Congress has extended the continuing resolution funding the federal government through next Wednesday December 16 according to the AP. The Wall Street Journal reports that Congress continues to consider a two year delay (from 2018 to 2020) in implementing the 40% excise tax on high cost employer sponsored coverage as part of these appropriations and tax extender negotiations. A United Benefit Advisors survey projects that 74% of employers will be impacted by this excise tax by 2022.  

CMS has announced that more quality data has been added to the Hospital Compare and Physician Compare websites.

Reuters reports on a Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing on drug price gouging held earlier this week.

The Federal Benefits Open Season’s last day is this coming Monday December 14.