CURES 2.0 set to Expand Telehealth, CMS Zeros in on Drug Prices
Representatives are seeking to expand provider relief, the No Surprises Act forms ambulance committee and the FDA has approved a treatment for dwarfism.
Source: Getty Images
By - Senators have introduced an act that would dole out the rest of the Provider Relief Fund to front-line hospitals and care centers. Another bill, CURES 2.0, would expand the actions of the initial CURES legislation from 2016 and improve access to telehealth services.
Meanwhile, the No Surprises Act will require that insurers share data on drug spending starting in December. The act has also created a committee to research ambulance transportation costs.
Finally, lawmakers are recommending an investigation into the conduct of nurse staffing agencies that have been accused of price gouging. And, the FDA has approved a treatment for dwarfism for the first time.
Representatives Look to Extend Provider Relief
A group of senators has introduced legislation that would assure the remainder of the Provider Relief Fund be doled out to frontline caregivers. The Provider Relief Improvement Act intends to expedite the funding process that has been delayed by changes to restrictions and flip-flopping guidance.
“Frontline caregivers in America’s senior living communities continue to wait for critically needed relief. From the beginning of the pandemic through the first half of this year, assisted living providers have incurred more than $30 billion in expenses and losses due to COVID-19,” said James Balda, president, and CEO of Argentum, a senior living organization. If the bill is passed, the remainder of the Provider Relief Fund would be distributed by March 31st, 2022. READ MORE.
No Surprises Act Forms Ambulance Committee
A new committee will be delivering guidance to federal agencies on steps for reducing medical bills related to exorbitant ground transport costs in healthcare. The Ground Ambulance and Patient Billing Advisory Committee will release a report of its recommendations after it concludes its meeting period.
“With today’s new advisory committee announcement, we will have the opportunity to engage with partners, experts, and others, to better assess the issue of surprise medical billing tied to ambulance trips and work to better protect patients,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Beccara. Committee members will be self-nominated and their report will be used to inform lawmakers who are constructing the No Surprises Act. READ MORE.
CMS Rule Requires Data Sharing for Drug Spending
Group and individual health insurance plans will now need to release their prescription drug payment information according to the No Surprises Act. Starting in December, insurers will share data with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a part of the interim final rule. In the future, data on drug pricing will be sent to HHS annually every June. Officials expect to use the data to better understand how prescription drugs influence insurance premiums. READ MORE.
CURES 2.0 Would Expand Telehealth
Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP beneficiaries would benefit from increased telehealth access if the proposed CURES 2.0 bill passes. The bill’s main components would assure that Medicare patients have access to breakthrough technologies and that the HHS secretary has the power to expand telehealth services. CURES 2.0 also calls for a nationwide investigation into the effects of long COVID. READ MORE.
Lawmakers Accuse Nursing Agencies of Price Gouging
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is requesting an investigation into the conduct of certain nurse staffing agencies that are suspected of price gouging. “We urge you to ensure that this matter gets the attention from the federal government it merits to protect patients in dire need of life-saving health care treatment and prevent conduct that is exacerbating the shortage of nurses and continuing to strain our health care system. We look forward to your response,” wrote the congress members in a letter to the White House. READ MORE.
FDA Approves Treatment for Dwarfism
The FDA has approved a Voxzogo injection for children with achondroplasia and open epiphyses. The new type of therapy promotes bone growth in children afflicted with common forms of dwarfism. Clinical trials showed that children treated with the injection grew around 1.5 centimeters taller than their counterparts who received a placebo. The FDA’s director of general endocrinology, Theresa Kehoe, commented: “Today’s approval fulfills an unmet medical need for more than 10,000 children in the United States and underscores the FDA’s commitment to helping make new therapies available for rare diseases.” READ MORE.
