Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
White House Draft Plan For Lowering Medicare Drug Prices Could Shake Up Vendor System
Modern Healthcare: Trump Outpatient Drug Plan May Depend On Upending Buy-And-Bill System
The Trump administration could move forward with a policy that ties Medicare payments for outpatient drugs to foreign prices by upending the buy-and-bill payment system, according to the administration's draft plan. President Donald Trump on Sunday signed an executive order calling for the HHS secretary to implement a rulemaking plan to tie Medicare outpatient drug payment to international prices. If the administration chooses to move forward with the regulatory process in an expedited manner before the November election, providers could be faced with implementation challenges. (Cohrs, 9/15)
Stat: Lawmakers Demand Drug Makers Stop Threatening To End Drug Discounts
Dozens of U.S. lawmakers sent sharply worded letters to the Trump administration and the pharmaceutical industry trade group to demand drug makers stop threatening to curtail discounts provided to a federal program for safety-net hospitals. The bipartisan effort comes in response to recent steps taken by at least five large drug companies to reduce discounts they offer to the 340B drug discount program. (Silverman, 9/15)
Modern Healthcare: New CMS Guidance Encourages Value-Based Payment In Medicaid
CMS on Tuesday released guidance to help states increase the adoption of value-based care strategies through their Medicaid programs. The agency has committed to advancing value-based care in the Medicare program. It wants states to make a similar effort to reform their Medicaid programs because there is a significant overlap among Medicare, Medicaid and commercial providers. The guidance underscores the importance of multi-payer alignment in ensuring value-based care strategies lead to the healthcare delivery system's transformation. (Brady, 9/15)
