On May 21st, 2010, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued additional guidance on 2011 coverage for generic drugs in the coverage gap.  The memorandum addresses questions CMS has received concerning 2011 bid submissions and the new provision regarding coverage for generic drugs in the coverage gap recently enacted under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590) (PPACA), as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4872) (HCERA).

Read CMS Memorandum

On Friday, May 7, 2010, NPAF attended the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Oncology Summit: Recommendations for REMS Stakeholders.  The NCCN Oncology Summit presented the recommendations of the NCCN Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) Work Group.  The NCCN Oncology Summit convened attendees from a broad array of organizations to discuss issues surrounding the development and implementation of REMS.  Members of the NCCN REMS Work Group presented real-world recommendations that aim to assure patient safety while balancing issues concerning barriers to medications and provider workload.  Along with presenting recommendations, the speakers highlighted the challenges stakeholders face when developing and implementing REMS.  Many key challenges were further illustrated by the opinions shared by the respondents of the March 2010 NCCN Trends™ Survey that focused on REMS.

To review the transcripts or slides from the NCCN Oncology Summit , please click HERE

NPAF praised the Obama Administration for extending health care coverage for young adults under the new "Affordable Care Act" through a new provision allowing them to stay on their parents' health insurance plans until age twenty-six.  This proposed regulation will affect an estimated 1.2 million Americans.

View NPAF Press Release

National Patient Advocate Foundation Praises White House Announcement of Regulation to Help Young Adults Access Healthcare Coverage

NPAF Participated in White House Conference Call Announcing New Coverage Regulation under the “Affordable Care Act”

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 13, 2010) – The National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF) – a national, non-profit organization dedicated to the mission of creating avenues of improved patient access to health care through public policy reform at the state and federal levels – today praised the Obama Administration for extending health care coverage for young adults under the new “Affordable Care Act” through a new provision allowing them to stay on their parents’ health insurance plans until age twentysix. This proposed regulation will affect an estimated 1.2 million Americans.

View the Complete Press Release