Hello and welcome to the most recent edition of Renal Policy Express, sent on behalf of the ASN's Public Policy Board.
In This Issue...
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Policy Board Update
Learn more about the ASN Public Policy Board's advocacy efforts for World Kidney Day.
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Regulatory Issues
ASN provides information on recent recommendations from MedPAC and the Office of the Inspector General.
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NIH/Research Related Issues
ASN updates members on congressional passage of the Full-Year Continuing Resolution, the release of new GFR calculators, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, and a visit from President Bush.
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Other Congressional Actions
This section outlines current legislation regarding the negotiation of drug prices and new priorities of the House Ways & Means Committee.
1. Policy Board Update
World Kidney Day- Update
The ASN Policy Board is working hard to plan an advocacy effort for World Kidney Day (March 8, 2007). We will be partnering with the National Kidney Foundation to bring physicians and patients together to raise awareness in Congress of kidney disease and its effects on the United States population. We will also coordinate our activities with other nephrology societies, including the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology and the Renal Physicians Association. The effort will target key committee members with jurisdiction over health-related issues and members of the Congressional Kidney Caucus. As the day approaches, the Policy Board will be letting you know how you can personally be involved with our effort.
The official World Kidney Day website is now live and updated! Please visit www.worldkidneyday.org for more information.
2. Regulatory Issues
MedPAC Recommends 1.2% for the Dialysis Payment Update
in FY2008
On January 9, 2007, MedPAC commissioners unanimously approved a recommendation for the dialysis payment update to be included in their upcoming report to Congress. The recommendation urges Congress to update the composite rate by the projected rate of increase in the End-Stage Renal Disease market basket in 2008 (2.5%) minus one-half the projected productivity adjustment (1.3%), making the net recommended update 1.2 percent.
The recommendation followed a review by MedPAC analyst Nancy Ray of the December 8, 2006 session on the adequacy of reimbursement for Medicare ESRD services. She also acknowledged the growth in erythropoietin doses and suggested that bundling drug payments may address this concern. You can view her slide show here.
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Issues Advisory Opinion on Dialysis
On January 18, 2007, the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued an advisory opinion regarding a hospital's proposal to provide free dialysis treatment to patients unable to obtain dialysis in their community. Although the OIG concludes that the proposed arrangement could violate federal law, it concludes that it would not impose administrative sanctions on the hospital in connection with the proposed arrangement because it presents minimal risk of abuse while providing significant benefits to an underserved population. You can view the OIG Report here.
3. NIH/Research Related Issues
House of Representatives Approves Full-Year Fiscal Year 2007 Continuing Resolution
On January 31, 2007, the House of Representatives approved the full-year FY 2007 Continuing Resolution (CR) (H.J.Res 20) by a vote of 286-140. A total of 57 Republicans voted for the measure; two Democrats voted against it. Under the rule passed earlier in the day, no amendments were allowed. The Senate is expected to begin consideration of the measure next week.
The CR provides an increase of $620 million above the FY 2006 funding level for NIH. A $620 million increase will allow NIH to award an additional 500 research grants to biomedical scientists. It will also create a new $40 million program to support innovative, "thinking-outside-the-box" research. This CR looks to the future by providing $91 million for grants to first-time investigators - our nation's next generation of biomedical researchers. You can view the House Resolution here.
On January 30, 2007, the White House issued a Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) on H.J.Res. 20, which you can view here.
ASN Joins the Coalition for Health Funding in Request for $7 Billion
The ASN recently signed-on to the Coalition for Health Funding letters submitted to House and Senate leadership and Appropriations principals regarding funding for the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. The letters urged Congress to provide a full $7 billion in funding over the President's FY 2007 budget request when they considered the final, year-long continuing resolution. Over 50 medical societies added their names to these letters, which you can view here and here.
NKDEP Releases New Versions of GFR Calculators
The National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP) has made available new and improved versions of its free PDA-downloadable GFR Calculators. Calculators for adults—both the Original and IDMS-Traceable MDRD Study equation calculators, and a Schwartz Formula calculator for children are available here. The calculators can be used on Palm and Windows Operating Systems.
House Passes the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act
With strong bipartisan support, the House of Representatives passed the Stem Cell Research Act, H.R. 3, on January 11th, with a vote of 253 to 174. The proposed legislation expands federally funded embryonic stem cell research. It would allow excess embryos from in vitro fertilization clinics to be used for medical research.
An identical bill was passed in the 109th Congress, but failed to become law when President Bush vetoed it. Supporters of the bill expect it to clear the Senate with a veto-proof margin this time.
President Bush Visits the National Institutes of Health
President Bush visited the campus of the National Institutes of Health on January 17th to participate in a Roundtable on Advances in Cancer Prevention. His remarks were very supportive of the NIH and the research that is done there. You can view these remarks here.
4. Other Congressional Actions
Congress Considers Bill to Authorize the Negotiation of Drug Prices
The Senate version of this legislation was introduced by Senators Ron Wyden of Oregon and Olympia Snowe of Maine on January 10th. This bill lifts the ban on negotiations included in the 2003 Medicare drug law. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate with drugmakers if a drug is a single source medication, if a drug was created with substantial taxpayer funding for its research and development, if a private insurance plan requests help, and for any fallback drug plan HHS must provide.
The House of Representatives passed a similar bill on January 12th by a vote of 255-170. It was then received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Finance.
You can learn more about these bills by clicking here and entering S.250 or H.R. 4 in the box under “Legislation in Current Congress.”
Chairman Rangel Outlines New Healthcare Priorities for Ways-Means Committee
In a January 17th letter to several lawmakers, Chairman Charles B. Rangel announced that the health subcommittee would conduct extensive oversight of Medicare in the 110th Congress, including examining the program's prescription drug benefit and overpayments to providers. Rangel also said that the health subcommittee will conduct oversight of health insurance coverage, including the uninsured and options for coverage for them, CMS administration, and health savings accounts.
You can read the entire announcement here.
And Finally,
We hope that you have enjoyed this version of ASN's Renal Policy Express. Past issues will be archived on the ASN website for your reference. Please refer any questions or comments about material from this newsletter to policy@asn-online.org.
Paul Smedberg , Director, Policy and Public Affairs
Susan Owens, Policy and Public Affairs Coordinator
