PhRMA has sued to block implementation of a rule that lets providers in the 340B drug discount program buy orphan drugs at reduced prices if the drugs are used to treat non-orphan conditions.
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An investigative report in Wednesday's USA Today on physician discipline illustrates why some observers are concerned about the Federation of State Medical Boards' recent decision to stop publishing its annual report on the number of disciplinary actions taken by state medical boards.
The USA Today article found that 52% of the nearly 6,000 physicians who had their clinical privileges restricted or revoked by hospitals or other institutions for misconduct involving patient care from 2001 to 2011 never received fines, license restrictions or license suspensions or revocations by a state medical board. Nearly 250 of the doctors sanctioned by institutions faced no licensure action despite being cited by their institution as an immediate threat to health and safety.
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A bipartisan House bill has been introduced that would require disclosure of Medicare payment information on individual physicians and other healthcare providers and suppliers, to enable the public to compare providers of services.
A companion bill has been pending in the Senate since June, and one Senate spokesperson says the final proposal may be added to the upcoming “doc fix” legislation to come later this year that would change how Medicare doctors are paid under the sustainable growth-rate formula.
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