The House Ways and Means Committee this week released a new extenders package which included a 5-year extension on the medical device excise tax moratorium. The 2.3% levy on the sale of prescribed medical devices was in effect between 2012 and 2014 after it was enacted through the Affordable Care Act in 2010, but the pushback from industry has led to several moratoriums. It received a 2-year delay extension earlier this year as part of a continuing resolution.Under the new relief bill, the 2018 moratorium on the device tax would be extended until 31 December 2024.  

A recent proposal by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) would implement an unprecedented Part B demo that could harm Medicare beneficiaries. We believe this would alter the entire reimbursement structure for providers in Part B and ultimately restrict access and limit drug options ultimately effecting the patient and physician. Further, the proposal could significantly impact the Part B program which will affect drugs that are directly administered by doctors and treat a broad range of serious and critical diseases like cancers and other rare or chronic illnesses. These changes can and will have a serious impact on patients’ quality of life. They will also affect the access to care on which so many seniors and individuals with disabilities depend.  

The November Focus newsletter was published this afternoon with Jennifer’s recap of the full month in policy news.  

With final certification of ballots by the Secretary of State the final tally for the Democrats in the House is 41, leaving Republicans with only 24 seats. Democrats in the Senate hold the majority by three votes with 19 members. Republicans have 16 seats in the Senate.

The next step as The Colorado General Assembly prepares for the upcoming legislative session which begins on January 4th are the leadership elections. The elections took place last week and here are the results:

Notable House Seats:

• Colorado’s House majority leader,Rep. KC Becker (D) of Boulder, was elected Speaker of the House
• Rep. Alec Garnett (D) of Denver will replace Becker as majority leader.
• Rep. Chris Kennedy(D) of Jefferson County was selected assistant majority leader
• Rep. Edie Hooten(D) of Boulder County was named democrat caucus chair.
• Rep. Patrick Neville (R) of Douglas County remains minority leader.
• Rep. Kevin Van Winkle (R) of Highlands Ranch was chosen assistant minority leader.
• Rep. Lori Saine (R) of Firestone becomes GOP caucus chair

Notable Senate Seats:

• Sen. Chris Holbert (R) of Douglas County was elected Senate minority leader.
• Sen. John Cooke(R) of Greeley was elected assistant minority leader
• Sen. Vicki Marble (R) of Fort Collins as GOP caucus chair.
• Sen. Leroy Garcia (D) of Pueblo will serve as president of a Colorado Senate.
• Sen. Lois Court (D) of Arapahoe County was named president pro-tem.
• Sen. Steve Fenberg (D) of Boulder County was elected majority leader
• Sen.-elect Faith Winter (D) of Westminster was elected caucus chair

Jones Paton Promoted to Lead Life Science Organization After Broad Search 

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miRagen Named Company of the Year, Inscripta Honored as Rising Star
 

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Federal 

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This week, the October Focus newsletter was published for a more detailed look at policy, and other issues, please read Jennifer’s monthly policy update.  

Last week President Trump signed two bills (Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act and Know the Lowest Price Act) into law that ban gag clauses that were called for in the American Patients First blueprint back in May. These clauses can be included in contracts insurers have with pharmacies — preventing pharmacies from telling customers they can save money on a drug if they pay with cash instead of using their health insurance. These bills are similar to HB18-1284 which was signed into law this past legislative session in Colorado by Governor Hickenlooper.

CBSA continues to be supportive of HB18-1284 as we see it as a way to provide direct out of pocket cost savings for patients in need. At CBSA we are dedicated to patients, ensuring people live longer, healthier lives. We see this as a way to ensure patients receive the needed treatments and cures. We work every day to create an innovation-friendly business environment ensuring that as an industry we deliver value to patient.

To learn more about CBSA’s support of HB18-1284 click here and to learn more about what is happening at the federal level click here.