capitol hill report: ADVOCACY ACTION ON NATIONAL, STATE LEVELS

August 23, 2021

Latest Advocacy News

• On August 6, the AAN sent a letter to the US Food & Drug Administration urging consideration of COVID-19 vaccine boosters for US health care workers. On August 18, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the availability of Pfizer and Moderna booster shots beginning the week of September 20 if it has been eight months since an individual’s second dose, meaning many health care providers will become eligible.
• On August 9, the AAN submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding their National Coverage Determination for the newly approved Alzheimer’s drug, aducanumab. The comments respond to a series of clinical and technical questions posed by CMS to stakeholders.
• On August 16, the AAN held a webinar on "Practice Perspectives for Aducanumab." Watch the one-hour recording to hear panelists discuss their preparations and challenges.

Issue In Focus

The AAN advocates on issues affecting neurology at the state level, primarily supporting efforts led by state medical societies, state neurological societies, and state patient groups. Most state legislative sessions occur the first half of the year, and highlights from 2021 include:

• 22 states changed laws or policies during the pandemic to require more robust insurance coverage for telehealth.
• Following support letters sent by the AAN, Delaware, Ohio, and Texas passed legislation to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.
• Texas passed prior authorization legislation to give physicians who have a 90-percent approval rating from an insurance company a “gold card,” removing prior authorization requirements for that treatment. The new law also requires peer to peer review by a Texas licensed physician of same or similar specialty.
• The California Parkinson’s Disease Registry budget was increased to $8 million to expand as a Neurodegenerative Disease Registry.

The AAN also recently hosted the 2021 Neurosociety Leadership Virtual Roundtable, with leaders from 16 neurosocieties across the country. The agenda focused on membership retention strategies, return to in-person neurosociety meetings, and state advocacy. Many states are hosting in-person or virtual meetings this fall. Learn more about your state neurosociety.

What We're Reading

• Blues plans pass on including aducanumab on formulary (Fierce Healthcare)
• Innovation at the Centers for Medicare And Medicaid Services: A Vision For The Next 10 Years (Health Affairs Blog)
• Biden calls on Congress to act on 'outrageously' high drug prices (The Hill)