Federal Watch
February 8th, 2013
AGS is tracking developments of interest to geriatrics health professionals in order to provide weekly updates for our readers via our List Serv, americangeriatrics.org, our Facebook page, and our Twitter feed. This week, we update you on the recent release of CMS’s ‘Sunshine Rule’ which affects how older adults will receive prescription medications. On a similar note, according to a new HHS report, Medicare prescription drugs are more affordable than ever. We additionally share news of the bipartisan legislation to repeal the SGR and reform the flawed Medicare physician payment system. Lastly, we update you on a government funded report that alerts Americans to the rising number of older adults living with Alzheimer’s disease.
CMS Releases Final Rule on “Sunshine” Provisions in Physician Payment
CMS recently issued a final rule on the Sunshine Act provision within the Affordable Care Act. The rule requires manufacturers of drugs, devices, and supplies covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children's Health Insurance Program to report payments made to physicians and teaching hospitals to CMS. Additionally, manufacturers and other organizations will need to disclose any physician ownership or investment interest. AGS consultants at Arnold & Porter (Washington D.C.) have also developed a detailed summary of the final rule, as well as a helpful chart comparing provisions in the proposal rule to the final rule.
HHS Report: Medicare Prescription Drug Savings Hit $5.7B
USA Today reports that older Americans have saved roughly $5.7 billion on prescription drugs since January 2011 due to provisions in the 2010 health care law aimed to close the Medicare gap, or “doughnut hole." Drugmakers have agreed to give the government a 52.5% discount on premium drugs and 21% on generic drugs to participate in Medicare in 2013, and the government will pass the savings to older Americans. In 2013, the gap starts when one’s Part D initial coverage reaches $2,970. The law closes the gap by 2020. Those opposed to the law have argued that the savings for brand-name drugs would encourage older adults to use those medications, rather than generic drugs, and therefore cost the government more money. To read more, please visit here.
New Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Repeal SGR and Reform Medicare Physician Payment System
On February 6, Representatives Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) and Joe Heck, D.O. (R-NV) introduced the Medicare Physician Payment Innovation Act to ensure patient access to physicians while promoting efficiency, quality and value in health care delivery. The bipartisan legislation permanently repeals the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula and sets out a clear path toward comprehensive reforms of Medicare payment and delivery systems. This week, the Congressional Budget Office significantly lowered its estimate of the cost to permanently repeal the SGR from $245 billion to $138 billion. AGS has issued a letter of support which can be read here. Check back next week and take action as AGS will be launching a new advocacy campaign in support of this bill.
Report: The Number of Americans with Alzheimer's Disease Will Almost Triple By 2050
A new government-funded report confirms what advocacy groups have been warning for years: The number of people in the USA with Alzheimer's disease will almost triple by 2050, straining the health care system and taxing the health of caregivers. Numbers are projected to rise from about 5 million now to 13.8 million. To read more, please visit here.
Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Susie Sherman, Senior Coordinator of Public Affairs & Advocacy, ssherman@americangeriatrics.org.
Modified On: February 8th, 2013
