AMGEN FILES COMPLAINT OVER PAYBACK.Byline: Evan Pondel Staff Writer THOUSAND OAKS Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. - Amgen Inc. said Friday it has filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia District of Columbia, federal district (2000 pop. 572,059, a 5.7% decrease in population since the 1990 census), 69 sq mi (179 sq km), on the east bank of the Potomac River, coextensive with the city of Washington, D.C. (the capital of the United States). , disputing a legality that alters reimbursement rates for Medicare patients. The complaint was filed against the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Department of Health and Human Services Noun 1. Department of Health and Human Services - the United States federal department that administers all federal programs dealing with health and welfare; created in 1979 Health and Human Services, HHS following a new rule that changes hospital outpatient benefits. Specifically, Amgen does not agree with a recently passed provision that significantly reduces reimbursement rates for anti-anemia drug Aranesp. ``The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), previously known as the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), is a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that administers the Medicare program and failed to give appropriate notice of this new provision and did not give us an opportunity for comment,'' said Jeff Richardson, Amgen spokesman. CMS (1) See content management system and color management system. (2) (Conversational Monitor System) Software that provides interactive communications for IBM's VM operating system. and the DHH DHH Department of Health and Hospitals (Louisiana) DHH Deaf or Hard of Hearing DHH Doppelhaushäfte (German: semi-detached house) DHH Denver Department of Health and Hospitals were unavailable for comment. Though the rule won't be enacted until Jan. 1, roughly 10 percent of Amgen's business could be affected by the new law. In the most recent quarter, Aranesp generated about $114 million. Earlier this month, Amgen wrote a letter to CMS regarding its actions. Signed by several senators, including Edward Kennedy and John Breaux, the letter sought evidence that led to CMS' decision. Amgen received federal approval last summer to treat cancer patients with its anemia drug Aranesp, magnifying competition with rival Johnson & Johnson. Amgen shares advanced 55 cents, or 1.17 percent, to close at $47.75 Friday on the Nasdaq market. |
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