SENATORS INTRODUCE BILL TO LIMIT AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF HHS: Last week, Senators Tom Coburn, MD (R-OK), John Barrasso, MD (R-WY), Rand Paul, MD (R-KY) and John Boozman, OD (R-AR), introduced, S. 2278, the Safeguarding Care of Patients Everywhere Act (SCOPE ACT). This legislation aims to protect the physician-patient relationship endangered by repealing section 1311(h) of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). According to the Senators, this provision grants the authority to the Health and Human Services Secretary to determine whether a doctor is providing “quality health care measures” and can prohibit health insurers from working with medical providers who don’t meet Secretary-established criteria for quality. This Senate bill is a companion to a House bill that was previously introduced by Rep. Phil Gingrey, MD (R-GA). At this time there is little legislative activity to report; however, NASS will continue to monitor this legislation and provide any updates as they become available.
NASS’ DC Advocacy Update
07 Wednesday May 2014
Posted Advocacy
in