RECENT ANALYSIS
Department Announces $252 Million Investment in State and Tribal Capacity to Operate 988-Crisis Services and over $100 Million in Other Behavioral Health Awards
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has recently awarded over $380 million in grants to support behavioral health prevent, treatment and national crisis response systems. The largest portion of this grant funding, over $250 million, is dedicated to supporting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Additional information… (Marceno, September 8, 2026) #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Opioids, #Prevention
Commission Presents Workplan on Ambulatory Surgical Centers; Commissioners Enthusiastic for New Work on FFS Medicare
The Medicare Payment Advisory Committee (MedPAC) convened a session on a new workplan on ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). MedPAC staff presented on the volume of services, payment, recent regulatory changes, and ASC ownership. Commissioners responded positively to the proposed workplan, and Chair Amol Navathe, University of Pennsylvania, stated he intends to revisit this topic in January as part of the ASC status… (Marceno, September 4, 2026) #Ambulatory Surgical Centers, #Costs
Commissioners Discuss Preliminary Research on Differences in PAC Utilization Between FFS and MA
The Medicare Payment Advisory Committee (MedPAC) convened a session to describe preliminary analysis of the use of post-acute care (PAC) services by beneficiaries in fee-for-service (FFS) and Medicare Advantage (MA). Staff presented the initial findings of descriptive analyses of MA and FFS PAC utilization, lengths of stay, and PAC “pathways” linking different settings. The findings presented today were not adjusted for beneficiary… (McClurg, September 4, 2026) #Home Health, #Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities, #Medicare Advantage, #Post-Acute Care, #Skilled Nursing Facilities