Becker's ASC Review

45 HEALTHCARE NEWS Trump signs new exec order aimed at lowering drug prices By Maia Anderson P resident Donald Trump signed an executive order Sept. 13 aimed at lowering the cost of prescription drugs. e president signed four executive orders targeting drug prices in July, with one set to cover Medicare Part B drugs. He said that order would go into effect Aug. 24 if drugmakers didn't take steps to lower their prices, but that deadline passed with no action, e New York Times reported. On Sept. 13, he revoked that order and issued a new, expanded order that also covers Medicare Part D drugs. "It is unacceptable that Americans pay more for the exact same drugs, oen made in the exact same places. Other countries' governments regulate drug prices by negotiating with drug manufacturers to secure bargain prices, leaving Americans to make up the difference — effectively subsidizing innovation and lower-cost drugs for the rest of the world," the order states. e new order directs HHS Secretary Alex Azar to begin the process of creating model programs requiring Medicare to pay the same prices for prescription drugs as those in Europe and other de- veloped countries. at process could take months and would almost certainly be challenged in court, the Times reported. Experts say it is unclear whether the White House has the authority to carry the order out, according to the Times. Calling for the HHS Secretary to set up the model programs relies on the administration's authority under the Affordable Care Act, which the president and other Republicans are trying to overturn in the Supreme Court. e pharmaceutical industry denounced the order. Stephen Ubl, the CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the drug industry's largest trade group, told the Times: "e administration has chosen to pursue the most favored nation policy — an irresponsible and unworkable policy that will give foreign governments a say in how America provides access to treatments and cures for seniors and people struggling with devastating diseases. What's worse is that they are now expand- ing the policy to include medicines in both Medicare Part B and Part D, an overreach that further threatens America's innovation leadership and puts access to medicines for tens of millions of seniors at risk." n South Carolina hospital: Nonrenewal of CEO's contract lawful By Morgan Haefner B oard members of the Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg, S.C., followed the law when they decided to not renew the hos- pital CEO's contract, according to The Times and Democrat. The board voted Aug. 6 to not renew the contract of Regional Medical Center's President and CEO Charles Williams. Mr. Williams joined the Regional Medical Center in December 2018 and will remain CEO until Dec. 10, when his contract is set to end. After the board's decision became public, community members and physicians requested more information into the reasoning behind it. The Orangeburg County Council, which appoints members to the hospital's board, felt they were kept in the dark about board members' plans to not renew Mr. Williams' contract, according to The Times and Democrat. In an Aug. 17 letter to the Regional Medical Center's trustees, the county council asked board members for documentation about the Aug. 6 meeting and whether it complied with the South Carolina Free- dom of Information Act. The Rev. Caesar Richburg, chair of the board, said the Aug. 6 meet- ing complied with state laws and historical practice, according to The Times and Democrat. "Ultimately, the board decided that the challenges ahead for RMC required a careful strategic plan and new leadership," Dr. Richburg said, according to the newspaper. "The board has been charged with ensuring that RMC stands the test of time. The board's dedication to this is unwavering, even when it must make difficult decisions." n UPMC Lock Haven closed indefinitely after fire By Ayla Ellison U PMC Lock Haven (Pa.) remains closed four days after a fire prompted it to evacuate patients and shut down, according to the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. The 47-bed hospital evacuated its 14 patients Sept. 10 after a fire erupted in a service tunnel that runs under the roadway and connects the boiler room to the hospital. No injuries were reported and fire crews contained the fire to the tunnel structure outside the hospital. It is not yet known when services will be restored at the hospital, a spokesperson told the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. The hospital is work- ing with local and state health officials to evaluate the extent of dam- age to UPMC Lock Haven, the spokesperson said. The fire broke out as maintenance crews were sealing the tunnel, which is no longer needed. The crew was using a chemical sealant to close off the tunnel, and the sealant had a reaction that started the fire, according to the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. n

• Cover