Tag archives: GAO

COVID-19 Update: CDC Publishes Additional Guidance on Reopening

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) has quietly released more expansive guidance regarding the reopening of different types of organizations. The document, entitled CDC Activities and Initiatives Supporting the COVID-19 Response and the President’s Plan for Opening America Up Again, builds upon the decision tools issued by the CDC last week. The … Continue reading

GAO releases report on the differences between 340B and non-340B hospitals

By Thomas Dowdell (US) on July 26, 2018 Posted in News from DC

On June 18, the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on the 340B program, entitled “Drug Discount Program: Characteristics of Hospitals Participating and Not Participating in the 340B Program.” The 340B Drug Discount Program requires drug manufacturers to provide discounts on outpatient drugs to certain categories of eligible hospitals. Hospitals that serve … Continue reading

GAO recommends the same Medicare payment rates for evaluation and management services performed in all provider settings

By Thomas Dowdell (US) on December 22, 2015 Posted in Regulatory

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has recommended that Congress consider directing the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to equalize Medicare payment rates for evaluation and management (E/M) services, and other services that the Secretary deems appropriate, performed in all provider settings. … Continue reading

GAO adds VA Health Care to High-Risk List, calls for coordination with non-VA Providers, organizational improvement, and Congressional oversight

By on May 6, 2015 Posted in Regulatory

The U.S. Governmental Accountability Office (GAO) added the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to its biennial High-Risk List, a list of agencies and program areas that are “high risk due to their vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, or are most in need of transformation.” The VA joins Medicare (added in 1990) and Medicaid … Continue reading

340B drug pricing program scrutinized

By Thomas Dowdell (US) on March 24, 2015 Posted in Regulatory

On March 24, the U.S. House of Representatives Energy & Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled “Examining the 340B Drug Pricing Program.” Witness written testimony, along with the opening statements of Subcommittee Chairman Joseph R. Pitts, and Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, are available at http://energycommerce.house.gov/hearing/examining-340b-drug-pricing-program. Witnesses who testified before the … Continue reading

FDA Commissioner substantiates President’s request for more FSMA funding

By on March 10, 2015 Posted in FDA & Food Safety

Last week, Commissioner Margaret Hamburg defended the President’s FY 2016 budget request of $1.3 billion for the FDA— a $109.5 million increase to the food safety budget. At the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Dr. Hamburg explained that this funding is important to continue the implementation of the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA). Dr. … Continue reading