A recent article in Modern Healthcare cites the CME Coalition's concerns with the Physician Payment Sunshine Act as one of the key issues with the law. As "anxiety is high for the many people and organizations with their reputations on the line," the article notes that "a little known exclusion made by the CMS during the rulemaking process is also up in the air." The CME Coalition's Andrew Rosenberg is quoted as saying that the proposal has created “massive confusion on the part of the doctors” and could mean “tremendous costs on commercial supporters and CME providers."
That's not the only concern about the law. A little known exclusion made by the CMS during the rulemaking process is also up in the air. In July the CMS proposed doing away with an exemption for continuing medical education. The exemption would have meant that drug and device firms would not have to disclose payments made through accredited continuing medical education organizations to physicians. At this time, the payments are still exempt.
“The proposal has created “massive confusion on the part of the doctors” and could mean “tremendous costs on commercial supporters and CME providers,” said Andrew Rosenberg, senior adviser for the CME Coalition.
“That proposal prompted Reps. Dr. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) and Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) to introduce a bill this week that would exempt CME payments. It would also exempt the value of medical texts. The bill is not expected to pass before the congressional session ends.”
