The following is a roundup of legislative developments affecting the healthcare industry that have been reported in the last two weeks.
1. Legislation Introduced to Override Hobby Lobby Decision
Senate Democrats introduced legislation that would override the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that for-profit corporations may refuse to provide their employees with insurance coverage for contraceptives if the owners have religious objections to certain forms of birth control.
2. Legislation Would Require Firing of VA Employees Who Retaliate Against Whistle-Blowers
Legislation was introduced that would require the termination of any Veterans Affairs employee found to have retaliated against any VA whistle-blower.
3. Legislation Seeking to Override Hobby Lobby Decision Blocked by Senate GOP
Senate Republicans blocked legislation introduced by Senate Democrats that was aimed at overriding the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that for-profit corporations may refuse to provide their female employees with insurance coverage for contraceptives.
4. Proposed Bill Would Require Employers to Disclose Contraception Objections to Employees
The Preventative Care Coverage Notification Act, sponsored by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Mark Begich (D-Ala.), would require businesses to inform prospective and current employees whether they provide free contraception coverage in their health plans.
5. Sunshine Act's CME Exclusion Eliminated Under Proposed Rule
CMS proposed eliminating the continuing medical education exclusion under the Sunshine Act, which would require pharmaceutical and medical device companies to report payments to physicians for CME.
More Articles on Healthcare Legislation:
Limited Time Left for Lawmakers to Strike VA Legislation Deal
Additional Restrictions Imposed on Medicare Advantage Plans Under Proposed Legislation
Bill Introduced to Coordinate Care for Children on Medicaid