Medicare
Premiums to Rise Dramatically in 2005
The Department of Health and Human Services
recently announced premiums
and deductibles for Medicare beneficiaries in 2005. Medicare
Part B premiums, which cover doctor visits and other non-hospital
expenses, are scheduled to rise by 17.4 percent. Medicare
officials cited the 1.5 percent increase in physician payment
rates, mandated by the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) passed
last year, as a factor in the rate hikes. Physicians originally
faced a 4.5 percent cut in reimbursement rates in 2004. New
benefits offered through Medicare, including preventive screenings
for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, also contributed
to the higher premiums. The announcement spurred criticism
from the Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, accusing
Republicans of “choosing special interests over seniors.”
The Bush campaign defended the rise in premiums, citing the
long-term cost benefits of offering preventive services through
Medicare.
Congress,
Medical Journals Push for Mandatory Drug Trial Registry
In response to allegations that pharmaceutical manufacturers
have
downplayed negative trial results from the public, members
of Congress and the editors of 12 medical journals are calling
for a mandatory registration system for all clinical drug
trials. A coalition of medical journals announced last week
that they will not publish research sponsored by drug manufacturers
unless the studies are registered in a public database. The
new policy will apply to any trial started after July 1, 2005.
The journal editors recommend www.ClinicalTrials.gov,
an online database established by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) in 1997. The Journal of the American College of
Cardiology is not part of the journal coalition, but
is reviewing its proposal in detail.
As
a complementary initiative, federal legislators are planning
to introduce legislation that would require drug manufacturers
to post all clinical trial results online. The legislation
would authorize the FDA to fine companies who do not comply
with the mandatory registration requirements. Sen. Edward
Kennedy, D-Mass., plans to introduce the drug registry bill
in the Senate, while his colleagues Reps. Edward Markey, D-Mass.,
and Henry Waxman, D-Calif., will introduce similar legislation
in the House. The pharmaceutical industry has responded to
the increased pressure from Congress and the medical community
by launching several Web sites with trial information. GlaxoSmithKline,
Merck & Co., and Eli Lilly and Co. have announced plans
to set up Web sites with clinical trial information, and the
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America is launching
an industry Web site on Oct. 1 – www.clinicalstudyresults.org
- where member companies can post their trial results. (Boston
Globe, 9/9)
Last
Chance to Register for ACC/MGMA Audio Conference
Technology is changing the business of medicine, and the ACC
and the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) are sponsoring
an audio conference on Sept. 16 to help cardiologists take
advantage of these market changes. “Using the Internet
in Your Practice for Improved Performance, Productivity, and
Patient Satisfaction” offers physicians recommendations
and strategies for integrating technology and business operations
to improve billing practices, patient record management and
overall workflow. Registration closes Sept. 14
and all ACC members receive a reduced rate for this conference.
Click here
for additional conference information and registration materials.
Senate
Postpones Vote on Drug Importation
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., anticipates that
legislation allowing prescription drug imports from Canada
will not reach the Senate floor before the November elections
due to time constraints. Several bi-partisan legislative proposals
legalizing drug imports are stalled in Congress, prompting
states and counties to establish importation programs of their
own. The most recent example is a program announced by Illinois
that will allow its residents to import drugs from Canada,
the United Kingdom and Ireland. The rising cost of prescription
drug costs has caught the attention of both presidential candidates
and is an issue that resonates with many voters. Democratic
candidate John Kerry supports importing FDA-approved drugs
from Canada, while President Bush will only authorize drug
importation if the FDA can certify imported drugs’ safety
and drug importation results in significant cost savings.
(Associated Press, 9/9)
FDA
Approves Heart-Healthy Food Label
Federal regulators announced that manufacturers can label
products containing omega-3 fatty acids with claims of reducing
the risk of heart disease. The
FDA decision applies to food products and dietary supplements
containing eiscosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic
acid (DHA), but must be low in cholesterol and low in saturated
fat to use the health claim on their label. Fish products
and dietary supplements are exempt from the low-cholesterol,
low-saturated fat requirement. The FDA also cautioned that
consumers should not exceed three grams per day of DHA or
EPA, drawing criticism from consumer groups who call the new
health designation confusing. Research supporting the ability
of omega-3 fatty acids to reduce the risk of coronary heart
disease is growing,
but is still considered inconclusive. (Washington Post,
9/9)
Advocacy
Weekly is a product of the Advocacy Division of the American
College of Cardiology. Questions or comments regarding this
publication should be directed to the Advocacy Division at
800-435-9203 or to advocacydiv@acc.org.
Copyright
© 1996-2004
American College of Cardiology
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