VIZIENT INC

MMM · Medicare/Medicaid

Medicaid Program; Amending the Indirect Hold Harmless Threshold of Healthcare Related Taxes (CMS-2452-P) - Recommended CMS reconsider certain aspects of the Proposed Rule to prevent unnecessary disruption to state Medicaid programs, Medicaid beneficiaries, and the health systems who serve these patients. Medicaid Program; Community Engagement Requirement for Certain Individuals (CMS2454-IFC) - Responded to various issues in the interim final rule with comment period and recommended several modifications to the IFC for CMS to prioritize limiting disruptions to care. Medicaid Program; Medicaid Managed Care State Directed Payments and Medicaid Fee For-Service Targeted Medicaid Practitioner Payments (CMS-2449-P) - Responded to various issues and proposals in the proposed rule, urged CMS to reconsider implementation to avoid unnecessary disruption to state Medicaid programs, Medicaid beneficiaries and hospitals. Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2027 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; and Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program (CMS-1848-P) - Raised concerns with several proposals that would affect payment adequacy and care delivery while voicing support for policies that sustain access to telehealth. Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program Draft Guidance: Manufacturer Effectuation of the Maximum Fair Price in 2028 - Voiced concerns that retrospective refund models, variable manufacturer processes, and new data and enrollment requirements will create provider burden. Medicare Program: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems; and Quality Reporting Programs; including the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting Program and Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Program; Request for Information on Strengthening the Standardization and Comparability of Hospital Price Transparency (HPT) Data; Prior Authorization; Accrediting Organization (AO) Deeming for Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA); and Notices of Closure of Teaching Hospitals and Opportunities To Apply for Available Slots (CMS-1850-P) - Responded to various issues and proposals in the proposed rule, encouraging CMS to provide a more substantial market basket increase for CY 2027. Urged CMS to reconsider policies that would increase providers financial instability. Provider Payment - Supported changes to Medicare/Medicaid provider payment system and increased hospital reimbursements. Advocated for reimbursement rates that reflect the true cost of care, particularly for hospitals serving vulnerable and rural populations.

HCR · Health Issues

Childrens Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) program - Urged increased funding for CHGME to align the program levels with other federal physician training programs. Continued healthcare access - Advocated for a more resilient healthcare infrastructure and policies that provide the staffing and technological infrastructure necessary to maintain essential services, encouraged continuing funding for Community Health Centers beyond current expiration. Continued monitoring and encouraged passage of the Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act (S.1954). Continued monitoring and encouraged passage of the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3514/S.1816). Continued monitoring and encouraged passage of the Mapping Americas Pharmaceutical Supply (MAPS) Act (S.1784/H.R.4191). Continued monitoring and encouraged passage of the Protect Medicaid and Rural Hospitals Act (S.2279) . Continued monitoring and encouraged passage of the Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act (S.2556). Continued monitoring and encouraged passage of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 (S.2439/H.R.3890/H.R.4731). Continued monitoring and encouraged passage of the Save Healthcare Workers Act (S.1600/H.R.3178). Drug Shortages - Supported elements to increase transparency in prescription drug supply chain and increase reimbursement for generic prescription drugs; issues related to compounding; issues related to buffer inventory. Encouraged improved stakeholder communication and increased notification by manufacturers for surges in demand. Continued monitoring and encouraged passage of the Drug Origin Transparency Act of 2026 (HR.8339). Hospital Data and Analytics - Provided education on the types of clinical, operational, financial and quality data hospitals collect and monitor to improve patient care, including how providers use data to assess and integrate emerging healthcare technologies. Hospital Group Purchasing - Advocated to highlight the value that hospital group purchasing organizations (GPOs) provide to hospitals and suppliers. Provided education on how GPOs work in the healthcare supply chain and the role they play in delivering value to healthcare providers, as well as key differences between traditional GPOs and PBMs. Price Transparency - Encouraged policies that minimize administrative burden on providers associated with implementing and complying with price transparency requirements. Supply Assurance - Continued advocacy for policies that support resilient healthcare supply chains and help ensure reliable access to critical medical products and supplies. Urged passage of legislation to reauthorize The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA). Telehealth - Encouraged the adoption of additional permanent telehealth policies to extend certain telemedicine flexibilities beyond their current expiration date. Workforce - Advocated for strengthening the health workforce and preventing workforce shortages through policies that support education, training, recruitment and retention efforts. User Fee Acts - Engaged on the User Fee Acts (UFAs) reauthorization process and provided feedback on related policy considerations.

Literal federal measure citations: S.1954, H.R. 3514, S.1816, S.1784, H.R.4191, S.2279, S.2556, S.2439, H.R.3890, H.R.4731, S.1600, H.R.3178, HR.8339

TRD · Trade (domestic/foreign)

Continued monitoring and encouraged passage of the Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act (S.998/HR.2213).

Literal federal measure citations: S.998, HR.2213

TAR · Tariff (miscellaneous tariff bills)

Continued monitoring and encouraged passage of the Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act (S.998/HR.2213) Provided education and information on the impact of continued tariffs on the healthcare supply chain

Literal federal measure citations: S.998, HR.2213

TAX · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code

Not-for-Profit Hospital Tax-exemption - Provided education and information on hospital tax exemption and what is required to justify and maintain tax-exempt status, including particular reporting requirements.