Why It Matters
Ascension terminated its lobbying contract with McDermottPlus LLC, effective August 31, according to a filing signed on August 28.
The termination marks the end of a relationship that stretched back to at least the fourth quarter of 2019. McDermottPlus LLC reported a filing amount of $40,000 on the termination filing for Ascension.
Broader Context
McDermottPlus represented Ascension on a wide range of healthcare issues that sit at the intersection of hospital operations and federal reimbursement policy. The firm lobbied on Medicare and Medicaid payment policies, extensions to Medicare telehealth flexibilities, the 340B drug discount program, hospital transparency obligations, Disproportionate Share Hospital payments, and healthcare workforce issues.
Rodney Whitlock, a Vice President at the McDermottPlus, served as Health Policy Director on the Senate Finance Committee during the 114th Congress and had prior experience across multiple Congresses spanning the 106th through 114th. He also worked for former Rep. Charles Norwood of Georgia.
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