HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra (left) administers the oath of office to new CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure as her husband, Allyn Brooks-LaSure looks on.

Brooks-LaSure Sworn in as CMS Administrator

Chiquita Brooks-LaSure last Thursday was formally sworn in as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), setting in place another key Biden administration official with influence on the 340B program.

Although CMS does not control federal 340B program policy directly, it controls the Medicaid drug rebate program, decisions about which can have a big impact on 340B. In January 2020, for example, CMS published guidance for states on best practices for avoiding 340B duplicate discounts.

CMS also controls Medicare drug reimbursement. Hospitals continue to fight CMS’s decision under the Trump administration to cut by almost 30% Medicare Part B reimbursement for 340B purchased drugs.

Editor at Large | Website | + posts