CER Daily Newsfeed

The NHC Sets out a New Roadmap for 2025–2027

(2/27, Leah Poffenberger, National Health Council Blog) comments “...Key Areas of Focus for 2025-2027: Advance Patient-Driven Health Policy and Practices. The NHC will leverage its expertise, reputation, and diverse membership to champion policies that enhance patient access and improve health outcomes. By influencing policy reforms and driving best practices, we aim to foster a health system that truly serves patients.” Full

R.I.P. VBID — In Medicare Advantage Alone or Beyond?

(2/27, Laura Beerman, HealthLeaders Media) comments “The post-mortems for the end of Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) in Medicare Advantage are now in. The model improved outcomes but cost CMS $4.5 billion in two years — a decided no-go for continuation. Part 1 of this series will review VBID’s aims and how costs got out of hand. Part 2 will examine how the model could succeed — perhaps more easily — beyond Medicare Advantage.” Full

CMS Rehires Drug Negotiation Lawyers, Indicating Trump IRA Support

(2/26, Gabrielle Wanneh, Inside Health Policy) reports “...At least two litigation attorneys involved with defending Medicare's drug price negotiations in court during the Biden administration have been reinstated by the Trump administration after both were laid off along with other probationary staff across federal health agencies this month, indicating an intent to continue pushing back against drug industry allegations that the law is unconstitutional and that program guidance contradicts the law, a source told Inside Health Policy Wednesday.” Subscription Required

Advanced Therapies For Common Conditions In England Won’t Get Extra Funding, Says Ex-NICE Official

(2/27, Eliza Slawther, Pink Sheet) reports “...Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) typically come with high price tags compared to more traditional medicinal treatments. While health technology assessment (HTA) agencies are willing to exercise flexibility in their value assessments when it comes to ATMPs, this is because of the target patient population, not the technology itself.” Subscription Required