E&C Advances Bills To Block CMS Drug Class Restrictions, Monitor NCDs

In the wake of controversy over CMS’ coverage limits for Alzheimer’s medications, the House Energy & Commerce health subcommittee advanced legislation that would prevent CMS from imposing class-wide coverage restrictions on drugs moving forward. The panel also advanced bills that would increase federal oversight of local coverage determinations and transparency on national coverage determinations (NCDs). The bills were among a broad slate of bills considered at the subcommittee’s hearing on Wednesday (Nov. 15). The MERIT Act (H.R. 133) was introduced...