AANA Federal Government Affairs
HOTLINE
Number 2005-28 Week of Monday, November 14, 2005


In This Issue:


* House Struggles with Reconciliation Bill
* CMS Touts Hospital Pay-for-Performance Demonstration as Success
* Amendments




>> House Struggles with Reconciliation Bill


On Thursday (November 10th), House Republican leaders cancelled a vote on their budget reconciliation bill. Action on the budget package is important to CRNAs. Though the House measure does not include anesthesia payment specific provisions directly impacting CRNAs, its Senate companion does include language providing relief from the 4.4% Medicare payment cuts taking effect January 1, 2006, unless Congress acts.

The House vote was scrapped on the bill, now projected to cut about $51 billion over five years some of which will come from Medicaid, after a concession to moderates to abandon oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) failed to win enough votes for the bill’s approval (Richmond Times-Dispatch, 11/11). The legislation provides for some savings from the Medicaid healthcare program for the poor, but not relating to healthcare provider reimbursements specifically. In addition, like the Senate reconciliation measure, the House legislation does not include specific anti-CRNA “poison pill” provisions.

The bill would reduce Medicaid spending by about $9.5 billion over five years. On November 3rd, the House Budget Committee approved the package, which was approved earlier by the House Energy and Commerce Committee (American Health Line, 11/10). Despite the ANWR concession, moderate Republicans criticized the bill for “hitting the nation’s most vulnerable citizens just as the party was preparing another round of tax cuts that would benefit the most affluent” (Washington Post, 11/11). House Majority Leader Roy Blunt (R-MO) at a press conference said it is "possible" that he will bring the reconciliation bill up for a vote the week of November 14.

Read more, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/10/AR2005111001333.html




>> CMS Touts Hospital Pay-for-Performance Demonstration as Success


The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported today that quality of care has improved significantly in hospitals participating in the Premier Hospital Quality Incentive demonstration, an initial Medicare pay-for-performance demonstration project. This project is important for CRNAs to be aware of, since CMS’ related healthcare provider Part B pay-for-performance voluntary demonstration program and legislation pending in Congress may have effects on CRNAs’ Medicare reimbursements and quality reporting in the future.

Under the hospital quality incentive program, Medicare is awarding $8.85 million to hospitals that showed measurable improvements in care during the first year of the program. Improvement in what the agency terms evidence-based quality measures is expected to provide long term savings, because of their demonstrated relationship to improved patient health, fewer complications and fewer hospital readmissions, CMS says.

Read more, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/media/press/release.asp?Counter=1729




>> Amendments


* The House and Senate will be in session this week. The House will be taking up the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (HR 4241) and budget reconciliation legislation, while the Senate will be focusing on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (S 1042).

* AANA sends FDA letter regarding propofol. AANA President Brian Thorson, CRNA, MS, has sent the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) a letter urging the agency to keep its current “black box” warning on the administration of propofol.

Read the letter, http://www.aana.com/members/president/thorson/thorson111405.aspx

* Purcell and Brighthaupt featured on CNN’s American Morning. Frank Purcell, AANA Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs and AANA Lobbyist Assistant Donna Brighthaupt are being featured on the television news network as part of CNN’s “New You Resolution.” Announced on CNN’s morning show November 15th, the pair will be followed on the morning show beginning early January as they both try and reach their wellness and physical fitness goals for the upcoming new year.

Read more, http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/11/14/participant.emails/index.html

* Stay tuned for possible CRNA grassroots advocacy action the next few weeks, as Congress works on legislation affecting CRNAs’ Medicare payment and funding for nurse anesthesia educational programs.

* The CRNA-PAC Committee requests all CRNAs who’ve received their annual dues statement to be sure to remember the CRNA-PAC Dues Checkoff option. Members’ support of CRNA-PAC helps keep the nurse anesthesia profession’s voice strong in Washington! For further information, email info@aanadc.com.

* Fall Assembly in Chicago a huge success! Thanks to everyone who attended this year’s Fall Assembly. We are now gearing up for the Mid-Year Assembly in Washington, DC in April 2006.

* For up-to-date Congressional floor & committee schedule information, see http://thomas.loc.gov/.




>> For More Information


The AANA Federal Government Affairs Hotline is published for the nurse anesthetist members of AANA each week Congress is in session by the AANA Office of Federal Government Affairs, Washington DC, 202-484-8400, info@aanadc.com, Frank Purcell, Senior Director. © 2005 American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.