VIZIENT, INC. for VIZIENT INC

Medicare/Medicaid MMM

Accountable Care Organizations - tracked the release of regulations establishing the Medicare Shared Savings Program and similar efforts through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovations. Advocated for a flexible approach that would allow hospitals greater opportunities to develop ACOs and share in savings generated through care coordination. House Budget Resolution - monitored proposals that would move the traditional Medicare program to a premium-support model and shift Medicaid funding to block-grants in place of traditional state matching funding. Deficit Reduction Efforts - tracked various proposals from the House and Senate aimed at reducing the deficit. Opposed efforts to reduce hospital payments. Independent Payment Advisory Board (S. 668, H.R. 452) - Supported legislation that would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board.

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

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

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

Not-For-Profit Hospital Tax Exemption - Monitored efforts to expand tax-exempt hospital reporting obligations stemming from the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Tracked IRS proposals requiring expanded reporting on the IRS Form 990 Schedule H and advocated for policies that would not increase the reporting burden for hospitals.

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

Health Issues HCR

Hospital Group Purchasing - conducted education and outreach on value of hospital group purchasing organizations. Advocated in support of proposals that would provide greater transparency in the pricing of medical devices. Partnership for Patients - engaged in efforts to support that national patient safety initiative and endorsed the efforts to improve patient safety. Health Care Information Technology - opposed regulations stemming from the HITECH Act that would require cumbersome accounting for disclosure requirements. S. 296 - monitored legislation that would require drug manufacturers to report to the FDA on potential drug shortages. Unique Device Identification - advocated for the release of regulations from the FDA establishing a unique device identification system as required under the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007. 340B (of the Public Health Services Act) Drug Pricing Program - Monitored proposals to expand the 340B program to inpatient hospitals.

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

Bills named: S. 296 (112th)