Community Oncology Alliance (COA) submitted formal comments to CMS in support of proposed changes to the 340B Drug Discount Program and site-neutral paymnts put forward in the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment (HOPPS) rule. However, they also submitted comments warning against proposals to introduce new third-party middlemen to the Part B system.
The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) submitted formal comments to CMS in support of the agency's proposed additional changes to the 340B Drug Discount Program. They also voiced support for the site-neutral payments proposed in the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment (HOPSS) rule for 2019, which they say will address "tremendous Medicare Part B spending increases that have resulted from the growing shift of care from independent community practices to hospital outpatient departments."
However, COA did caution against proposals for introducing new third-party middlemen to the Part B system, saying it would have a negative impact on patient care.
Read the comments in full here.
Covering antiobesity medications like semaglutide could save Medicare around $500 million annually; preliminary CDC data showed a 3% decline in the number of US overdose deaths last year; the Biden administration recently announced the first national maternal mental health strategy.
Read More
Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity: Urban Health Outreach
May 9th 2024In the series debut episode of "Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity," Mary Sligh, CRNP, and Chelsea Chappars, of Allegheny Health Network, explain how the Urban Health Outreach program aims to improve health equity for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Listen
Panel Addresses Minority Physician Shortage, Maternal Health at Senate Committee Hearing
May 15th 2024The senate hearing held by the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I, Vermont), chairman of the committee, and ranking member Sen. Bill Cassidy, MD, (R, Louisiana), addressed the critical issue of physician and health care worker shortages, as well as the maternal health crisis, in the US.
Read More