Represent

Lobbying
Lobbying by Vizient, Inc.

Lobbying Relationship

Client

Vizient, Inc.

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Lobbying firm

Vizient, Inc.

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21st Century Cures Act: Establishment of Disincentives for Health Care Providers That Have Committed Information Blocking Proposed Rule - Urged CMS to refrain from finalizing the Proposed Rule. Encouraged CMS, ONC and OIG to provide additional clarity regarding several policies under consideration. Contract Year 2025 Policy and Technical Changes To The Medicare Advantage (MA Or Part C) and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D) programs Proposed Rule - Encouraged CMS to consider the Vizient Vulnerability Index as the agency considers other potential social risk factors and urged CMS to continue monitoring patients out-of-pocket costs as formulary changes occur. Issues related to hospital and provider payment. Issues related to pharmacy benefit managers; monitoring the Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability (MEPA) Act (S.2973). Lower Costs, More Transparency Act (H.R. 5378) - Opposed adoption of site-neutral payment policies for drug administration and increased fines related to price transparency requirements for hospitals. Urged Congress to redirect its focus from site-neutral payment policies to reducing administrative burdens and increasing, rather than reducing, payments for care delivery in rural areas. Medicaid Disproportionate Hospital (DSH) payment cuts - Urged Congress to avoid Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payment cuts scheduled to begin in FY 2024. Supported temporary delay of Medicaid DSH cuts in Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (H.R. 4366). Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education - Supported passage of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (H.R. 2389/S. 1302). The Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) program and the Low Volume Hospital Payment Adjustment (LVA) - Supported passage of the Assistance for Rural Community Hospitals (ARCH) Act (H.R 6430).
340B Drug Pricing Program - Continued to urge action to ensure covered entities have access to 340B discounted prices through contract pharmacies. Highlighted critical importance of the 340B program for hospitals. Responded to the discussion draft of the Supporting Underserved and Strengthening Transparency, Accountability, and Integrity Now and for the Future of 340B Act (SUSTAIN 340B Act) and supplemental request for information (RFI). Buffer inventory - Engagements with CMS on reimbursement for hospitals that stockpile buffer supplies of essential medicines. Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) - Continued to urge Congress to reauthorize CHGME program through the Childrens Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 3887). Offered support for providing $738 million in funding the CHGME program. 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. Engaged on recent FTC/HHS joint Request for Information related to generic drug shortages, as well as the January Senate Finance Committee White Paper Preventing and Mitigating Generic Drug Shortages: Policy Options Under Federal Health Programs. Continued supporting passage of The Drug Shortage Prevention Act (H.R. 3008) and The Drug Origin Transparency Act (H.R. 3810) and engaged on the Stop Drug Shortages Act (McMorris Rodgers, No Bill Number) discussion draft. Endorsed passage of legislation to address patent thickets (H.R. 6986/S.3583). Endorsed passage of the Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act (S.150). Endorsed passage of the Mapping Americas Pharmaceutical Supply (MAPS) Act (H.R. 6992). Healthcare Workforce - Endorsed passage of the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act (H.R. 2584/S. 2768). Monitored development of the Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act (S.2840). Hospital Group Purchasing - Advocated to highlight the value that hospital group purchasing organizations 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. Medical Device Sterilization - Conducted education and outreach on the potential negative impact on the healthcare supply chain of pending regulations limiting the use of Ethylene Oxide as a medical device sterilant. Mental and Behavioral Health - Highlighted the need for legislation to address significant challenges to mental and behavioral health treatment, including increased demand for services, limited access to treatment, and clinician shortages. Payer-mandated White Bagging - Urged support for policy updates related to payer-mandated white bagging for medications. Preparing for All Hazards and Pathogens Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4421) and Preparedness and Response Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4420) - Supported timely passage of legislation to reauthorize the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act. Advocated for including provisions to increase transparency in the healthcare supply chain and improve hospital and health system emergency preparedness. Social Determinants of Health - Encouraged Congress and agencies to ensure tools like the Vizient Vulnerability Index are being utilized to understand and identify social drivers of health at the neighborhood level. Supported an increase in the Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor in Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (H.R. 4366) to offset recent administrative payment cuts. Telehealth - Continued supporting passage of the CONNECT for Health Act (S. 2016/H.R. 4189). Continued to advocate for the adoption of permanent telehealth policies to extend flexibilities beyond the current 2024 expiration date.
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.
Sec. 301 China Tariffs - Continued to advocate for clarity around the expiration of tariff exclusions for products necessary to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported extending exclusions for key healthcare products.

Duration: November 1, 2007 to present

General Issues: Medicare/Medicaid, Health Issues, Taxation/Internal Revenue Code, Miscellaneous Tariff Bills

Spending: about $8,905,000 (But it's complicated. Here's why.)

Agencies lobbied since 2007: U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Health & Human Services - Dept of (HHS), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), White House Office, Natl Economic Council (NEC), Veterans Affairs - Dept of (VA), Transportation - Dept of (DOT), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury - Dept of, Office of the Vice President of the United States, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Health & Human Services - Dept of (HHS), Justice - Dept of (DOJ), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Government Accountability Office (GAO), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Senate,, Food & Drug Administration (FDA),, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), House of Representatives,, Y Y House of Representatives United States Senate Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Y Y House of Representatives United States Senate Food and Drug Administration Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, House of Represenatives United States Senate

Bills mentioned

H.R.1628: American Health Care Act of 2017

Sponsor: Diane Black (R-Tenn.)

S.428: ACE Kids Act of 2017

Sponsor: Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa)

S.1738: Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Access Act of 2017

Sponsor: Mark Warner (D-Va.)

H.R.3178: Medicare Part B Improvement Act of 2017

Sponsor: Kevin Brady (R-Texas)

H.R.749: Lower Drug Costs through Competition Act

Sponsor: Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.)

H.R.2051: FAST Generics Act of 2017

Sponsor: David McKinley (R-W.Va.)

S.124: Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Act

Sponsor: Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)

S.297: Increasing Competition in Pharmaceuticals Act

Sponsor: Susan Collins (R-Maine)

S.974: Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2018

Sponsor: Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.)

S.870: Creating High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic...

Sponsor: Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah)

H.R.859: Financial Services Conflict of Interest Act

Sponsor: Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.)

S.251: Protecting Medicare from Executive Action Act of 2017

Sponsor: Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)

H.R.2953: To amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 respecting the scoring of...

Sponsor: Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas)

H.R.1215: Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017

Sponsor: Steve King (R-Iowa)

H.R.1565: Saving Lives, Saving Costs Act

Sponsor: Andy Barr (R-Ky.)

H.R.2267: Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2017

Sponsor: Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.)

H.R.6: 21st Century Cures Act

Sponsor: Fred Upton (R-Mich.)

H.R.34: 21st Century Cures Act

Sponsor: Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.)

H.R.5273: Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act of 2016

Sponsor: Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio)

H.R.1343: Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act...

Sponsor: Jim Renacci (R-Ohio)

S.588: Detergent PACS Act of 2015

Sponsor: Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.)

H.R.2646: Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2016

Sponsor: Tim Murphy (R-Pa.)

S.2151: Family Health Care Accessibility Act of 2015

Sponsor: John Thune (R-S.D.)

S.2615: Increasing Competition in Pharmaceuticals Act

Sponsor: Susan Collins (R-Maine)

S.3176: STAAR Act

Sponsor: Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)

S.2467: Patient Safety Improvement Act of 2016

Sponsor: Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)

H.R.5297: Credits for Kids Act of 2016

Sponsor: Mark Meadows (R-N.C.)

S.524: Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016

Sponsor: Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)

H.R.5325: Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs,...

Sponsor: Tom Graves (R-Ga.)

H.R.5122: To prohibit further action on the proposed rule regarding testing of...

Sponsor: Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.)

H.R.1314: Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015

Sponsor: Pat Meehan (R-Pa.)

H.R.3291: Medicare Crosswalk Hospital Code Development Act of 2015

Sponsor: Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.)

H.R.3292: Medicare IME Pool Act of 2015

Sponsor: Kevin Brady (R-Texas)

H.R.3288: Strengthening DSH and Medicare Through Subsidy Recapture and Payment...

Sponsor: Kenny Marchant (R-Texas)

H.R.2029: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016

Sponsor: Charlie Dent (R-Pa.)

H.R.3762: To provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 2002 of the concurrent...

Sponsor: Tom Price (R-Ga.)

H.R.2: Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015

Sponsor: Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas)

H.R.2156: Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2015

Sponsor: Sam Graves (R-Mo.)

H.R.2513: PACE Act of 2015

Sponsor: Sam Johnson (R-Texas)

H.R.1383: Medicare Adult Day Services Act of 2015

Sponsor: Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.)

S.688: Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act...

Sponsor: Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.)

H.R.1190: Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act of 2015

Sponsor: Phil Roe (R-Tenn.)

S.141: Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act of 2015

Sponsor: John Cornyn (R-Texas)

H.R.169: Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2015

Sponsor: Adrian Smith (R-Neb.)

H.R.170: Rural Health Care Provider Relief Act of 2015

Sponsor: Adrian Smith (R-Neb.)

H.R.4015: SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014

Sponsor: Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas)

S.2157: Commonsense Medicare SGR Repeal and Beneficiary Access Improvement Act...

Sponsor: Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)

H.R.1250: Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2013

Sponsor: Sam Graves (R-Mo.)

S.1012: Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2013

Sponsor: Roy Blunt (R-Mo.)

H.R.4188: Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act

Sponsor: Jim Renacci (R-Ohio)

S.2501: Hospital Readmissions Program Accuracy and Accountability Act of 2014

Sponsor: Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.)

H.R.83: Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015

Sponsor: Donna M.C. Christensen (D-Virgin Islands)

H.R.3698: Two-Midnight Rule Delay Act of 2013

Sponsor: Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.)

S.2082: Two-Midnight Rule Coordination and Improvement Act of 2014

Sponsor: Robert Menendez (D-N.J.)

H.R.4994: IMPACT Act of 2014

Sponsor: Dave Camp (R-Mich.)

S.2553: IMPACT Act of 2014

Sponsor: Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)

H.R.3230: Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014

Sponsor: Harold Rogers (R-Ky.)

H.CON.RES.96: Establishing the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year...

Sponsor: Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.)

H.R.1326: Health Care Price Transparency Promotion Act of 2013

Sponsor: Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas)

H.R.2853: Hospital Price Transparency and Disclosure Act of 2013

Sponsor: Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.)

S.2011: Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act of 2014

Sponsor: Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.)

H.R.4302: Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014

Sponsor: Joe Pitts (R-Pa.)

H.R.2810: SGR Repeal and Medicare Beneficiary Access Act of 2013

Sponsor: Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas)

H.R.3204: Drug Quality and Security Act

Sponsor: Fred Upton (R-Mich.)

S.959: Pharmaceutical Quality, Security, and Accountability Act

Sponsor: Tom Harkin (D-Iowa)

H.R.1920: DSH Reduction Relief Act of 2013

Sponsor: John Lewis (D-Ga.)

H.R.2663: To amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 respecting the scoring of...

Sponsor: Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas)

S.1422: A bill to amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 respecting the...

Sponsor: Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.)

H.R.574: Medicare Physician Payment Innovation Act of 2013

Sponsor: Allyson Y. Schwartz (D-Pa.)

H.R.1919: Safeguarding America's Pharmaceuticals Act of 2013

Sponsor: Robert E. Latta (R-Ohio)

S.957: Drug Supply Chain Security Act

Sponsor: Michael Bennet (D-Colo.)

H.R.8: American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012

Sponsor: Dave Camp (R-Mich.)

H.R.6584: Verifying Authority and Legality In Drug Compounding Act of 2012

Sponsor: Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.)

H.R.2674: 340B Program Improvement Act

Sponsor: Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.)

H.R.3630: Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012

Sponsor: Dave Camp (R-Mich.)

S.296: Preserving Access to Life-Saving Medications Act

Sponsor: Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)

H.R.2245: Preserving Access to Life-Saving Medications Act of 2011

Sponsor: Diana DeGette (D-Colo.)

S.2193: Ensuring Safe Medical Devices for Patients

Sponsor: Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.)

S.668: Health Care Bureaucrats Elimination Act

Sponsor: John Cornyn (R-Texas)

H.R.452: Medicare Decisions Accountability Act of 2011

Sponsor: Phil Roe (R-Tenn.)

H.R.5: Protecting Access to Healthcare Act

Sponsor: Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.)

S.365: Budget Control Act of 2011

Sponsor: Tom Harkin (D-Iowa)

H.R.2: Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act

Sponsor: Eric Cantor (R-Va.)

H.R.5712: Physician Payment and Therapy Relief Act of 2010

Sponsor: Sander M. Levin (D-Mich.)

H.R.6072: Electronic Health Record Incentives for Multi-Campus Hospitals Act of 2010

Sponsor: Zack Space (D-Ohio)

S.3708: Electronic Health Record Incentives for Multi-Campus Hospitals Act of 2010

Sponsor: Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.)

H.R.5820: Toxic Chemicals Safety Act of 2010

Sponsor: Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.)

H.R.4213: Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010

Sponsor: Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.)

H.R.3962: Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension...

Sponsor: John D. Dingell (D-Mich.)

H.R.3590: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Sponsor: Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.)

H.R.4872: Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010

Sponsor: John M. Spratt Jr. (D-S.C.)

S.1490: Personal Data Privacy and Security Act of 2009

Sponsor: Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.)

H.R.3200: America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009

Sponsor: John D. Dingell (D-Mich.)

S.1679: Affordable Health Choices Act

Sponsor: Tom Harkin (D-Iowa)

H.R.1776: Quality FIRST (From Incentives, Reporting, Standards, and Technology)...

Sponsor: Jason Altmire (D-Pa.)

S.1110: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) Reform Act of 2009

Sponsor: John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.)

S.1380: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) Reform Act of 2009

Sponsor: John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.)

H.R.2718: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) Reform Act of 2009

Sponsor: Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.)

S.301: Physician Payments Sunshine Act of 2009

Sponsor: Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa)

S.1239: 340B Program Improvement and Integrity Act of 2009

Sponsor: Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.)

H.R.444: 340B Program Improvement and Integrity Act of 2009

Sponsor: Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.)

S.30: Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009

Sponsor: Bill Nelson (D-Fla.)

H.R.1: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Sponsor: David R. Obey (D-Wis.)

S.275: Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009

Sponsor: Max Baucus (D-Mont.)

H.R.2: Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009

Sponsor: Frank Pallone (D-N.J.)

S.1693: Wired for Health Care Quality Act

Sponsor: Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.)

H.R.3800: Promoting Health Information Technology Act

Sponsor: Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.)

H.R.6898: Health-e Information Technology Act of 2008

Sponsor: Pete Stark (D-Calif.)

H.R.5924: Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act

Sponsor: Robert Wexler (D-Fla.)

H.R.4105: Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor Program Moratorium Act of 2007

Sponsor: Lois Capps (D-Calif.)

S.3101: Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008

Sponsor: Max Baucus (D-Mont.)

S.3118: Preserving Access to Medicare Act of 2008

Sponsor: Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa)

H.R.3533: Public and Teaching Hospital Preservation Act

Sponsor: Eliot L. Engel (D-N.Y.)

H.R.5613: Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008

Sponsor: John D. Dingell (D-Mich.)

S.2460: A bill to extend by one year the moratorium on implementation of a rule...

Sponsor: Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.)

H.R.2642: Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008

Sponsor: Chet Edwards (D-Texas)

S.1814: Health Information Privacy and Security Act

Sponsor: Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.)

H.R.5442: TRUST in Health Information Act of 2008

Sponsor: Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.)

H.R.6357: PRO(TECH)T Act of 2008

Sponsor: John D. Dingell (D-Mich.)

H.R.2606: 340B Program Improvement and Integrity Act of 2007

Sponsor: Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.)

S.1376: 340B Program Improvement and Integrity Act of 2007

Sponsor: Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.)

H.R.2900: Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007

Sponsor: John D. Dingell (D-Mich.)

S.1082: Food and Drug Administration Revitalization Act

Sponsor: Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.)

H.R.4392: To provide that the provision of the Medicare Program: Hospital...

Sponsor: David McKinley (R-W.Va.)

H.R.3922: CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act

Sponsor: Greg Walden (R-Ore.)

H.R.1: An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the...

Sponsor: Kevin Brady (R-Texas)

H.R.4710: 340B PAUSE Act

Sponsor: Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.)

S.2312: HELP Act

Sponsor: Bill Cassidy (R-La.)

S.2453: Ensuring the Value of the 340B Program Act of 2018

Sponsor: Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa)

H.R.1892: Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018

Sponsor: John B. Larson (D-Conn.)

H.R.5385: Dr. Benjy Frances Brooks Children's Hospital GME Support Reauthorization...

Sponsor: Gene Green (D-Texas)

S.2597: Children's Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2018

Sponsor: Bob Casey (D-Pa.)

H.R.195: Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending...

Sponsor: Steve Russell (R-Okla.)

H.R.6071: SERV Communities Act

Sponsor: Doris Matsui (D-Calif.)

H.R.6240: Drug Discount Accountability Act

Sponsor: Chris Collins (R-N.Y.)

H.R.6: SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act

Sponsor: Greg Walden (R-Ore.)

H.R.6082: Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act

Sponsor: Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.)

H.R.1226: ACE Kids Act of 2019

Sponsor: Kathy Castor (D-Fla.)

S.317: Advancing Care for Exceptional Kids Act of 2019

Sponsor: Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa)

S.348: Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2019

Sponsor: Robert Menendez (D-N.J.)

H.R.965: CREATES Act of 2019

Sponsor: David Cicilline (D-R.I.)

S.340: CREATES Act of 2019

Sponsor: Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.)

H.R.985: FAST Generics Act of 2019

Sponsor: Peter Welch (D-Vt.)

S.659: Biologic Patent Transparency Act

Sponsor: Susan Collins (R-Maine)

H.R.2552: PLACE Act of 2019

Sponsor: Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.)

S.1416: Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2019

Sponsor: John Cornyn (R-Texas)

H.R.3630: No Surprises Act

Sponsor: Frank Pallone (D-N.J.)

S.1895: Lower Health Care Costs Act

Sponsor: Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.)

H.R.3: Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act

Sponsor: Frank Pallone (D-N.J.)

S.2543: Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019

Sponsor: Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa)

S.2892: Opioid Workforce Act of 2019

Sponsor: Margaret Hassan (D-N.H.)

S.2642: COMPRESSOR Act

Sponsor: Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.)

H.R.5212: Accountable Care in Rural America Act

Sponsor: Jodey Arrington (R-Texas)

H.R.2328: Reauthorizing and Extending America’s Community Health Act

Sponsor: Tom O'Halleran (D-Ariz.)

S.586: Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2019

Sponsor: Pat Roberts (R-Kan.)

H.R.1041: Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2019

Sponsor: Adrian Smith (R-Neb.)

S.895: Rural Hospital Regulatory Relief Act of 2019

Sponsor: John Thune (R-S.D.)

H.R.3416: HEARTS and Rural Relief Act

Sponsor: Terri Sewell (D-Ala.)

S.1037: Rural Health Clinic Modernization Act of 2019

Sponsor: John Barrasso (R-Wyo.)

H.R.2788: Rural Health Clinic Modernization Act of 2019

Sponsor: Adrian Smith (R-Neb.)

S.2408: Telehealth Across State Lines Act of 2019

Sponsor: Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.)

H.R.4900: Telehealth Across State Lines Act of 2019

Sponsor: Phil Roe (R-Tenn.)

S.2741: CONNECT for Health Act of 2019

Sponsor: Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii)

H.R.4932: CONNECT for Health Act of 2019

Sponsor: Mike Thompson (D-Calif.)

S.948: Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act

Sponsor: Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)

H.R.2895: Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act

Sponsor: Brad Schneider (D-Ill.)

H.R.6074: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020

Sponsor: Nita M. Lowey (D-N.Y.)

H.R.6201: Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Sponsor: Nita M. Lowey (D-N.Y.)

H.R.748: CARES Act

Sponsor: Joe Courtney (D-Conn.)

H.R.266: Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act

Sponsor: Betty McCollum (D-Minn.)

S.3750: Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments Improvement Act

Sponsor: Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.)

H.R.6837: Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments Improvement Act of 2020

Sponsor: Brad Schneider (D-Ill.)

S.4160: A bill to enable certain hospitals that were participating in or applied...

Sponsor: John Thune (R-S.D.)

H.R.6800: The Heroes Act

Sponsor: Nita M. Lowey (D-N.Y.)

H.R.925: The Heroes Act

Sponsor: Mike Thompson (D-Calif.)

S.178: UIGHUR Act of 2019

Sponsor: Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)

H.R.8337: Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act

Sponsor: Nita M. Lowey (D-N.Y.)

S.4492: Safe Drugs Act

Sponsor: Gary Peters (D-Mich.)

H.R.133: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021

Sponsor: Henry Cuellar (D-Texas)

S.4760: The PASTEUR Act

Sponsor: Michael Bennet (D-Colo.)

H.R.8920: The PASTEUR Act

Sponsor: Mike Doyle (D-Pa.)

H.R.1319: American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

Sponsor: John Yarmuth (D-Ky.)

H.R.315: Medicare Sequester COVID Moratorium Act

Sponsor: Brad Schneider (D-Ill.)

H.R.1868: To prevent across-the-board direct spending cuts, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: John Yarmuth (D-Ky.)

S.834: Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2021

Sponsor: Robert Menendez (D-N.J.)

S.934: Strengthening Rural Health Clinics Act of 2021

Sponsor: Mark Warner (D-Va.)

H.R.708: TREAT Act

Sponsor: Robert E. Latta (R-Ohio)

S.168: TREAT Act

Sponsor: Christopher S. Murphy (D-Conn.)

H.R.2256: Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2021

Sponsor: Terri Sewell (D-Ala.)

S.1438: Opioid Workforce Act of 2021

Sponsor: Margaret Hassan (D-N.H.)

H.R.2815: BIOSIM Act

Sponsor: Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.)

S.1512: CONNECT for Health Act of 2021

Sponsor: Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii)

H.R.2903: Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies...

Sponsor: Mike Thompson (D-Calif.)

S.963: Domestic Terrorism and Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2021

Sponsor: Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.)

H.R.3: Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act

Sponsor: Frank Pallone (D-N.J.)

H.R.19: Lower Costs, More Cures Act of 2021

Sponsor: Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.)

S.2076: PASTEUR Act of 2021

Sponsor: Michael Bennet (D-Colo.)

H.R.5376: Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

Sponsor: John Yarmuth (D-Ky.)

H.R.3684: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Sponsor: Peter A. DeFazio (D-Ore.)

H.R.5067: Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act

Sponsor: Terri Sewell (D-Ala.)

S.1024: Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act

Sponsor: Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.)

H.R.2255: Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act

Sponsor: Brad Schneider (D-Ill.)

S.610: Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act

Sponsor: Tim Kaine (D-Va.)

H.R.1667: Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act

Sponsor: Susan Wild (D-Pa.)

H.R.5502: To require online marketplaces to verify certain information regarding...

Sponsor: Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.)

S.2493: Provider Relief Fund Deadline Extension Act

Sponsor: Michael Bennet (D-Colo.)

H.R.2503: Social Determinants Accelerator Act of 2021

Sponsor: Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.)

S.509: LINC to Address Social Needs Act of 2021

Sponsor: Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska)

H.R.769: Rural MOMS Act

Sponsor: Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.)

H.R.959: Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021

Sponsor: Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.)

H.R.5963: Provider Relief Fund Improvement Act

Sponsor: Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.)

S.773: A bill to enable certain hospitals that were participating in or applied...

Sponsor: John Thune (R-S.D.)

S.3039: Social Determinants Accelerator Act of 2021

Sponsor: Todd Young (R-Ind.)

H.R.6000: Cures 2.0 Act

Sponsor: Diana DeGette (D-Colo.)

H.R.3441: Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act

Sponsor: Brad Schneider (D-Ill.)

H.R.2471: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022

Sponsor: Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.)

S.3792: Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act

Sponsor: Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.)

H.R.7053: Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act

Sponsor: Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio)

S.3799: PREVENT Pandemics Act

Sponsor: Patty Murray (D-Wash.)

S.3611: Provider Relief Fund Improvement Act

Sponsor: Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.)

S.3629: Opioid Treatment Access Act of 2022

Sponsor: Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.)

H.R.6279: Opioid Treatment Access Act of 2022

Sponsor: Donald W. Norcross (D-N.J.)

S.3493: Drug Shortages Shelf Life Extension Act

Sponsor: Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.)

H.R.7236: Strengthen Kids’ Mental Health Now Act of 2022

Sponsor: Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.)

S.4352: Travel Nursing Agency Transparency Study Act

Sponsor: Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.)

H.R.7961: SAVE Act

Sponsor: Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.)

S.4348: FDASLA Act of 2022

Sponsor: Patty Murray (D-Wash.)

H.R.7667: Food and Drug Amendments of 2022

Sponsor: Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.)

H.R.7084: PATCH Act of 2022

Sponsor: Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas)

H.R.8800: Supporting Medicare Providers Act of 2022

Sponsor: Ami Bera (D-Calif.)

H.R.4587: Value in Health Care Act of 2021

Sponsor: Peter Welch (D-Vt.)

H.R.4040: Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID–19 Act of 2021

Sponsor: Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.)

S.3018: Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2021

Sponsor: Roger Marshall (R-Kan.)

H.R.3173: Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2021

Sponsor: Suzan K. DelBene (D-Wash.)

S.2652: Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act

Sponsor: Mark Warner (D-Va.)

H.R.6833: Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023

Sponsor: Angie Craig (D-Minn.)

H.R.2617: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023

Sponsor: Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.)

S.4747: Investing in Kids’ Mental Health Now Act of 2022

Sponsor: Rob Portman (R-Ohio)

H.R.8877: Biologics Competition Act of 2022

Sponsor: Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa)

H.R.2389: Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023

Sponsor: Terri Sewell (D-Ala.)

H.R.3561: PATIENT Act of 2023

Sponsor: Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.)

H.R.2665: Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act

Sponsor: Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.)

S.1302: Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023

Sponsor: Robert Menendez (D-N.J.)

S.1976: Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act

Sponsor: Mark Warner (D-Va.)

H.R.4104: Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act

Sponsor: Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.)

S.803: Save Rural Hospitals Act of 2023

Sponsor: Mark Warner (D-Va.)

S.1571: Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2023

Sponsor: Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.)

H.R.3746: Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

Sponsor: Patrick T. McHenry (R-N.C.)

H.R.2534: Preserving Rules Ordered for The Entities Covered Through 340B Act of 2023

Sponsor: Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.)

H.R.3290: To amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to ensure...

Sponsor: Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.)

S.1133: 340B Accountability Act of 2023

Sponsor: Mike Braun (R-Ind.)

H.R.2584: Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees Act

Sponsor: Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.)

H.R.3887: Children’s Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2023

Sponsor: Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas)

S.2016: CONNECT for Health Act of 2023

Sponsor: Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii)

H.R.4189: Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies...

Sponsor: Mike Thompson (D-Calif.)

S.1355: PASTEUR Act of 2023

Sponsor: Michael Bennet (D-Colo.)

H.R.2940: Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions To End Upsurging Resistance Act...

Sponsor: A. Drew Ferguson (R-Ga.)

H.R.1790: Biologics Competition Act of 2023

Sponsor: Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa)

H.R.5860: Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act

Sponsor: Kay Granger (R-Texas)

H.R.5378: Lower Costs, More Transparency Act

Sponsor: Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.)

H.R.3635: Save Rural Hospitals Act of 2023

Sponsor: A. Drew Ferguson (R-Ga.)

S.1110: Rural Hospital Support Act

Sponsor: Bob Casey (D-Pa.)

H.R.4924: Auto Reenroll Act of 2023

Sponsor: Kathy Manning (D-N.C.)

S.665: Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act

Sponsor: Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)

H.R.3810: Drug Origin Transparency Act of 2023

Sponsor: Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.)

S.2305: Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act

Sponsor: Mike Lee (R-Utah)

H.R.4421: Preparing for All Hazards and Pathogens Reauthorization Act

Sponsor: Richard Hudson (R-N.C.)

H.R.4420: Preparedness and Response Reauthorization Act

Sponsor: Richard Hudson (R-N.C.)

S.2768: SAVE Act

Sponsor: Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.)

S.2840: Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act

Sponsor: Bernard Sanders (ID-Vt.)

H.R.6363: Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024

Sponsor: Kay Granger (R-Texas)

S.2973: Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability Act

Sponsor: Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)

H.R.5819: Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and...

Sponsor: Michelle Steel (R-Calif.)

S.1378: Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and...

Sponsor: Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.)

H.R.6205: Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act

Sponsor: Brad Schneider (D-Ill.)

S.3211: Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act

Sponsor: Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.)

H.R.4366: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024

Sponsor: John Carter (R-Texas)

H.R.6430: Assistance for Rural Community Hospitals Act

Sponsor: Carol Miller (R-W.Va.)

H.R.3008: Drug Shortage Prevention Act of 2023

Sponsor: Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.)

H.R.6986: To address patent thickets.

Sponsor: Jodey Arrington (R-Texas)

S.3583: A bill to address patent thickets.

Sponsor: Peter Welch (D-Vt.)

S.150: Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2023

Sponsor: John Cornyn (R-Texas)

H.R.6992: Mapping America’s Pharmaceutical Supply Act

Sponsor: Doris Matsui (D-Calif.)

Show All Mentioned Bills

Lobbyists

Lobbyists named here were listed on a filing related to this lobbying engagement. They may not be working on it now. Occasionally, a single lobbyist whose name is spelled two different ways on filings may be represented twice here.

Lobbyist	Covered positions?
Steven Rixen	Legislative Correspondent U.S.S. Byron Dorgan Legislative Correspondent-U.S.S. Byron Dorgan
Darren Webb	Health Policy Counsel - Congressman Sam Johnson
Shoshana Krilow	n/a
Chelsea Arnone	n/a
Cidette Perrin	n/a
Edward Goodman	n/a
Steve Rixen	n/a
Jenna Stern	n/a
Alexandria Icenhower	n/a

Disclosures Filed

Once a lobbying engagement begins, the lobbyist or firm is required to file updates four times a year. Those updates sometimes change which lobbyists are involved or add new issues being discussed. When lobbyists stop working for a client, the firm is also supposed to file a report disclosing the end of the relationship.

1st Quarter, 2024

Q1 Report

In Q1, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 22. Original Filing: 301575353.xml

Lobbying Issues

21st Century Cures Act: Establishment of Disincentives for Health Care Providers That Have Committed Information Blocking Proposed Rule - Urged CMS to refrain from finalizing the Proposed Rule. Encouraged CMS, ONC and OIG to provide additional clarity regarding several policies under consideration. Contract Year 2025 Policy and Technical Changes To The Medicare Advantage (MA Or Part C) and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D) programs Proposed Rule - Encouraged CMS to consider the Vizient Vulnerability Index as the agency considers other potential social risk factors and urged CMS to continue monitoring patients out-of-pocket costs as formulary changes occur. Issues related to hospital and provider payment. Issues related to pharmacy benefit managers; monitoring the Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability (MEPA) Act (S.2973). Lower Costs, More Transparency Act (H.R. 5378) - Opposed adoption of site-neutral payment policies for drug administration and increased fines related to price transparency requirements for hospitals. Urged Congress to redirect its focus from site-neutral payment policies to reducing administrative burdens and increasing, rather than reducing, payments for care delivery in rural areas. Medicaid Disproportionate Hospital (DSH) payment cuts - Urged Congress to avoid Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payment cuts scheduled to begin in FY 2024. Supported temporary delay of Medicaid DSH cuts in Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (H.R. 4366). Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education - Supported passage of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (H.R. 2389/S. 1302). The Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) program and the Low Volume Hospital Payment Adjustment (LVA) - Supported passage of the Assistance for Rural Community Hospitals (ARCH) Act (H.R 6430).

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

340B Drug Pricing Program - Continued to urge action to ensure covered entities have access to 340B discounted prices through contract pharmacies. Highlighted critical importance of the 340B program for hospitals. Responded to the discussion draft of the Supporting Underserved and Strengthening Transparency, Accountability, and Integrity Now and for the Future of 340B Act (SUSTAIN 340B Act) and supplemental request for information (RFI). Buffer inventory - Engagements with CMS on reimbursement for hospitals that stockpile buffer supplies of essential medicines. Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) - Continued to urge Congress to reauthorize CHGME program through the Childrens Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 3887). Offered support for providing $738 million in funding the CHGME program. 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. Engaged on recent FTC/HHS joint Request for Information related to generic drug shortages, as well as the January Senate Finance Committee White Paper Preventing and Mitigating Generic Drug Shortages: Policy Options Under Federal Health Programs. Continued supporting passage of The Drug Shortage Prevention Act (H.R. 3008) and The Drug Origin Transparency Act (H.R. 3810) and engaged on the Stop Drug Shortages Act (McMorris Rodgers, No Bill Number) discussion draft. Endorsed passage of legislation to address patent thickets (H.R. 6986/S.3583). Endorsed passage of the Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act (S.150). Endorsed passage of the Mapping Americas Pharmaceutical Supply (MAPS) Act (H.R. 6992). Healthcare Workforce - Endorsed passage of the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act (H.R. 2584/S. 2768). Monitored development of the Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act (S.2840). Hospital Group Purchasing - Advocated to highlight the value that hospital group purchasing organizations 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. Medical Device Sterilization - Conducted education and outreach on the potential negative impact on the healthcare supply chain of pending regulations limiting the use of Ethylene Oxide as a medical device sterilant. Mental and Behavioral Health - Highlighted the need for legislation to address significant challenges to mental and behavioral health treatment, including increased demand for services, limited access to treatment, and clinician shortages. Payer-mandated White Bagging - Urged support for policy updates related to payer-mandated white bagging for medications. Preparing for All Hazards and Pathogens Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4421) and Preparedness and Response Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4420) - Supported timely passage of legislation to reauthorize the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act. Advocated for including provisions to increase transparency in the healthcare supply chain and improve hospital and health system emergency preparedness. Social Determinants of Health - Encouraged Congress and agencies to ensure tools like the Vizient Vulnerability Index are being utilized to understand and identify social drivers of health at the neighborhood level. Supported an increase in the Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor in Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (H.R. 4366) to offset recent administrative payment cuts. Telehealth - Continued supporting passage of the CONNECT for Health Act (S. 2016/H.R. 4189). Continued to advocate for the adoption of permanent telehealth policies to extend flexibilities beyond the current 2024 expiration date.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

4th Quarter, 2023

Q4 Report

In Q4, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 22. Original Filing: 301540260.xml

Lobbying Issues

Medicaid Disproportionate Hospital (DSH) payment cuts - Urged Congress to avoid Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payment cuts scheduled to begin in FY 2024. Urged passage of Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act (H.R. 2665). Supported temporary delay of Medicaid DSH cuts in continuing resolution (H.R. 6363). Lower Costs, More Transparency Act (H.R. 5378) - Opposed adoption of site-neutral payment policies for drug administration and increased fines related to price transparency requirements for hospitals. Urged Congress to redirect its focus from site-neutral payment policies to reducing administrative burdens and increasing, rather than reducing, payments for care delivery in rural areas. The Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) program and the Low Volume Hospital Payment Adjustment (LVA) - Supported passage of The Rural Hospital Support Act (S. 1110) Medicare Area Wage Index - Supported passage of the Save Rural Hospitals Act (S. 803/H.R. 3635) Rural health care - Responded to House Ways and Means Committees Request for Information on ways to improve healthcare in rural and underserved areas. Urged Congress to consider utilizing the Vizient Vulnerability Index to help identify key challenges different rural communities face. Supported passage of the Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act (S. 1571) and the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4924/S. 665). Urged further changes to Rural Emergency Hospital designation. Proposed Medicaid Managed Care Rule - Joined several other hospital advocacy organizations in signing a letter to CMS urging the agency not to finalize proposals related to provider-supported funding in the Medicaid Managed Care Proposed Rule. Supported CMSs proposal to establish the Average Commercial Rate (ACR) as the upper payment limit for inpatient and outpatient hospital services in the context of state directed payments. Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education - Supported passage of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (H.R. 2389/S. 1302). Medicare Home Infusion - Supported passage of the Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act (S. 1976/H.R. 4104). Issues related to pharmacy benefit managers; monitoring the Modernizing and Ensuring PBM Accountability (MEPA) Act (S.2973) Issues related to hospital and provider payment

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing - Advocated to highlight the value that hospital group purchasing organizations 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. Endorsed passage of Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective (COMPLETE) Care Act (H.R. 5819/S.1378). Preparing for All Hazards and Pathogens Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4421) and Preparedness and Response Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4420) - Supported passage of legislation to reauthorize the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act. Advocated for including provisions to increase transparency in the healthcare supply chain and improve hospital and health system emergency preparedness. Payer-mandated White Bagging - Urged support for policy updates related to payer-mandated white bagging for medications. 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. Endorsed passage of the Drug Origin Transparency Act (H.R. 3810). Endorsed passage of the Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act (S. 2305). Supported passage of the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act (S. 1355/H.R. 2940). Supported passage of the Biologics Competition Act (H.R. 1790). Endorsed passage of Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act (S.2305) 340B Drug Pricing Program - Continued to urge action to ensure covered entities have access to 340B discounted prices through contract pharmacies. Highlighted critical importance of the 340B program for hospitals. Endorsed passage of the Preserving Rules Ordered for The Entities Covered Through (PROTECT) 340B Act (H.R. 2534). Opposed legislation (H.R. 3290/S. 1133) that would place cumbersome reporting obligations on 340B covered entities. Buffer inventory - Engagements with CMS on reimbursement for hospitals that stockpile buffer supplies of essential medicines Mental and Behavioral Health - Highlighted during congressional briefing how hospitals are providing mental and behavioral health treatment and support for their communities. Highlighted the need for legislation to address significant challenges to mental and behavioral health treatment, including increased demand for services, limited access to treatment, and clinician shortages. Healthcare Workforce - Supported passage of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (H.R. 2389 / S. 1302), the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act (H.R. 2584/S. 2768) and the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act (H.R 6205/S. 3211); Monitored development and introduction of the Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act (S.2840) Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) - Urged Congress to reauthorize CHGME program through the Childrens Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2023 (H.R. 3887). Offered support for providing $738 million in funding the CHGME program. Unique Device Identification (UDI) - Continued engagement to improve data standards and validation and support opportunities for the improved use of unique device identification and the Global UDI database (GUDID). Telehealth - Continued supporting passage of the CONNECT for Health Act (S. 2016/H.R. 4189). Continued to advocate for the adoption of permanent telehealth policies to extend flexibilities beyond the current 2024 expiration date. Social Determinants of Health - Encouraged Congress and agencies to ensure tools like the Vizient Vulnerability Index are being utilized to understand and identify social drivers of health at the neighborhood level. Medical Device Sterilization - Conducted education and outreach on the potential negative impact on the healthcare supply chain of pending regulations limiting the use of Ethylene Oxide as a medical device sterilant. Issues related to pharmacy benefit managers

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

3rd Quarter, 2023

Q3 Report

In Q3, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 20, 2023. Original Filing: 301516198.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing - Advocated to highlight the value that hospital group purchasing organizations 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. Drug shortages - Opposed provisions in House Energy and Commerce Committee discussion draft on drug shortages that would exempt sterile injectable products from the 340B Drug Pricing Program, and increase reporting obligations for hospitals as a and group purchasing organizations. Supported elements to increase transparency in prescription drug supply chain and increase reimbursement for generic prescription drugs. Endorsed passage of the Drug Origin Transparency Act (H.R. 3810). Endorsed passage of the Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act (S. 2305). Pandemic and All Hazard Preparedness Act (H.R. 4421 and H.R. 4420) - Supported timely passage of legislation to reauthorize the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act. Advocated for including provisions to increase transparency in the healthcare supply chain and improve hospital and health system emergency preparedness. 340B Drug Pricing Program - Endorsed passage of the Protect 340B Act (H.R. 2534). Opposed legislation (H.R. 3290/S. 1133) that would place cumbersome reporting obligations on 340B covered entities. Continued to urge action to ensure covered entities have access to 340B discounted prices through contract pharmacies. Highlighted critical importance of the 340B program for hospitals. Social Determinants of Health - Highlighted during congressional briefing how hospitals are investing in social determinants of health to support the health of their community. Highlighted the need for federal agencies to utilize a more comprehensive social needs index like the Vizient Vulnerability Index to identify community health needs and other social drivers of health. Healthcare Workforce - Urged passage of the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act (H.R. 2584/S. 2768). Continued to highlight the need to improve healthcare staffing through investments and reauthorization of critical workforce programs, expanding access to unused visas for healthcare workers. Monitored development and introduction of the Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act (S.2840). Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) - Urged Congress to reauthorize CHGME program (H.R. 3887). Offered support for providing $738 million in funding the CHGME program. Unique Device Identification (UDI) - Supported improved data standards and validation to improve accuracy of medical device information in the Global Unique Device Identification Database. Telehealth - Supported passage of the CONNECT for Health Act (S. 2016/H.R. 4189). Continued to advocate for the adoption of permanent telehealth policies to extend flexibilities beyond the current 2024 expiration date. Medical Device Sterilization - Conducted education and outreach on the potential negative impact on the healthcare supply chain of pending regulations limiting the use of Ethylene Oxide as a medical device sterilant. Supported passage of the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR)Act (S. 1355/H.R. 2940). Supported passage of the Biologics Competition Act (H.R. 1790). Payer-mandated White Bagging - Urged support for policy updates to place limits on payer-mandated white bagging for medications.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

2nd Quarter, 2023

Q2 Report

In Q2, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 20, 2023. Original Filing: 301486221.xml

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Medicare Reimbursement Rates - Urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to use their adjustment authority to increase Medicare reimbursement rates due to inflationary pressures that have not been fully captured in payment rules. Medicare Site-neutral Payment Policy (H.R. 3561) - Opposed inclusion of provisions to reduce Medicare payment rates for hospital outpatient department drug administration, and other services. Medicaid Disproportionate Hospital (DSH) payment cuts - Urged Congress to avoid Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payment cuts that are scheduled to take effect in FY 2024. Urged passage of Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act (H.R. 2665). Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education - Endorsed passage of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (H.R. 2389/S. 1302). Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization - Raised concerns about the use of prior authorization and other utilization management techniques employed by Medicare Advantage organizations. Also raised concerns about required use of payer-mandated pharmacy distribution using "white bagging" and "brown bagging" in Medicare Advantage. Medicare Home Infusion - Endorsed passage of the Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act (S. 1976/H.R. 4104). Rural health care - Supported passage of the SAVE Rural Hospitals Act (S. 803) and passage of the Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act (S. 1571)

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing - Advocated to highlight the value that hospital group purchasing organizations 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. Drug shortages - Engaged to highlight how GPOs act to prevent and mitigate drug shortages. Urged greater transparency in the healthcare supply chain related to geographic locations for manufacturing, active pharmaceutical ingredients and other critical sources. Debt Ceiling Negotiations (H.R. 3746) - Opposed inclusion of work and community engagement requirements or further cuts in hospital reimbursement in debt ceiling negotiations. Pandemic and All Hazard Preparedness Act - Supported including provisions in the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act that would provide greater authority to require reporting of geographic locations for sourcing of critical materials, active pharmaceutical ingredients, manufacturing, sterilization and finishing of critical medical products. Advocated for policies that would improve hospital and health system emergency preparedness. Supported improvements in transparency for the Strategic National Stockpile, greater government engagement with private sector stakeholders, automated reporting and reduced administrative burden for providers in emergencies and urged steps to support greater supply chain resilience. 340B Drug Pricing Program - Endorsed passage of the Protect 340B Act (H.R. 2534). Opposed legislation (H.R. 3290/S. 1133) that would place cumbersome reporting obligations on 340B covered entities. Continued to urge action to ensure covered entities have access to 340B discounted prices through contract pharmacies. Highlighted critical importance of the 340B program for hospitals. Healthcare Workforce - Urged passage of the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act (H.R. 2584). Continued to highlight the need to improve healthcare staffing through investments and reauthorization of critical workforce programs, expanding access to unused visas for healthcare workers, and review of staffing agency activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) - Offered support for providing $738 million in funding the CHGME program. Urged Congress to reauthorize CHGME program (H.R. 3887). Telehealth - Endorsed passage of the CONNECT for Health Act(S. 2016/H.R. 4189). Continued to advocate for the adoption of permanent telehealth policies that would extend flexibilities offered during the declared public health emergency and beyond the current 2024 expiration date. Medical Device Sterilization - conducted education and outreach on the potential negative impact on the healthcare supply chain of pending regulations limiting the use of Ethylene Oxide as a medical device sterilant. Endorsed passage of the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions To End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR)Act (S. 1355/H.R. 2940). Endorsed passage of the Biologics Competition Act (H.R. 1790) Payer Mandated "white bagging" - Raised concerns about health plan restrictions requiring medications to be acquired through payer-affiliated pharmacies.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

1st Quarter, 2023

Q1 Report

In Q1, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 20, 2023. Original Filing: 301460602.xml

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Financial Challenges - highlighted ongoing financial challenges facing hospitals with stagnant reimbursement, inflation and increased staffing costs. Medicaid Disproportionate Hospital (DSH) payment cuts - Urged Congress to avoid Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payment cuts that are scheduled to take effect in FY 2024. Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education - Endorsed passage of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (H.R. 2389). Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization - Raised concerns about the use of prior authorization and other utilization management techniques employed by Medicare Advantage organizations. Medicare Home Infusion - Supported efforts to improve the Medicare Home Infusion benefit and monitored the development of updated legislation. Medicare Reimbursement Reductions for 340B Drugs - Urged CMS to restore lost Medicare reimbursement for 340B drugs that was found unlawful by the Supreme Court without delay in a way that would not increase provider burden by requiring resubmission of previous claims.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing - Advocated to highlight the value that hospital group purchasing organizations provide to hospitals and suppliers. Provided education on how GPOs work and the role they play in delivering value to healthcare providers. Pandemic and All Hazard Preparedness Act - Supported including provisions in the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act that would provide greater authority to require reporting of geographic locations for sourcing of critical materials, active pharmaceutical ingredients, manufacturing, sterilization and finishing of critical medical products. Advocated for policies that would improve hospital and health system emergency preparedness. Supported improvements in transparency for the Strategic National Stockpile, greater government engagement with private sector stakeholders, automated reporting and reduced administrative burden for providers in emergencies and urged steps to support greater supply chain resilience. 340B Drug Pricing Program - continued to urge action to ensure covered entities have access to 340B discounted prices through contract pharmacies. Highlighted critical importance of the 340B program for hospitals. Healthcare Workforce - continued to highlight the need to improve healthcare staffing through investments and reauthorization of critical workforce programs, expanding access to unused visas for healthcare workers, review of staffing agency activities during the COVID-19 pandemic and improving workforce safety through enhanced penalties for workplace violence. Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) - Offered support for providing $738 million in funding the CHGME program. Telehealth - Continued to advocate for the adoption of permanent telehealth policies that would extend flexibilities offered during the declared public health emergency and beyond the current 2024 expiration date.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

4th Quarter, 2022

Q4 Report

In Q4, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 20, 2023. Original Filing: 301442233.xml

Lobbying Issues

Medicare PAYGO Sequestration - (H.R 2617) - Supported inclusion of provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act to prevent 4% Medicare payment reductions due to sequestration required by statutory PAYGO requirements. Medicare Physician Reimbursement (H.R. 2617; H.R. 8800) - Supported legislation that would ease pending reimbursement cuts through the physician fee schedule conversion factor. Health Care Workforce (S.834/H.R. 2256; S. 1438/H.R. 3441; H.R. 2617) - Supported legislation to increase the number of Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education slots. Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM) Bonus Payment (H.R. 4587; H.R. 2617) - Supported passage of legislation to extend the APM bonus payments. Telehealth (H.R. 2617; H.R. 4040; S. 1512/H.R. 2903)- Advocated for Congress to extend or make permanent flexibilities related to distant site and geographic limitations, expanding the provider types and services available to be reimbursed by Medicare. Acute Hospital Care at Home Model (H.R. 2617; S. 3792/H.R. 7053) Supported passage of legislation to extend the Acute Hospital Care at Home Model beyond the end of the declared Public Health Emergency. Rural Health Care Extenders (H.R. 2617) - Supported extension of Medicare Dependent Hospital program and Medicare Low-Volume Adjustment. Mental and Behavioral Health (S. 4747; H.R. 7236; H.R. 2617) - Supported passage of legislation to better support access to mental and behavioral health needs for children and adults. Supported passage of the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act (S.3018/ H.R.3173). Supported passage of the Preserving Access to Home Infusion Act (H.R. 5067/S. 2652).

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Healthcare Supply Chain - Highlighted the important role played by hospital group purchasing organizations in promoting resiliency and value in healthcare purchasing. Engaged to support policies to ensure greater transparency and mitigate or limit shortages of prescription drugs. Supported policies that would expedite critical cargo, including cargo necessary for medical care, during a public health emergency or disaster. Advocated for greater transparency in the health care supply chain for drugs and medical devices. Supported updating language related to the Unapproved Drugs Initiative, and incorporating the PASTUER Act (S.2076) and the PATCH Act (H.R. 7084) in omnibus legislation (H.R. 2617). Telehealth - Supported efforts to make telehealth flexibilities offered during COVID-19 Public Health Emergency permanent. Supported CONNECT for Health Act (H.R. 2617 S. 1512/H.R. 2903) and the Extending Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act (H.R. 4040). Encouraged reimbursement parity for certain telehealth services and support for audio-only telehealth services. Health Care Workforce - Urged passage of the Temporary Reciprocity to Ensure Access to Treatment (TREAT) Act (H.R. 708; S. 168); The Health Care Workforce Resilience Act (S. 1024/H.R. 2255). Urged administration to examine practices of health care staffing agencies and supported passage of the Travel Nursing Agency Transparency Study Act (S. 4352). Supported passage of the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees Act (H.R. 7961). Prepare for and Respond to Existing Viruses, Emerging New Threats, and (PREVENT) Pandemics Act (S. 3799; H.R 2617) - monitored PREVENT Pandemics Act and supported inclusion of provisions to improve supply chain transparency, enhance cybersecurity of medical devices and extend shelf life of prescription drugs in omnibus legislation. 340B Drug Pricing Program - Urged HHS to enforce guidance that would allow 340B Covered Entities to utilize contract pharmacies. Social Determinants of Health and Health Equity - Shared insights and offered suggestions to CMS regarding health equity measurement, indices and data collection. Supported the Social Determinants Accelerator Act (H.R. 2503; S. 3039); The LINC to Address Social Needs Act (S. 509). Supported passage of Opioid Treatment Access Act (S. 3629/H.R. 6279). Supported passage of Drug Shortages Shelf Life Extension Act (S. 3493). Supported passage of the Biologics Competition Act (H.R. 8877).

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

3rd Quarter, 2022

Q3 Report

In Q3, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 20, 2022. Original Filing: 301417744.xml

Lobbying Issues

Inflation Reduction Act (H.R. 5376) - Supported inclusion of 4,000 Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education slots as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Supported policies to encourage health care coverage and close the Medicaid coverage gap. Monitored impact of Medicare reimbursement provisions for prescription drugs in final legislation. Medicare Provider Reimbursement - Raised concerns about adequacy of payment updates through annual payment rules and urged Congress to provide additional support. Advocated for Congress to extend Medicare sequestration relief through the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and act to prevent sequestration cuts beginning in 2023 due to statutory PAYGO requirements. Medicare Physician Reimbursement - Supported passage of Supporting Medicare Providers Act (H.R. 8800) to ease pending reimbursement cuts through the physician fee schedule conversion factor. Health Care Workforce - Supported legislation (S.834/H.R. 2256; S. 1438) to increase the number of Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education slots. Supported the Opioid Workforce Act (S. 1438 /H.R. 3441). Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APMs) Bonus Payment - Supported passage of the Value in Healthcare Act (H.R. 4587) to extend the APM bonus payments. Strengthen Kids Mental Health Now Act (H.R. 7236). Telehealth - Advocated for Congress to extend or make permanent flexibilities related to distant site and geographic limitations, expanding the provider types and services available to be reimbursed by Medicare. Urged passage of the CONNECT for Health Act (S. 1512/H.R. 2903). Supported passage of Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act (H.R. 4040). Social Determinants of Health and Health Equity - Engaged and offered feedback on proposals from CMS to provide resources and context to better assess patient obstacles to accessing health care and their impact on health care outcomes. Supported passage of the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act (S. 3792/H.R. 7053). Supported passage of the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act (S.3018/ H.R.3173). Supported passage of the Preserving Access to Home Infusion Act (H.R. 5067/S. 2652).

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Healthcare Supply Chain - Highlighted the important role played by hospital group purchasing organizations in promoting resiliency and value in healthcare purchasing. Provided information on ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support environmentally preferred sourcing for healthcare supplies. Engaged to support policies to ensure greater transparency and mitigate or limit shortages of prescription drugs. Supported policies that would expedite critical cargo, including cargo necessary for medical care, during a public health emergency or disaster. Food and Drug Administration User Fee Amendments - Supported passage of legislation to extend user-fee authorities ((S. 4348, H.R.7667, H.R. 6833). Advocated for greater transparency in the health care supply chain for drugs and medical devices. Supported updating language related to the Unapproved Drugs Initiative, and incorporating the PASTUER Act (S.2076) and the PATCH Act (H.R. 7084) in final passage. Inflation Reduction Act (H.R. 5376) - Supported extension of enhanced subsidies through the health insurance marketplace. Supported provisions that would increase reimbursement for biosimilar medications and monitored impact of other policies impacting prices of prescription drugs. Public Health Emergency - Advocated for HHS to further extend the declared Public Health Emergency. Telehealth - Supported efforts to make telehealth flexibilities offered during COVID-19 Public Health Emergency permanent. Supported CONNECT for Health Act (S. 1512/H.R. 2903) and the Extending Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act (H.R. 4040). Encouraged reimbursement parity for certain telehealth services and support for audio-only telehealth services. Health Care Workforce - Urged passage of the Temporary Reciprocity to Ensure Access to Treatment (TREAT) Act (H.R. 708; S. 168); The Health Care Workforce Resilience Act (S. 1024/H.R. 2255); The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (S.834/H.R. 2256). The Opioid Workforce Act (S. 1438/H.R. 3441). Urged administration to examine practices of health care staffing agencies. Supported passage of the Travel Nursing Agency Transparency Study Act (S. 4352). Supported passage of the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees Act (H.R. 7961). Prepare for and Respond to Existing Viruses, Emerging New Threats, and (PREVENT) Pandemics Act (S. 3799) - monitored PREVENT Pandemics Act and supported inclusion of provisions to improve supply chain transparency and extend shelf life of prescription drugs. Supported passage of the Integrity, Notification, Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces (INFORM) Consumers Act (S. 963/H.R. 5502). 340B Drug Pricing Program - Urged HHS to enforce guidance that would allow 340B Covered Entities to utilize contract pharmacies. Social Determinants of Health and Health Equity - Shared insights and offered suggestions to CMS regarding health equity measurement, indices and data collection. Supported the Social Determinants Accelerator Act (H.R. 2503; S. 3039); The LINC to Address Social Needs Act (S. 509). Antimicrobial resistance (S. 2076) - Supported passage of the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act. Supported passage of Opioid Treatment Access Act (S. 3629/H.R. 6279). Supported passage of Drug Shortage Shelf Life Extension Act (S. 3493). Supported passage of the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act (S. 3792/H.R. 7053).

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

2nd Quarter, 2022

Q2 Report

In Q2, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 20, 2022. Original Filing: 301395186.xml

Lobbying Issues

Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376) - Supported inclusion of 4,000 Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education slots as part of Build Back Better Act. Supported policies to encourage health care coverage and close the Medicaid coverage gap. Medicare Sequestration - Urged Congress to avoid full resumption of Medicare sequestration payment reductions and act to prevent sequestration cuts due to statutory PAYGO requirements. Health Care Workforce - Supported legislation (S.834/H.R. 2256; S. 1438) to increase the number of Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education slots. Supported the Opioid Workforce Act (S. 1438/H.R. 3441). Advocated for increased funding for Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education funding. Supported passage of legislation - Strengthen Kids Mental Health Now Act (H.R. 7236). Telehealth - Advocated for Congress to extend or make permanent flexibilities related to distant site and geographic limitations, expanding the provider types and services available to be reimbursed by Medicare. Supported provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (H.R. 2471) to temporarily extend certain flexibilities after the end of the public health emergency. Urged passage of the CONNECT for Health Act (S. 1512/H.R. 2903). Social Determinants of Health and Health Equity - Engaged and offered feedback on proposals from CMS to provide resources and context to better assess patient obstacles to accessing health care and their impact on health care outcomes. Supported passage of the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act (S. 3792/H.R. 7053). Supported passage of the Preserving Access to Home Infusion Act (H.R. 5067).

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Health Care Supply Chain - Advocated for the importance of hospital group purchasing organizations, and highlighted role in supporting supply chain resiliency to secure essential, authentic medical supplies for hospitals throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supported adoption of effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and environmentally preferred sourcing for health care supplies. Engaged to support policies to limit shortages of prescription drugs. Advocated for greater transparency in the health care supply chain for drugs and medical devices. Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376) - Supported policies to encourage health care coverage and close the Medicaid coverage gap. Public Health Emergency - Advocated for HHS to further extend the declared Public Health Emergency. Telehealth - Supported efforts to make telehealth flexibilities offered during COVID-19 Public Health Emergency permanent. Supported CONNECT for Health Act (S. 1512/H.R. 2903) and encouraged reimbursement parity for certain telehealth services and support for audio-only telehealth services. Health Care Workforce - Urged passage of the Temporary Reciprocity to Ensure Access to Treatment (TREAT) Act (H.R. 708; S. 168); The Health Care Workforce Resilience Act (S. 1024/H.R. 2255); The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.610/H.R. 1667); The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (S.834/H.R. 2256). The Opioid Workforce Act (S. 1438/H.R. 3441). Urged administration to examine practices of health care staffing agencies. Supported passage of the Travel Nursing Agency Transparency Study Act (S. 4352). Supported passage of the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees Act (H.R. 7961). Prepare for and Respond to Existing Viruses, Emerging New Threats, and (PREVENT) Pandemics Act (S. 3799) - monitored Senate Committee adoption of PREVENT Pandemics Act. Supported inclusion of provisions to improve supply chain transparency and extend shelf life of prescription drugs. Supported passage of the Integrity, Notification, Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces (INFORM) Consumers Act (S. 963/H.R. 5502). 340B Drug Pricing Program - Urged HHS to enforce guidance that would allow 340B Covered Entities to utilize contract pharmacies. Food and Drug Administration User Fees (S. 4348, H.R.7667) - Urged inclusion of provisions in FDA user fee legislation to provide greater authorities for the FDA to promote supply chain transparency, clarifying language related to the Unapproved Drugs Initiative, the PASTUER Act (S.2076) and the PATCH Act (H.R. 7084). Social Determinants of Health and Health Equity - Shared insights and offered suggestions to CMS regarding health equity measurement, indices and data collection. Supported the Social Determinants Accelerator Act (H.R. 2503; S. 3039); The LINC to Address Social Needs Act (S. 509). Antimicrobial resistance (S. 2076) - Supported passage of the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act. Supported passage of Opioid Treatment Access Act (S. 3629/H.R. 6279). Supported passage of Drug Shortage Shelf Life Extension Act (S. 3493).

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

1st Quarter, 2022

Q1 Report

In Q1, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 20, 2022. Original Filing: 301367066.xml

Lobbying Issues

Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376) - Supported inclusion of 4,000 Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education slots as part of Build Back Better Act. Supported policies to encourage health care coverage and close the Medicaid coverage gap. Medicare Sequestration - Urged Congress to continue delay of Medicare sequestration payment reductions and act to prevent sequestration cuts due to statutory PAYGO requirements. Health Care Workforce - Supported legislation (S.834/H.R. 2256; S. 1438) to increase the number of Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education (GME) slots. Supported the Opioid Workforce Act (S. 1438/H.R. 3441). Telehealth - Advocated for Congress to extend or make permanent flexibilities related to distant site and geographic limitations, expanding the provider types and services available to be reimbursed by Medicare. Supported provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (H.R. 2471) to temporarily extend certain flexibilities after the end of the public health emergency. Urged passage of the CONNECT for Health Act (S. 1512/H.R. 2903). Social Determinants of Health and Health Equity - Engaged and offered feedback on proposals from CMS to provide resources and context to better assess patient obstacles to accessing health care and their impact on health care outcomes. Supported passage of the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act (S. 3792/H.R. 7053). Supported passage of the Preserving Access to Home Infusion Act (H.R. 5067). Advanced and Accelerated Payments Program - Urged Congress to act to provide further flexibility for repayment of advanced payments under the Medicare Advanced and Accelerated Payments Program.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376) - Supported policies to encourage health care coverage and close the Medicaid coverage gap. Urged additional pandemic financial support for hospitals. Advocated for investments for hospitals and health care providers, including physical structure improvements, workforce and graduate medical education support. Public Health Emergency - Advocated for HHS to further extend the declared Public Health Emergency. Telehealth -Supported provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (H.R. 2471) to temporarily extend certain flexibilities after the end of the public health emergency. Supported passage of the CONNECT for Health Act (S. 1512/H.R. 2903) to make telehealth flexibilities permanent. Encouraged reimbursement parity for certain telehealth services and support for audio-only telehealth services. Health Care Workforce - Urged passage of the Temporary Reciprocity to Ensure Access to Treatment (TREAT) Act (H.R. 708; S. 168); The Health Care Workforce Resilience Act (S. 1024/H.R. 2255); The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.610/H.R. 1667); The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (S.834/H.R. 2256). The Opioid Workforce Act (S. 1438/H.R. 3441). Urged administration to examine practices of health care staffing agencies. Health Care Supply Chain - Advocated for the importance of hospital group purchasing organizations, and highlighted role in supporting supply chain resiliency to secure essential, authentic medical supplies for hospitals throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Engaged to support policies to limit shortages of prescription drugs. Advocated for greater transparency in the health care supply chain for drugs and medical devices. Prepare for and Respond to Existing Viruses, Emerging New Threats, and (PREVENT) Pandemics Act (S. 3799) - monitored introduction of PREVENT Pandemics Act. Supported inclusion of provisions to improve supply chain transparency and extend shelf life of prescription drugs. Supported passage of the Integrity, Notification, Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces (INFORM) Consumers Act (S. 963/H.R. 5502). Provider Relief Fund - Urged HHS and Congress to offer greater flexibility and extend deadlines for hospitals to utilize PRF funding and provide clear guidance on reporting expectations. Supported Provider Relief Deadline Extension Act (S. 2493) and Provider Relief Fund Improvement Act (H.R. 5963/S.3611). Drug Pricing - Reviewed options to further support modifications to the unapproved drugs initiative that would prevent or limit price increases for older, unapproved drugs. Supported changes to the 340B program and urged HHS to enforce guidance that would allow 340B Covered Entities to utilize contract pharmacies. Advocated for HHS to offer additional 340B Drug Pricing Program eligibility flexibility for hospitals that have had patient mix changed during the COVID-19 public health emergency (S. 773). Supported inclusion of provisions in Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (H.R. 2471) that would extend eligibility for covered entities that may have lost eligibility during the public health emergency. Medical Device User Fee Amendments - Urged greater authorities for the FDA to promote supply chain transparency. Generic Drug User Fee Amendments - Supported rapid adoption of generic drug user fee amendments, and urged inclusion of clarifying language related to the Unapproved Drugs Initiative and the PASTUER Act (S.2076). Social Determinants of Health and Health Equity - Shared insights and offered suggestions to CMS regarding health equity measurement, indices and data collection. Supported the Social Determinants Accelerator Act (H.R. 2503; S. 3039); The LINC to Address Social Needs Act (S. 509). Antimicrobial resistance (S. 2076) - Supported passage of the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act. Supported passage of Opioid Treatment Access Act (S. 3629/H.R. 6279). Supported passage of Drug Shortage Shelf Life Extension Act (S. 3493).

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

4th Quarter, 2021

Q4 Report

In Q4, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 20, 2022. Original Filing: 301331446.xml

Lobbying Issues

Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376) Supported inclusion of 4,000 Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education slots as part of Build Back Better Act. Urged removal of provision from bill that would implement a 12.5% reduction in Medicaid DSH payments in states that have not yet expanded Medicaid. Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act (S. 610) - supported passage of legislation to delay and reduce payment cuts due to Medicare sequestration, prevent Pay-as-You-Go payment reductions and increase Medicare physician reimbursement. Health Care Workforce - Supported legislation (S.834/H.R. 2256; S. 1438) to increase the number of Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education (GME) slots and to increase funding for Children's Hospital GME in FY2022. Telehealth - Advocated for Congress to extend or make permanent flexibilities related to distant site and geographic limitations, expanding the provider types and services available to be reimbursed by Medicare. Urged passage of the CONNECT for Health Act (S. 1512/H.R. 2903). Supported passage of the Preserving Access to Home Infusion Act (H.R. 5067).

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376) - Supported policies to encourage health care coverage and close the Medicaid coverage gap. Urged additional pandemic financial support for hospitals. Advocated for investments for hospitals and health care providers, including physical structure improvements, workforce and graduate medical education support. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684) - Supported inclusion of funding to support broadband deployment needed for greater access to telehealth services. Opposed using further extension of Medicare sequestration or repurposing unused provider relief funding as offsets for bipartisan infrastructure package. Telehealth - Supported passage of the CONNECT for Health Act (S. 1512/H.R. 2903) to make telehealth flexibilities permanent. Encouraged reimbursement parity for certain telehealth services and support for audio-only telehealth services. Health Care Workforce - Urged passage of the Temporary Reciprocity to Ensure Access to Treatment (TREAT) Act (H.R. 708; S. 168); The Health Care Workforce Resilience Act (S. 1024/H.R. 2255); The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.610/H.R. 1667); The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (S.834/H.R. 2256). Urged administration to examine practices of health care staffing agencies. Surprise Bills - Urged changes to the Surprise Billing Interim Final Rule Part 2 to modify its reliance on a "Qualifying Payment Amount" in an Independent Dispute Resolution process. Hospital Group Purchasing Organizations - Advocated for the importance of hospital group purchasing organizations, and highlighted role in supporting supply chain resiliency to secure essential, authentic medical supplies for hospitals throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Engaged to support policies to limit shortages of prescription drugs. Engaged with U.S. DOT Port Envoy related to shipping delays for key medical products. Advocated for greater transparency in the health care supply chain for drugs and medical devices. Supported passage of the Integrity, Notification, Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces (INFORM) Consumers Act (S. 963/H.R. 5502). Provider Relief Fund - Urged HHS and Congress to offer greater flexibility and extend deadlines for hospitals to utilize PRF funding and provide clear guidance on reporting expectations. Supported Provider Relief Deadline Extension Act (S. 2493) and Provider Relief Fund Improvement Act (H.R. 5963). Drug Pricing - Monitored drug pricing legislation (H.R. 3, H.R. 19, H.R. 5376) with support for policies that improve market competition and makes improvements to support hospital and patient access to needed medications. Reviewed options to further support modifications to the unapproved drugs initiative that would prevent or limit price increases for older, unapproved drugs. Monitored for potential changes to the 340B program and supported HHS to enforce guidance that would allow 340B Covered Entities to utilize contract pharmacies. Advocated for HHS to offer additional 340B Drug Pricing Program eligibility flexibility for hospitals that have had patient mix changed during the COVID-19 public health emergency (S. 773). Social Determinants of Health - Engaged to offer support for policies to improve social determinants of health. Offered feedback on legislation and activity from the CMS Innovation Center to improve access and reduce health care disparities. Supported the Social Determinants Accelerator Act (H.R. 2503; S. 3039); The LINC to Address Social Needs Act (S. 509). CURES 2.0 (H.R. 6000) - Monitored the introduction of CURES 2.0 Health Care Equity - Offered feedback on legislation to improve access to care and reduce health care disparities. Rural MOMS Act (H.R. 769); Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (H.R. 959). Antimicrobial resistance (S. 2076) - Supported passage of the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

3rd Quarter, 2021

Q3 Report

In Q3, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 20, 2021. Original Filing: 301310902.xml

Lobbying Issues

Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376) Urged support for increasing available Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education slots as part of infrastructure package. Raised opposition to using further extension of Medicare sequestration or repurposing unused provider relief funding as offsets for bipartisan infrastructure package. Health care Workforce - Supported legislation (S.834/H.R. 2256; S. 1438) to increase the number of Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education (GME) slots and to increase funding for Children's Hospital GME in FY2022. Telehealth - Advocated for Congress to extend or make permanent flexibilities related to distant site and geographic limitations, expanding the provider types and services available to be reimbursed by Medicare. Urged passage of the CONNECT for Health Act (S. 1512/H.R. 2903). Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684) - Supported inclusion of funding to support broadband deployment needed for greater access to telehealth services. Preserving Access to Home Infusion Act (H.R. 5067)

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376) - Supported policies to encourage health care coverage and close Medicaid coverage gap. Urged additional pandemic financial support for hospitals. Advocated for support for investments for hospitals and health care providers, including physical structure improvements, workforce and graduate medical education support. Raised opposition to using further extension of Medicare sequestration or repurposing unused provider relief funding as offsets for bipartisan infrastructure package. Telehealth - Supported passage of the CONNECT for Health Act (S. 1512/H.R. 2903) to make telehealth flexibilities permanent. Encouraged reimbursement parity for certain telehealth services and support for audio-only telehealth services. Health Care Workforce - Urged passage of the Temporary Reciprocity to Ensure Access to Treatment (TREAT) Act (H.R. 708; S. 168); The Health Care Workforce Resilience Act (S. 1024/H.R. 2255); The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S.610/H.R. 1667); The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (S.834/H.R. 2256) Hospital Group Purchasing Organizations - Advocated for the importance of hospital GPOs, and highlighted role in supporting supply chain resiliency to secure essential, authentic medical supplies for hospitals throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Advocated for greater transparency in the health care supply chain for drugs and medical devices and greater transparency into the decision-making of the Strategic National Stockpile. Supported passage of the Integrity, Notification, Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces (INFORM) Consumers Act (S. 963/H.R. 5502). Provider Relief Fund - Urged HHS and Congress to offer greater flexibility and extend deadlines for hospitals to utilize PRF funding and provide clear guidance on reporting expectations. Supported Provider Relief Deadline Extension Act (S. 2493) Drug Pricing - Monitored drug pricing legislation (H.R. 3, H.R. 19, H.R. 5376) with support for policies that improve market competition and provides improvements to support hospital and patient access to needed medications. Unapproved Drugs Initiative - Engaged with HHS and the FDA to support modifications to the unapproved drugs initiative that would prevent or limit unintended price increases for older unapproved products. 340B Drug Pricing Program - Urged HHS to enforce guidance that would allow 340B Covered Entities to utilize contract pharmacies. Advocated for HHS to offer additional 340B Drug Pricing Program eligibility flexibility for hospitals that have had patient mix changed during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Social Determinants of Health - Engaged to offer support for policies to improve social determinants of health. Social Determinants of Health Accelerator Act (H.R. 2503); The LINC to Address Social Needs Act (S. 509) Health Care Equity - Offered feedback on legislation to improve access to care and reduce health care disparities. Rurual MOMS Act (H.R. 769); Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (H.R. 959). Stark Law and Anti-kickback Statute - Encouraged Congress to continue evaluating Stark and Anti-kickback statutes to better enable care coordination in value-based alternative payment models. Antimicrobial resistance (S. 2076) - Supported passage of the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

2nd Quarter, 2021

Q2 Report

In Q2, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 20, 2021. Original Filing: 301288604.xml

Lobbying Issues

American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan Infrastructure Proposals - Monitored release and negotiations around infrastructure proposals. Urged support for increasing available Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education slots as part of infrastructure package. Raised opposition to using further extension of Medicare sequestration or repurposing unused provider relief funding as offsets for bipartisan infrastructure package. Health care Workforce - Supported legislation (S.834/H.R. 2256; S. 1438) to increase the number of Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education (GME) slots and increase funding for Children's Hospital GME in FY2021. Biosimilar Medications - Advocated for expanded use of biosimilar medicines. Supported passage of the Bolstering Innovative Options to Save Immediately on Medicines (BioSim) Act (H.R. 2815). Medicare Alternative Payment Models - Urged CMS and the Medicare Innovation Center to release more information on the Medicare Shared Savings Program and Direct Contracting models. Telehealth - Advocated for Congress to extend or make permanent flexibilities related to distant site and geographic limitations, expanding the provider types and services available to be reimbursed by Medicare. Urged passage of the CONNECT for Health Act (S. 1512/H.R. 2903). Medicaid Supplemental Funding Reporting - Urged HHS and CMS to engage with stakeholders to implement Medicaid supplemental funding reporting.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing Organizations - Advocated for the importance of hospital GPOs, and highlighted role in supporting supply chain resiliency to secure essential, authentic medical supplies for hospitals throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Advocated for greater transparency in the health care supply chain for drugs and medical devices and greater transparency into the decision-making of the Strategic National Stockpile. Supported passage of the Integrity, Notification, Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces (INFORM) Consumers Act (S. 963). American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan Infrastructure Proposals - Monitored infrastructure proposals and advocated for support for investments in infrastructure for hospitals and health care providers, including physical structure improvements, workforce and graduate medical education support, efforts to prevent antimicrobial resistance and telehealth investments. Provider Relief Fund - Urged HHS and Congress to offer greater flexibility and extend deadlines for hospitals to utilize PRF funding and provide clear guidance on reporting expectations. Health Care Workforce - Urged passage of the Temporary Reciprocity to Ensure Access to Treatment (TREAT) Act (H.R. 708; S. 168). Drug Pricing - Monitored introductions of drug pricing legislation (H.R. 3, H.R. 19) and urged improvements to support hospital and patient access to needed medications. Unapproved Drugs Initiative - Engaged with HHS and the FDA to support modifications to the unapproved drugs initiative that would prevent or limit unintended price increases for older unapproved products. 340B Drug Pricing Program - Urged HHS to enforce guidance that would allow 340B Covered Entities to utilize contract pharmacies. Advocated for HHS to offer additional 340B Drug Pricing Program eligibility flexibility for hospitals that have had patient mix changed during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Stark Law and Anti-kickback Statute - Encouraged Congress to continue evaluating Stark and Anti-kickback statutes to better enable care coordination in value-based alternative payment models. Antimicrobial resistance (S. 2076) - Supported passage of the Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

1st Quarter, 2021

Q1 Report

In Q1, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 20, 2021. Original Filing: 301260677.xml

Lobbying Issues

COVID-19 Relief - H.R. 1319, The American Rescue Plan - Advocated for flexibility in repayment for the Medicare Advanced and Accelerated Payment Program. Supported increasing the Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). Medicare Sequestration - Urged Congress to adopt legislation that would extend delay of implementation of Medicare and PayGo sequestration (H.R. 315; H.R. 1868) Health care Workforce - Supported legislation (S.834) to increase the number of Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education (GME) slots and increase funding for Children's Hospital GME in FY2021. Rural Health Clinics - Supported legislation to correct Medicare reimbursement formula for rural health clinics (H.R. 1868; S. 934) Medicare Alternative Payment Models - Urged CMS and the Medicare Innovation Center to release more information on the Medicare Shared Savings Program and Direct Contracting models. Telehealth - Advocated for Congress to extend or make permanent flexibilities related to distant site and geographic limitations, expanding the provider types and services available to be reimbursed by Medicare.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing Organizations - Advocated for the importance of hospital GPOs, and highlighted role in securing essential, authentic medical supplies for hospitals throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Advocated for greater transparency in the health care supply chain for drugs and medical devices and greater transparency into the decision-making of the Strategic National Stockpile. COVID-19 Relief - H.R. 1319, The American Rescue Plan - Advocated for Congress to include provisions in COVID relief package to increase funding for the Provider Relief Fund. Urged robust support for vaccine distribution and administration. Supported inclusion of provisions that would provide liability protection for hospitals and health care workers, and provide for hazard pay for essential frontline health care workers. American Jobs Plan and Infrastructure - Monitored proposals from the American Jobs plan that would support investments in infrastructure for health care providers, including physical structure improvements and workforce and telehealth investments. Health Care Workforce - Urged passage of the Temporary Reciprocity to Ensure Access to Treatment (TREAT) Act (H.R. 708; S. 168) Insurance Plans Limiting Distribution for Specialty Pharmaceuticals - Raised concerns about growing practice of "white bagging" where health plans prohibit hospitals from acquiring certain specialty pharmacy items to treat patients, and instead require purchase through a plan-affiliated specialty pharmacy. Unapproved Drugs Initiative - Engaged with HHS and the FDA to support modifications to the unapproved drugs initiative that would prevent or limit unintended price increases for older unapproved products. 340B Drug Pricing Program - Urged HHS to enforce guidance that would allow 340B Covered Entities to utilize contract pharmacies. Stark Law and Anti-kickback Statute - Encouraged Congress to continue evaluating Stark and Anti-kickback statutes to better enable care coordination in value-based alternative payment models.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

4th Quarter, 2020

Q4 Report

In Q4, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 19, 2021. Original Filing: 301236249.xml

Lobbying Issues

COVID-19 crisis - Engaged with Congress and the administration to advocate for greater regulatory flexibility and appropriate reimbursement for hospitals through development, passage and ongoing implementation of coronavirus relief legislation: HEROES Act (HR 6800) Heroes Act 2.0 (H.R. 925) Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act (S. 178) The Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 133) Telehealth - Urged Congress and the administration to make permanent telehealth flexibilities related to distant site and geographic limitations, expanding provider types and services available to consumers and maintain Medicare reimbursement parity. Accelerated and Advanced Payment Program - Advocated for Congress and the administration to offer forgiveness for accelerated and advanced payments during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Offered support for reduced interest rates, extended loan repayment period and reduced recoupment amounts (S. 3750/H.R. 6837/ H.R. 8337 / H.R. 133). Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Payments - Urged Congress to end or further delay implementation of Medicaid DSH payment cuts. Medicare Sequester - urged Congress to end or further delay ongoing Medicare sequestration reimbursement reductions. Enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) - Urged Congress to extend the increased Medicaid FMAP matching rate beyond the public health emergency and increase the enhanced percentage. Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation - Urged CMS to permanently withdraw the Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation and advocated for Congress to rescind the proposal. COVID-19 Data Reporting Requirements for Hospitals - Urged HHS ease burden of COVID-19 mandatory reporting requirements and clarify aspects of reporting. Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (S. 348) - Urged Congress to pass the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act. Most Favored Nation - Urged CMS to withdraw or delay the start of the Most-Favored Nation regulation for drug reimbursement for hospitals and other providers.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

COVID-19 crisis - Engaged with Congress and the administration to advocate for greater regulatory flexibility and appropriate reimbursement for hospitals through development, passage and ongoing implementation of coronavirus relief legislation: HEROES Act (H.R. 6800) Heroes Act 2.0 (H.R. 925) Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act (S. 178) The Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 133) Hospital Provider Relief Fund - Urged Congress to provide additional funding for the Provider Relief Fund. Advocated in Congress and with HHS to revert to initial June guidance defining "lost revenue". Liability protections - Advocated for Congress to include liability protections for health care workers and facilities responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Front-line Health Care Worker Hazard Pay - Advocated for Congress to provide funding to enhance payment for essential health care workers. Hospital Group Purchasing - Offered recommendations and insights to support access to essential personal protective equipment, medications and supplies for hospitals treating patients and supply chain stability for the national response to the COVID-19 crisis. 340B Drug Pricing Program - Urged HHS to act to enforce guidance regarding 340B discounts through contract pharmacies. Vaccine distribution, administration and communications - Advocated to provide states with financial support and other resources to enhance communications and for transparency, including support regarding vaccine distribution, administration and post-market processes, considering both providers needs and states needs. Surprise Billing - Supported inclusion of provisions to provide for an independent dispute resolution process in legislation to address surprise bills (H.R. 3630; H.R. 2328; S. 1895; H.R. 133). Urged Congress to oppose benchmark payment rates in COVID relief legislation. Advocated for passage of the Pasteur Act (S. 4760; H.R. 8920)

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

3rd Quarter, 2020

Q3 Report

In Q3, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 20, 2020. Original Filing: 301220859.xml

Lobbying Issues

COVID-19 crisis - Engaged with Congress and the administration to advocate for greater regulatory flexibility and appropriate reimbursement for hospitals through development, passage and ongoing implementation of coronavirus relief legislation: HEROES Act (HR 6800) Heroes Act 2.0 (H.R. 925) Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act S. 178 Telehealth - Urged Congress and the administration to make permanent telehealth flexibilities related to distant site and geographic limitations, expanding provider types and services available to consumers and maintaining Medicare reimbursement parity. Accelerated and Advanced Payment Program - Advocated for Congress and the administration to offer forgiveness for accelerated and advanced payments during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Offered support for reduced interest rates, extended loan repayment period and reduced recoupment amounts (S. 3750/H.R. 6837/ H.R. 8337). Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Payments - Urged Congress to end implementation of Medicaid DSH payment cuts. Medicare Sequester - urged Congress to end ongoing Medicare sequestration reimbursement reductions. Site-neutral Payments - Urged Congress to end site-neutral payment reductions. Supported passage of the PLACE Act (H.R. 2552) which would reverse site-neutral payments cuts implemented by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Price Transparency - Urged Congress and the administration to delay implementation of regulation requiring hospitals to post payor-specific pricing information for goods and services. Enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) - Urged Congress to extend the increased Medicaid FMAP matching rate beyond the public health emergency and increase the enhanced percentage. Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation - Urged CMS to withdraw the Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation and advocated for Congress to rescind the proposal. COVID-19 Data Reporting Requirements for Hospitals - requested HHS ease burden of COVID-19 mandatory reporting requirements and clarify aspects of reporting. Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (S. 348) - Urged Congress to pass the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

COVID-19 crisis - Engaged with Congress and the administration to advocate for greater regulatory flexibility and appropriate reimbursement for hospitals through development, passage and ongoing implementation of coronavirus relief legislation: HEROES Act (H.R. 6800) Heroes Act 2.0 (H.R. 925) Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act S. 178 Hospital Provider Relief Fund - Urged Congress to increase funding available for the Provider Relief Fund and maintain established guidelines. Liability protections - Advocated for Congress to include liability protections for health care workers and facilities responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Front-line Health Care Worker Hazard Pay - Advocated for Congress to provide funding to enhance payment for essential health care workers. Hospital Group Purchasing - Offered recommendations and insights to support access to essential personal protective equipment, medications and supplies for hospitals treating patients and supply chain stability for the national response to the COVID-19 crisis. Prescription Drug Safety - Supported passage of the Safe Drugs Act (S. 4492) 340B Drug Pricing Program - Supported legislation to ensure hospitals eligible for the 340B Drug Pricing Program do not lose eligibility due to changing patient mix during the COVID-19 crisis. Advocated for preserving the current structure of the program (S. 4160). Urged HHS to act to enforce guidance regarding 340B discounts through contract pharmacies. Surprise Billing - Supported inclusion of provisions to provide for an independent dispute resolution process in legislation to address surprise bills (H.R. 3630; H.R. 2328; S. 1895). Urged Congress to oppose benchmark payment rates in COVID relief legislation. Stark and Antikickback Statute - Uged the administration to finalize regulations that offer new flexibilty for Stark and Antikickback Statute regulations for value-based arrangements.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

2nd Quarter, 2020

Q2 Report

In Q2, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 17, 2020. Original Filing: 301191925.xml

Lobbying Issues

COVID-19 crisis - Engaged with Congress and the administration to advocate for greater regulatory flexibility and appropriate reimbursement for hospitals through development, passage and ongoing implementation of coronavirus relief legislation: Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748) Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 6074) Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) Paycheck Protection Act and Health Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 266) HEROES Act (HR 3) Telehealth - Urged Congress and the administration to make permanent telehealth flexibilities related to distant site and geographic limitations, expanding provider types and services available to consumers and maintaining Medicare reimbursement parity. Accelerated and Advanced Payment Program - Advocated for Congress and the administration to offer forgiveness for accelerated and advanced payments during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Offered support for reduced interest rates, extended loan repayment period and reduced recoupment amounts (S. 3750/H.R. 6837) Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Payments - Urged Congress to end implementation of Medicaid DSH payment cuts. Medicare Sequester - urged Congress to end ongoing Medicare sequestration reimbursement reductions. Site-neutral Payments - Urged Congress to end site-neutral payment reductions. Supported passage of the PLACE Act (H.R. 2552) which would reverse site-neutral payments cuts implemented by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare Indirect Medical Education - Urged Congress to hold harmless teaching hospital IME funding to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Urged Congress to expand enhanced Medicare reimbursement for COVID-19 patients for long-term care hospitals. Price Transparency - Urged Congress and the administration to delay implementation of regulation requiring hospitals to post payor-specific pricing information for goods and services. Enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) - Urged Congress to extend the increased Medicaid FMAP matching rate beyond the public health emergency and increase the enhanced percentage. Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation - Urged CMS to withdraw the Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation and advocated for Congress to rescind the proposal.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

COVID-19 crisis - Engaged with Congress and the administration to advocate for greater regulatory flexibility and appropriate reimbursement for hospitals through development, passage and ongoing implementation of coronavirus relief legislation: Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748) Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 6074) Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) Paycheck Protection Act and Health Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 266) HEROES Act (HR 3) Hospital Group Purchasing - Offered recommendations and insights to support access to essential personal protective equipment, medications and supplies for hospitals treating patients and supply chain stability for the national response to the COVID-19 crisis. Provider Relief Fund - Urged Congress to increase funding available for the Provider Relief Fund, and encouraged HHS to rapidly deploy the funding for hospitals. Liability protections - Advocated for Congress to include liability protections for health care workers and facilities responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Prescription Drug Pricing - Monitored ongoing negotiations to reduce prescription drug prices. Engaged to clarify provisions in the House (H.R. 3) and Senate (S. 2543) drug pricing bills. 340B Drug Pricing Program - Supported legislation to ensure hospitals eligible for the 340B Drug Pricing Program do not lose eligibility due to changing patient mix during the COVID-19 crisis. Advocated for preserving the current structure of the program (S. 4160). Surprise Billing - Supported inclusion of provisions to provide for an independent dispute resolution process in legislation to address surprise bills (H.R. 3630; H.R. 2328; S. 1895).

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

1st Quarter, 2020

Q1 Report

In Q1, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 20, 2020. Original Filing: 301175698.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing - Advocated in support of hospital group purchasing organizations and maintaining the GPO safe harbor. Coronavirus relief Efforts - Supported passage of several bills to provide economic stability, financial relief and regulatory flexibility for hospitals in response to the COVID-19 crisis. H.R. 6074 - Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act. H.R. 6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act H.R. 748 - Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Stability (CARES) Act Offered recommendations to avoid supply chain disruptions of personal protective equipment and essential medications and supplies for hospitals for treating patients with COVID-19. Supported additional flexibilities to increase access to compounded medications. Urged DEA to expand aggregate production quotas for essential medications. Prescription Drug Pricing - Monitored ongoing negotiations to reduce prescription drug prices. Engaged to clarify provisions in the House (H.R. 3) and Senate (S. 2543) drug pricing bills. 340B Drug Pricing Program - Supported maintaining adequate reimbursement for hospitals purchasing prescription drugs through the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Advocated for preserving the current structure of the program. Surprise Billing - Supported inclusion of provisions to provide for an independent dispute resolution process in legislation to address surprise bills (H.R. 3630; H.R. 2328; S. 1895). Rural Health Care Issues - Offered support for the following legislation that would make improvements to rural health care access: Critical Access Hospital Regulatory Relief (S. 586/H.R. 1041) Rural Hospital Regulatory Relief Act (S. 895/H.R. 3416) Rural Health Clinic Modernization Act (S. 1037/H.R. 2788) Telehealth Across State Lines Act (S. 2408/H.R.4900) CONNECT For Health Act (S. 2741/H.R.4932) Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act (S. 948/H.R.2895)

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

4th Quarter, 2019

Q4 Report

In Q4, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 17, 2020. Original Filing: 301109325.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing - Advocated in support of hospital group purchasing organizations and maintaining the GPO safe harbor. Prescription Drug Pricing - Engaged to clarify provisions in the House (H.R. 3) and Senate (S. 2543) drug pricing bills. Supported passage of legislation that would promote competition among prescription drug manufacturers: The CREATES Act (H.R. 965; S. 340); the FAST Generics Act (H.R. 985); the Biologic Patent Transparency Act (S.659); the Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act (S. 1416). 340B Drug Pricing Program - Supported maintaining adequate reimbursement for hospitals purchasing prescription drugs through the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Advocated for preserving the current structure of the program and retaining the current prime vendor. Surprise Billing - Supported inclusion of provisions to provide for an independent dispute resolution process in legislation to address surprise bills (H.R. 3630; H.R. 2328; S. 1895). Health Care Costs - Monitored the development and release of the S. 1895, the Lower Health Care Costs Act. Health Care Data Utilization - conducted an educational briefing to illustrate how hospitals utilize data resources to identify health care quality improvement opportunities. Rural Health Care Issues - Offered support for the following legislation that would make improvements to rural health care access: Critical Access Hospital Regulatory Relief (S. 586/H.R. 1041) Rural Hospital Regulatory Relief Act (S. 895/H.R. 3416) Rural Health Clinic Modernization Act (S. 1037/H.R. 2788) Telehealth Across State Lines Act (S. 2408/H.R.4900) CONNECT For Health Act (S. 2741/H.R.4932) Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act (S. 948/H.R.2895)

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

3rd Quarter, 2019

Q3 Report

In Q3, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 18, 2019. Original Filing: 301071377.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Prescription Drug Pricing - Engaged to clarify provisions in the House (H.R. 3) and Senate (S. 2543) drug pricing bills. Supported passage of legislation that would promote competition among prescription drug manufacturers: The CREATES Act (H.R. 965; S. 340); the FAST Generics Act (H.R. 985); the Biologic Patent Transparency Act (S.659); the Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act (S. 1416) Hospital Group Purchasing - Advocated in support of hospital group purchasing organizations and maintaining the GPO safe harbor. 340B Drug Pricing Program - Supported maintaining adequate reimbursement for hospitals purchasing prescription drugs through the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Advocated for preserving the current structure of the program and retaining the current prime vendor. Surprise Billing - Supported inclusion of provisions to provide for an independent dispute resolution process in legislation to address surprise bills (H.R. 3630; S. 1895). Health Care Costs - Monitored the development and release of the S. 1895, the Lower Health Care Costs Act. Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings - Continued to urge improvements to methodology for overall hospital star rating system.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

2nd Quarter, 2019

Q2 Report

In Q2, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 19, 2019. Original Filing: 301050676.xml

Lobbying Issues

Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Payments - Urged Congress to approve legislation to delay implementation of Medicaid DSH payment cuts. Site-neutral Payments - Supported passage of the PLACE Act (H.R. 2552) which would reverse site-neutral payments cuts implemented by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (S. 348) - Supported passage of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act to support an increase in the number of Medicare-supported graduate medical education residents. Home Infusion Therapy Reimbursement - Opposed CMS's implementation of unnecessary payment restrictions around Medicare's home infusion benefit. Urged Congress to act to expand access to home infusion therapy.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing - Advocated in support of hospital group purchasing organizations and maintaining the GPO safe harbor. 340B Drug Pricing Program - Supported maintaining adequate reimbursement for hospitals purchasing prescription drugs through the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Advocated for preserving the current structure of the program and retaining the current prime vendor. Prescription Drug Pricing - Held Congressional briefing to highlight how hospitals are responding to high drug prices. Urged passage of legislation that would promote competition among prescription drug manufacturers: The CREATES Act (H.R. 965; S. 340); the FAST Generics Act (H.R. 985); the Biologic Patent Transparency Act (S.659); the Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act (S. 1416); Surprise Billing - Monitored proposals to protect patients from receiving surprise medical bills. Urged inclusion of provisions that would provide for independent dispute resolution in legislation (H.R. 3630 -the No Surprises Act; S. 1895 - The Lower Health Care Costs Act).

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

1st Quarter, 2019

Q1 Report

In Q1, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 19, 2019. Original Filing: 301031532.xml

Lobbying Issues

Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Payments - Urged Congress to continue delay of implementation of Medicaid DSH payment cuts. ACE Kids Act (H.R. 1226, S.317) - Urged passage of ACE Kids Act to promote greater care coordination and expand Medicaid treatment options for medically complex pediatric patients. Site-neutral Payments - Opposed efforts to reduce payment rates for hospital outpatient departments. Advocated for Congress to reverse site-neutral payments cuts implemented by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the 2019 Outpatient Prospective Payment System final rule. Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (S. 348) - Supported passage of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act to support an increase in the number of Medicare-supported graduate medical education residents.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing - Advocated in support of hospital group purchasing organizations and maintaining the GPO safe harbor. Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings System - Urged changes to the methodology of the Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings System. 340B Drug Pricing Program - Supported maintaining adequate reimbursement for hospitals purchasing prescription drugs through the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Advocated for maintaining the current structure of the program and supported retaining the current prime vendor. Prescription Drug Pricing - Urged passage of legislation that would promote competition among prescription drug manufacturers. Supported passage of the CREATES Act (H.R. 965; S. 340). Supported passage of the FAST Generics Act (H.R. 985). Supported passage of Biologic Patent Transparency Act (S.659). Monitored ongoing Congressional discussions related modifying pharmacy benefit manager rebates and other legislation related to patents, pay-for-delay settlements and improvements to FDA resources regarding biosimilar medications. Medical Device and Hospital Cybersecurity - Monitored ongoing discussion around enhancing cybersecurity protections for medical devices and hospital networks. Supported additional resources to bolster efforts as well as regulatory flexibility that recognizes the complexity of preventing and responding to cyberattacks. Disaster Preparedness - Conducted education and outreach to describe hospital efforts and resources necessary to prepare for natural disasters and mass-casualty events.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

4th Quarter, 2018

Q4 Report

In Q4, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 18, 2019. Original Filing: 301009511.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Group Purchasing - Conducted education and outreach efforts about the value hospital group purchasing organizations deliver the U.S. health care system. 340B Drug Pricing Program - Opposed changes to eligibility and the structure of the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Supported passage of H.R. 4392 and H.R 6071. Opposed H.R. 4710, H.R. 6240, S. 2312 and S.2453. Drug Shortages - Engaged in discussions around how ongoing shortages of prescription drugs are impacting hospitals and possible solutions. Advocated for the Drug Enforcement Agency to modify total annual production quotas to address hospital shortage of injectable opioid solutions. Drug Pricing - Supported the CREATES Act (S. 974), The Fair Access to Safe and Timely Generics Act (H.R. 2051), The Preserving Access to Affordable Generics (S.124), The Increasing Competition in Pharmaceuticals Act (S.297) and The Lower Drug Costs through Competition Act (H.R. 749). Biosimilar Drug adoption - Supported administrative proposals that would expand the adoption of biosimilar medications. Urged the Food and Drug Administration to finalize guidance related biosimilar interchangeability. Opioid Abuse - Supported changes to privacy requirements under 42 CFR Part 2 to better support coordinated care for patients. Supported H.R. 6082. Children's Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act (H.R.5385, S.2597) - Endorsed passage of legislation to reauthorize the Children's Hospital GME program. Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings - Urged modifications to the methodology used to calculate Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings Program. Stark Law Reform - Monitored discussions in the House and Senate seeking reforms to the Stark Law. Voiced support for reforms that ease barriers to value-based care arrangements.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

3rd Quarter, 2018

Q3 Report

In Q3, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 19, 2018. Original Filing: 300992226.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

340B Drug Pricing Program - Opposed changes to eligibility and the structure of the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Supported passage of H.R. 4392, H.R 6071. Opposed H.R. 4710, H.R. 6240, S. 2312 and S.2453. Group Purchasing - Conducted education and outreach efforts about the value hospital group purchasing organizations deliver the U.S. health care system. Drug Shortages - Advocated for Drug Enforcement Agency to modify total production quotas for injectable opioid solutions to address hospital shortages. Drug Pricing - Supported the CREATES Act (S. 974), The Fair Access to Safe and Timely Generics Act (H.R. 2051), The Preserving Access to Affordable Generics (S.124), The Increasing Competition in Pharmaceuticals Act (S.297) and The Lower Drug Costs through Competition Act (H.R. 749). Biosimilar Drug adoption - Supported administrative proposals that would expand the adoption of biosimilar medications. Urged the Food and Drug Administration to finalize guidance related biosimilar interchangeability. Opioid Abuse - Supported passage of H.R. 6 and ongoing efforts to enhance funding and treatment options to address opioid abuse and addiction issues. Supported changes to privacy requirements under 42 CFR Part 2 to better support coordinated care for patients. Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings - Urged modifications to the methodology used to calculate Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings Program. Prescription Drug Compounding - Supported ongoing efforts to maintain access to safe and effective drug compounding as the Drug Quality and Safety Act is implemented. Stark Law Reform - Monitored discussions in the House and Senate seeking reforms to the Stark Law. Voiced support for reforms that ease barriers to value-based care arrangements.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

2nd Quarter, 2018

Q2 Report

In Q2, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 19, 2018. Original Filing: 300972150.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

340B Drug Pricing Program - Highlighted importance of the 340B Drug Pricing program for safety net hospitals and monitored ongoing discussions around reforming the program. Supported passage of H.R. 4392, H.R 6071. Opposed H.R. 4710, H.R. 6240, S. 2312 and S.2453. Group Purchasing - Conducted education and outreach efforts about the value hospital group purchasing organizations deliver the U.S. health care system. Drug Shortages - Advocated for Drug Enforcement Agency to modify total production quotas for injectable opioid solutions to address hospital shortages. Drug Pricing - Supported the CREATES Act (S. 974), The Fair Access to Safe and Timely Generics Act (H.R. 2051), The Preserving Access to Affordable Generics (S.124), The Increasing Competition in Pharmaceuticals Act (S.297) and The Lower Drug Costs through Competition Act (H.R. 749). Opioid Abuse - Supported House passage of H.R. 6 and ongoing efforts to enhance funding and treatment options to address opioid abuse and addiction issues. Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings - Urged modifications to the methodology used to calculate Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings Program. Prescription Drug Compounding - Supported ongoing efforts to maintain access to safe and effective drug compounding as the Drug Quality and Safety Act is implemented. Stark Law Reform - Monitored discussions in the House and Senate seeking reforms to the Stark Law. Voiced support for reforms that ease barriers to value-based care arrangements. Medical Device Cybersecurity - Urged additional steps to promote enhanced cybersecurity for networked medical devices.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

1st Quarter, 2018

Q1 Report

In Q1, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 20, 2018. Original Filing: 300953261.xml

Lobbying Issues

340B Drug Discount Program - Opposed Medicare reimbursement reductions for hospitals eligible for the 340B drug discount program. Supported passage of H.R. 4392. Opposed H.R. 4710, S. 2312 and S.2453 and monitored congressional discussions around the program. Medicare Extenders - Supported extension of Medicare programs that support low-volume and Medicare-dependent hospitals included in H.R.1892. Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Payments - Supported delay of implementation of Medicaid DSH payment cuts included in H.R. 1892. Children's Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act (H.R.5385, S.2597) - Endorsed passage of legislation to reauthorize the Children's Hospital GME program. Supported change to home infusion payments for Part B DME infusion drugs and infusion services payments included in H.R. 1892.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Group Purchasing - Conducted education and outreach efforts about the value hospital group purchasing organizations deliver the U.S. health care system. Drug Pricing - Supported the CREATES Act (S. 974), The Fair Access to Safe and Timely Generics Act (H.R. 2051), The Preserving Access to Affordable Generics (S.124), The Increasing Competition in Pharmaceuticals Act (S.297) and The Lower Drug Costs through Competition Act (H.R. 749). 340B Drug Discount program - Supported passage of H.R. 4392. Opposed H.R. 4710, S. 2312 and S.2453 and monitored ongoing congressional reports and discussions around the program. Children's Health Insurance Program - Supported passage of legislation to extend the Children's Health Insurance Program. Supported provision in H.R. 195 to extend the program for 6 years, and provisions in H.R. 1892 that continued funding for four additional years. Supported efforts to stabilize ACA insurance markets - including continuing funding for cost-sharing reduction subsidies and other efforts to stabilize insurance markets. Supported inclusion of provision to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) in H.R. 1892. Opioid Abuse - Monitored legislation to enhance funding and treatment options to address opioid abuse and addiction issues. Engaged in support of taking steps to ease shortages of hospital-administered intravenous opioid solutions.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

4th Quarter, 2017

Q4 Report

In Q4, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 19, 2018. Original Filing: 300928521.xml

Lobbying Issues

340B Drug Discount Program - Opposed Medicare reimbursement reductions for hospitals eligible for the 340B drug discount program. Supported passage of H.R. 4392. Opposed H.R. 4710. Children's Health Insurance Program (H.R. 3922, Championing Healthy Kids Act) - Supported passing legislation to extend the Children's Health Insurance Program. Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Payments - Supported legislation (H.R. 3922) delaying implementation of Medicaid DSH payment cuts. Urged Congress to pass legislation to continue Medicare "extenders" (Medicare Dependent Hospital program, Low Volume Adjustment and ambulance add-on payments). Supported passage of the ACE Kids Act (S.428). Home Infusion Payments (S. 1738, H.R. 3178) - Supported making changes to align the effective dates of ASP reimbursement for Part B DME infusion drugs and infusion services payments. Medicare Site-neutral Payment Policies- Monitored proposals to reduce hospital payments to outpatient or physician office reimbursement levels.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Group Purchasing - Conducted education and outreach efforts about the value hospital group purchasing organizations deliver the U.S. health care system. Drug Pricing - Supported The Lower Drug Costs through Competition Act (H.R. 749), The Fair Access to Safe and Timely Generics Act (H.R. 2051), The Preserving Access to Affordable Generics (S.124), The Increasing Competition in Pharmaceuticals Act (S.297) and the CREATES Act (S. 974). Engaged and monitored draft legislation to modify the 340B drug discount program. Supported passage of H.R. 4392. Opposed H.R. 4710. Supported efforts to stabilize ACA insurance markets - including continuing funding for cost-sharing reduction subsidies and other efforts to stabilize insurance markets. Supported passage of the Creating High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic (CHRONIC) Care Act (S.870). Independent Payment Advisory Board (H.R. 859, S. 251) - Supported passage of legislation to repeal IPAB. Preventive Health Savings Act (H.R. 2953) - Supported passage of legislation to allow for Congressional Budget Office to estimate cost-savings from preventive health care services. Supported House passage of the Protecting Access to Care Act (H.R. 1215) and the Saving Lives, Saving Costs Act (H.R. 1565).

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

3rd Quarter, 2017

Q3 Report

In Q3, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 20, 2017. Original Filing: 300915545.xml

Lobbying Issues

The Better Care Reconciliation Act - opposed passage of BCRA in the Senate, and various amendments including the Cassidy-Graham proposal, to the House-passed American Health Care Act (H.R. 1628). Opposed Medicare reimbursement reductions for hospitals eligible for the 340B drug discount program. Urged Congress to delay implementation of scheduled reductions to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments. Supported extending the Children's Health Insurance Program for five years, and continuing Medicare "extenders" (Medicare Dependent Hospital program, Low Volume Adjustment and Ambulance add-on payments). Supported passage of the ACE Kids Act (S.428). Home Infusion Payments (S. 1738, H.R. 3178) - Supported making changes to align the effective dates of ASP reimbursement for Part B DME infusion drugs and the infusion services payment included in the 21st Century Cures Act.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Group Purchasing - Conducted education and outreach efforts about the value hospital group purchasing organizations deliver the U.S. health care system. Drug Pricing - Hosted a July Congressional briefing on drug pricing impact on hospitals. Supported The Lower Drug Costs through Competition Act (H.R. 749), The Fair Access to Safe and Timely Generics Act (H.R. 2051), The Preserving Access to Affordable Generics (S.124), The Increasing Competition in Pharmaceuticals Act (S.297) and the CREATES Act (S. 974). Engaged and monitored draft legislation to modify the 340B drug discount program. Monitored discussions around Congressional funding for cost-sharing reduction subsidies and other efforts to stabilize insurance markets. Supported passage of the Creating High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic (CHRONIC) Care Act (S.870). Independent Payment Advisory Board (H.R. 859, S. 251) - Supported passage of legislation to repeal IPAB. Preventive Health Savings Act (H.R. 2953) - Supported passage of legislation to allow for Congressional Budget Office to estimate cost-savings from preventive health care services. Supported House passage of the Protecting Access to Care Act (H.R. 1215) and the Saving Lives, Saving Costs Act (H.R. 1565).

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

2nd Quarter, 2017

Q2 Report

In Q2, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 19, 2017. Original Filing: 300890799.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Group Purchasing - Conducted education and outreach efforts about the value hospital group purchasing organizations deliver the U.S. health care system. Drug Pricing - Supported The Lower Drug Costs through Competition Act (H.R. 749), The Fair Access to Safe and Timely Generics Act (H.R. 2051), The Preserving Access to Affordable Generics (S.124), The Increasing Competition in Pharmaceuticals Act (S.297) and the CREATES Act (S. 974). Tracked development in Senate Finance Committee of the Creating High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic (CHRONIC) Care Act. Independent Payment Advisory Board (H.R. 859, S. 251) - Supported legislation to repeal IPAB. Preventive Health Savings Act (H.R. 2953) - Supported passage of legislation to allow for Congressional Budget Office to estimate cost-savings from preventive health care services. Supported passage of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (H.R. 2267). Monitored discussions around Congressional funding for cost-sharing reduction subsidies. Supported House passage of the Protecting Access to Care Act (H.R. 1215) and the Saving Lives, Saving Costs Act (H.R. 1565).

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

1st Quarter, 2017

Q1 Report

In Q1, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 19, 2017. Original Filing: 300871598.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

4th Quarter, 2016

Q4 Report

In Q4, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 23, 2017. Original Filing: 300854586.xml

Lobbying Issues

Affordable Care Act - Monitored ongoing discussions about potential changes to the Affordable Care Act. Raised concerns about potential to repeal the law without a concurrent replacement plan that offers similar coverage levels, and provides appropriate Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for hospitals. 21st Century Cures Act (H.R. 6, H.R. 34) - Supported passage of the 21st Century Cures Act - shared concerns regarding changes to Medicare reimbursement for Home Infusion Treatments. Hospital outpatient department reimbursement (H.R. 34, H.R. 5273 - The Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act) - Supported passage in the House of H.R. 5273 and inclusion of key provisions in the 21st Century Cures Act The Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program (H.R. 1343, S. 588, H.R. 34) - Supported passage of legislation that would incorporate socioeconomic conditions into penalty calculations under the hospital readmissions reduction program. Supported inclusion in 21st Century Cures Act. Medicare Innovations Center Mandatory Demonstration projects - Monitored Congressional activity related to proposed mandatory demonstration projects under the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovations (Medicare Part B Drug Demo, Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement, Episode Payment Model bundles). Mental Health Reform efforts - (H.R. 2646, S. 2151, H.R. 34) - Tracked ongoing discussions around reforming the mental health system in our country. Supported inclusion of provisions to allow for Medicaid funding for use in lengthier inpatient treatment options.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing Organizations - Provided ongoing outreach and education efforts regarding the value delivered by group purchasing organizations for hospitals across the country. Drug Prices - (S. 2615 - the Increasing Competition in Pharmaceuticals Act) Supported passage of S. 2615. Monitored legislative proposals to slow the growth of increasing prices in prescription drugs. Tracked ongoing discussion and offered information relating to how hospital group purchasing organizations help hold down cost growth of prescription drugs. 340B Drug Discount Program - Monitored proposals to modify the 340B Drug Discount program. 21st Century Cures (H.R. 6, H.R. 34) - Supported enhancing funding and improving efficiency within the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health in the 21st Century Cures Act. Supported inclusion of funding for programs authorized under the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act to address growing challenges related to opioid abuse and addiction. Supported provisions related to combating drug resistant bacteria included in the 21st Century Cures Act. Stark Law Reform - Monitored discussions in the Senate Finance Committee around potential changes to Stark laws. Advocated for changes to the Stark laws to allow hospitals and other providers to work together to reduce costs in health care. Anti-microbial stewardship (S. 3176 - the Strategies to Address Antibiotic Resistance Act; S. 2467 - the Patient Safety Improvement Act) - Engaged in education and outreach efforts to highlight the importance of antimicrobial stewardship.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

3rd Quarter, 2016

Q3 Report

In Q3, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 18, 2016. Original Filing: 300830913.xml

Lobbying Issues

Hospital outpatient department reimbursement (H.R. 5273 - The Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act) - Supported passage in the House of HR 5273. Urged Senate activity on similar legislation to allow under-construction and other hospital-affiliated outpatient departments impacted by the 2015 Debt Ceiling and Budget Agreement to be grandfathered in under previous outpatient reimbursement rules, make modifications to the Medicare hospital readmissions reduction program, and other changes. Advocated for CMS to be flexible in implementation of the new law. The Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program (H.R. 1343, S. 588) - Supported passage of legislation that would incorporate sociodemographic conditions into penalty calculations under the hospital readmissions reduction program. Medicare Total Quality Hospital Star Ratings (H.R. 5297 - The Hospital Quality Rating Transparency Act) - Advocated for a delay in the release of the new star ratings until the changes were made to the proposed methodology. Medicare Innovations Center Mandatory Demonstration projects - Monitored Congressional activity related to proposed mandatory demonstration projects under the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovations (Medicare Part B Drug Demo, Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement, Cardiac Payment Bundles). Tracked Congressional activity to limit or prevent CMS from moving forward with such demonstrations. Mental Health Reform efforts - (H.R. 2646, S. 2151) - Tracked ongoing discussions around reforming the mental health system in our country. Supported inclusion of provisions to allow for Medicaid funding for use in lengthier inpatient treatment options.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing Organizations - Provided ongoing outreach and education efforts regarding the value delivered by group purchasing organizations for hospitals across the country. Drug Prices - (S. 2615 - the Increasing Competition in Pharmaceuticals Act) Supported passage of S. 2615. Monitored legislative proposals to slow the growth of increasing prices in prescription drugs. Tracked ongoing discussion and offered information relating to how hospital group purchasing organizations help hold down cost growth of prescription drugs. 340B Drug Discount Program - Monitored proposals to modify the 340B Drug Discount program. 21st Century Cures (H.R. 6) - Tracked the development of Senate counterpart to the House-passed 21st Century Cures legislation and raised concerns about potential offsets that could impact hospital payments. Opioid legislation (S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act) - Supported passage of legislation to address growing challenges related to opioid abuse and addiction. Zika Virus (H.R. 5325 -Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act) - Monitored ongoing debate around legislative packages to provide funding to combat the spread of the Zika Virus. Stark Law Reform - Monitored discussions in the Senate Finance Committee around potential changes to Stark laws. Advocated for reasonable changes to the Stark laws to allow hospitals and other providers to work together to reduce costs in healthcare. Anti-microbial stewardship (S. 3176 - the Strategies to Address Antibiotic Resistance Act; S. 2467 - the Patient Safety Improvement Act) - Engaged in education efforts to highlight the work Vizient is doing to combat antibiotic resistance.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

2nd Quarter, 2016

Q2 Report

In Q2, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 19, 2016. Original Filing: 300814437.xml

Lobbying Issues

Hospital outpatient department reimbursement (H.R. 5273 - The Helping Hospitals Improve Patient Care Act) - Supported passage of legislation to allow under-construction and other hospital-affiliated outpatient departments impacted by the 2015 Debt Ceiling and Budget Agreement to be grandfathered in under previous outpatient reimbursement rules, make modifications to the Medicare hospital readmissions reduction program, and other changes. The Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program (H.R. 1343, S. 588) - Supported passage of legislation that would incorporate sociodemographic conditions into penalty calculations under the hospital readmissions reduction program. Hospital site-neutral payment policies - monitored discussions of proposals that would reduce reimbursement for services delivered in a hospital setting. Medicare Total Quality Hospital Star Ratings - Advocated for a delay in the release of the new star ratings until the changes were made to the proposed methodology. Medicare Part B Drug Demonstration - Monitored the proposed demonstration and the impact it may have on hospitals. Tracked Congressional activity reviewing the proposal and legislation (H.R. 5122) to prevent CMS from moving forward with the demonstration.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing Organizations - Provided ongoing outreach and education efforts regarding the value delivered by group purchasing organizations for hospitals across the country. Drug Prices - Tracked ongoing discussion and offered information relating to how hospital group purchasing organizations help hold down cost growth of prescription drugs. Monitored legislative proposals related to increasing prices in prescription drugs. 340B Drug Discount Program - Monitored proposals to modify the 340B Drug Discount program. 21st Century Cures (H.R. 6) - Tracked the development of Senate counterpart to the House-passed 21st Century Cures legislation and raised concerns about potential offsets that could impact hospital payments. Opioid legislation (S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, House package including multiple bills) - Supported passage of legislation to address growing challenges related to opioid abuse and addiction. Zika Virus - Monitored ongoing debate around legislative packages to provide funding to combat the spread of the Zika Virus.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

1st Quarter, 2016

Q1 Report

In Q1, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 20, 2016. Original Filing: 300798613.xml

Lobbying Issues

Hospital outpatient department reimbursement - Advocated for legislation to allow under-construction and other hospital-affiliated outpatient departments impacted by the 2015 Debt Ceiling and Budget Agreement (H.R. 1314)to be grandfathered in under previous outpatient reimbursement rules. Hospital site-neutral payment policies - monitored discussions of proposals that would reduce reimbursement in hospital settings. The Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program (H.R. 1343, S. 588) - Supported passage of legislation that would incorporate sociodemographic conditions into penalty calculations under the hospital readmissions reduction program. Ways and Means Committee hospital legislation (H.R. 3291, H.R. 3292, H.R. 3288) - Monitored activity of three bills and ongoing discussions in the House Ways and Means Committee that could impact hospitals through changes to coding, indirect medical education reimbursement and updates to disproportionate share hospital program funding.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

4th Quarter, 2015

Amendment

Vizient, Inc. amended a lobbying report for representation of Vizient, Inc. (Formerly known as VHA-UHC Alliance Newco, Inc.) in Q42015 on Jan. 21, 2016. Original Filing: 300784673.xml

Lobbying Issues

Debt Ceiling and Budget Agreement (H.R. 1314) - Opposed inclusion of provisions that extend Medicare sequestration and expressed opposition to a provision that reduces Medicare reimbursement for new off-campus hospital outpatient departments. Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2029) - Advocated for inclusion of provisions in year-end funding legislation that would allow under-construction hospital-affiliated outpatient departments to be grandfathered in under previous outpatient reimbursement rules. The Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program (H.R. 1343, S. 588) - Supported passage of legislation that would incorporate sociodemographic conditions into penalty calculations under the hospital readmissions reduction program. Senate Finance Committee Chronic Care options - Monitored development of Senate Finance Committee's policy options for treating patients with chronic conditions. Ways and Means Committee hospital legislation (H.R. 3291, H.R. 3292, H.R. 3288) - Monitored activity of three bills in the House Ways and Means Committee that could impact hospitals through changes to coding, indirect medical education reimbursement and updates to disproportionate share hospital program funding.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing Organizations - Provided ongoing outreach and education efforts regarding the benefit of group purchasing for hospitals across the country. Budget Reconciliation (H.R. 3762) - Tracked passage of budget reconciliation proposals aimed at repealing elements of the Affordable Care Act. Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2029) - Monitored passage of H.R. 2029 with provisions that make changes to the Affordable Care Act. Meaningful Use of electronic health records - Raised concerns about the release of final Stage 3 meaningful user rules. 340B Drug Discount Program - Monitored proposals to modify the 340B Drug Discount program. 21st Century Cures (H.R. 6) - Monitored development of Senate counterpart to the House-passed 21st Century Cures legislation. Health Insurance Mergers - Tracked House and Senate committee action related to anti-competitive impacts of mergers between large private health insurers.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

4th Quarter, 2015

Q4 Report

In Q4, Vizient, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 19, 2016. Original Filing: 300775385.xml

Lobbying Issues

Debt Ceiling and Budget Agreement (H.R. 1314) - Opposed inclusion of provisions that extend Medicare sequestration and expressed opposition to a provision that reduces Medicare reimbursement for new off-campus hospital outpatient departments. Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2029) - Advocated for inclusion of provisions in year-end funding legislation that would allow under-construction hospital-affiliated outpatient departments to be grandfathered in under previous outpatient reimbursement rules. The Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program (H.R. 1343, S. 588) - Supported passage of legislation that would incorporate sociodemographic conditions into penalty calculations under the hospital readmissions reduction program. Senate Finance Committee Chronic Care options - Monitored development of Senate Finance Committee's policy options for treating patients with chronic conditions. Ways and Means Committee hospital legislation (H.R. 3291, H.R. 3292, H.R. 3288) - monitored activity of three bills in the House Ways and Means Committee that could impact hospitals through changes to coding, indirect medical education reimbursement and updates to disproportionate share hospital program funding.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

3rd Quarter, 2015

Q3 Report

In Q3, VHA-UHC Alliance NewCo, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 16, 2015. Original Filing: 300755539.xml

Lobbying Issues

Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive program meaningful use rules - urged CMS to release the final rules to provide flexibility for eligible hospitals and providers for 2015. Advocated that CMS consider delaying final meaningful use stage 3 rules until greater interoperability is achieved. The Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program (H.R. 1343, S. 588) - supported passage of legislation that would incorporate sociodemographic conditions into penalty calculations under the hospital readmissions reduction program. Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement program - Tracked release of proposal to require mandatory payment bundling for hip and knee replacements in selected geographic regions across the country. Expressed concern about mandatory nature of the program and urged needed regulatory flexibility for hospitals. Ways and Means Committee hospital legislation (H.R. 3291, H.R. 3292, H.R. 3288) - monitored release of three bills in the House Ways and Means Committee that would impact hospitals through changes to coding, indirect medical education reimbursement and updates to disproportionate share hospital program funding. Hospital Two-midnight rule - advocated for extending enforcement delay on two-midnight rule to align timing with proposed regulatory delay through the end of 2015.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

2nd Quarter, 2015

Q2 Report

In Q2, VHA-UHC Alliance NewCo, Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 14, 2015. Original Filing: 300733967.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing Organizations - conducted outreach and advocacy in support of hospital group purchasing organizations. Engaged in discussions related to GPO's role in preventing and addressing drug shortages and issues related to pharmacuetical distibution. Electronic Health Records Meaningful Use - Advocated that ONC and CMS focus on interoperability of EHR systems before advancing meaningful use requirements for stage three of the EHR incentive program. 21st Century Cures Act (H.R. 6) - Monitored the development of proposals related to hospitals and the 340B Drug discount program in the 21st Century Cures Act. Independent Payment Advisory Board (H.R. 1190, S.141) - Supported passage of legislation to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

1st Quarter, 2015

Q1 Report

In Q1, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 16, 2015. Original Filing: 300717402.xml

Lobbying Issues

H.R. 2 - the Medicare and CHIP Reauthorization Act - Supported and advocated for passage of H.R. 2 to repeal the sustainable growth rate formula for Medicare reimbursement for physicians. Opposed possible inclusion of hospital payment cuts. Medicare Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program - Monitored implementation of the Medicare hospital readmissions reduction program. Supported passage of legislation (H.R. 1343 and S. 688, the Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act) that would require CMS to include socio-demographic conditions in calculating penalties under the program. Hospital Two-midnight Rule - Advocated for continuing enforcement delay of the CMS' two-midnight rule for short stay hospital admissions. Supported similar provision in H.R. 2. Rural Hospital Legislation - Monitored legislation (H.R. 169, the Critical Access Hospital Relief Act and H.R. 170, the Rural Health Care Provider Relief Act) that would relieve regulatory burden on rural hospitals.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

4th Quarter, 2014

Q4 Report

In Q4, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 16, 2015. Original Filing: 300698971.xml

Lobbying Issues

Sustainable growth rate formula (H.R. 4015, S. 2157) - Advocated for the repeal of the SGR formula for Medicare physician reimbursement during the lame duck session of Congress. Opposed including further cuts to hospital payments to offset the cost of such legislation. Ways and Means Committee Hospital Improvement for Payment Discussion Draft - Monitored and reviewed the introduction of draft legislation from the Ways and Means Committee impacting hospital policies. Supported proposals to place greater restrictions on Medicare recovery audit contractor activities (similar to H.R. 1250, and S. 1012). Supported provision to include sociodemographic considerations in the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (similar to H.R. 4188 & S. 2501). Reviewed and monitored proposals to modify hospital payment systems to more accurately pay for short-stay admissions and supported proposals to delay enforcement of CMS' "two-midnight rule". Opposed provision that would relax current restrictions on physician-owned hospitals.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing - Engaged in outreach and advocacy efforts to promote the value of hospital group purchasing organizations. Reviewed the findings of Government Accountability Office review of GPOs and conducted outreach related to the report. ICD-10 Coding - Opposed delaying the implementation of new ICD-10 codes beyond the current compliance date of Oct. 1, 2015. Hospital disposal of controlled substances - Advocated for modifications to DEA regulations related disposal of hospital prescription medications. Requested changes related to documenting and transporting drug wastage to comply with existing employee and patient safety standards and safe disposal of such drugs. Government Funding Legislation (CR-Omnibus, H.R. 83) - Monitored proposals related to the 340B drug discount program and funding to combat the spread of the Ebola virus included in the year-end government funding bill.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

3rd Quarter, 2014

Q3 Report

In Q3, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 14, 2014. Original Filing: 300676385.xml

Lobbying Issues

Medicare hospital readmissions reduction program - (S. 2501, H.R. 4188) - Supported legislation that would include socio-demographic factors in calculating penalties under the Medicare hospital readmissions reduction program. Medicare physician payments - (H.R. 4015, S. 2157) Advocated for repealing the sustainable growth rate formula for Medicare physician reimbursement without cutting hospital reimbursement to offset the cost of repeal legislation. Recovery Audit Contractors (H.R. 1250, S. 1012) - Supported legislation that would place limits on collection activity by Medicare recovery audit contractors. Hospital Two-midnight rule (H.R. 3698, S. 2082) - Supported legislation that would delay the implementation of the so-called "two-midnight rule" for short-stay admissions and provide an opportunity for stakeholder development of alternative policies. Post-Acute Care (H.R. 4994, S. 2553) - Monitored legislation that promotes greater collaboration across delivery settings between post-acute health care providers.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing Organization - Conducted outreach and advocacy efforts highlighting the value offered to U.S. hospitals by hospital GPOs. Electronic Health Record Meaningful Use - Supported added flexibility for certification of electronic health record technologies. Supported changing reporting period for providers for 2015 to allow more hospitals to meet meaningful use requirements. 340B Drug Discount Programs - Engaged in monitoring ongoing discussions about the program and possible regulatory changes in light of legal activity challenging newly-eligible providers allowed by the Affordable Care Act. Veterans Administration Reform (H.R. 3230) - monitored provisions in legislation aimed at improving care for patients in VA hospitals that would allow for treatment at private facilities.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

2nd Quarter, 2014

Q2 Report

In Q2, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 15, 2014. Original Filing: 300656856.xml

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Readmissions Reductions Program - Advocated in support of legislation (S. 2501, H.R. 4188) that would require CMS consider sociodemographic conditions in the hospital readmissions reduction program. Hospital two-midnights rule - Supported legislation (H.R. 3698, S. 2082) to delay implementation of the CMS' two-midnight rule and provide for stakeholder input in development of alternative payment models. Medicare physician payments - Monitored ongoing discussions to permanently repeal the sustainable growth rate formula. Recovery Audit Contractors - Supported legislation (H.R. 1250, S. 1012) that would place limits on collection activity by Medicare recovery audit contractors. Site-neutral payments - Monitored and expressed opposition to proposals that would equalize payments for certain treatments delivered in a hospital setting with treatments delivered in a physician's office.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

1st Quarter, 2014

Q1 Report

In Q1, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 15, 2014. Original Filing: 300636422.xml

Lobbying Issues

Medicare Physician Payments - (S. 2011, H.R. 4302) Supported legislation to permanently repeal the sustainable growth rate formula. Opposed use of hospital payments as an offset. Supported inclusion of additional delays for two-midnight rule. Opposed efforts to include extension of sequestration Medicare payment cuts to hospitals as an offset for legislation to extend unemployment insurance, legislation to increase the debt ceiling and legislation to change COLA adjustments for military retirees. Hospital Two-Midnight Rule - Advocated for correcting policy and delaying implementation of CMS' two-midnight rule for hospital admissions. Supported legislation (S. 2082) to delay implementation of the rule, and develop new payment methodology for short inpatient admissions. Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program - Supported legislation (H.R. 4188) to make changes to the Medicare hospital readmissions reduction program.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Electronic Health Record Incentive Program - Supported extending deadlines and improving flexibility for providers to become meaningful users of health information technology. Hospital Group Purchasing - Conducted education and outreach efforts on the benefits that hospital group purchasing organizations provide to health care providers. Affordable Care Act Implementation - Monitored ongoing implementation of the Affordable Care Act and progress of enrollments through the health insurance exchanges. Monitored efforts in Congress to modify or delay requirements that individuals purchase health insurance under the law. Generic Prescription Drug Labeling - Advocated for the FDA to make changes to a proposed rule allowing changes to labeling of generic prescriptions without prior FDA approval.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

4th Quarter, 2013

Q4 Report

In Q4, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 14, 2014. Original Filing: 300614005.xml

Lobbying Issues

Medicare Audit Improvement Act (H.R. 1250, S. 1012) - Supported legislation that would make changes to the Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor Program. Opposed efforts to extend sequestration cuts in Medicare payments in October government funding and debt ceiling agreement. Supported efforts to replace sequestration cuts with targeted reductions. Medicare Two-midnight rule (H.R. 3698) Supported legislation to delay the Medicare "Two Midnights rule" and urged CMS to make changes to the policy. Medicare physician payments - (H.R. 2810, Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committee drafts) - Monitored House and Senate proposals to replace the sustainable growth rate formula for Medicare reimbursement for physicians. Opposed proposals to reduce hospital payments to offset the cost of replacing the SGR formula.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

3rd Quarter, 2013

Q3 Report

In Q3, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 16, 2013. Original Filing: 300595635.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Preventive Health Scoring Legislation (H.R. 2663, S. 1422) - Supported passage of legislation that would allow the Congressional Budget Office to conduct scores for long-term cost reductions associated with preventive health care efforts. Hospital Group Purchasing Organizations - Outreach and education efforts related to the value hospital GPOs provide to their members. Monitored ongoing investigations regarding GPOs and drug shortages. Unique Device Identification - Advocated for the release of the final rule establishing a unique device identification system for medical devices as required by the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007. Compounding Pharmacies and Supply-chain Security (H.R. 3204, S. 959) - Tracked legislation in the House and Senate that would provide additional uniform regulations on compounding pharmacies and provide additional capabilities to track and trace medication through the supply-chain. 340B Drug Discount Program - Advocated for additional implementation time for hospitals to remain in compliance under new regulatory guidance for the 340B drug discount program.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

2nd Quarter, 2013

Q2 Report

In Q2, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 12, 2013. Original Filing: 300571154.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

1st Quarter, 2013

Q1 Report

In Q1, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 16, 2013. Original Filing: 300550754.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing - Conducted outreach efforts to promote the value offered to hospitals by group purchasing organizations. 340B Drug Discount Program - Advocated for the Health Resources and Services Administration to provide additional time to hospitals to comply with revised guidance on the GPO exclusion utilized by the program. House and Senate Budget Resolutions - Tracked negotiations over House and Senate Budget resolutions. Opposed proposals that would reduce reimbursement for hospitals. Shortage of Prescription Drugs - monitored expanding regulatory efforts from the Food and Drug Administration related to compounding pharmacies. Supported efforts to ensure quality compounding and manufacturing processes, while ensuring integrity in the prescription drug supply-chain.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

4th Quarter, 2012

Q4 Report

In Q4, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 10, 2013. Original Filing: 300527070.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing - Engaged in education and outreach efforts to promote the value of hospital group purchasing organizations for America's hospitals. Responded to inquiries about hospital utilization of compounding pharmacies and relation to group purchasing contracts. Tracked legislative efforts to expand FDA's authority to regulate large compounding pharmacies (H.R. 6584). Unique Device Identification - tracked the release of regulations from the FDA to establish a unique device identification system as required under the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007. Urged a more aggressive timeline for implementation of a UDI system. 340 B of the Public Health Service Act Drug Discount Program - tracked legislative proposals to expand the 340B drug discount program to inpatient providers (H.R. 2674).

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

3rd Quarter, 2012

Q3 Report

In Q3, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 15, 2012. Original Filing: 300506833.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing - Engaged in outreach and education efforts to demonstrate the value that GPOs offer to hospitals. Budget Control Act - Advocated for changes to the Budget control act to prevent a 2.0% cut in Medicare payments for hospitals. Physician Payment Sunshine Act - tracked implementation of the Medicare physician payment sunshine requirements from the Affordable Care Act. 340 B (of the Public Health Services Act ) Drug Discount Program - tracked Congressional investigations of the 340B program and monitored legislative efforts (H.R. 2674) to expand the program to inpatient providers. Health IT - followed the continued implementation of the HITECH Act, and the health IT incentive program for meaningful users of electronic health records. Shortage of prescription drugs - monitored ongoing federal efforts to combat the shortage of prescription drugs. Advocated for proposals that would help ease the shortage in the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act which was signed into law on July 9. Unique Device Identification - supported inclusion of provisions in the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act requiring the FDA to implement a unique device identification system for medical devices by a set date.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

2nd Quarter, 2012

Q2 Report

In Q2, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 12, 2012. Original Filing: 300482966.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Shortage of Prescription Drugs - monitored legislative language in FDA user fee legislation that would combat shortages of prescription drugs. Supported inclusion of such language in final legislation. Unique Device Identification - advocated for inclusion of legislative language in FDA user fee legislation that would require the FDA to issue regulations to implement a national unique device identification system by the end of 2012. Hospital Group Purchasing - Engaged in education and outreach efforts to highlight the import role that hospital GPOs play in the health care marketplace. Tracked issues related to implementation of transparency efforts and assessment of the medical device tax included in the Affordable Care Act. 340 B (of the Public Health Services Act) Drug Discount Program - tracked Congressional investigation related to the 340B drug discount program. Monitored legislative efforts (H.R.2674) to make changes to the program. Engaged in outreach efforts to demonstrate innovative initiatives being offered by VHA to improve hospital clinical performance.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

1st Quarter, 2012

Q1 Report

In Q1, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 17, 2012. Original Filing: 300462587.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Shortage of prescription drugs - Supported and tracked legislative efforts (S. 296, H.R 2245, Energy and Commerce and HELP Committee draft legislation) to mitigate ongoing issue with prescription drug shortages. Hospital Group Purchasing - Engaged in education and outreach efforts on hospital group purchasing organization and the role of GPOs play in the health care marketplace. Tracked implementation of transparancy efforts included under the Affordable Care Act. Unique Device Identification - Advocated for the release of regulations developing a unique device identification system for medical devices as required under the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007. Endorsed legislation (S. 2193) that would require the FDA to issue such regulations by the end of 2012. 340 B (of the Public Health Services Act) Drug Discount Program - Monitored Congressional investigation into the 340 B drug discount program. Tracked legislative proposals to expand the program to inpatient hospitals. Independent Payment Advisory Board - Supported legislation (S. 668, H.R. 452) to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board. Tracked legislative efforts (H.R. 5) to repeal IPAB and make changes to medical malpractice laws. Conducted outreach and education efforts with policymakers on initiatives being offered by VHA to improve hospital clinical performance.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

4th Quarter, 2011

Q4 Report

In Q4, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 13, 2012. Original Filing: 300437019.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Shortage of Prescription Drugs - Supported legislation (S. 296, H.R. 2245) that would require greater reporting of possible drug shortages. Monitored congressional activity in search of solutions to ongoing drug shortage problem. Group Purchasing Organizations - Education and outreach efforts regarding the value that GPOs bring to hospitals. Monitored and engaged on congressional investigatory efforts regarding group purchasing and health care supply chain. Independent Payment Advisory Board - (S.668, H.R. 452) - Supported legislation that would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board. Unique Device Identification - Urged federal regulators to release regulations establishing a national unique identification system for medical devices as required under the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007. 340 B (of the Public Health Service Act) Drug Pricing Program - monitored legislative proposals that would expand the 340 B prescription drug pricing program to inpatient hospitals. Confidentiality of Medical Information - tracked and engaged on regulatory efforts stemming from the HITECH Act that would require accounting for disclosures of medical information and enhanced reporting for HIPAA covered entities. Outreach and education efforts with policymakers on VHA initiatives doing to improve hospital clinical performance.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

3rd Quarter, 2011

Q3 Report

In Q3, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 13, 2011. Original Filing: 300413060.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Select Committee on Deficit Reduction - monitored the selection and the activity of the Joint Select Committee under the Budget Control Act. Hospital Group Purchasing - Education and outreach efforts on the value of group purchasing for hospitals. Advocated in support of proposals to provide greater transparency in the pricing of medical devices. Unique Device Identification - Advocated for the release regulations creating a unique device identification system for medical devices as required under the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007. Independent Payment Advisory Board (S. 668, H.R. 452) - Supported legislation that would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board. Partnership for Patients - engaged in supporting the national patient safety initiative through the Partnership for Patients. Drug Shortage (S. 296, H.R. 2245) - Supported legislative efforts aimed at preventing ongoing issues with the shortage of prescription drugs. Monitored efforts from the Food and Drug Administration to address the problem. 340 B (of the Public Health Services Act) Drug Pricing Program - Monitored proposals to extend the drug discount program to inpatient hospitals.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

2nd Quarter, 2011

Q2 Report

In Q2, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 15, 2011. Original Filing: 300390756.xml

Lobbying Issues

Accountable Care Organizations - tracked the release of regulations establishing the Medicare Shared Savings Program and similar efforts through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovations. Advocated for a flexible approach that would allow hospitals greater opportunities to develop ACOs and share in savings generated through care coordination. House Budget Resolution - monitored proposals that would move the traditional Medicare program to a premium-support model and shift Medicaid funding to block-grants in place of traditional state matching funding. Deficit Reduction Efforts - tracked various proposals from the House and Senate aimed at reducing the deficit. Opposed efforts to reduce hospital payments. Independent Payment Advisory Board (S. 668, H.R. 452) - Supported legislation that would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing - conducted education and outreach on value of hospital group purchasing organizations. Advocated in support of proposals that would provide greater transparency in the pricing of medical devices. Partnership for Patients - engaged in efforts to support that national patient safety initiative and endorsed the efforts to improve patient safety. Health Care Information Technology - opposed regulations stemming from the HITECH Act that would require cumbersome accounting for disclosure requirements. S. 296 - monitored legislation that would require drug manufacturers to report to the FDA on potential drug shortages. Unique Device Identification - advocated for the release of regulations from the FDA establishing a unique device identification system as required under the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007. 340B (of the Public Health Services Act) Drug Pricing Program - Monitored proposals to expand the 340B program to inpatient hospitals.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

1st Quarter, 2011

Q1 Report

In Q1, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 15, 2011. Original Filing: 300365385.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing - Conducted outreach and education efforts on the value of group purchasing organizations for hospitals. Monitored and expressed support for draft proposals to create greater transparency in the pricing of medical devices. H.R. 5 - Monitored the legislative movement of Medical Liability reform legislation. Advocated for policies that would ease the burden of liability costs on health care providers and promote competition in the insurance marketplace. Unique Device Identification - Advocated for the release of FDA regulations to establish a unique device identification system for medical devices as required by the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007. H.R. 2 - Monitored efforts to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Advocated against eliminating expanded insurance coverage and wholesale changes, while encouraging an approach that would allow fixing pieces of the law while maintaining any improvements. S. 296 - Monitored legislation that would require drug manufacturers to report to the FDA on potential drug shortages. H.R. 452, S. 668 - Tracked the release of legislation that would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board created under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Patient Safety Initiative - monitored the release of a possible patient safety initiative from HHS. Engaged in policy discussions as to how VHA may be suited to engage policy makers in support of improving patient safety.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

4th Quarter, 2010

Q4 Report

In Q4, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 18, 2011. Original Filing: 300340991.xml

Lobbying Issues

Medicare Physician Payments - Advocated for a long-term solution to avoid a cut in Medicare physician payments. Supported passage of H.R. 5712. Medicare Bundled Payments and Hospital-Physician Alignment - discussed possible legislative language to help facilitate more effective hospital-physician alignment, including possible expansion of certain types of gainsharing arrangements.Accountable Care Organizations - tracked the policy implications of the possible release of regulations establishing the Medicare Shared Savings Program, which allows the creation of Accountable Care Organizations. Hospital Value Based Purchasing - conducted outreach and tracked policy implications regarding the potential release of regulations establishing a hospital value based purchasing system.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing - Conducted outreach and education efforts on the value provided to hospitals by group purchasing organizations. Tracked the release of reports from the Senate Finance Committee and the Government Accountability Office on hospital group purchasing. Health Care Information Technology - tracked regulations that would determine if hospitals would be considered meaningful users of electronic health records and advocated for legislative changes that would allow incentive payments to providers in multi-campus settings (H.R. 6072, S. 3708). Opposed possible expansion of current Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act requirements for the privacy of health information. Unique Device Identification - Advocated for the release of regulations establishing a unique device identification system for medical devices as required by the Food and Drug Amendments Act of 2006. 340B (of the Public Health Services Act) Drug Pricing Program - tracked technical changes to provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that would allow children's hospitals access to 340B pricing for orphan drugs included in H.R. 5712.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

3rd Quarter, 2010

Q3 Report

In Q3, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 15, 2010. Original Filing: 300313708.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Health Care Reform - monitored the regulatory activities surrounding the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, particularly the legislative responses to the development of Accountable Care Organizations and a Value-based Purchasing system. Hospital Group Purchasing - Outreach and education efforts aimed at demonstrating the value GPOs provide to hospitals. Hospital Group Purchasing (Cont.) - worked to demonstrate the transparency of the GPO business model and value provided to hospitals in response to the Senate Finance Committee minority staff report on the industry. Health Care Information Technology - tracked the release of the regulations that determined if hospitals would be considered "meaningful users" of health IT. Advocated for legislation ( H.R. 6072, S. 3708) that would address an issue in the meaningful use regulation related to hospitals and health systems operating in multi-campus settings. Unique Device Identification - Advocated for the FDA to issue regulations to create a unique device identification system for medical devices, as required under the Food and Drug Amendments Act of 2006. H.R. 5820 - Monitored legislative efforts related to the Toxic Substances Control Act and analyzed potential impact on hospitals. Demonstrated VHA's tools for helping hospitals improve their clinical performance and prepare for the implementation of a Medicare value-based purchasing system. 340B (of the Public Health Services Act) drug pricing program - advocated for the inclusion of language in H.R. 4213 related to sharing of non-pricing information related to drugs in the 340B-1 program.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

2nd Quarter, 2010

Q2 Report

In Q2, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 7, 2010. Original Filing: 300282592.xml

Lobbying Issues

Medicare Hospital Inpatient Payment Rule - Opposed cuts included in the proposed Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment rule. Advocated for a different approach that more accurately accounts for changes to case-mix Nomination of Donald M. Berwick to be the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - Supported the nomination of Dr. Berwick to be head of CMS and urged his confirmation in the SenateEnhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) - Supported an extension of enhanced FMAP payments to states through June of 2011. Supported inclusion of provision that included the extension of the enhanced FMAP payments in HR 3962 and H.R. 4213 Medicare Payments to Physicians - Supported passage of a long-term solution to Medicare physician payment rates. Monitored discussions around H.R. 3962 and H.R. 4213 that repealed the reduction of Medicare payments to physicians and provided payment increases. 72-hour Rule - Opposed changes included in H.R. 3962 and H.R. 4213 that would cut Medicare payments to hospitals by changing rules related to billing for services performed within 72 hours of a patient being admitted to the hospital.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Health Care Reform (H.R. 3590) - tracked implementation schedule and monitored impact of health care reform legislation. Advocated for clear and simple timelines with flexibility to allow hospitals to adjust for many changes included in the bill. Hospital Group Purchasing - Outreach and education efforts in support of demonstrating the value GPOs provide to hospitals. 340B (of the Public Health Services Act) Drug Pricing - monitored and engaged in discussions related to proposal in H.R. 4213 to provide a limited expansion of 340B drug pricing to inpatient hospitals Unique Device Identification - Advocated in support of the FDA issuing regulations to create a system requiring Unique Device Identification for medical devices as required under the Food and Drug Amendments Act of 2006. Health Care Information Technology - supported the prompt issuance of regulations that define the requirements for hospitals to become "meaningful users" of EHR technology. Supported an approach that provide appropriate flexibility for hospitals to meet meaningful user requirements to qualify for incentive payments made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Health IT Privacy - Raised concerns about efforts by HHS Health IT workgroups to consider adding additional consent requirements for payment, treatment and operations. Monitored legislative efforts of yet-to-be introduced internet privacy legislation for potential impact on hospitals.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

1st Quarter, 2010

Q1 Report

In Q1, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 12, 2010. Original Filing: 300256028.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Health Care Reform Legislation (H.R. 3590, H.R. 3962, H.R. 4872) - Tracked the legislative process used to pass health care reform legislation. Supported proposals included in both the House and Senate bill that would provide coverage to uninsured Americans. Monitored changes to H.R. 3590 as proposed in H.R. 4872 that would have an impact on hospitals. Group Purchasing - general outreach and education efforts in support of demonstrating the value GPOs provide to hospitals. Group Purchasing Organizations (cont.) - monitored proposals and the legislative movement of H.R.4872 to track any possible included changes to H.R. 3590 that may impact hospital GPOs. 340B (of the Public Health Services Act) Drug Pricing - tracked the proposed expansion of the program to inpatient drugs for eligible hospitals in H.R. 3590 and the subsequent changes made by H.R. 4872 to limit the expansion to a smaller group of eligible hospitals . Unique Device Identification - Supported maintaining legislative language in H.R. 3962 that would have required the FDA to enact regulations requiring Unique Device Identification for medical devices. Health Care Information Technology - monitored the development of "meaningful user" regulations and supported an approach that would allow hospitals greater access to incentive funding made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Supported legislative proposals that would have changed the definition of "hospital-based physician" to allow more providers eligibility for incentive funding. Supported the goals of S. 1490 while advocating for an approach that recognizes the protections to health data that are already present under the HIPAA Privacy and Security rules, and would not require competing regulatory authority from the Federal Trade Commission.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

4th Quarter, 2009

Q4 Report

In Q4, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 14, 2010. Original Filing: 300231823.xml

Lobbying Issues

Health Care Reform (H.R. 3962, H.R. 3590) - monitored negotiations and legislative action on the major health reform bills. Advocated for limiting reductions in Medicare reimbursement to hospitals to the level agreed to by key hospital organizations and White House and Congress. Tracked the inclusion of several payment reform initiatives included in both bills, specifically provisions on Medicare Value Based Purchasing, denying Medicare payments for hospital readmissions, proposals to bundle hospital and post acute payments. Gainsharing - tracked legislative and regulatory efforts to implement gainsharing arrangements that align financial incentives for hospitals and physicians. Tracked and engaged on the implementation of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Acute Care Episode (ACE) demonstration project. Expansion of Medicaid - monitored proposals in the House and Senate to expand Medicaid to 150% and 133% of Federal Poverty Level respectively. Monitored proposals in the Senate Health Reform bill (H.R. 3590) to create an independent Medicare Advisory Body, which would have great authority to make changes to Medicare payment policy. Medicare buy-in - (H.R. 3590) - expressed opposition to proposals that would have allowed individuals aged 55-64 to buy in to the Medicare program.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Health Care Reform Legislation (H.R. 3590, H.R. 3962 ) - monitored the development and negotiations over the health care reform bills considered in the House and Senate. Supported proposals that would have reduced the number of uninsured Americans. Expressed opposition to the creation of a public insurance option that was based on Medicare rates. Group Purchasing Organizations - monitored the negotiations of the health care reform bills being considered in Congress for proposals that would negatively impact hospital group purchasing organizations. General outreach to illustrate the value that group purchasing organizations deliver to hospitals. Health Care Information Technology - monitored the health care reform legislation for proposals that would expand privacy requirements beyond those established in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) passed in early 2009. Supported proposals to expand funding opportunities for health care information technology for hospitals. Monitored the development of "meaningful use" regulations, and supported efforts that would provide hospitals greater opportunities to invest in health IT and receive reimbursement under ARRA. Unique Device Identification - Supported legislative language in the House health reform bill (H.R. 3962) that would require the Food and Drug Administration to issue regulations requiring Unique Device Identification for medical devices. Supported the utilization of a single supply chain standard for UDI and endorsed GS1 standards. 340B (of the Public Health Services Act) Drug Pricing - monitored proposal in H.R. 3590 that would expand the 340B drug discount program to inpatient drugs for eligible hospitals.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

3rd Quarter, 2009

Q3 Report

In Q3, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 15, 2009. Original Filing: 300206212.xml

Lobbying Issues

Medicare Reimbursement Policy Changes - (H.R. 3200, S. 1679, America's Healthy Future Act) - Monitored legislative activity related to changes to Medicare reimbursement for hospitals. Tracked efforts to create a value-based purchasing system for hospitals, offering support for an approach similar to H.R. 1776. Tracked legislative efforts that would bundle Medicare payments to hospitals for related treatments. Monitored efforts to create a hospital re-admission policy, that would deny payments for certain potentially avoidable readmissions to hospitals. Supported readmissions proposals that would utilize practical clinical guidance to determine what conditions may be truly avoidable, and appropriate for inclusion in such a payment policy. Tracked efforts in reform proposals that would create an independent body that would have the authority to make Medicare payment and policy changes similar to S. 1110, S. 1380 and H.R. 2718.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Health Care Reform Legislation - (H.R. 3200, S. 1679, America's Healthy Future Act) - Monitored health care reform legislation for issues that impact not-for-profit hospitals. Supported efforts to expand coverage to uninsured Americans. Tracked policy development of legislative efforts to create a public health insurance option. Opposed a public plan option considered for H.R. 3200 that would reimburse hospitals using Medicare payment rates. Group Purchasing Organizations - General outreach in effort to demonstrate the value that GPOs provide to hospitals accross the country. Opposed efforts to include language in health reform legislation that would have placed limits on how GPO administrative fees can be used in support of activities not directly related to contracting. Demonstrated clinical performance enhancing tools offered by VHA for several Members and congressional staff. Unique Device Identification - Supported the issuance of regulations to create a unique device identification system as required by the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act. Supported the utilization of a single supply chain standard in the creation of any such system and advocated for using the GS1 standard. Health Care Information Technology - Monitored legislative efforts during health reform debate that would provide additional funding for the adoption of health information technology. Supported the Interim Final Rule on Breech Notification requirements for Unsecured Protected Health Information (RIN 0991-AB56). Sunshine Act (S. 301) - Monitored efforts to include legislative language similar to S. 301 in health reform legislation. Supported proposals that would produce greater transparency in the health care supply-chain. Advocated for greater transparency requirements for additional industries which were not included in Senate Finance Committee proposal. 340b (of the Public Health Services Act) Drug Pricing - Followed proposals to expand the 340B drug discount programs to inpatient hospitals in health reform legislation (proposals similar to S.1239, H.R. 444).

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

2nd Quarter, 2009

Q2 Report

In Q2, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 10, 2009. Original Filing: 300174636.xml

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Value Based Purchasing - (H.R. 1776) - supported the passage of the Quality FIRST act. Monitored and expressed concerns about hospital value based purchasing proposal included in Senate Finance Committee options paper. Monitored draft health reform legislation for inclusion of a hospital value based purchasing proposal. Bundling of Medicare payments - Monitored efforts to include proposals to bundle Medicare payments, similar to the bundling proposal included in the Senate Finance Committee Options papers. Witholding Medicare Reimbursement for Hospital Readmissions - Monitored efforts to include proposal to withold Medicare reimbursements for certain hospital readmissions, such as the proposal included in the Senate Finance Committee options papers.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Health Care Reform - (Draft legislation offered by the three House Committees of jurisdiction, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and the Senate Finance Committee). Monitored draft language, engaged members and staff on problematic proposals that would negatively impact hospitals' ability to continue providing care, while supporting proposals that would add to the number of individuals covered by health insurance. 340b (of the Public Health Services Act) Drug Pricing - General outreach and education on the 340B program. Monitored legislation that would extend the program to inpatient drugs (S.1239, H.R.444). Followed efforts to include changes to the 340b discount drug pricing program in draft health reform legislation. Hospital group purchasing - Monitored and advocated on potential legislative language related to hospital group purchasing organizations considered for inclusion in to-be-released health reform legislation. Worked to demonstrate the benefits that group purchasing organizations provide to hospitals through contracting as well as clinical improvement and other services. Sunshine Act - (S. 301) - tracking and monitoring S. 301or similar legislative language for possible inclusion in to-be-released draft health reform legislative package and the potential impact for hospitals and group purchasing organizations Health Care Information Technology - Monitored legislative proposals to expand the adoption of health care information technology. Tracked proposals that would expand privacy requirements in potential health reform efforts. Unique Device Identification - Supported promulgation of regulations requiring unique identifiers for medical devices as required under the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

1st Quarter, 2009

Q1 Report

In Q1, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 14, 2009. Original Filing: 300147469.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Group Purchasing - General outreach and education efforts related to hospital group purchasing organizations. Monitoring legislative efforts that could impact hospital group purchasing organizations. Health Care Reform - monitored legislative efforts related to broad health reform. Tracked Congressional efforts... (Cont.) ...related to legislative proposals for federally operated health insurance plan, hospital reimbursement proposals (including gainsharing, bundling and other methods for aligning incentives), and comparative effectiveness research. General tracking of approaches that may be included in Congressional health reform proposals. Health Care Information Technology - (H.R. 1) - Supported including funding for hospital adoption of health information technology and opposed addition of cumbersome privacy regulations that would be difficult and costly for hospitals to implement. State Children's Health Insurance Program (S. 275, H.R. 2) - Supported passage of legislation to reauthorize and expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program, supported inclusion of provision that waives 5 year waiting period for eligible legal immigrant children to enroll in SCHIP program. Supported inclusion of prohibition of physician referral to hospitals in which they have an ownership interest included in S. 275. Unique Device Identification - Supported the promulgation of regulations requiring unique identification for medical devices as required by the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act. Physician Payments Sunshine Act - (S. 301) - tracking and monitoring the development of the Sunshine Act and implications for hospitals and health care group purchasing organizations. 340 B (of the Public Health Services Act) Drug Pricing program - general outreach and education efforts regarding program and legislative proposals (H.R. 444)

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

4th Quarter, 2008

Q4 Report

In Q4, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Jan. 13, 2009. Original Filing: 300116566.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Health Care Information Technology (S. 1693, H.R. 3800, H.R 6898) - Worked in support of adoption of health care information technology. Opposed inclusion of privacy provisions that would be unmanageable for hospitals. Supported Inclusion of funding for implementation in proposed economic stimulus package. Hospital Group Purchasing Organizations - General outreach and education efforts related to hospital group purchasing organizations. Nursing Shortage - Provided information on Capitol Hill about VHA's efforts to return nurses to the bedside of patients, supported passage of HR 5924. Unique Device Identification - Supported promulgation of regulations requiring unique identifiers for medical devices pursuant to legislative mandate under the Food Drug Administration Amendments Act.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

3rd Quarter, 2008

Q3 Report

In Q3, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Oct. 13, 2008. Original Filing: 300090674.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Health Care Information Technology and privacy of health information (S. 1693, H.R. 3800, H.R 6898)- Supported passage of legislation to expand Health IT adoption for hospitals, with appropriate financial incentives for adoption of new technology. Opposed the addition of cumbersome privacy provisions that would be difficult for hospitals to implement and manage. Hospital Group Purchasing Organizations - General outreach and education efforts related to hospital group purchasing organizations. Supported the release of additional regulatory guidance related to average sales price for prescription drugs under the Medicare program. Healthcare Disparities - Outreach and communication related to disparities in health care access and delivery. Nursing Shortage - Provided information on Capitol Hill about VHA's efforts to return nurses to the bedside of patients, supported passage of HR 5924. Standing Delegated Medical Orders - Raised concerns about interpretive guidance issued by CMS (S&C-08-12) related to standing delegated medical orders.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

2nd Quarter, 2008

Q2 Report

In Q2, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on July 15, 2008. Original Filing: 300065838.xml

Lobbying Issues

Hospital Value Based Purchasing - (S. 3101, S. 3118), General outreach and monitoring of legislative efforts on CMS VBP proposal to Congress. Medicaid Regulations - (H.R. 3533, H.R. 5613, S. 2460, H.R. 2642) - Support for extending moratoriums on certain Medicaid regulations related to Medicaid Graduate Medical Education, Intergovernmental Transfers . Medicare Recovery Audit Contractors - (H.R. 4105) - Supported legislation that would delay the nationwide roll-out of the Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor program. Physician Self-Referral - ( H.R. 2642) - Supported including a provision in the Iraq War supplement Spending Legislation that would have prohibited the physician referral of patients to hospitals which they own or in which they invest.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Health Care Information Technology and Privacy of health information (S. 1693, H.R. 3800)- Supported passage of legislation to expand Health IT adoption for hospitals. Opposed the addition of cumbersome privacy provisions (similar to S. 1814 and H.R. 5442) in the drafting of H.R. 6357, and opposed the included privacy provisions that would be difficult for hospitals to implement and manage. Unique Device Identification - Supported the promulgation of regulations related to the implementation of a UDI System for Medical Devices (pursuant to related provision in the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007). Encouraged Congressional outreach to the agency in support of promulgation of regulations. Hospital Group Purchasing Organizations - General outreach and education efforts related to hospital group purchasing organizations. Supported the release of additional regulatory guidance related to average sales price for prescription drugs under the Medicare program. Healthcare Disparities - Outreach and communication related to disparities in health care access and delivery. Standing Delegated Medical Orders - Discussed interpretive guidance (S&C-08-12) related to standing delegated medical orders.

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

1st Quarter, 2008

Q1 Report

In Q1, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on April 17, 2008. Original Filing: 300040868.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Unique Device Identification - Supported the promulgation of regulations related to implementation of a for medical devices persuant to related provision in Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 Health Information Technology - Supported passage of S. 1693 and H.R. 3800, opposed inclusion of additional privacy provisions. Opposed passage of currently written health privacy expansion legislation (S. 1814 and H.R. 5442)Hospital Group Purchasing Organizations - General outreach and education efforts related to hospital group purchasing organizations, sought clarification and guidance related to average sales price and average manufacturers price for prescription drugs under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. 340 B (of the Public Health Services Act) Drug Pricing program - general outreach and education efforts regarding program and legislative proposals (H.R. 2606, S. 1376)

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

0th Quarter, 2007

MM Report

In MM, VHA Inc. had in-house lobbyists. The report was filed on Aug. 1, 2007. Original Filing: 200043634.xml

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Lobbying Issues

Agencies Lobbied

Type of Issue

Source: Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives and Secretary of the Senate

Legislators

Bills

Statements

Lobbying

Travel

Lobbyists

Disclosures Filed