers and suppliers to offer all patients an annual influenza vaccination, unless medically contraindicated or unless the patient (or patient’s representative or surrogate) declines vaccination. The requirement would apply to the following entities: hospitals (all types that participate in Medicare); …
On October 15, 2010, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) published an interim final rule with request for comments establishing the administrative policies and procedures for the CICP, as authorized by the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act). The CICP provides benefits to certain persons who sustain serious physical injuries or…
On August 19, 2010, HHS released a report entitled “The Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasure Enterprise Review: Transforming the Enterprise to Meet Long Range National Needs.” Prepared in response to the H1N1 pandemic flu experience, the HHS report reviews the federal government’s role in producing medical countermeasures — medications, vaccines, equipment and supplies…
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recently voted on recommendations it will make to Congress regarding Medicare payment updates for 2011. At the meeting, MedPAC voted to recommend increasing acute inpatient and outpatient prospective payment system reimbursement in 2011 by the projected rate of increase in the hospital market basket index (MBI). This rate increase…
A number of Congressional committees have held hearings recently on health policy issues. Among other things, two panels held hearings on H1N1 vaccine supply issues — the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee also held a hearing on recent breast cancer screening …
A number of Congressional committees have held hearings recently on health policy issues, including a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing examining increasing health costs facing small businesses and a House Appropriations Committee “briefing” on the “2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic: Examining the Federal, State, and Local Public Health Response.” In addition, on November 18,…
Recent Congressional health policy hearings have included: a House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee hearing on the Medicare program’s financial status; a Senate Finance Committee hearing on “Health Care Entitlements: The Road Forward“; a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearings examining the Medicare/Medicaid dual eligible population and the Medicare Secondary Payer program; and…
A number of Congressional committees have held hearings recently on health policy issues, including the following:
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A number of Congressional committees have held hearings recently on health policy issues, including the following:
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On September 29, 2009, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is holding a hearing on the “Administration’s Flu Vaccine Program: Health, Safety, and Distribution.” On September 30, the Senate HELP Committee is scheduled to vote on the “Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009.” Also on September 30, the Senate VA Committee is…
The OIG has issued two reports on pandemic influenza preparedness. The first report determines the extent to which selected states and localities have prepared for a medical surge in response to an influenza pandemic and have conducted and documented exercises that test their medical surge preparedness. The OIG found that while progress is being made, more needs …
