JANUARY EVIdently
Vol.2, No. 1
Message From NPC
Evidence-Based Medicine Research and Issues
Health Technology Assessment Group News
Health & Productivity Issues
Events
Message From NPC
Health Care Reform and a CER Entity: Will It Happen?
In January 2009, it appeared to be nearly certain that Congress would approve a health care reform bill that included provisions to establish a comparative effectiveness research (CER) entity. It’s now one year later, and health care reform is looking more uncertain, with the House and Senate mired in debate over differences between their bills and challenged by a newly elected Republican Senator who has pledged to vote against the current reform bill. If an agreement is reached, it is still likely that a new CER entity will remain a key element – alternatively, if an agreement is not reached on comprehensive reform, CER legislation may move forward separately. The bigger questions, then, are how would the entity be structured and how would the research and information be disseminated? MORE
Evidence-Based Medicine Research and News
NPC-Funded Study Examines Impact of CER on Health and Health Care Spending
What could happen if government health care programs used comparative effectiveness research (CER) to determine coverage policies and manage costs, as proposed in current health reform bills? According to a new study funded by the National Pharmaceutical Council and conducted by economists from the University of Chicago, CER, if applied or interpreted by policy makers incorrectly, could result in higher costs than expected, with negative health outcomes for patients. MORE
NPC’s Dr. Les Paul Appointed to Serve on MEDCAC
Effective January 1, 2010, Dr. Les Paul was appointed to serve a two-year term on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC).
“It’s a privilege to be appointed to serve on MEDCAC and represent the industry,” said Dr. Paul. “I’m looking forward to participating in this important group and providing guidance on coverage decisions.”
The MEDCAC was established to provide independent guidance and expert advice to CMS on specific clinical topics, to supplement CMS' internal expertise and to allow an unbiased and current deliberation of "state of the art" technology and science. According to CMS, “MEDCAC reviews and evaluates medical literature, technology assessments, and examines data and information on the effectiveness and appropriateness of medical items and services that are covered under Medicare, or that may be eligible for coverage under Medicare. The MEDCAC judges the strength of the available evidence and makes recommendations to CMS based on that evidence.”
Health Technology Assessment Group News
AHRQ Effective Health Care Program Seeking Nominations for Members of Stakeholder Group
The Agency for Healthcare Reform and Quality (AHRQ) Effective Health Care Program is seeking nominations for members of the Stakeholder Group to serve a 2-year term, beginning the summer of 2010 and ending the summer of 2012. The Stakeholder Group is critical to the success of this project, providing input to the program in collaboration with the Effective Health Care Scientific Resource Center (currently based at the Oregon Evidence-based Practice Center). For more information, visit http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov
HHS to Publish Grant and Contract Solicitations for Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) Projects with ARRA Funds
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced its intention to support new CER projects with funds allocated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The ARRA appropriated $400 million to the Office of the Secretary (OS) for support of CER. AHRQ has been designated point of contact for management of these funds. OS ARRA CER projects will focus, initially, on: 1) one of the 14 priority conditions established by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services under Section 1013 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, 2) 100 Institute of Medicine topic recommendations, or 3) topics that fall into one of the AHRQ identified evidence gaps or are identified in the FCC report. An additional integral focus for these OS ARRA CER funds are priority populations, which include low income groups; minority groups; women; children; the elderly; and individuals with special health care needs, including individuals with disabilities and individuals who need chronic care or end-of-life health care. The CER solicitations will come from a diverse set of divisions and agencies across the Department of Health and Human Services. For more information, visit http://grants.nih.gov
CMS and ONC Issue Regulations Proposing a Definition of ‘Meaningful Use’ and Setting Standards for Electronic Health Record Incentive Program
The Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) encourage public comment on two regulations issued at the end of December 2009 that lay a foundation for improving quality, efficiency and safety through meaningful use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology. A proposed rule issued by CMS outlines proposed provisions governing the EHR incentive programs, including defining the central concept of “meaningful use” of EHR technology. An interim final regulation (IFR) issued by ONC sets initial standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria for EHR technology. Both regulations are open to public comment until March 15, 2010. For more information, visit http://www.hhs.gov
Health & Productivity Issues
Patient Groups Express Concern Over Wellness Provision in Senate Health Bill
A number of patient organizations, including the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association, have expressed concern over a provision in health reform bills meant to encourage healthier lifestyles by allowing companies to give insurance discounts to workers who meet certain milestones. At issue is an amendment sponsored by Senators Tom Carper (D-DE) and John Ensign (R-NV) to allow employers to offer incentives for at least 30 percent of the total cost of a health plan to workers for staying healthy. MORE
Events
Capturing the Value of Precision Medicine – An Industry Perspective
Dr. Les Paul, NPC VP for Clinical and Scientific Affairs, delivered a presentation on “Capturing the Value of Precision Medicine – An Industry Perspective,” at the World Health Care Congress Leadership Summit on Personalized Health Care on January 26. In his remarks, Dr. Paul explained, “Practical personalized medicine is a reality today for selected conditions. The trajectory of the development of biomarker based therapeutics is likely to accelerate rapidly in the next several years, but clarifying incentives for value capture will be key to predicting the growth curve of precision medicine.”
The meeting, held at the National Harbor in Maryland, brought together senior level executives from hospitals, health systems, health plans and pharmaceutical companies to explore the evolution of personalized medicine from concept to main stream health care delivery.
NPC’s Dr. Paul to Speak at Community Oncology Conference in February
Dr. Les Paul, NPC VP for Clinical and Scientific Affairs, will be speaking on comparative effectiveness research at the Community Oncology Conference on February 5, 2010, in Scottsdale, Arizona. The conference will present expert opinions on the biggest issues in cancer management and discuss recent advances in cancer surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and biologic therapy. The overall goal is to ensure providers have the most up-do-date clinical information needed to deliver the highest quality oncology care for those in small, medium and large community based practices. For more information, visit http://communityonc.com
