ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGES for ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGES

Copyright/Patent/Trademark CPT

H.R. 3309, Innovation Act S. 1720, Patent Transparency of Improvements Act of 2013 S. 1013, Patent Abuse Reduction Act of 2013 S. 1612, Patent Litigation Integrity Act of 2013S. 866, Patent Quality Improvement Act of 2013 Issues: Support increased protections for institutions of higher education against patent trolls. Oppose joinder and fee shifting provisions. H.R. 3349, Innovation Protection Act Issue: Provide reliable funding for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office H.R. 2981, Technology and Research Accelerating National Security and Future Economic Resiliency (TRANSFER) Act of 2013 Issue: Build upon the current Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program by creating grant opportunities for proof-of-concept research and other innovative technology transfer activities at universities. Draft legislation to clarify publishing grace-period under the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (P.L. 11229). Submitted comments to: The United States Patent on Trademark Office (USPTO) on requiring identification of attributable owner.

Contacted: Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); SENATE; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Interior, Dept of (DOI); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; White House Office; Federal Reserve System; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Patent & Trademark Office (PTO); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH)

Bills named: H.R. 3349 (113th), H.R. 3309 (113th), S. 1720 (113th), S. 1612 (113th), S. 1013 (113th), H.R. 2981 (113th)

Veterans VET

Draft House and Senate, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015, Title II President's Budget FY 2015 Issue: Support funding for Veterans Affairs medical research, research infrastructure, and health care.H.R. 4951, Doctors Helping Heroes Act Issue: Recruting foreign physicians with U.S. training to the VA H.R. 4942, Underserved Veterans Access to Health Care Act Issue: Increasing funding for VA GME and Medicare GME. S. 2450, Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act H.R. 4810, Veteran Access to Care Act Issue: Addressing VA backlogs by increasing care for veterans provided by non-VA facilities. Submitted comments to: Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology on the inclusion of military service criteria in certified Electronic Health Records (EHRs).

Contacted: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Federal Reserve System; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); White House Office; Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); SENATE; Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Patent & Trademark Office (PTO); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Interior, Dept of (DOI)

Bills named: H.R. 4942 (113th), H.R. 4810 (113th), S. 2450 (113th), H.R. 4951 (113th)

Medical/Disease Research/Clinical Labs MED

Draft House and Senate, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015, Title II President's Budget FY 2015 Issues: Support funding for Veterans Affairs medical research and research infrastructure.Issue: Support the use of animals in medical research. P.L. 113-5, Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act Issue: Complete reauthorization of preparedness legislation. Issue: Oppose discretionary spending cuts through sequestration, including NIH and other science programs. Issue: Funding for pandemic preparedness and biodefense programs Issue: Draft legislation on protections for human subjects in research Draft House and Senate Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015, Title II President's Budget, FY 2015 Issues: Support funding for National Institutes of Health (NIH), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), biodefense and public health preparedness programs, and CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) and the Prevention Epicenters Program. Maintain NIH salary cap at Executive Level II. Encourage the highest possible allocation for the Labor-HHS Subcommittee. S. 1552, Next Generation Research Act Issue: Support National Institutes of Health programs for new and young scientists. S. 2115, American Cures Act H.R. 4384, America HEALS ACT Issue: Support establishment of a fund to provide for an expanded and sustained investment in biomedical research. Draft Accelerating Biomedical Research Act Issue: To increase discretionary spending cap to increase funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). H.R. 4879, Research for All Act Issues: Support inclusion of male and female cells, tissues and animals in Basic Biomedical Research. Support update of National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines to increase participation of women in clinical trials. Submitted comments to: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on engagement and inclusion.

Contacted: Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); SENATE; Interior, Dept of (DOI); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; White House Office; Federal Reserve System; Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Patent & Trademark Office (PTO); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)

Bills named: S. 1552 (113th), H.R. 4384 (113th), S. 2115 (113th), H.R. 4879 (113th)

Science/Technology SCI

Draft House and Senate, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015, Title II President's Budget FY 2015 Issues: Support funding for Veterans Affairs medical research and research infrastructure.Issue: Oppose discretionary spending cuts through sequestration, including NIH and other science programs. Issue: Supporting the use of animals in medical research. P.L. 113-5, Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act. Issue: Complete reauthorization of preparednesss legislation. Issue: Funding for pandemic preparedness and biodefense programs. Issue: Draft legislation on protections for human subjects in research. Draft House and Senate Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015, Title II. President's Budget, FY 2015 Issues: Support funding for National Institutes of Health (NIH), Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ), biodefense and public health preparedness programs, and CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) and the Prevention Epicenters Program. Maintain NIH salary cap at Executive Level II. Encourage the highest possible allocation for the Labor-HHS Subcommittee. S. 1552, Next Generation Research Act Issue: Support National Institutes of Health programs for new and young scientists. S. 2115, American Cures Act H.R. 4384, America HEALS Act Issue: Support establishment of a fund to provide for an expanded and sustained investment in biomedical research. Draft Accelerating Biomedical Research Act Issue: To increase discretionary spending cap to increase funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). H.R. 4879, Research for All Act Issues: Support inclusion of male and female cells, tissues and animals in basic biomedical research. Support update of National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines to increase participation of women in clinical trials. Submitted comments to: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on engagement and inclusion.

Contacted: White House Office; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Interior, Dept of (DOI); Patent & Trademark Office (PTO); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Federal Reserve System; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); SENATE; Agriculture, Dept of (USDA)

Bills named: H.R. 4384 (113th), H.R. 4879 (113th), S. 2115 (113th), S. 1552 (113th)

Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice LAW

No activity

Contacted: Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); White House Office; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Interior, Dept of (DOI); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Federal Reserve System; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); SENATE; Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Patent & Trademark Office (PTO); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Medicare/Medicaid MMM

S. 577, Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2013 H.R. 1180, Resident Physician Shortage Reduction of 2013. Issue: Support lifting the cap on the number of residents Medicare will count when determining teaching hospitals' Medicare Direct Graduate Medical Education and Indirect Medical Education payments.Issue: Implementation and funding for Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program under section 340G of the Public Health Service Act. Issue: Health Insurance Exchanges mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to recognize and not penalize the unique missions of medical schools and teaching hospitals. Issue: Support Medicare physician payment reform. Issue: Oppose reduction in Medicare hospital outpatient department reimbursement. H.R. 487, Primary Care Workforce Access Improvement Act. Issue: Residency training in community-based settings. H.R. 1201, Training Tomorrow's Doctors Today Act Issues: Support lifting cap on number of residents Medicare will count when determining teaching hospitals' Medicare DGME and IME payments and increase GME accountability and transparancy. Issue: Primary Care Workforce Development S. 1555/H.R. 1920, DSH Reduction Relief Act of 2013. Issue: Repeal/delay Medicare/Medicaid DSH Cuts. Issues: President's Budget, FY 2015 Oppose proposed reductions in Medicare Direct Graduate Medical Education (DGME) and Indirect Medical Education (IME) payments; oppose use of Medicare GME funding for creation of new GME grant program. Issue: Oppose inclusion of Medicare add-on payments in Hospitals-Acquired Condition (HAC) reduction program. Issue: Oppose Medicare payment reductions as offsets for non-Medicare spending. S. 2082, Two Midnight Rule Coordination and Improvement Act of 2014 H.R. 3698, Two Midnight Rule Delay Act of 2013 Issue: Support delay of Enforcement of new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services inpatient criteria (e.g., "Two-Midnight" rule) in FY 2014 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) final rule. Issue: Support expanding AAMC member participation in CMMI's state innovation group activities. Issue: Support Medicare Graduate Medical Education (GME) technical corrections and administrative relief. H.R. 4188, Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmissions Program Act S. 2501, Hospital Readmission Accuracy and Accountability Act Issue: Support inclusion of socioeconomic status as part of hospital readmissions program. H.R. 2810/S. 1871, SGR Repeal and Medicare Beneficiary Access Improvement Act of 2013 Issues: Support repeal of Medicares Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula; Medicare physician payment reform. Issue: Draft legislation on educating health profesionals regarding appropriate use of antibiotics. Issue: Support report languague and efforts of HHS agencies to support efforts of urban-based institutions to improve health equity. Issue: Implementation of the 340B drug discount program.H.R. 4302, Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2013. Issues: Support Medicare physician payment relief and extended delay of Medicare's "two-midnights" policy for hospital admissions; support the addition of GME langugue related to establishing Medicare caps and PRA; support delayed implemetation of Medicaid DSH cuts. H.R. 4282, Creating Access to Residency Education Act of 2014 Issue: Create CMS grant program for new residency programs. Issue: Support inclusion of socioeconomic status as part of hospital readmissions program including support for adoption of National Quality Forum (NQF) recommendations. H.R. 3306, Telehealth Enhancement Act of 2013 Issue: Provide incentive for hospitals to lower excess readmissions, recognize telehealth services to address inadequate access to health care. Issue: Support Medicaid expansion advocacy efforts. Issue: Draft legislation on pain education in undergraduate and graduate medical education. S. 2229, Expanding Primary Case Access and Workforce Act Issue: Offer comments on primary care workforce legislation H.R. 4942, Underserved Veterans Access to Health Care Act Issue: Increasing funding for VA GME and Medicare GME. S. 2553/H.R. 4994, Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act of 2014. Issue: Standardization of post-acute care assessment data for quality, payment, and discharge planning. Submitted comments to: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) on Sunshine Act proposed dispute resolution process.

Contacted: Interior, Dept of (DOI); White House Office; Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); SENATE; Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Patent & Trademark Office (PTO); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Federal Reserve System; Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Bills named: H.R. 1180 (113th), H.R. 1201 (113th), S. 2553 (113th), H.R. 4942 (113th), S. 2229 (113th), S. 1871 (113th), S. 1555 (113th), H.R. 2810 (113th), H.R. 3306 (113th), H.R. 1920 (113th), H.R. 4188 (113th), H.R. 4282 (113th), S. 2501 (113th), H.R. 3698 (113th), H.R. 4302 (113th), S. 2082 (113th), S. 577 (113th), H.R. 4994 (113th), H.R. 487 (113th)

Health Issues HCR

Draft House and Senate Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015, Title II President's Budget, FY 2015Issues: Support funding for National Institues of Health (NIH), Title VII and Title VIII health professions and nursing education programs, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education program (CHGME), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), biodefense and public health preparedness programs, and CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) and the Prevention Epicenters Program. Maintain NIH salary cap at Executive Level II. Encourage the highest possible allocation for the Labor-HHS Subcommittee. Draft House and Senate, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015, Title II President's Budget, FY 2015 Issues: Support funding for Veterans Affairs medical research, research infrastructure, and health care. Issue: Funding for Community Health Centers and the National Health Service Corps. Debt in Health Education Loan programs (Debt HELP) bill (draft) Issues: Expand National Health Service Corps State Loan Repayment program, align Department of Education and Health Resources and Services Administration student loan programs. S. 577, Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2013 H.R. 1180, Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2013 Issue: Support lifting the cap on the number of residents Medicare will count when determining teaching hospitals' Medicare Direct Graduate Medical Education and Indirect Medical Education payments. P.L. 111-148, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Title V Issue: Reauthorizing National Health Service Corps Fund. H.R. 487, Primary Care Workforce Access Improvement Act Issue: Residency training in community-based settings. P.L. 111-148, Affordable Care Act, Sections 5503 and 5506 Issue: Redistribution of residency positions. Issue: Implementation of and funding for Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program under section 340G of the Public Health Service Act. H.R. 297/S. 1557, Children's Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act Issue: Support reauthorization of Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (GME). P.L. 113-5, Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2013. Issue: Complete reauthorization of preparedness legislation. Issue: Development and implementation of new Medicare Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) formula required under the Affordable Care Act. H.R. 2810/S. 1871, SGR Repeal and Medicare Beneficiary Access Improvement Act of 2013. Issues: Support repeal of Medicare's sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula; Medicare physician payment reform. Issue: Support the use of animals in medical research. S. 1555/H.R. 1920, DSH Reduction Act of 2013 Issue: Repeal/delay cuts for Medicare and Medicaid DSH. S. 2553/H.R. 4994, Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act of 2014 Issue: Standardization of post-acute care assesment data for quality, payment, and discharge planning.H.R. 1201, Training Tomorrow's Doctors Today Act Issues: Support lifting cap on number of residents Medicare will count when determining teaching hospitals' Medicare Direct Graduate Medical Education (DGME) and Indirect Medical Education (IME) payments and increase Graduate Medical Education (GME) accountability and transparency. Issue: Promote interprofessional education and training of the health care workforce. Issue: Support funding for the National Healthcare Workforce Commission. Issue: Implementation of Health Insurance Exchanges mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to recognize and not penalize the unique missions of medical schools and teaching hospitals. Issue: Oppose reduction in Medicare hospital outpatient department reimbursement. Issue: Oppose discretionary spending cuts through sequestration, including NIH, Titles VII and VIII health professions and nursing education programs, and other science programs. Issue: Support primary care workforce development S. 1759, Teaching Health Center Reauthorization Act Issue: Legislation to reauthorize the Teaching Health Center Program and payments. Issue: Draft legislation on pain education in undergraduate and graduate medical education. S. 1152, The Building A Health Care Workforce for the Future Act Issue: Support bill to increase scholarship opportunities for medical students and encourage primary care workforce development. Issue: Draft legislation to support health equity. Issue: Oppose inclusion of Medicare add-on payments on Hospital-Acquired Condition (HAC) reduction program. H.R. 3698, Two Midnight Rule Delay Act of 2013 S. 2082, Two Midnight Rule Coordination and Improvement Act of 2014 Issue: Support delay of enforcement of new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) inpatient criteria (e.g., "Two-Midnight" rule) in FY 2014 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) final rule. Issue: Support expanding AAMC member participation in CMMI's state innovation group activities. Issue: Support Medicare Graduate Medical Education (GME) technical corrections and administrative relief. Issue: Support inclusion of socioeconomic status as part of hospital readmissions program, including support for adoption of National Quality Forum (NQF) recommendations. H.R. 4188, Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmissions Program Act. S. 2501, Hospital Readmission Accuracy and Accountability Act. Issue: Support inclusion of appropriate SES Risk adjustments in Hospital Readmissions program. Issue: Support graduate medical education (GME) per resident amount and cap trigger technical corrections. President's Budget, FY 2015 Issues: Oppose proposed reductions in Medicare Direct Graduate Medical Education (DGME) and Indirect Medical Education (IME) payments; Oppose use of Medicare GME funding for creation of new GME grant program; oppose elimination ofChildren's Hospitals GME program. Issue: Legislation on educating health profesionals regarding appropriate use of antibiotics. H.R. 4427, Enrich Act Draft Senate legislation Issue: Educating health professionals on nutrition. Issue: Support report languague and efforts of HHS agencies to support efforts of urban-based institutions to improve health equity. Issue: Support ACA consumer outreach and enrollment efforts. Issue: Implementation of the 340B drug discount program. Issue: Oppose Medicare payment reductions as offsets for non-Medicare spending. Issue: Support preservation of funding for the Primary Care Residency Expansion program. S. 2229, Expanding Primary Care Access and Workforce Act Issue: Offer comments on primary care workforce legislation. Issue: Medical education curricula content pertaining to human trafficking. Draft Accelerating Biomedical Research Act Issue: To increase discretionary spending cap to increase funding for the National Instutes of Health (NIH). H.R. 4951, Doctors Helping Heroes Act Issue: Recruiting foreign physicians with U.S. training to the VA H.R. 4942, Underserved Veterans Access to Health Care Act Issue: Support increasing funding for VA GME and Medicare GME. S. 2450, Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparancy Act H.R. 4810, Veteran Access to Care Act Issue: Addressing VA backlogs by increasing care for veterans provided by non-VA facilities. S. 2115, American Cures Act H.R. 4384, America HEALS ACT Issue: Support establishment of a fund to provide an expanded and sustained investment in biomedical research. H.R. 4879, Research for All Act Issues: Support inclusion of male and female cells, tissues and animals in basic biomedical research. Support update of National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines to increase participation of women in clinical trials. Submitted comments to: National Quality Forum (NQF) on sociodemographic/risk adjustment recommendations. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on examining competition in health care. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) on Sunshine Act proposed dispute resolution process. Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology on the inclusion of military service criteria in certified Electronic Health Records (EHRs).

Contacted: Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Federal Reserve System; White House Office; Patent & Trademark Office (PTO); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Interior, Dept of (DOI); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Bills named: S. 2553 (113th), S. 2450 (113th), H.R. 4810 (113th), S. 1759 (113th), H.R. 3698 (113th), H.R. 297 (113th), H.R. 4994 (113th), H.R. 2810 (113th), S. 577 (113th), H.R. 1920 (113th), H.R. 1180 (113th), S. 2082 (113th), S. 1152 (113th), S. 1555 (113th), S. 1557 (113th), H.R. 1201 (113th), S. 2229 (113th), H.R. 4942 (113th), H.R. 487 (113th), H.R. 4427 (113th), H.R. 4879 (113th), H.R. 4188 (113th), S. 2501 (113th), H.R. 4951 (113th), S. 2115 (113th), S. 1871 (113th), H.R. 4384 (113th)

Budget/Appropriations BUD

Draft House and Senate Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015, Title II President's Budget, FY 2015Issues: Support funding for National Institutes of Health (NIH), Title VII and Title VIII health professions and nursing education programs, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education program (CHGME), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), biodefense and public health preparedness programs, and CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) and the Prevention Epicenters Program. Maintain NIH salary cap at Executive Level II. Encourage the highest possible allocation for the Labor-HHS Subcommittee. Draft House and Senate Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015, Title II President's Budget, FY 2015 Issues: Support funding for Veterans Affairs medical research, research infrastructure, and health care. Draft House and Senate Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015, Titles II and III President's Budget, FY 2015 Issues: Support graduate/professional student aid programs. P.L. 111-148, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Title V and Section 10503. Issue: Support funding for Community Health Centers and the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). H.R. 297/S. 1557, Children's Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2013. Issue: Support reauthorization of Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (CHGME). Issue: Funding for the National Health Care Workforce Commission. Issue: Oppose discretionary spending cuts through sequestration, including NIH, Titles VII and VIII health professions and nursing education programs, and other science funding. Issue: Funding for Teaching Health Centers under Section 340H of the Public Health Service Act. Issue: Oppose Medicare payment reductions as offsets for non-Medicare spending. President's Budget, FY 2015 Issues: Oppose proposed reductions in Medicare Direct Graduate Medical Education (DGME) and Indirect Medical Education (IME) payments; oppose use of Medicare GME funding for creation of new GME grant program; oppose elimination of Children's Hospitals GME program. S. 2115, American Cures Act H.R. 4384, America HEALS ACT Issue: Support establishment of a fund to provide for an expanded and sustained investment in biomedical research. Issue: Preserve funding for the Primary Care Residency Expansion program. Issue: Support report languague and efforts of HHS agencies to support efforts of urban-based institutions to improve health equity. Issue: Implementation of HRSA's 340B Drug Pricing Program. S. 2229, Expanding Primary Care Access and Workforce Act. Issue: Offer comments on primary care. Issue: Support expanded VA graduate medical education (GME) funding (in conjunction with expanded Medicare GME support). Draft Accelerating Biomedical Research Act Issue: To increase discretionary spending cap to increase funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).Issue: Educate congressional staff on Academic Medicine's missions including education, research, patient care, GME, workforce, and physician shortage.

Contacted: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Interior, Dept of (DOI); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Federal Reserve System; SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; White House Office; Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Patent & Trademark Office (PTO); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)

Bills named: S. 2229 (113th), H.R. 4384 (113th), H.R. 297 (113th), S. 2115 (113th), S. 1557 (113th)

Government Issues GOV

No activity

Contacted: Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Patent & Trademark Office (PTO); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); White House Office; Federal Reserve System; Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); SENATE; Interior, Dept of (DOI); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA)

Immigration IMM

Issues: Permantly reauthorize and expand the J-1 visa waiver program for physicians. Improve the H-1b and National Interest waiver. Exempt Graduate Medical Education (GME) from additional H-1b regulations and fees.H.R. 4951, Doctors Helping Heroes Act Issue: Recruiting foreign physicians with U.S. training to the VA.

Contacted: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Patent & Trademark Office (PTO); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Interior, Dept of (DOI); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); SENATE; Federal Reserve System; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); White House Office

Bills named: H.R. 4951 (113th)

Education EDU

Draft House and Senate Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015, Titles II and III. President's Budget, FY 2015 Issues: Support graduate/professional student aid programs; Protect uncapped Public Service Loan Forgiveness.Debt in Health Education Loan Programs (Debt HELP) bill proposal (draft) Issues: Expand National Health Service Corps State Loan Repayment program, and align Department of Education and Health Resources and Services Administration student loan programs. Draft Tax Reform Act of 2014 Issue: Taxability of Federal loan repayment programs. Higher education and student aid tax benefits. Higher Education Act Reauthorization Draft Higher Education Affordability Act (HEAA) Draft Empowering Students through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act Draft Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act Draft Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act Draft Financial Aid Simplification and Transparency Act of 2014 (FAST Act) H.R. 1716, Earnings Contingent Education Loans Act of 2013 Issues: Decrease Stafford loan interest rates for medical students; retain graduate/professional student loan benefits. Support transparency for U.S. and international medical schools. S. 1822, Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act of 2013 Issue: Transparency for U.S. and foreign medical schools.

Contacted: SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); Federal Reserve System; White House Office; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Patent & Trademark Office (PTO); Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Interior, Dept of (DOI)

Bills named: H.R. 1716 (113th), S. 1822 (113th)

Animals ANI

Issue: Support the use of animals in medical research.

Contacted: White House Office; Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ); SENATE; Federal Reserve System; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Interior, Dept of (DOI); Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Natl Institutes of Health (NIH); Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA); Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Patent & Trademark Office (PTO)