Trump, MACRA top-of-mind for nation’s healthcare lawyers
Leaders in all sectors of healthcare are scrambling to anticipate how the incoming Donald Trump administration and Republican-controlled Congress will proceed with major issues like their promises to repeal the Affordable Care Act and implement the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act.
The perilous future of the ACA and the legal logistics of moving toward value-based payment models will be key topics this week at the American Bar Association’s 14th annual Washington Health Summit.
The sweeping overhaul occurring as MACRA data collection begins in January means new concerns for lawyers who work for healthcare systems as providers decide how much risk to take on and whether and how to work with other provider groups.
The agenda for the two-day ABA event includes a keynote address offering a report card on the ACA as well as panels on the implementation of the MACRA and understanding market risk corridors. Speakers include insurance industry executives and former officials of the CMS such as Jonathan Blum, Leslie Norwalk and Thomas Scully.
Panels will also discuss changes to the anti-kickback regulations. The HHS recently amended some safe-harbor sections to the rule, and earlier this year the U.S. Justice Department issued an interim final rule doubling penalties for violating the laws.
Another panel will discuss physician-assisted suicide statutes, their growing popularity and the ethical and philosophical questions they raise.