VIZIENT, INC. for VIZIENT INC

Medicare/Medicaid MMM

Hospital Financial Challenges - highlighted ongoing financial challenges facing hospitals with stagnant reimbursement, inflation and increased staffing costs. Medicaid Disproportionate Hospital (DSH) payment cuts - Urged Congress to avoid Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payment cuts that are scheduled to take effect in FY 2024. Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education - Endorsed passage of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (H.R. 2389). Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization - Raised concerns about the use of prior authorization and other utilization management techniques employed by Medicare Advantage organizations. Medicare Home Infusion - Supported efforts to improve the Medicare Home Infusion benefit and monitored the development of updated legislation. Medicare Reimbursement Reductions for 340B Drugs - Urged CMS to restore lost Medicare reimbursement for 340B drugs that was found unlawful by the Supreme Court without delay in a way that would not increase provider burden by requiring resubmission of previous claims.

Contacted: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE

Bills named: H.R. 2389 (118th)

Health Issues HCR

Hospital Group Purchasing - Advocated to highlight the value that hospital group purchasing organizations provide to hospitals and suppliers. Provided education on how GPOs work and the role they play in delivering value to healthcare providers. Pandemic and All Hazard Preparedness Act - Supported including provisions in the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act that would provide greater authority to require reporting of geographic locations for sourcing of critical materials, active pharmaceutical ingredients, manufacturing, sterilization and finishing of critical medical products. Advocated for policies that would improve hospital and health system emergency preparedness. Supported improvements in transparency for the Strategic National Stockpile, greater government engagement with private sector stakeholders, automated reporting and reduced administrative burden for providers in emergencies and urged steps to support greater supply chain resilience. 340B Drug Pricing Program - continued to urge action to ensure covered entities have access to 340B discounted prices through contract pharmacies. Highlighted critical importance of the 340B program for hospitals. Healthcare Workforce - continued to highlight the need to improve healthcare staffing through investments and reauthorization of critical workforce programs, expanding access to unused visas for healthcare workers, review of staffing agency activities during the COVID-19 pandemic and improving workforce safety through enhanced penalties for workplace violence. Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) - Offered support for providing $738 million in funding the CHGME program. Telehealth - Continued to advocate for the adoption of permanent telehealth policies that would extend flexibilities offered during the declared public health emergency and beyond the current 2024 expiration date.

Contacted: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); SENATE; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)

Tariff (miscellaneous tariff bills) TAR

Sec. 301 China Tariffs - Continued to advocate for clarity around the expiration of tariff exclusions for products necessary to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported extending exclusions for key healthcare products.

Contacted: U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

Not-for-Profit Hospital Tax-exemption - Provided education and information on hospital tax exemption and what is required to justify and maintain tax-exempt status.

Contacted: SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES