Studies and reports

(a) GAO report Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on the debt collection practices of hospitals, including hospitals that participate in the drug discount program under section 340B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 256b) as covered entities described in subparagraphs (L) through (O) of subsection (a)(4)of such section 340B. (b) HHS study and report For the purpose of establishing reasonable dispensing fees for purposes of the drug discount program under section 340B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 256b), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall— (1) conduct a study on such dispensing fees; and (2) not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, submit to Congress a report on the study under paragraph (1). (c) ASPE study The Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (referred to in this subsection as the Assistant Secretary) shall conduct a study on the interactions of the clearinghouse established under section 1150D of the Social Security Act (as added by section 9) and any data collection system established by the Secretary to carry out section 1193(d) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320f–2(d)) or section 1860D–14B(b)(1)(B) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–114b(b)(1)(B)) to limit duplicative discounts for outpatient prescription drugs. The Assistant Secretary shall make recommendations to Congress on ways to streamline and effectively operate such clearinghouse and data collection systems.