VIZIENT INC

Medicare/Medicaid

Hospital Medicare Reimbursement Rates - Urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to use their adjustment authority to increase Medicare reimbursement rates due to inflationary pressures that have not been fully captured in payment rules. Medicare Site-neutral Payment Policy (H.R. 3561) - Opposed inclusion of provisions to reduce Medicare payment rates for hospital outpatient department drug administration, and other services. Medicaid Disproportionate Hospital (DSH) payment cuts - Urged Congress to avoid Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payment cuts that are scheduled to take effect in FY 2024. Urged passage of Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act (H.R. 2665). Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education - Endorsed passage of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (H.R. 2389/S. 1302). Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization - Raised concerns about the use of prior authorization and other utilization management techniques employed by Medicare Advantage organizations. Also raised concerns about required use of payer-mandated pharmacy distribution using "white bagging" and "brown bagging" in Medicare Advantage. Medicare Home Infusion - Endorsed passage of the Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act (S. 1976/H.R. 4104). Rural health care - Supported passage of the SAVE Rural Hospitals Act (S. 803) and passage of the Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act (S. 1571)

TargetedSENATE · HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Health Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing - Advocated to highlight the value that hospital group purchasing organizations provide to hospitals and suppliers. Provided education on how GPOs work in the healthcare supply chain and the role they play in delivering value to healthcare providers. Drug shortages - Engaged to highlight how GPOs act to prevent and mitigate drug shortages. Urged greater transparency in the healthcare supply chain related to geographic locations for manufacturing, active pharmaceutical ingredients and other critical sources. Debt Ceiling Negotiations (H.R. 3746) - Opposed inclusion of work and community engagement requirements or further cuts in hospital reimbursement in debt ceiling negotiations. Pandemic and All Hazard Preparedness Act - Supported including provisions in the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act that would provide greater authority to require reporting of geographic locations for sourcing of critical materials, active pharmaceutical ingredients, manufacturing, sterilization and finishing of critical medical products. Advocated for policies that would improve hospital and health system emergency preparedness. Supported improvements in transparency for the Strategic National Stockpile, greater government engagement with private sector stakeholders, automated reporting and reduced administrative burden for providers in emergencies and urged steps to support greater supply chain resilience. 340B Drug Pricing Program - Endorsed passage of the Protect 340B Act (H.R. 2534). Opposed legislation (H.R. 3290/S. 1133) that would place cumbersome reporting obligations on 340B covered entities. Continued to urge action to ensure covered entities have access to 340B discounted prices through contract pharmacies. Highlighted critical importance of the 340B program for hospitals. Healthcare Workforce - Urged passage of the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act (H.R. 2584). Continued to highlight the need to improve healthcare staffing through investments and reauthorization of critical workforce programs, expanding access to unused visas for healthcare workers, and review of staffing agency activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) - Offered support for providing $738 million in funding the CHGME program. Urged Congress to reauthorize CHGME program (H.R. 3887). Telehealth - Endorsed passage of the CONNECT for Health Act(S. 2016/H.R. 4189). Continued to advocate for the adoption of permanent telehealth policies that would extend flexibilities offered during the declared public health emergency and beyond the current 2024 expiration date. Medical Device Sterilization - conducted education and outreach on the potential negative impact on the healthcare supply chain of pending regulations limiting the use of Ethylene Oxide as a medical device sterilant. Endorsed passage of the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions To End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR)Act (S. 1355/H.R. 2940). Endorsed passage of the Biologics Competition Act (H.R. 1790) Payer Mandated "white bagging" - Raised concerns about health plan restrictions requiring medications to be acquired through payer-affiliated pharmacies.