On May 9th, the Trump Administration released its semiannual Spring 2018 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Agenda), which offered a preview into various agencies’ plan of actions in progressing towards more effective and less burdensome regulation. The Agenda includes the withdrawal and reconsideration of numerous regulatory actions, as well as new deregulatory actions.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) outlined policy changes in which healthcare providers can expect a major regulatory overhaul. Long-term care facilities, in particular, are likely to see their pile of regulatory paperwork shrink. One future proposed rule, among the nearly 150 in HHS’ regulatory list, includes the removal of “unnecessary, obsolete, or excessively burdensome” requirements that such providers need to comply with to participate in Medicare and Medicaid.[1] No further details will be available until the rule is officially proposed, but the agency said the rule would “increase the ability of healthcare professionals to devote resources to improving resident care” instead of paperwork.
The Agency is also planning additional actions to restructure requirements around prescription drugs. HHS plans to modify the Retail Pharmacy Administrative Simplification standards, including allowing for “proper recordkeeping when less than the full amount of a prescription for controlled substances is distributed by the pharmacy.”[2] The Agency said the enhancement is critical for pharmacies due to the ongoing opioid crisis.
“Responsible regulatory reform promotes economic growth and innovation, leaving the American people with more freedom to pursue their work and exercise ingenuity,” Neomi Rao, administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the OMB, said. Priorities include removing burdens on infrastructure, emerging technology, and small businesses. With respect to public engagement, the official on today’s call stressed goals including more transparency, public notice, and due process in rulemaking.
Related Sources:
HHS releases plans for further deregulation, with focus on financial risk, non-ACA plans
[1] RIN: 0938-AT36; RIN: 0938-AT23.
[2] RIN: 0938-AT52.