Billy Wynne

Newborn Syphilis Cases Increased 10-Fold; Babies Born to Black, Hispanic and American Indian / Alaska Native Mothers Were 8 Times More Likely to Be Infected According to CDC data, newborn syphilis cases increased by a factor of more than ten-fold since 2012.  If testing and treatment do not occur in a timely manner, syphilis during…

Study Finds That Only Half of WIC-Eligible Individuals Receive Benefits The Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a report with estimates of eligibility and program reach in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).WIC provides access to food, nutrition education including breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health and social services.…

Task Force Publishes Final Research Plan on Behavioral Counseling Interventions to Promote a Healthy Lifestyle and/or Weight Loss in Adults; Task Force to Explore Preventive Medications for Chronic Weight Management Separately in Upcoming Work The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) published a final research plan on behavioral counseling interventions to promote a healthy diet,…

CY 2025 MA and Part D Policy and Technical Changes Proposed Rule Includes Proposals to Advance Behavioral Health and Address Broker Compensation The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Contract Year (CY) 2025 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) program and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program (Part D) proposed…

Commissioners Discuss State Requirements Across Section 1915 Authorities for HCBS Programs; Will Explore Policy Options in January Meeting The Medicaid Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) held a session to discuss federal requirements related to Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) across different Section 1915 authorities that states use to run these programs. MACPAC staff provided…

Commissioners Discuss Hospice Workplan; New Work will Examine End-of-Life Care for Beneficiaries with End-Stage Renal Disease The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) convened a session to discuss its workplan concerning hospice and end-of-life care. MedPAC staff provided an overview of new and ongoing projects the Commission is undertaking over the next eighteen months, including assessing…

Commissioners Discuss Mandated Report on Rural Emergency Hospitals The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) convened a session to discuss the new Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) program established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (based on a MedPAC recommendation). The legislation requires MedPAC to review payment to REHs annually starting in 2024. In preparation, MedPAC Senior…

Commissioners Divided on Payment Policy for Software as a Medical Service The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) convened a session on software as a medical service (SaaS) and prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs). The staff provided an overview of current coverage and payment for SaaS and software as a medical device (SaMD) under the different Medicare payment streams…

Agency Finalizes 3.4 Percent Decrease for CY 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Payments The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year (CY) 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule (press release; fact sheet; MSSP fact sheet; QPP fact sheet), which addresses an array of policies under Medicare Part B and…

Agency Seeks Input on Strengthening Broadband Tools to Address Disparities and Improve Maternal Health The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a notice of inquiry (NOI) soliciting input on ways to enhance its “Mapping Broadband Health in America” platform to leverage digital health tools for maternal care improvement. The platform facilitates data-driven decision-making at the intersection…