BAYCARE HEALTH SYSTEM

Advocated against healthcare price transparency provisions within HR 5378 and S 2840 that would provide additionally burdensome reporting to further care sites that will hamper hospital negotiations with payors and require FTEs and excessive hours to satisfy, advocated against SITE neutrality provisions that would limit payment based on originating location of services. Advocated for 340B DSH language % to include uncompensated care pool days (low income pool days in Florida), or 340B eligibility waiver to not consider DSH langauge % for two years to be included in a healthcare package.

Discussed current activity in Congress on 340B and the lack of accountability on drug manufacturers as well as the programming BayCare provides the community with the 340B savings. These programs include the Medication Assistance Program to ensure all in our community have access to the prescription drugs they require (we take referrals from anyone, not just BayCare patients/providers) and the Pharmacy Transition of Care team that helps improve medication adherence and transition/care coordination for those returning home with various prescriptions. Also discussed the concern with the removal of 1115 waiver days or uncompensated care pool days in the inclusion of the Medicaid DSH calculation for the purposes of 340B qualification. Specifically advocated for language that would factor in uncompensated care pool days only for 340B, not Medicare DSH. Discussed this with Senator Rubio, Congressman Bilirakis', Congressman Buchanan, Congresswoman Castor, Congressman Soto, Congressman Franklin and the staff of Senator Blackburn (TN).

Lobbied in favor of legislation to ensure that uncompensated care pool days can be included in the medicaid fraction of the medicare DSH %. In the FY 2024 IPPS CMS changed a rule that would prevent these days from being included. Discussed this solution with members/staff of the following offices: Buchanan (FL), Luna, Bilirakis, Lee (FL), Castor, Rubio, Scott, Soto, Franklin. Advocated on behalf of the At-HOME Services Act (S. 3756, H.R.7742). To expand hospital-at-home waiver to include observation patients for medicare payment. Ongoing conversations with Senator Rubio's office, Congresswoman Castor's office, and Congressman Buchanan's office in advancing At-HOME Services Act. We also discussed with Cong. Soto, Wenstrup, staff of Rep. Blumenaeur, Senate Finance Majority staff.

Discussed current activity in Congress on 340B and the lack of accountability on drug manufacturers as well as the programming BayCare provides the community with the 340B savings. These programs include the Medication Assistance Program to ensure all in our community have access to the prescription drugs they require (we take referrals from anyone, not just BayCare patients/providers) and the Pharmacy Transition of Care team that helps improve medication adherence and transition/care coordination for those returning home with various prescriptions. Also discussed the concern with the removal of 1115 waiver days or uncompensated care pool days in the inclusion of the Medicaid DSH calculation for the purposes of 340B qualification. Specifically advocated for language that would factor in uncompensated care pool days only for 340B, not Medicare DSH. Discussed this with Senator Rubio, Congressman Bilirakis', Congressman Buchanan, and Congresswoman Castor's offices.

Met with new staff in Congresswoman Laurel Lees district office to discuss general healthcare issues in district. This included issues with the 340B drug pricing program and labor issues, specifically the SAVE Act S. 2768 that she cosponsors. Also discussed new facilities opening in the district. Met with Congresswoman Kathy Castor in a group and discussed access issues, specifically medicaid disenrollment in Florida and our support of Florida's 1115 waiver application for CHIP coverage for up to 300% of the FPL. Continued conversations and advocacy with Congressman Bilirakis office to discuss 340B drug pricing program on the aforementioned FY 24 IPPS rule policy pertaining to Medicare DSH calculation. Worked with Congressman Bilirakis' office to push for inclusion in a healthcare package. Also worked on a similar solution to extend 340B eligibility for providers eligible as of 1/1/2020 to waive DSH eligibility requirements for two years. Communicated with Senator Rubio and Congressman Bilirakis' offices in support of this proposal. Met with Senate Finance Majority and House Ways and Means Minority staff to advocate for the At-HOME Services Act (S. 3756, H.R.7742). To expand hospital-at-home waiver to include observation patients for medicare payment. Ongoing conversations with Senator Rubio's office, Congresswoman Castor's office, and Congressman Buchanan's office in advancing At-HOME Services Act.