The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury (the Departments) released Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Part 67 to extend the qualifying payment amount (QPA) enforcement discretion under the No Surprises Act until November 1, 2024. Background. In August 2023, the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Texas issued an opinion and order in the Texas Medical Association… (Slifer, May 3, 2024) #Hospitals, #Insurance Reform, #Physicians

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule to revise the definition of “lawfully present” in order to expand eligibility for health insurance coverage through the Exchange and Basic Health Program to recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program (press release; fact sheet). What it is. Under current federal regulations, DACA recipients are… (Marceno, May 3, 2024) #Health Equity, #Health Insurance Exchanges, #Insurance Coverage, #Qualified Health Plans

The Senate Finance Committee and the House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee held hearings focused on the cyberattack that targeted Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group (UHG), leading to widespread disruptions in the health care sector (Senate hearing available here, House hearing available here). UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty testified before both Committees, facing bipartisan scrutiny… (Colocho, May 2, 2024) #Health Information Technology, #Hospitals, #Physicians, #Privacy, #Transparency

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) convened a hearing to address pressing issues within the health care system, focusing on the underrepresentation of minority health care professionals and the alarming rate of maternal mortality, particularly affecting communities of color. Throughout the session, committee members delved into bipartisan strategies to enhance maternal health outcomes and foster diversity within the… (Eisen, 1/1/70) #Delivery Reform, #Graduate Medical Education (GME), #Health Equity, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Prevention, #Public Health, #Social Determinants of Health, #Women’s Health

The House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee convened a legislative hearing to consider 19 pieces of proposed legislation to address Medicaid access and program integrity. The hearing featured testimony from CMS Deputy Administrator Daniel Tsai, and members had the opportunity to address CMS directly on areas of focus. Republicans used the hearing as an opportunity to reinforce key messages of… (Marceno, May 1, 2024) #Delivery Reform, #Primary Care, #Program Integrity

The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) released a final rule (press release; fact sheet) entitled, “Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Health and Human Service Programs or Activities.” The rule is intended to advance equity and strengthen protections for individuals with disabilities by amending regulations for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of… (Joyce, May 1, 2024) #Health Equity