Debra Curtis

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Debbie is a highly respected health policy authority who helps clients advance their missions in Congress and beyond. With more than three decades of experience working both on the Hill and with the health insurance exchange marketplace, she helps clients execute payment strategy, see around the corner on policy and regulatory changes, and pursue effective advocacy. In addition, Debbie has deep experience working closely with payers, industry stakeholders and government officials at the federal, state and local levels. Read Debbie Curtis's full bio.

2024: The Year of the Telehealth Cliff


By , , and on Feb 5, 2024
Posted In Digital Health, Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

What does December 31, 2024, mean to you? New Year’s Eve? Post-2024 election? Too far away to know? Our answer: December 31, 2024, is when we will go over a “telehealth cliff” if Congress fails to act before that date, directly impacting care and access for Medicare beneficiaries. What is this telehealth cliff? Read more...

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Texas District Court Overturns Portions of the IDR Process


By , , and on Sep 14, 2023
Posted In Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

On August 3, 2023, the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas ruled on the implementation of the No Surprises Act in Texas Medical Association, et al. v. US Department of Health and Human Services, et al. (TMA IV). In TMA IV, the plaintiffs challenged two things: The increased administrative fee to participate...

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Congress Advances Four Bipartisan Healthcare Bills


By , , and on Jul 24, 2023
Posted In Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

The US House and Senate returned from recess, beginning a three-week sprint toward the August break. The bipartisan healthcare legislation on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and healthcare transparency is moving through both the House and Senate. The House Education and the Workforce Committee held a markup of a bipartisan healthcare package of four bills. The...

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Analyzing the House Energy & Commerce Committee Health Bill Markup


By and on Jun 21, 2023
Posted In Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

US lawmakers recently advanced a broad healthcare bill during a US House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee markup. In this Health Policy Breakroom podcast episode, McDermott+Consulting’s Debra Curtis and Rodney Whitlock break down the markup and address extenders, PBMs, site-neutral policies and the timing of this bill. Listen here.

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CMS Releases Proposed Rule: Medicaid Program; Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services


By , , and on May 30, 2023
Posted In Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

On May 3, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published the proposed rule Medicaid Program; Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services. The aim of the proposed rule is to enhance transparency in payment rates, establish uniformity in data and monitoring and provide states with fresh avenues to encourage the active involvement of beneficiaries...

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Healthcare Preview for the Week of May 1, 2023


By , , and on May 4, 2023
Posted In Digital Health, Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

There has been a flurry of activity in Congress focused on healthcare issues over the last two weeks. Committees in both the US House and Senate held hearings on legislation focused on increasing transparency and competition in the healthcare system that could have significant impacts for certain healthcare providers, healthcare plans and pharmacy benefit managers....

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District Court Vacates Provisions of No Surprises Act Final Rule


By , and on Mar 10, 2023
Posted In Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

On February 6, a US district court in Texas vacated provisions of the No Surprises Act final rule related to the independent dispute resolution (IDR) process for determining payment for out-of-network services. The district court granted summary judgment to the Texas Medical Association, which had brought suit against the US Departments of Health and Human...

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HHS Announces Record Number of ACA Marketplace Enrollments


By , and on Feb 23, 2023
Posted In Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

On January 25, 2023, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that more than 16.3 million people nationwide selected an ACA Marketplace health plan during the 2023 open enrollment period that ran from November 1, 2022, until January 15, 2023, for most marketplaces. According to HHS, total plan selections include 3.6 million people...

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Way Too Early Preview: What the Midterm Election Results Might Mean for Health Policy in 2023


By , , and on Nov 17, 2022
Posted In Health and Welfare Plans

Although we are still awaiting final results of the November 8, 2022, midterm elections, the US House of Representatives appears likely to flip to Republican control, while the US Senate will remain in Democratic hands. Changes from one party to another in Congress, even in just one chamber, can mean big changes in policy progress...

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