On Nov. 2, 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule to update the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and address other Medicare Part B issues for Calendar Year (CY) 2022. The rule, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2022, retains proposed changes concerning telehealth and important updates to the Medicare
Federal Affairs
Securing Federal Funds for 2022 and Beyond Starts Now
For local governments, higher education institutions, development authorities and other public entities the final months of 2021 is the right time to best position yourself to receive future federal funding. McGuireWoods Consulting is uniquely positioned to help you create and implement a strategy to secure federal funds for 2022 and beyond.
Earmarks are Back in
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Mike Andrews to Lead McGuireWoods Consulting’s Native American Public Policy Efforts in D.C.
Mike Andrews, former staff director and chief counsel to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, joins McGuireWoods as partner and McGuireWoods Consulting’s federal public affairs team as a senior vice president, and will lead the firm’s Native American public policy efforts. After a successful career on Capitol Hill and recent experience working for Sens.…
The Debt Ceiling: The Gamesmanship Begins
The clock is ticking for Congress to reach a deal to raise the federal borrowing limit — the debt ceiling. On July 23, 2021, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen notified Congress that, as of Aug. 1, the outstanding debt of the United States will be at the statutory limit and the Treasury would use…
Senate Passes Infrastructure Bill
On Aug. 10, 2021, the Senate passed the infrastructure bill, called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in a 69-30 vote. The bill will now wait for consideration in the House of Representatives. The total cost of the bill is $1.2 trillion with $548 billion in new spending. The bill reauthorizes the traditional surface…
Senate Committee Releases Topline Priorities for FY22 Budget Reconciliation Bill
On Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, the Senate Budget Committee released its budget resolution for fiscal year 2022. The bill will serve as the foundation for the broad, sweeping spending bill that Democrats and President Biden hope to pass this fall. The bill aims to fulfill many of the promises made by the administration related to…
Senate Advances Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal
On Wednesday, July 28, a bipartisan group of Senators, along with the White House, announced an infrastructure agreement. That evening, the Senate then voted to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed with consideration of the agreement by a vote of 67-32.
Every Senate Democrat voted in favor of the motion, in addition to 17…
Update on Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act
On Wednesday, July 14, 2021 Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) released draft legislation titled the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act. Today, adult use of cannabis, which is classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), is legal in 18 states, and the medical use…
Washington Healthcare Update | July 19, 2021
This week in Washington: Infrastructure, Executive Order on Anti-competitiveness, House Appropriations Committee Acts on Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill, Senate Budget Committee Democrats Agree on Budget Resolution.
House
House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Holds Markup of 19 Bills
On July 15, the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health held a markup of 19 bills.…
MWC’s Bipartisan Federal Team Delivers for Georgia-based Clients in Washington
In late June, President Biden endorsed the Senate’s bipartisan infrastructure agreement and discussions will continue over the next month on what projects will be included in the final package. Georgia-based companies, organizations and public entities have an opportunity to proactively engage with members to promote Georgia interests within the legislation. Georgia’s Senators are uniquely positioned…