Health Care Watch: August 2, 2020
The following Health Care Watch provides a summary of legislative and regulatory health care activities from July 27 – August 1. Where available, hyperlinks are included to the relevant documents. Please let us know if you have any questions or would like additional information on the items below.
NON-CORONAVIRUS LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
On July 31, the House voted 217-197 to pass its second appropriations minibus for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. The package, H.R. 7617, combines six spending bills: Labor-Health & Human Services (HHS)-Education, Defense, Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy-Water Development, Financial Services, and Transportation-Housing & Urban Development. The measure is projected to cost nearly $1.3 trillion over 10 years. A summary is available here. The Trump Administration opposes the deal in its current form. The Department of Homeland Security is the House’s only outstanding spending bill.
On July 31, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) announced the House will not officially begin its August recess until a pandemic relief package is passed and has instructed members to be ready to return to Washington on 24-hours notice.
NON-CORONAVIRUS REGULATORY UPDATE
On July 27, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) concluded its review of a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) notice entitled Request for Information; Electronic Prescribing for Controlled Substances.
On July 28, OMB concluded its review of a CMS notice entitled Treatment of Medicare Part C Days in the Calculation of a Hospital's Medicare Disproportionate Patient Percentage.
On July 29, the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning & Evaluation (ASPE) released a report entitled HHS Secretary’s Report on: Addressing Surprise Medical Billing, as required by President Trump’s “Improving Price and Quality Transparency in American Health Care to Put Patients First" executive order. This report describes the prevalence and impact of surprise billing and what states and the federal government have done thus far to address the issue, including during COVID-19. The report encourages Congress to enact legislation that adheres to the Administration's surprise billing principles released last year.
On July 29, CMS announced the average basic Medicare Part D premium will be $30.50 per month in 2021. This will be the second lowest average basic premiums in Part D since 2013, with 2020 premiums being the lowest.
On July 29, Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced FY2021 user fee rates for prescription drugs, medical devices, biosimilars, and generics.
On July 30, OMB concluded its review of a CMS notice entitled CY 2021 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System Policy Changes and Payment Rates and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System Policy Changes and Payment Rates.
On July 31, CMS finalized Medicare FY2021 payment rules for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and hospices. Both rules were limited to essential, routine updates in light of the Public Health Emergency (PHE). Aggregate Medicare program payments to SNFs will increase by about $750 million, a 2.2% bump over FY2020. Similarly, payments to hospices will increase by $540 million, or 2.4%. Fact sheets on the SNF and hospice rules are available here and here, respectively.
On July 31, the U.S. Court of Appeals for D.C. ruled HHS has the authority to implement a provision of CMS’ CY2018 OPPS Rule that reduced Medicare’s payment for Part B drugs by 28.5% at hospitals participating in the 340B Drug Pricing Program. The Court’s Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan was sympathetic to the argument that the 340B Program effectively subsidizes hospitals and maintained that the payment reduction “is a fair, or even conservative, measure of the reduction needed to bring payments to those hospitals into parity with their costs to obtain the drugs.” The American Hospital Association, Association of American Medical Colleges and America's Essential Hospitals released a statement slamming the decision as conflicting “with Congress’ clear intent” and deferring to the government’s “inaccurate interpretation of the law.” The groups vowed to continue to “fight” the policy.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Legislative
On July 27, the Senate GOP introduced a draft of the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection & Schools (HEALS) Act, a $1.1 trillion relief package. While the bill has been endorsed by the White House, its prospects of passing the upper chamber are unclear, as Democrats and even some Republican have spoken out against it. The legislation, summarized here, would appropriate:
$25 billion to the Provider Relief Fund;
$16 billion for testing and contact tracing, in addition to $9 billion from previously-appropriated (but unspent) pandemic relief funds;
$20 billion for Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA);
$15.5 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH);
$7.6 billion for Community Health Centers (CHCs);
$3.4 billion for the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), plus an additional $6 billion for vaccine distribution;
$3 billion to GAVI, an international vaccine alliance;
$2 billion for the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS);
$105 billion for reopening colleges and schools;
Direct payments of $1,200 to individuals with a yearly income of up to $75,000;
$200 per week unemployment payment (a reduction from $600 per week) for two months, or until states are able to provide a 70 percent wage replacement;
$90 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for small businesses with 300 or fewer employees that show a revenue loss of at least 50%;
Liability protections for businesses;
Enhanced telehealth coverage through FY2021, including extending CMS-issued Medicare telehealth waivers and permitting employers to offer telehealth as an “excepted benefit” to employees who are not working full time or do not qualify for employer coverage, for the duration of the PHE;
Delays the repayment of Medicare loans through CMS’ Accelerated and Advanced Payments Program until January 1, 2021;
Tax credit for vaccine research and development; and
Expanded flexibility for states and local aid.
On July 29, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows claimed negotiators are “nowhere close to a deal.” An extension of enhanced unemployment benefits remains one of the most contentious provisions. On July 30, the White House offered a stand-alone bill that would maintain enhanced unemployment benefits for four months; however, Democrats rejected the short-term fix and advocated for extending the $600 rate through the first quarter of 2021. Democrats also favored passing a complete package over a “piecemeal” approach.
On July 27, 56 lawmakers called on HHS to provide additional funding to CHCs through the Provider Relief Fund. To date, CHCs have received almost $2 billion to test and treat COVID-19 patients but they have not directly benefited from the Provider Relief Fund.
On July 28, the Finance Committee held a hearing entitled Part 1: Protecting the Reliability of the U.S. Medical Supply Chain During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) highlighted the threat of counterfeits from China and the risks of the lack of a domestic supply chain for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) voiced concern with states having to buy PPE directly and then finding afterwards that they were counterfeit. Witnesses included: Thomas Overacker, Cargo and Conveyance Security, Office of Field Operations, Customs & Border Protection; Steve Francis, Assistant Director, Homeland Security Investigations, Global Trade Investigations Division, Director, National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, U.S. Immigration, Customs & Enforcement; and Soraya Correa, Chief Procurement Officer, Department of Homeland Security.
On July 28, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and House Oversight Chair Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) urged Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate federal investment in the development of Gilead’s COVID-19 drug remdesivir, as well as the potential to create generics or mandate increased production under the Defense Production Act.
On July 28, Sens. Martha McSally (R-AZ), John Cornyn (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MO), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) proposed the Continuous Health Coverage for Workers Act. This bill seeks to ensure that workers who lost their job because of the pandemic can remain on their employer-sponsored insurance through the end of the year, without resetting their deductibles. Specifically, it would provide premium assistance for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) coverage.
On July 28, Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) proposed the COVID-19 Medical Debt Collection Relief Act. This bill would suspend collection actions by health care providers beginning February 1, 2020 and create consumer protections for medical debt associated with COVID-19 related treatment and testing.
On July 28, Finance Committee Chairman Grassley and Sen. McSally published an op-ed arguing that the “pandemic has accelerated the need to cut drug prices” and that Congress should advance S. 2543, the Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act to the President’s desk.
On July 29, the Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing entitled Improving Access to Care: Legislation to Reauthorize Key Public Health Programs. Notable legislation included:
H.R. 2075, the School-Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act of 2019, to reauthorize school-based health centers;
H.R. 4439, the Creating Hope Reauthorization Act, to allow the HHS Secretary to issue priority review vouchers to encourage treatments for rare pediatric diseases;
H.R. 4764, the Timely Reauthorization of Necessary Stem-cell Programs Lends Access to Needed Therapies (TRANSPLANT) Act of 2019, to reauthorize the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005; and
H.R. 5373, the United States Anti-Doping Agency Reauthorization Act of 2019, to reauthorize the United States Anti-Doping Agency.
Witnesses included: Robert Boyd, President, School-Based Health Alliance; Linda Goler Blount, President and CEO, Black Women’s Health Imperative; Nancy Goodman, Founder and Executive Director, Kids v. Cancer; Aaron Seth Kesselheim, MD, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Brian Lindberg, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel, National Bone Marrow Donor Program; and Travis Tygart, CEO, U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
On July 29, the Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee held a hearing entitled Who's in Charge? Examining Oversight of State Veterans Homes (SVHs) During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Subcommittee Chairwoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) pointed to missing COVID-19 information from SVHs, due to the lack of reporting requirements for some SVHs. She also mentioned the high number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in SVHs because of inconsistent safety standards and a lack of supplies and testing. Subcommittee Ranking Member Neal Dunn (R-FL) emphasized the need for diagnostic and immunity testing in SVHs. Witnesses included: Paul Barabani, Member, Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Coalition; Sharon Silas, Director, Health Care, GAO; Melissa Jackson, President, National Association of State Veterans Homes; Teresa Boyd, MD, Assistant Under Secretary, Health for Clinical Services, VHA, VA; Beth Taylor, MD, Assistant Under Secretary, Health for Patient Care Services, VHA, VA; Scotte Hartronft, MD, Executive Director, Office of Geriatrics & Extended Care, VHA, VA; and Ryan Lilly, Director, VA New England Health Care System, VHA, VA.
On July 29, the Veterans’ Affairs Committee held a hearing entitled VA Telehealth During and Beyond COVID-19: Challenges and Opportunities in Rural America. Committee Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS) recognized the difficulties for rural veterans accessing telehealth services and voiced interest in subsidized short-term internet access. Witnesses included: Kameron Matthews, MD, Assistant Under Secretary, Health for Community Care, VHA; Kevin Galpin, MD, Executive Director, Telehealth Services, VHA; Thomas Klobucar, MD, Executive Director, Office of Rural Health, VHA; and Eddie Pool, Executive Director, Solution Delivery, IT Operations and Services, Office of Information and Technology, VA.
On July 29, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced that masks will be required on the floor of the House after Rep. Louis Gohmert (R-TX) tested positive for COVID-19.
On July 30, the Finance Committee held a follow up hearing entitled Part 2: Protecting the Reliability of the U.S. Medical Supply Chain During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Chairman Grassley highlighted the success of the Federal government’s approach to emergency preparedness, given that the nation has never faced a national emergency like COVID-19 before. Ranking Member Wyden raised the prevalence of PPE shortages across all care centers, and the importance of fair distribution of a vaccine. Witnesses included: Cathy Denning, Group Senior Vice President, Sourcing Operations, Analytics and Center of Excellence; Rob Wiehe, Senior Vice President, Chief Supply Chain and Logistics Officer UC Health; and Charles Johnson, President, International Safety Equipment Association.
On July 31, the Coronavirus Crisis Select Subcommittee held a hearing entitled The Urgent Need For A National Plan To Contain The Coronavirus. Subcommittee Chairman James Clyburn (D-SC) called out the lack of widespread testing and testing shortages and called for a national plan for addressing COVID-19. Ranking Member Steve Scalise (R-LA) highlighted the increase in testing that has occurred since the beginning of COVID-19 and the plans and actions carried out by the administration and Congress so far. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Anthony Fauci said he believed that a COVID-19 vaccine will be developed by the end of the year and assured that any potential vaccine would be safe. HHS Assistant Secretary Brett Giroir announced that the federal government will supply nearly one million rapid, point-of-care tests to over a thousand high-risk nursing homes by the end of the week and emphasized the need to continue following precautions, including wearing a mask and social distancing. Witnesses included: Anthony Fauci, MD, Director, NIAID, NIH; Robert Redfield, MD, Director, CDC; Brett Giroir, Assistant Secretary of Health, HHS.
White House
On July 28, the White House Corona Task Force identified 21 states as high risk, with more than 100 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents in the past week. States included in the report are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin.
On July 30, President Trump encouraged people who recovered from COVID-19 to donate plasma to assist in COVID-19 treatment and research.
Regulatory
On July 27, CMS released additional information on the Quality Reporting Programs (QRPs) for Home Health Agencies, Long-Term Care Hospitals, SNFs, and Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. Updates come as temporary QRP exemptions from the PHE have ended.
On July 27, Operation Warp Speed (OWS) awarded $265 million to Texas A&M University to expand manufacturing capacity for potential COVID-19 vaccines.
On July 28, CMS released updated data describing how COVID-19 has impacted the Medicare population through June 20, 2020. The data shows that the pandemic is disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, particularly racial and ethnic minorities. A fact sheet is available here.
On July 28, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation awarded a $765 million loan to Eastman Kodak to launch a pharmaceutical manufacturing branch. The 25-year loan seeks to enable “Kodak Pharmaceuticals” to produce up to 25% of the active ingredients used in U.S. generic drugs (excluding antibiotics).
On July 28, ASPE released a report on Medicare beneficiaries’ increased use of telehealth services for primary care services in fee-for-service Medicare at the onset of the pandemic. ASPE concluded that “Medicare’s new telehealth flexibilities played a critical role in helping to maintain access to primary health care services.” To help determine whether certain flexibility should be made permanent, ASPE suggested additional research examining the effectiveness of telehealth.
On July 29, the FDA granted emergency use authorization to Quest Diagnostics for a new testing method to increase testing capacity from 135,000 samples per day to 170,000. The new laboratory technique speeds up the process of extracting viral RNA and decreases testing turnaround time.
On July 29, the FDA released a report entitled Multiple Function Device Products: Policy and Considerations Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff. The report outlines nonbinding recommendations including assessing the impact on safety and effectiveness and specific content recommendations.
On July 30, CMS and CDC announced that physicians and health care providers can be reimbursed to counsel patients during COVID-19 testing about the importance of safety practices, including self-isolation after they are tested and wearing a mask. CMS will use existing evaluation and management payment codes to reimburse providers who are eligible to bill CMS for counseling services.
On July 30, CMS announced new procedure codes for the use of remdesivir and convalescent plasma for treating hospital in-patients with COVID-19. These new codes will go into effect August 1 and will allow CMS to conduct real-time surveillance and obtain evidence on their effectiveness.
On July 30, a Department of Defense (DoD) senior official claimed the CDC and the DoD will work together to distribute a potential vaccine nationwide. DoD will handle the logistics associated with transportation and distribution, while the CDC will track post-vaccination side effects and manage state and public health communications.
On July 30, HHS and DoD announced a $24 million contract with BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) to increase the production of point-of-care antigen tests to 12 million kits per month by the end of February 2021.
On July 31, OWS reserved 100 million doses of the Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) investigational adjuvanted vaccine for $2.1 billion. Funding will be used for vaccine development and to scale-up manufacturing capacities. The deal also specifies that OWS can acquire up to 500 million additional doses at a later date. Phase I/II trials are expected to begin in September and Phase III will begin by the end of 2020. Sanofi and GSK are aiming to produce one billion doses per year.
On July 31, NIH awarded $248.7 million to seven companies to expand point-of-care testing and developing lab-based tests. As part of the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative, Mesa Biotech, Quidel and Talis Biomedical were awarded funds for point-of-care tests and Ginkgo Bioworks, Helix OpCo, Fluidigm and Mammoth Biosciences were awarded funds for developing lab-based tests.
Other
On July 27, Moderna began a Phase III trial of its mRNA-based vaccine candidate. The trial will include 30,000 participants.
On July 27, Pfizer and BioNTech selected its vaccine candidate to enter late stage clinical trials. The companies originally developed four mRNA-based vaccine formulations simultaneously. Phase II/III trials, which will include up to 30,000 patients, are underway.
On July 27, the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) urged CMS to delay the finalization of the Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Rule (MFAR) until after the COVID-19 PHE. MFAR, proposed in November 2019, would increase the transparency of Medicaid spending by establishing new reporting requirements for states and ensuring consistent state plan supplemental payments. NAMD argued that the rule would have “far-reaching impacts on state Medicaid financing mechanisms” that “states simply will not have the capacity to comply with in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic or in a near-term post-pandemic environment.”
On July 28, the Center for American Progress released a report entitled A Comprehensive COVID-19 Vaccine Plan: Efficient Manufacturing, Financing, and Distribution of a COVID-19 Vaccine. The report encourages the Trump administration and Congress to accelerate the development of vaccines and alternative technologies, as well as increase the nation’s manufacturing and distribution capacity.
On July 28, Moderna and NIH published a study in the New England Journal of Medicine finding that the company’s mRNA vaccine induced a robust immune response in monkeys.
On July 29, John Hopkins University published a report entitled Resetting Our Response: Changes Needed in the US Approach to COVID-19. This report outlines 10 recommendations for controlling COVID-19, including mandating COVID-19 restrictions, improving medical supply chains, supporting research and contact tracing, and planning for a successful rollout of a vaccine.
On July 30, Johnson & Johnson published data showing that the company’s investigational vaccine induced a robust immune response in monkeys. The company’s vaccine could be given as one shot, rather than two, compared to other potential vaccines.
On July 30, U.S. District Judge George Daniels ruled that the Trump administration cannot implement its “public charge” rule during the PHE. The rule would permit immigration officials to deny green cards to migrants that have used, or are likely to use, Medicaid or other federal safety net programs. Judge Daniels maintained that the rule could exacerbate the spread of COVID-19 and amplify the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on low income communities of color.
On July 30, a study was published in JAMA Pediatrics concluding that children with COVID-19 have may have a greater amount of the virus in their upper respiratory tract than adults with the disease. Given this conclusion, the authors raised concerns regarding children going back to school and daycare.
As of August 1, the U.S. had 4,579,761 confirmed COVID-19 cases resulting in 153,642 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University & Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center.
RULES AT THE WHITE HOUSE OMB
Pending Review
HHS-CMS
Conditions for Coverage for End-Stage Renal Disease Facilities-Third Party Payments (CMS-3337-P); Received 6/6/19
International Pricing Index Model for Medicare Part B Drugs (CMS-5528-P); Proposed Rule; Received 6/20/19
Medicare Coverage of Innovative Technologies (CMS-3372-P); Received 7/30/2019
Medicaid & CHIP Managed Care (CMS-2408-F); Final Rule; Received 9/26/2019
Strengthening Oversight of Accrediting Organizations (AO) and Preventing AO Conflict of Interest, and Related Provisions (CMS-3367); Proposed Rule; Received 2/18/20
Specialty Care Models to Improve Quality of Care and Reduce Expenditures (CMS-5527); Proposed Rule; Received 3/10/20
Payment Policies for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) (CMS-1738); Proposed Rule; Received 4/28/20
CY2021 Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Medicare Part B (CMS-1734); Proposed Rule; 5/12/20
FY 2021 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Prospective Payment System Rate Update (CMS-1729); Final Rule; Received 7/10/20
Basic Health Program; Federal Funding Methodology for Program Year 2021 (CMS-2432-PN); Final Rule; Received 7/10/20
Advance Notice of Methodological Changes for Calendar Year (CY) 2022 for Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies – Part I, CMS-HCC Risk Adjustment Model; Notice; Received 7/17/20
Modernizing and Clarifying the Physician Self-Referral Regulations (CMS-1720); Final Rule; 7/21/20
HHS-FDA
Annual Summary Reporting Requirements Under the Right to Try Act; Proposed Rule; Received 3/31/20
REPORTS
HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG)
On July 31, OIG published a report entitled North Carolina Did Not Ensure That Nursing Facilities Always Reported Allegations of Potential Abuse and Neglect of Medicaid Beneficiaries and Did Not Always Prioritize Allegations Timely. The report found that North Carolina did not ensure that nursing facilities always reported allegations of abuse or neglect of Medicaid beneficiaries and the state agency was not consistent with complying with assigning proper priority level or recording associated dates of allegations. OIG recommends that North Carolina works with CMS to improve guidance to nursing facilities regarding reportable incidents and when to report and to improve its policies and procedures to address the issues this report identified. North Carolina agreed with most of the recommendations but responded that the recommendations would require additional staffing and funding.
GAO
On July 28, GAO released a report entitled Science & Tech Spotlight: Contact Tracing Apps. The document highlights the opportunities, challenges, and policies of COVID-19 contact tracing efforts.
On July 29, GAO released a report entitled Public Health Preparedness: HHS Has Taken Some Steps to Implement New Authority to Speed Medical Countermeasure Innovation. GAO found that by the authority granted in the 21st Century Cures Act, BARDA outlined steps to accelerate the development of medical countermeasures but HHS has not selected an independent partner to assist in investing in companies to develop medical countermeasures. This report outlines the status of HHS' implementation of the authority. A summary is available here.
On July 29, GAO published a report entitled Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs: Information on FDA's Regulation of Most OTC Drugs. This report outlines the factors that affected FDA’s ability to regulate OTC drugs and how FDA identified and responded to safety issues associated with these drugs. The report concludes that the new process for regulating OTC drugs included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act could improve FDA’s ability to address identified safety risks in a more timely and efficient manner in the future. A summary is available here.
On July 29, GAO released a report entitled COVID-19 Contracting: Observations on Federal Contracting in Response to the Pandemic. The report breaks down the $17.8 billion in COVID-19 contracts through June 11. HHS, DoD, Department of Homeland Security, and VA accounted for 85% of total contract obligations. The report included data on the goods and services provided through these contracts, including $6 billion for medical and surgical equipment and $2.1 billion on vaccine development. Just under half of all COVID-19 related contracts through June 11 have been completed, resulting in over $8.3 billion in contracts. A summary is available here.
On July 29, GAO released a report entitled VA Health Care: VA Needs to Continue to Strengthen Its Oversight of Quality of State Veterans Homes (SVH). The report found a gap in quality standard reporting requirements for SVH contractors, a lack of SVH contractor monitoring, and a lack of public transparency on the quality of SVHs. GAO reiterates previous recommendations to require all failures to meet quality standards cited on SVH inspections.
On July 30, GAO released a report entitled COVID-19: Data Quality and Considerations for Modeling and Analysis. The report details the limitations of COVID-19 surveillance data, different analytical approaches that yield varying results, and the uses and limitations of forecast modeling. This report highlights the importance of complete, consistent data and how data can be used. A summary of this report is available here.
UPCOMING HEARINGS
Senate
None of note.
House
None of note.
OTHER HEALTH POLICY NEWS
On July 27, 360 delegates, most of whom endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) for president, allegedly pledged to vote against the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC’s) platform if it excludes support for "Medicare-For-All." They argue the pandemic makes a single-payer system even more critical. A draft of DNC’s platform released last week did not include Medicare-For-All.
On July 28, GAO announced new members of the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC). Appointments include: Jay Feldstein, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; Lauran Hardin, Senior Advisor for Partnership and Technical Assistance, National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs, Camden Coalition of Health Care Providers; and Joshua Liao, MD, Medical Director of Payment Strategy, UW Medicine, Director of the Value and Systems Science Lab, University of Washington School of Medicine. Their terms will expire in 2023.
On July 29, Humana announced a $100 million partnership with Heal to expand the availability of telehealth services for primary care to MA enrollees.
On August 4, Missouri voters will decide whether or not the state will expand Medicaid as a ballot measure. By expanding eligibility to 138% of the federal poverty level, an estimated 230,000 additional residents would qualify for coverage.