The fate of the FY 08 emergency supplemental appropriations bill in the House was finally decided last night. Leaders on both sides negotiated a deal and came up with a bill that will likely be signed by the President.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was one of the big winners, snagging an additional $150 million. A much lower number than we had hoped for, but a victory nonetheless.
The House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee is currently marking-up its fiscal year 2009 spending bill. This bill will provide funding for federal health and education programs during the upcoming fiscal year.
C3 commented publicly this week to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the reimbursement of CT-Colonography (CTC), also known as Virtual Colonoscopies. CMS offered the opportunity to comment during their National Coverage Analysis (NCA).
Earlier this month C3 had the pleasure of presenting our second annual Congressional Champion award to Representative Kay Granger (R-TX). The Representative was chosen to receive the award for all of her hard work in the fight against colorectal cancer.
From left to right, Carlea Bauman (C3 President), Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) and Joe Arite (C3 Policy and Grassroots Manager)
As I reported yesterday, the Bush administration amended the FY 09 budget to include an extra $275 million for the Food and Drug (FDA) Administration. A valid attempt to make the situation right, it seems it may be too little too late.
In a letter from Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) to Secretary Michael Leavitt (Health and Human Services), Specter said the FDA’s request on Monday for an additional $275 million wouldn’t give them any money until March or April 2009 “at the earliest.”
