The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) convened a session focused on Medicaid’s role in supporting health care transitions for justice-involved youth (JIY). MACPAC has been conducting work to better understand the unique needs and challenges of youth involved in the juvenile justice system and to examine how Medicaid policies can better support their transition from incarceration back… (Colocho, September 19, 2025) #Demonstration Programs, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Wellness

The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) held a session to provide a background of behavioral health in Medicaid and the state Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), setting the stage for a forthcoming claims data analysis. The session highlighted the prevalence of behavioral health conditions among Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, reviewed the policy and delivery frameworks governing service… (Eisen, September 18, 2025) #Costs, #Mental and Behavioral Health

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a second Contract Year (CY) 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) program and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program (Part D), Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) final rule to finalize the format of provider directories for Medicare Plan Finder. Additional… (Slifer, September 18, 2025) #Health Information Technology, #Insurance Reform, #Medicare Advantage

Today, the Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee convened a hearing to consider policies to enhance seniors’ access to breakthrough medical technologies. Overall, there was bipartisan support for the bills examined, with most of the discussion focused on the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act and the Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act of 2025…. (Slifer, September 18, 2025) #Coverage Decisions, #Medical Devices, #Prevention, #Public Health

The House Ways and Means (W&M) Subcommittee on Oversight convened a hearing to discuss the tax-exempt status of hospitals. Lawmakers and witnesses discussed concerns about whether current IRS requirements and reporting mechanisms sufficiently ensure that hospitals deliver meaningful services to their communities, especially in rural and underserved areas. Democrats also highlighted the impact of proposed federal health care policy changes… (Eisen, September 16, 2025) #Hospitals, #Rural Health

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing with former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) leaders to discuss recent events at the CDC and implications for child health. The witnesses included the former CDC Director, Dr. Susan Monarez, and Dr. Debra Houry, who was the Chief Medical Officer at the CDC until she resigned when Dr. Monarez was fired…. (McClurg, September 17, 2025) #Pediatrics, #Prevention, #Program Integrity, #Public Health, #Transparency