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
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
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
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
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
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