Federal Legislation
For more complete information on issues and pending legislation visit the AOA Washington Office website .
CMS Issues Proposed Rule on Physician Financial Relationships
Supreme Court Sets Schedule To Review Health Reform Law
OIG Releases Fraud and Abuse Compliance Videos
AACOM Urges Super Committee to Fund GME
AOA Signs Letter Opposing H.R. 2092
AOA Writes Congress Opposing H.R. 2140
White House Releases Plan to Combat Drug Abuse
OOA Buses 50 OU-COM Students To DO Day On The Hill
CMS Releases Proposed Rules for Accountable Care Organizations
Take Action: Urge Congress To Repeal the IPAB
CMS Releases Draft Work Program For QIO's
AOA Comments on Stage Two of Meaningful Use
FTC Issues Red Flag Rule Regarding Identity Theft
FAQ Helps Physicians Understand Rule
On November 9, 2007, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published its Red Flag rule concerning identity theft. Under the rule, financial institutions and creditors are required to develop and implement a written identity theft program to identify, detect, and respond to possible risks of identity theft relevant to them.
OOA Leaders Meet with Elected Officials
The OOA has been meeting with elected state and federal officials to discuss health care reform.
Proposed Rule on E-Prescribing for Controlled Substances
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has released its proposed rule on electronic prescriptions for controlled substances with comments due on September 25. It is intended to be consistent with the Medicare Part D e-prescribing regulations. The focus is on standards to provide safeguards against the diversion of controlled substances.
Important Education Legislation
On June 30th, the President signed into law the temporary extension of the Higher Education Act of 1965. The articles included in the act have been extended through July 31st. This extension marks the second short-term extension this year. The fate of the act remains uncertain; however, it is highly unlikely the legislation will not continue to be reauthorized.
Physician Quality Reporting in 2009
As part of the 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) made proposals concerning the Physicians Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). CMS is required by law to use a rulemaking process to select quality measures for the 2009 PQRI, as well as establish for 2009 alternative reporting criteria and alternative reporting periods for reporting of measures groups and for registry-based reporting.
Health Information Technology Legislation Advances
On June 25th the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health approved the "Protecting Records, Optimizing Treatment, and Easing Communication through Healthcare Technology Act of 2008" (H.R. 6357). H.R. 6357 was originally introduced by Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) and Ranking Member Joe Barton (R-TX). The bipartisan bill is a combination of elements from legislation previously introduced by various Representatives in the 109th and 110th Congresses. Prior to introduction of the final bill, Chairman Dingell held a hearing that provided stakeholder groups with the opportunity to voice feedback on the legislation.
Advocacy Over August
From August 11th through September 5th, Members of Congress will be returning to their districts from Washington for the August recess. This is an excellent opportunity to meet your elected representatives face-to-face and to develop a constituent relationship.
Federal HIT Plan Released
In June, the ONC Coordinated Health Information Technology Strategic Plan was released. The plan brings together all federal health information technology (HIT) efforts and will guide federal HIT advancement for the next five years.
2008 Election Summary
Election Day 2008 is less than four months away, and campaigns are gearing up for the fall campaign season. While most focus will be on the Presidential election, there are also thirty-five races in the U.S. Senate, as well as all 435 seats of the House of Representatives.
HHS Announces Medicaid GME Moratorium
CMS Releases 2009 Medicare Proposed Rule
Historic Physician Payment Legislation Enacted into Law
April 1 Effective Date for Certain Rx Written on Tamper-Resistant Pads
The new federal law requires all non-electronic prescriptions for Medicaid patients to be written on tamper-resistant pads.
