2009-01-01

Obama-Biden Administration Transition Moving Forward

As this issue of The Hematologist went to press, the Obama-Biden administration transition team was in the process of making several announcements of new agency heads and senior-ranking federal officials. Of note, former Senator and Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) was chosen to be Secretary of Health & Human Services, an appointment that many policy-makers predict will greatly help with efforts to overhaul the health-care system. ASH has been sharing concerns and information about priority issues to the Society with the transition team. All ASH members are encouraged to share their ideas about issues the new administration and Congress must address with the Society by contacting grassroots@hematology.org.

Health Reform a Top Priority for New President and Congress

Because health reform was a central component of the Obama campaign and exit polls indicated that health care ranked in the top three most important issues cited by voters, it is expected that health reform legislation will be a priority of the new president and Congress. Even before the 111th Congress was sworn in, the chairmen of the Senate committees with jurisdiction over health reform released details of their proposed plans and House leaders began meeting on the issue. Of note, Democratic leaders are making an effort to include Republicans in the planning process, as they recognize the importance of bipartisanship on this issue, despite the Democrats’ vastly expanded majority. A major point of contention with the Republicans is how lawmakers will find funding for the package.

Senators Propose Legislation Linking Medicare Payment to Hospitals to Quality

Senate Finance Committee leaders are working on bipartisan legislation that would link the level of Medicare payment to hospitals to the quality of medical care rather than the number of services provided. Many lawmakers and health-care analysts have expressed support for the idea of linking Medicare reimbursement to the quality of care provided, also known as “pay for performance,” as a way to improve health-care quality and lower its cost. The senators’ proposal would start the value-based purchasing program in fiscal year 2012, phasing it in over five years with full implementation beginning in fiscal year 2016. Payment levels would gradually increase from 1 percent in fiscal year 2012 to 2 percent by fiscal year 2016. The program would be budget-neutral and any savings would be kept in the hospital payment system in the form of increased payments to other hospitals.

National Sickle Cell Disease Scientific Meeting

The combined 3rd Annual Sickle Cell Disease Research and Educational Symposium & Grant Writing Institute (GWI) and Annual National Sickle Cell Disease Scientific Meeting is scheduled for February 15 - 20, 2009, in Hollywood, FL.

back to top