Lawmakers preparing response to CMS Part B changes
Republicans in the House and Senate plan to send letters this week to Andy Slavitt, acting CMS administrator, urging him to withdraw proposed changes to reimbursement for drugs administered under Medicare Part B. Democrats have resisted intense lobbying from oncologists and the pharmaceutical industry to sign the letters. House and Senate Democrats are considering sending a letter expressing concerns about the proposed rule, but stopping short of requesting its withdrawal.
The lack of Democratic support for withdrawal is important because the Obama administration has shrugged off partisan efforts to derail healthcare regulations, but has been responsive to bipartisan complaints about proposed CMS policies. In 2014, bipartisan opposition led CMS to back off from a proposal to eliminate two protected classes for which Part D plans must provide substantially all approved drugs (see BioCentury Extra, May 19, 2014). ...