Below is Alston & Bird’s Healthcare Week in Review, which provides a synopsis of the latest news in healthcare regulations, notices, and guidance; federal legislation and congressional committee action; reports, studies, and analyses; and other health policy news.
I. Regulations, Notices, & Guidance
- On January 17, 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a proposed rule entitled, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2020. This proposed rule sets forth payment parameters and provisions related to the risk adjustment and risk adjustment data validation programs; cost-sharing parameters; and user fees for Federally- facilitated Exchanges (FFEs) and State-based Exchanges on the Federal Platform (SBE-FPs). It proposes changes that would allow greater flexibility related to the duties and training requirements for the Navigator program and proposes changes that would provide greater flexibility for direct enrollment entities, while strengthening program integrity oversight over those entities. It proposes policies that are intended to reduce the costs of prescription drugs. It includes proposed changes to Exchange standards related to eligibility and enrollment; exemptions; and other related topics.
Event Notices
- February 27, 2019: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced a public meeting of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment National Advisory Council (NAC). The NAC will discuss recovery housing and expanding access to medication-assisted treatment.
- April 10, 2019: The FDA announced a public meeting entitled, Prescription Drug User Fee Act of 2017; Electronic Submissions and Data Standards. The purpose of the meeting is to fulfill FDA’s commitment to seek stakeholder input related to data standards and the electronic submission systems’ past performance, future targets, emerging industry needs and technology initiatives.
II. Congressional Legislation & Committee Action
U.S. Senate
- There were no health-related hearings this week.
House of Representatives
- There were no health-related hearings this week.
III. Reports, Studies, & Analyses
- On January 14, 2019, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a report entitled, Assessment of Spending in Medicare Part D If Medication Prices From the Department of Veterans Affairs Were Used. The report notes that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has the ability to obtain discounts on medication through its ability to negotiate drug prices and the use of a national formulary. The report claimed that Medicare Part D could save $14 billion to $22 billion annually if it paid the same prices as the VA.
IV. Other Health Policy News
- On January 17 – 18, 2019, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) held their January meeting. The meeting agenda is available here.