On Sept. 14, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed by voice vote H.R. 3173, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act. Sponsored by Reps. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), Ami Bera, MD, (D-Calif.) and Larry Bucshon, MD, (R-Ind.), the legislation would streamline and standardize prior authorization in the Medicare Advantage (MA) program.

Neurosurgeons Announce Principles for Reforming the Medicare Physician Payment System

On Feb. 2, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. announced a series of new steps to “reignite” the Cancer Moonshot initiative, with the goal of “ending cancer as we know it” by halving the number of cancer deaths in the United States in the next 25 years.

Before adjourning, Congress passed, and President Biden signed into law the Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act (P.L. 117-71) — legislation that would avert steep Medicare payment cuts scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1.

On Sept. 9, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will require COVID-19 vaccinations for workers in most health care settings that receive Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement, including hospitals and ambulatory surgical settings.