The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced 19 pieces of legislation Dec. 7, including bills aimed at increasing Medicare Advantage transparency.
Three Medicare-related bills to note:
- The Cutting Copays Act, which would cut cost-sharing amounts for prescription drugs for low-income Medicare beneficiaries. The bill was advanced 41-1.
- An amendment to the Social Security Act that would require Medicare Advantage plans to report more information about how supplemental benefits are used. The bill was advanced 43-0.
- The Medicare PBM Accountability Act, requiring more transparency from pharmaceutical benefit managers contracted with Medicare Part D plans. The bill was advanced 44-0.
The legislation would also provide a short-term extension of payment incentives for value-based care in Medicare.
In a statement shared with Becker's, the National Association of Accountable Care Organizations said Congress must act to maintain payments in the long term.
"We're encouraged lawmakers recognize the important role these incentives play in improving our healthcare system and providing better patient care at lower costs," NAACOS President and CEO Clif Gaus said.
The bills now advance to the entire house for consideration.