HHS Requests Comments on New Targets for 2020 HAI Action Plan – On February 25, 2014, HHS requested public comment on new 2020 targets for the Health Care-Associated Infection (HAI) Action Plan after the expiration of the initial HAI action plan in 2013.  The new HAI reduction targets will set baseline rates using data from 2015 and establish goals to be achieved by 2020.  HHS has provided a template for all HAI targets here and comments are due by 5 p.m. on March 27, 2014.

Proposed 2015 EHR Certification Criteria Would Make Compliance with the 2015 Edition Voluntary – Under the proposal issued by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC), published in the February 26, 2014 Federal Register, electronic health record (EHR) developers that have certified EHR technology to the 2014 Edition would not need to recertify to the 2015 Edition for customers to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs.  Comments on the proposal are due April 28, 2014.

Opposition to Medicare Part D Changes – On February 28, 2014, Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden, several of the committee’s Democrats and all of its Republicans signed a letter opposing proposed changes to Medicare’s prescription drug program (Part D).  CMS issued a fact sheet regarding its proposed rule on the Part D program on February 26, 2014 available here.   

23rd Annual Health Law and Policy Forum – On March 17, 2004, King & Spalding will host the 23rd Annual Health Law and Policy Forum at the St. Regis Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.  Featured Speakers will include United States Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Scott Rasmussen of Rasmussen Reports.  For more information on the Forum and to register, click here.