Advocacy in Action Newsletter
March 2025
Spotlight
HRA Issues Multi-Prong Strategy to Protect Cardiovascular Research
Heart Rhythm Advocates (HRA) is extremely concerned by recent federal actions aimed at drastically reducing funding for National Institutes of Health (NIH) supported research. Earlier this month, the new Administration directed the NIH to cut funding for extramural research by reducing the maximum indirect cost (IDC) rate to 15%. This is a significant cut since IDC rates typically exceed 50% for many medical centers and universities.
Recognizing the devastating impact these reductions may have on vital cardiovascular disease research, HRS/HRA is proposing a three-part strategy to combat these cuts.
Legislative Updates
HRA Endorses Request to Congress for AHRQ Funding in Fiscal Year 2026
HRA has joined nearly 200 organizations in urging Congress to fully fund the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) at $500 million for FY 2026. With AHRQ under threat of elimination, this funding is critical to ensuring research that improves patient care continues.
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HRA Continues to Push Congress to Address 2025 Medicare Physician Payment Cuts
HRA is pushing for immediate congressional action to reverse the 2.83% Medicare Physician Fee Schedule cut and secure a 2% inflationary update for 2025. Time is running out—contact your representative today and urge them to support H.R. 879 in the next funding package.
HRA Members Urged to Contact Members of Congress to Extend Telehealth Flexibilities
Temporary telehealth flexibilities are set to expire on March 31, 2025. HRA is calling on Congress to extend or make these policies permanent to protect patient access to vital virtual care. Reach out to your representatives today and help safeguard telehealth services
Regulatory Updates
HRA Joins the Regulatory Relief Coalition to Advocate for Prior Authorization Reform
HRA recently joined the Regulatory Relief Coalition, a group of national medical specialty societies advocating for legislative and regulatory burden reduction in Medicare. The Regulatory Relief Coalition is the leading voice for prior authorization reform. HRA has identified prior authorization as a top legislative priority for 2025.
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HRS Monitoring Deregulation Executive Orders
HRS is continuing to monitor recent actions by the new Administration focused on deregulation. New executive orders could significantly reshape health regulations, requiring agencies to eliminate existing rules before implementing new ones. HRS is closely tracking these changes to assess their impact on cardiovascular care.
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HRA/HRS Support Medicare Coverage of Cardiac Contractility Modulation (CCM) for Heart Failure
HRA/HRS joined the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) in submitting joint comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in support of a Medicare national coverage decision for cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) for heart failure.
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HRS Quality Reporting Update: CMS Offers Automatic MIPS Exception for California Wildfires
CMS recently announced that the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) automatic Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances (EUC) policy will apply to MIPS eligible clinicians in designated counties affected by the recent California wildfires for both the 2024 and 2025 performance periods.
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HRS Reviewing Draft USCDI v6
The latest USCDI draft introduces new data elements, including broader medical device tracking, onset dates for conditions, and expanded care plan details. Public comments are open until April 14, 2025.