McDermott+

Last Wednesday, the Supreme Court issued its long-awaited Opinion in the Medicare 340B payment cut case (AHA v. Becerra). The Court found that HHS's 340B drug payment cuts in 2018 and 2019 were unlawful and sent the case back to the D.C. District Court for further deliberations. Emily Cook and Rodney Whitlock visit this week to explain how this decision impacts 340B hospitals and what litigation remains surrounding the payment cut.

Democrats in the House are planning for action this week on several healthcare-related bills. With four days on the calendar and only a few days before Congress takes a two-week recess, Debbie Curtis and Rodney Whitlock connect to cover what's ahead in the short time remaining before the August break.

On Sunday, a bipartisan group of Senators announced a framework for federal gun control legislation. As the details of this deal continue to emerge this week, Debbie Curtis and Rodney Whitlock speak about the process of developing action into legislation and the critical role healthcare will play in this meaningful bill.

The Senate bipartisan gun violence prevention framework and continued Senate HELP Committee work on User Fees is the primary focus this week on The Hill. Debbie Curtis and Rodney Whitlock team up to explore the week ahead in the Senate.

The House passed the User Fee Acts legislation last night (Wednesday) by a vote of 392-28. Now, it is headed to the Senate, where the HELP Committee is scheduled to consider its UFA proposal next Tuesday. Debbie Curtis, Amy Kelbick and Rodney Whitlock discuss this must-pass legislation.

The House returns to session this week, as Congress looks to address multiple legislative issues ahead of the August recess. Amy Kelbick and Rodney Whitlock team up this week to preview what's ahead on The Hill.

Congress created the 340B Program in 1992 to address drug prices. Since then, a flurry of lawsuits covering many different drug categories and cases have been filed connected to 340B challenges. Emily Cook and Rodney Whitlock visit to discuss the variety of stakeholders in the healthcare space following this issue, creating the need for our just released 304B Litigation Tracker that routinely monitors legal action and decisions. Show links... To learn more about the McDermottPlus 340B Litigation Tool, click here... https://www.mcdermottplus.com/340b-tracker-tool-registration/

This week the House is out while the Senate is in. Next week, both bodies are out over the Memorial Day Weekend break. Debbie Curtis and Rodney Whitlock look over what legislative items will be a priority this summer on The Hill.

In February, CMS announced a redesign of the Global and Professional Direct Contracting Model for 2023. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation also released an RFA to solicit a cohort of participants for the new version of Direct Contraction, the ACO REACH Model. Aisha Pittman and Mara McDermott discuss how the renamed model better aligns with the purpose of encouraging providers to coordinate care to people with Medicare and better reach participants in underserved communities.

In April, HHS extended the public health emergency (PHE) declaration through July 15 and has said it would give states and health providers 60 days' notice before it ends. Debbie Curtis and Rodney Whitlock evaluate the Biden Administration's decision this week on extending the COVID-19 PHE.