Learn about the latest trends and activities through our blog posts.
According to a December 1, 2021 press release, Representatives Carter (R-GA) and Gonzalez (D-TX) have reintroduced the Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act. The legislation “would limit the power of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to artificially spike Medicaid drug prices. The Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act bans the use of spread pricing by middlemen (PBMs) in Medicaid managed care. PBMs drive up prescription drug costs without adding any value to the consumer.”
Read MoreU.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Fred Upton (R-MI) are back as they recently introduced their long anticipated and bipartisan Cures 2.0 legislation. The bill is discussed via Congresswoman DeGette’s press release.
Read MoreThis week the 8th Circuit issued a decision in the case of Pharmaceutical Care Management Association v. Wehbi, which supported North Dakota’s legislative actions to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). PCMA v. Wehbi is the first case at the federal appellate level since the landmark Rutledge v. PCMA decision last year that upheld Arkansas law also regulating PBMs.
Read MoreRep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) has introduced The States Reform Act, which is aimed at becoming the first prominent policy push by a House Republican to end the current federal prohibition on marijuana.
Read MoreRohit Chopra who is the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau testified before the House Financial Services Committee regarding how “Congress has tasked the CFPB with monitoring market conditions to spot risks, ensure compliance with existing law, and promote competition in order to protect families and honest businesses.”
Read MoreAccording to the FDA’s press release, “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first interchangeable biosimilar product to treat certain inflammatory diseases.”
Read MoreU.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights, and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) who along with Senator Durbin (D-IL) as cosponsors have announced Senate passage of the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act.
Read MoreSenators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rand Paul (R-KY) have introduced the Protecting Data at the Border Act .
Read MoreAccording to Senator Markey’s press release Senator Markey and Representatives Castor and Trahan have sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission, urging the agency to use its full authority—including its authority under Section 5 of the FTC Act—to ensure these companies comply with their new policies.
Read MoreOn October 6th, California Governor Newsom (D-CA) signed SB 41 titled Privacy: genetic testing companies.
Read MoreThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in conjunction with the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor (DOL), Treasury (collectively, the Departments), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued an interim final rule with a comment period that seeks to implement the No Surprises Act aimed at surprise medical billing.
Read MoreThe White House held the first meeting of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology Occurs (PCAST). PCAST deals with “1) U.S. competitiveness, security, and international science and technology leadership; and 2) U.S. public health and pandemic preparedness.”
Read MoreThe Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last month issued the FTC Report to Congress on Privacy and Security.
Read MoreThe House of Representatives has passed by voice vote an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by adding the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act to the legislation.
Read MoreAccording to a press release by Senator Warner (D-VA), a newly introduced “bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate proposes to ensure Medicare patients maintain access to home infusion therapies that require the use of an infusion pump. The Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act — introduced by Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) — would ensure patients with serious viral and fungal infections, heart failure, immune diseases, cancer, and other conditions can receive the intravenous (IV) medications they need while at home.”
The Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act can be viewed here.
Read MoreOral arguments have been scheduled for September 1, 2021 at 2:00 PM CST for PCMA v. Wehbi. Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court vacated this 8th Circuit case formerly known as Wilke v. PCMA.
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