VIZIENT, INC. for VIZIENT INC

Health Issues HCR

Select Committee on Deficit Reduction - monitored the selection and the activity of the Joint Select Committee under the Budget Control Act. Hospital Group Purchasing - Education and outreach efforts on the value of group purchasing for hospitals. Advocated in support of proposals to provide greater transparency in the pricing of medical devices. Unique Device Identification - Advocated for the release regulations creating a unique device identification system for medical devices as required under the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007. Independent Payment Advisory Board (S. 668, H.R. 452) - Supported legislation that would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board. Partnership for Patients - engaged in supporting the national patient safety initiative through the Partnership for Patients. Drug Shortage (S. 296, H.R. 2245) - Supported legislative efforts aimed at preventing ongoing issues with the shortage of prescription drugs. Monitored efforts from the Food and Drug Administration to address the problem. 340 B (of the Public Health Services Act) Drug Pricing Program - Monitored proposals to extend the drug discount program to inpatient hospitals.

Contacted: SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

Bills named: S. 668 (112th), H.R. 2245 (112th), S. 296 (112th), H.R. 452 (112th)

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

Not-for-profit hospital community benefit - Tracked IRS proposals to implement new requirements for tax-exempt hospitals under the Affordable Care Act. Opposed prescriptive requirements that would greatly expand reporting obligations on the Form 990 Schedule H. Monitored proposed guidance from the IRS regarding community health needs assessment requirements for tax-exempt hospitals.

Contacted: Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

Medicare/Medicaid MMM

Budget Control Act (S. 365) - Monitored the negotiations to raise the statutory debt ceiling. Opposed deficit reduction proposals that would have made cuts to hospital reimbursements. Raised opposition to possible cuts to Medicare and Medicaid payments to hospitals. Opposed specific cuts to hospital Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement through reductions to indirect medical education and Medicare bad debt payments. Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction - Monitored recommendations being made to the Joint Select Committee for impact on hospital reimbursement and patient access to care. Raised opposition to similar cuts to Medicare and Medicaid hospital reimbursement discussed during debt ceiling debate.

Contacted: Food & Drug Administration (FDA); SENATE; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: S. 365 (112th)