The Political Affairs Committee returned to Washington, DC with other LUGPA members to promote the 2022 Legislative and Regulatory Agenda. This fly-in focused on stopping proposed physician fee schedule cuts; making telehealth waivers permanent; advancing site neutrality policies that level the playing field between physician practices and hospitals; and removing barriers to physician prescribing decisions for their patients.

LUGPA members met with the following Members of Congress during this fly-in:

• Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) | Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
• Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) | Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health; Senate HELP Subcommittee on Health
• Representative Angie Craig (D-MN | House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health
• Representative John Curtis (R-UT) | House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health
• Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS) | House Small Business Committee
• Representative Suzan DelBene (D-WA) | House Ways and Means Committee Vice Chair
• Representative Andy Harris (R-MD) | GOP Doctors Caucus Co-Chair, Appropriations Committee
• Representative French Hill (R-AR) | House Financial Services Committee
• Representative Bill Johnson (R-OH) | House Energy and Commerce Committee
• Representative James Joyce (R-PA) | House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health; GOP Doctors Caucus; GOP Healthy Future Task Force
• Representative Scott Peters (D-CA) | House Energy and Commerce Committee
• Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) | Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
• Representative Jason Smith (R-MO) | House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health
• Senator John Thune (R-SD) | Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health; Senate Minority Whip
• Representative Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) | House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health; GOP Doctors Caucus Co-Chair;  GOP Healthy Future Task Force

In addition to the lawmakers listed above, fly-in participants met with health aides and staff members of the House Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce Committees and the Senate Finance Committee.

The fly-in schedule for next year will be set in early 2023. We strongly encourage our doctors to participate in the political process and meet with your legislators. If you would like to attend a fly-in next year or would like any additional information, contact the LUGPA office at [email protected]. LUGPA physicians and senior administrators who have attended in the past say that they find the experience to be worthwhile and essential to their understanding of the political process Two first time attendees had this to say about their experience at the July fly-in.

With the utmost gratitude, the LUGPA Political Affairs committee thanks the physicians and administrators of the following groups whose efforts made the July fly-in possible:

• Advanced Urology Institute
• Amarillo Urology
• Comprehensive Urology
• Houston Metro Urology
• Idaho Urologic Institute
• Integrated Medical Professionals
• Kansas City Urology Care
• MidLantic Urology
• Minnesota Urology
• Rio Grande Urology
• The Conrad Pearson Clinic
• Urological Associates of Western Colorado
• Urology Associates of Delaware
• Urology of Virginia
• Urology San Antonio
• UroPartners
• Wichita Urology Group

LUGPA and coalition ask Congress to address pending physician payment cuts

LUGPA joined more than ninety provider and patient organizations urging Congress to address the pending physician payment cuts. The coalition, which represents over one million health care professionals and providers, asked Congress to pass legislation that provides at least a 4.5% conversion factor adjustment for 2023; waives the 4% statutory PAYGO requirement; and one-year inflationary update based on the Medicare Economic Index. Read the sign-on letter here.

Reconciliation Bill Advances in the Senate

In late July, Majority Leader Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Manchin (D-WV) announced an agreement to advance budget reconciliation in the Senate addressing prescription drug pricing, tax and environment. The bill includes a provision that cuts ASP reimbursement for certain older and high cost Part B drugs.  LUGPA continues to advocate that doctors be taken out of the middle of these drug pricing decisions, and rather than cutting physician reimbursement, collect a rebate from the manufacturer. We expect a vote imminently. Watch your email for information on how to contact your Senators about key provisions.

Public Health Emergency extended additional 90 days

Effective July 15, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra renewed the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration for at least an additional 90 days through October 13. Accordingly, telehealth flexibilities will be extended through at least 2023, since the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 guaranteed the continuation of telehealth flexibilities for at least 151 days after the official end of the federal PHE. LUGPA continues to advocate for legislation to make the expansion of these telehealth flexibilities permanent.

GOP Healthy Futures Taskforce White Paper includes LUGPA priorities

A whitepaper produced by the GOP Healthy Future Task Force once again included priorities LUGPA has been advancing- site neutrality for Part B drug administration at physicians offices and hospitals and reforming the inpatient only list.

Reminder: Phase 3 Provider Relief Fund reporting is open

As a reminder, the Provider Relief Fund Reporting Portal for Phase 3 is open. Providers who received one or more Provider Relief Fund payments exceeding $10,000 in aggregate between January 1 and June 30, 2021 are required to report their use of funds by September 30.

No Surprises Act Information and Resource Hub

Another reminder, LUGPA has assembled a page of helpful links and resources to assist urology practices in the implementation of the No Surprises Act. The page is frequently updated with latest information as it becomes available.