In brief: Dems drop MA bill, Soleo launches new brand, VGM partners with HME360

WASHINGTON — Reps. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., and Ro Khanna, D. Calif., have introduced the Stop Deadly Denials Act to no longer allow Medicare Advantage plans to require prior authorization for necessary medical items and services.

The legislation would ensure patients are able to receive fair affordable coverage without added administrative burdens from prior authorization that frequently block care.

“Medicare DisAdvantage makes it harder for patients to get the care they need – often leading to delays and denials of care that can be deadly,” said Jaypal. “We’re now seeing the Trump Administration bring this tactic to Traditional Medicare as well, denying Americans care they need, and that they would have received before the implementation of the WISeR model.”

The Stop Deadly Denial Act:

• Eliminates prior authorization for all Medicare Advantage Part A and Part B services unless required in traditional Medicare.
• Blocks WISeR and any substantially similar prior authorization model in Traditional Medicare.
• Prohibits CMMI from testing any prior authorization model that imposes prior authorization for Part A/B services, uses AI or algorithm-driven denials without physician review, or outsources prior authorization determinations outside Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs).
• Requires CMS to use full notice-and-comment rulemaking for all future models starting in 2027.

“It’s time we stop allowing Medicare Advantage to profit off the Medicare name while denying critical coverage,” said Khanna. “Affordable quality healthcare is a human right. I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Rep. Jayapal and stop Medicare Advantage from using prior authorization to delay and deny medically necessary care.”

Cosponsors for the bill are Reps. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., Debby Dingell, D-Mich., Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-DC., and Mark Pocan, D-Wis.

Read the full text of the legislation here.

Soleo Health launches rare disease specialty pharmacy

FRISCO, Texas – Soleo Health has launched SoleoRare, a dedicated rare disease specialty pharmacy.

The new brand brings together experienced rare disease patient care, patient access and commercial teams under a differentiated care model that is clinician‑led, patient‑centered, and built for the unique demands of rare, ultra-rare, and orphan disease patients and their caregivers.

"Rare disease patients require more than a standard pharmacy experience; they deserve a dedicated care team that truly understands their journey," said Drew Walk, CEO of Soleo Health. "SoleoRare is the natural evolution of everything we have built. It highlights our rare disease capabilities, experience, and expertise.”

Soleo Health has long recognized that rare disease patients require a fundamentally different level of care. For years, the company has invested in clinical expertise, patient support capabilities, and the commercial infrastructure necessary to serve this population with the rigor it demands. The launch of SoleoRare reflects that ongoing commitment, uniting dedicated resources to deliver exceptional outcomes for patients, caregivers, providers, payors, and pharmaceutical manufacturer partners.

“Pharma partners developing rare and orphan therapies require a more specialized distribution channel, they need a true clinical and commercial partner," said Craig Vollmer, chief commercial officer. "SoleoRare was built to be exactly that. With dedicated teams focused on rare disease, we are positioned to deliver a meaningful impact on our patients’ experience."

VGM partners with HME360 to offer members inventory optimization

WATERLOO, Iowa—VGM & Associates has announced a new vendor partnership with HME360, an inventory optimization platform for home medical equipment (HME) providers. Through this partnership, VGM members will have access to HME360’s inventory optimization platform, providing a clear path to implement real-time visibility and automation across their organizations. This enables providers to move beyond reactive inventory management and begin using inventory as a lever to improve both operational performance and financial outcomes.as part of a broader effort to help providers move from reactive inventory management to a more strategic, performance‑driven approach. By improving visibility and control, providers can use inventory as a lever to support stronger cash flow, improved workflows, and more sustainable growth. "Technology that simplifies and automates inventory management is essential for the modern HME provider,” said Nick Dideriksen, VP of technology for VGM Forbin. “HME360 enables fast inventory tracking and consistent reporting that will help our members improve efficiency and avoid over‑purchasing, ultimately reducing unnecessary costs while supporting better business decisions. This solution fills a key gap in our technology landscape within our GPO."

• Related: HME360, Harmony AI partner to reduce risk of consignment closets

Orsini tapped as exclusive partner on AVLAYAH

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. – Orsini, a provider of rare disease pharmacy solutions, is the exclusive specialty pharmacy partner for Denali Therapeutics' AVLAYAH, an FDA-approved enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of neurologic manifestations of Hunter syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis type II, or MPS II) when initiated in presymptomatic or symptomatic pediatric patients weighing at least 5 kg prior to advanced neurologic impairment. As part of this program, Orsini will provide comprehensive home infusion support to ensure patients can access therapy in the comfort and convenience of their own homes, as recommended and supervised by a healthcare provider. MPS II is a genetic metabolic condition in which the body does not produce enough of the enzymes required to break down sugars into simpler molecules. AVLAYAH is a brain-penetrant enzyme replacement therapy designed to assist in breaking down these sugar molecules and prevent further buildup. It is the twentieth enzyme replacement therapy, and the fifth treatment for MPS, to join Orsini's Neurology Center of Excellence. "Orsini has been serving MPS patients for over 16 years, and we're proud to add AVLAYAH to our portfolio," said Darin DeCarlo, Orsini's chief commercial officer. "We're thrilled that this partnership with Denali allows us to extend our ability to serve this rare disease community and continue to offer it best-in-class patient care."

AlayaCare, Eitan Medical integrate pump data, documentation solutions

NEW YORK – AlayaCare, a provider of cloud-based home and community care solutions, announced a strategic partnership with Eitan Medical to connect Eitan Medical’s Eitan Insights cloud-based digital health solution directly to AlayaCare’s cloud-based platform, so pump data flows automatically into clinical documentation in near real time. This removes the need for manual transcription, may reduce documentation time and the risk of errors for home infusion nurses delivering care in the home. Through this new integration, that information will flow automatically from Eitan Medical’s infusion pumps into AlayaCare’s clinical documentation module, streamlining workflows and helping nurses maintain focus on patient care rather than paperwork. “This integration removes a manual step that nurses deal with on every visit,” said Adrian Schauer, CEO and founder at AlayaCare. “By connecting pump data directly to documentation, we’re giving nurses time back to focus on patient care.” The integration leverages AlayaCare’s open platform architecture and Eitan Medical’s Eitan Insights digital health infrastructure, designed to support connected care from hospital to home. Home infusion agencies using AlayaCare will be able to deploy Eitan Medical infusion pumps with confidence that clinical data captured at the bedside will be automatically reflected in the patient’s record, supporting documentation compliance and audit readiness. “This partnership removes barriers between technology and care, setting a new standard for connected infusion care. By integrating Eitan Insights with AlayaCare, we simplify clinician workflows and support safer, more personalized patient care, delivering the right information at the right time to support better outcomes,” said Roger Massengale, chief commercial officer, Eitan Medical.