CMS on Friday released updated guidance on the implementation of the Medicare Drug Pricing Negotiation Program under the Inflation Reduction Act, in today's bite-sized hospital and health industry news from the District of Columbia and Georgia.

• District of Columbia: CMS on Friday released updated guidance on the implementation of the Medicare Drug Pricing Negotiation Program under the Inflation Reduction Act, marking the first changes made from comments received on CMS' initial guidance released in March. The guidance includes clarifications on how CMS will identify drugs selected for the program, revisions to and clarifications on the process for drug companies participating in the program, the inclusion of additional opportunities for the public and drug companies to engage with CMS during the negotiation process, and clarifications on how CMS will engage in compliance and oversight activities as well as Medicare Part D formulary inclusion for selected drugs. (CMS press release, 6/30)
• District of Columbia: White House officials said Wednesday that President Joe Biden has begun using a CPAP machine in recent weeks to treat his sleep apnea. "Since 2008, the president has disclosed his history with sleep apnea in thorough medical reports," said Andrew Bates, a spokesperson for the White House. In 2019, Biden's doctor noted that Biden had undergone multiple nasal passage surgeries to help with sinus symptoms, and a White House official said those surgeries appeared to help but did not eliminate Biden's sleep apnea symptoms. (Shear, New York Times, 6/28)
• Georgia: CDC on Thursday recommended that adults ages 60 and older receive one of two vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus this fall. The vaccines, made by GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer, have been approved by FDA, and CDC said older adults should consult with their doctors to determine if the shot is right for them. (Gonzalez, Axios, 6/29)