Another amendment that would prevent the federal government from using certain data for comparative effectiveness data research.
The amendment and vote:
KYL-ROBERTS-CRAPO-CORNYN AMENDMENT #D8 America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009
Short Title: The PATIENTS Act Description: The amendment would add
the “Preserving Access to Targeted, Individualized, and Effective New
Treatments and Services (PATIENTS) Act of 2009” (S.1259).
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Preserving Access to Targeted,
Individualized, and Effective New Treatments and Services (PATIENTS)
Act of 2009' or the `PATIENTS Act of 2009'.
SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN USES OF DATA OBTAINED FROM COMPARATIVE
EFFECTIVENESS RESEARCH; ACCOUNTING FOR PERSONALIZED MEDICINE AND
DIFFERENCES IN PATIENT TREATMENT RESPONSE.
(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Secretary of Health and Human Services--
(1) shall not use data obtained from the conduct of comparative
effectiveness research, including such research that is conducted or
supported using funds appropriated under the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5), to deny coverage of an
item or service under a Federal health care program (as defined in
section 1128B(f) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(f)));
and
(2) shall ensure that comparative effectiveness research conducted or
supported by the Federal Government accounts for factors contributing
to differences in the treatment response and treatment preferences of
patients, including patient-reported outcomes, genomics and
personalized medicine, the unique needs of health disparity
populations, and indirect patient benefits.
(b) Rule of Construction- Nothing in this section shall be construed
as affecting the authority of the Commissioner of Food and Drugs under
the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or the Public Health Service
Act.
Offset: None
Republicans
CHUCK GRASSLEY -yes
ORRIN G. HATCH -yes
OLYMPIA J. SNOWE- yes
JON KYL -yes
JIM BUNNING -yes
MIKE CRAPO -yes
PAT ROBERTS -yes
JOHN ENSIGN -yes
MIKE ENZI -yes
JOHN CORNYN -yes
Democrats
MAX BAUCUS -no
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER -no
KENT CONRAD -no
JEFF BINGAMAN -no
JOHN F. KERRY -no
BLANCHE L. LINCOLN -no
RON WYDEN -no
CHARLES E. SCHUMER -no
DEBBIE STABENOW -no
MARIA CANTWELL -no
BILL NELSON -no
ROBERT MENENDEZ -no
THOMAS CARPER -no
Not Agreed to (10-13)
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
2nd Public Option Senate Finance Amendment Dead
The second shot at a public health insurance option died in the Senate Finance Committee. It was offered by Senate Chuck Schumer (D-NY):
Schumer Amendment #C1 to Title I, Subtitle E-
Short Title: Level Playing Field Public Option
Description of Amendment:
Strike Title I, Subtitle E, Health Care Cooperatives and replace with a national ―level playing field‖ public health insurance option with negotiated reimbursement rates to enhance competition for consumers within the Exchange.
The new national level playing field public option must adhere to the same rules (actuarial reporting, community rating and guaranteed issue) as all other plans in the Exchange and must be self-sustaining with premiums and copayments covering claims. Like private plans, the ―level playing field‖ public option would also be required to establish a reserve fund. Aside from covering some initial start-up costs, general revenues or annual appropriations may not support the ongoing operation of the plan.
The government must not use existing programs like Medicare as a stick to compel providers to participate in the public option. Instead, doctors and hospitals should be able to voluntarily opt-in to participate in the public option.
Offset:
Increase annual fee on for-profit health insurance providers by amount necessary to offset the increase in spending.
Republicans
CHUCK GRASSLEY -no
ORRIN G. HATCH -no
OLYMPIA J. SNOWE -no
JON KYL -no
JIM BUNNING -no
MIKE CRAPO -no
PAT ROBERTS -no
JOHN ENSIGN -no
MIKE ENZI -no
JOHN CORNYN -no
Democrats
MAX BAUCUS -no
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER -yes
KENT CONRAD -no
JEFF BINGAMAN -yes
JOHN F. KERRY -yes
BLANCHE L. LINCOLN -no
RON WYDEN -yes
CHARLES E. SCHUMER -yes
DEBBIE STABENOW -yes
MARIA CANTWELL -yes
BILL NELSON -yes
ROBERT MENENDEZ -yes
THOMAS CARPER -yes
Not Agreed to (13-10)
Schumer Amendment #C1 to Title I, Subtitle E-
Short Title: Level Playing Field Public Option
Description of Amendment:
Strike Title I, Subtitle E, Health Care Cooperatives and replace with a national ―level playing field‖ public health insurance option with negotiated reimbursement rates to enhance competition for consumers within the Exchange.
The new national level playing field public option must adhere to the same rules (actuarial reporting, community rating and guaranteed issue) as all other plans in the Exchange and must be self-sustaining with premiums and copayments covering claims. Like private plans, the ―level playing field‖ public option would also be required to establish a reserve fund. Aside from covering some initial start-up costs, general revenues or annual appropriations may not support the ongoing operation of the plan.
The government must not use existing programs like Medicare as a stick to compel providers to participate in the public option. Instead, doctors and hospitals should be able to voluntarily opt-in to participate in the public option.
Offset:
Increase annual fee on for-profit health insurance providers by amount necessary to offset the increase in spending.
Republicans
CHUCK GRASSLEY -no
ORRIN G. HATCH -no
OLYMPIA J. SNOWE -no
JON KYL -no
JIM BUNNING -no
MIKE CRAPO -no
PAT ROBERTS -no
JOHN ENSIGN -no
MIKE ENZI -no
JOHN CORNYN -no
Democrats
MAX BAUCUS -no
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER -yes
KENT CONRAD -no
JEFF BINGAMAN -yes
JOHN F. KERRY -yes
BLANCHE L. LINCOLN -no
RON WYDEN -yes
CHARLES E. SCHUMER -yes
DEBBIE STABENOW -yes
MARIA CANTWELL -yes
BILL NELSON -yes
ROBERT MENENDEZ -yes
THOMAS CARPER -yes
Not Agreed to (13-10)
1st Public Option Amendment in Senate Finance Committee Dead
The first public health insurance option offered in the Senate Finance Committee died. This was offered by Senate Jay Rockefeller (D-WV).
The details:
Rockefeller Amendment #C6 to Title I, Subtitle C (Making Coverage Affordable)
Short Title: Consumers Health Care Act (S. 1278), as modified
Description of Amendment:
This amendment would add a strong public health insurance option, the Consumer Choice Health Plan (CCHP), to the exchange to compete directly with private plans. Like private health plans, CCHP would be offered to all individuals and businesses purchasing health insurance through the national health insurance exchange. To guarantee plan availability nationwide, public program provider networks will be used.
The Consumer Choice Health Plan will be financially self-sustaining (subject to an annual third party audit). The plan administrator will establish and fund a contingency reserve for CCHP in a manner similar to that of the contingency reserve established by OPM for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan. Funds to operate the plan shall be derived from premiums for individuals enrolled under the plan.
To help enrollees afford the cost of coverage, the same premium subsidies would be provided to enrollees in CCHP as those offered to consumers enrolled in private health plans. Any additional revenue gained under this public plan option would be reinvested in CCHP in the form of reduced premiums and cost-sharing or increased benefits.
At a minimum, the Consumer Choice Health Plan would be required to follow the same insurance regulations as private plans operating in the exchange. CCHP would also be required to offer the same type of plans as private plans participating in the exchange. Minimum benefit requirements for children would be based on the pediatric care guidelines provided by Bright Futures, which offers evidenced-based direction on the provision of well-child and other primary health care services. The provider payment rates for the first two years of CCHP would be based on Medicare provider payment rates, including new delivery models enacted as part of health reform. For subsequent plan years beyond the first two years, CCHP would be required to determine competitive provider payment rates based on public and private best practices, integrated models of care delivery (such as medical home and chronic care coordination), evidence-based practices, quality improvement, and the use of health information technology.
This amendment would also establish America‘s Health Insurance Trust to give consumers a voice in health insurance oversight. This nonprofit, consumer-driven organization will evaluate and give ratings to all health insurance products offered through the national health insurance exchange based on factors such as affordability, adequacy, transparency, consumer satisfaction, provider satisfaction, and quality.
The CCHP shall not include abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, or the life of the mother. It also prohibits the expenditure of Federal funding for abortion and it requires the segregation of funds to ensure that no Federal dollars pay for abortions.
Republicans
CHUCK GRASSLEY -no
ORRIN G. HATCH -no
OLYMPIA J. SNOWE -no
JON KYL -no
JIM BUNNING -no
MIKE CRAPO -no
PAT ROBERTS -no
JOHN ENSIGN -no
MIKE ENZI -no
JOHN CORNYN -no
Democrats
MAX BAUCUS -no
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER -yes
KENT CONRAD -no
JEFF BINGAMAN -yes
JOHN F. KERRY -yes
BLANCHE L. LINCOLN -no
RON WYDEN -yes
CHARLES E. SCHUMER -yes
DEBBIE STABENOW -yes
MARIA CANTWELL -yes
BILL NELSON -no
ROBERT MENENDEZ -yes
THOMAS CARPER -no
Not Agreed to (15-8)
The details:
Rockefeller Amendment #C6 to Title I, Subtitle C (Making Coverage Affordable)
Short Title: Consumers Health Care Act (S. 1278), as modified
Description of Amendment:
This amendment would add a strong public health insurance option, the Consumer Choice Health Plan (CCHP), to the exchange to compete directly with private plans. Like private health plans, CCHP would be offered to all individuals and businesses purchasing health insurance through the national health insurance exchange. To guarantee plan availability nationwide, public program provider networks will be used.
The Consumer Choice Health Plan will be financially self-sustaining (subject to an annual third party audit). The plan administrator will establish and fund a contingency reserve for CCHP in a manner similar to that of the contingency reserve established by OPM for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan. Funds to operate the plan shall be derived from premiums for individuals enrolled under the plan.
To help enrollees afford the cost of coverage, the same premium subsidies would be provided to enrollees in CCHP as those offered to consumers enrolled in private health plans. Any additional revenue gained under this public plan option would be reinvested in CCHP in the form of reduced premiums and cost-sharing or increased benefits.
At a minimum, the Consumer Choice Health Plan would be required to follow the same insurance regulations as private plans operating in the exchange. CCHP would also be required to offer the same type of plans as private plans participating in the exchange. Minimum benefit requirements for children would be based on the pediatric care guidelines provided by Bright Futures, which offers evidenced-based direction on the provision of well-child and other primary health care services. The provider payment rates for the first two years of CCHP would be based on Medicare provider payment rates, including new delivery models enacted as part of health reform. For subsequent plan years beyond the first two years, CCHP would be required to determine competitive provider payment rates based on public and private best practices, integrated models of care delivery (such as medical home and chronic care coordination), evidence-based practices, quality improvement, and the use of health information technology.
This amendment would also establish America‘s Health Insurance Trust to give consumers a voice in health insurance oversight. This nonprofit, consumer-driven organization will evaluate and give ratings to all health insurance products offered through the national health insurance exchange based on factors such as affordability, adequacy, transparency, consumer satisfaction, provider satisfaction, and quality.
The CCHP shall not include abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, or the life of the mother. It also prohibits the expenditure of Federal funding for abortion and it requires the segregation of funds to ensure that no Federal dollars pay for abortions.
Republicans
CHUCK GRASSLEY -no
ORRIN G. HATCH -no
OLYMPIA J. SNOWE -no
JON KYL -no
JIM BUNNING -no
MIKE CRAPO -no
PAT ROBERTS -no
JOHN ENSIGN -no
MIKE ENZI -no
JOHN CORNYN -no
Democrats
MAX BAUCUS -no
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER -yes
KENT CONRAD -no
JEFF BINGAMAN -yes
JOHN F. KERRY -yes
BLANCHE L. LINCOLN -no
RON WYDEN -yes
CHARLES E. SCHUMER -yes
DEBBIE STABENOW -yes
MARIA CANTWELL -yes
BILL NELSON -no
ROBERT MENENDEZ -yes
THOMAS CARPER -no
Not Agreed to (15-8)
Patient-Centered Outcomes Amendment Fails in Senate Finance Committee
Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) offered an amendment to strike the patient-centered outcomes program in the Senate Finance health care overhaul bill. It failed on a mostly party-line vote (Olympia Snowe defected).
Roberts Amendment # D4 to Title III, Subtitle F, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Act of 2009
Short Title: To protect patients and doctors
Description of Amendment: Strike Title III, Subtitle F, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Act of 2009
COST: $0
OFFSET: n/a
Republicans
CHUCK GRASSLEY -yes
ORRIN G. HATCH -yes
OLYMPIA J. SNOWE -no
JON KYL -yes
JIM BUNNING -yes
MIKE CRAPO -yes
PAT ROBERTS -yes
JOHN ENSIGN -yes
MIKE ENZI -yes
JOHN CORNYN -yes
Democrats
MAX BAUCUS -no
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER -no
KENT CONRAD -no
JEFF BINGAMAN -no
JOHN F. KERRY -no
BLANCHE L. LINCOLN -no
RON WYDEN -no
CHARLES E. SCHUMER -no
DEBBIE STABENOW -no
MARIA CANTWELL -no
BILL NELSON -no
ROBERT MENENDEZ -no
THOMAS CARPER -no
Not Agreed to (9-14)
Roberts Amendment # D4 to Title III, Subtitle F, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Act of 2009
Short Title: To protect patients and doctors
Description of Amendment: Strike Title III, Subtitle F, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Act of 2009
COST: $0
OFFSET: n/a
Republicans
CHUCK GRASSLEY -yes
ORRIN G. HATCH -yes
OLYMPIA J. SNOWE -no
JON KYL -yes
JIM BUNNING -yes
MIKE CRAPO -yes
PAT ROBERTS -yes
JOHN ENSIGN -yes
MIKE ENZI -yes
JOHN CORNYN -yes
Democrats
MAX BAUCUS -no
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER -no
KENT CONRAD -no
JEFF BINGAMAN -no
JOHN F. KERRY -no
BLANCHE L. LINCOLN -no
RON WYDEN -no
CHARLES E. SCHUMER -no
DEBBIE STABENOW -no
MARIA CANTWELL -no
BILL NELSON -no
ROBERT MENENDEZ -no
THOMAS CARPER -no
Not Agreed to (9-14)
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Cardiologists' Overhead Going Up According to MedAxiom
A study by MedAxiom found that cardiologists' overhead came in at a new high of $710,000 in 2008. Office visits to cardiologists increased by 12 percent and return visits by patients increased 34 percent. Cardiologists tended to perform at least one echocardiography test per day in 2008. That's a 43 percent increase over the number of echocardiograms performed five years ago.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
ER Waiting Times Now Online
In a response to consumer demand, several hospitals are now posting ER waiting times online. Part of this could be due to the new competition coming from free-standing ERs.
More from The Hartford Courant: http://tinyurl.com/qg2mhs
More from The Hartford Courant: http://tinyurl.com/qg2mhs
Upcoming MedPAC Meeting - Fast Medicare Growth
MedPAC will be meeting later this week in Washington. The two most interesting panels on Friday will be:
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Comparative effectiveness: physician perspectives and ongoing initiatives
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Episodes that account for the greatest share of Medicare spending and fastest growth
More to follow.
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Comparative effectiveness: physician perspectives and ongoing initiatives
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Episodes that account for the greatest share of Medicare spending and fastest growth
More to follow.
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