The American Gastroenterological Association released a list of three policy areas that may be up for discussion following the 2016 election in November.
Here are the federal decisions AGA suggests gastroenterologists look out for:
1. The 21st Century Cures Act (H.R.6), sponsored by U.S. Representative Fred Upton (R-Mich.), aims to increase NIH research funding and streamline FDA approval of new treatments. The bill already passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, but has stalled in the U.S. Senate.
2. A rule CMS proposed this past spring may change the way providers are reimbursed for drugs. Medicare Part B would lower the percent of the average sales price that providers are reimbursed for, decreasing the price paid from 106 percent to 102.5 percent.
3. The Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act (H.R.1220), sponsored by U.S. Representative Charlie Dent (R-Pa.), would waive coinsurance payments for colorectal cancer screening tests, regardless of other procedures done during the clinical encounter — even for the removal of tissue or other therapeutic procedures.