Billy Wynne

OMB Issues Contingency Plans for Government Shutdown Over the last several weeks the House of Representatives has been unable to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR), much less come to an agreement with the Senate on how to keep the government in operation past September 30.  Unless Congress can manage to quickly pass a CR, there…

Agency Awards $45 Million in Grants to Expand Long-COVID Clinics The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) awarded $45 million in grants to existing Long COVID clinics. The funding will support these multidisciplinary clinics to broaden access to coordinated, comprehensive, and person-centered care for individuals with Long…

MACPAC Panel Discusses Challenges and Successes of Medicaid Unwinding The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) convened a session on Medicaid Unwinding. Principal Analysis and Research Advisor Martha Heberlein led panelists through a discussion exploring the advancements made, barriers and challenges for states and beneficiaries, and the role of CMS oversight. Panelists: Kate McEvoy, Executive Director,…

Commissioners Discuss CMS’ Proposed Rule on Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities; Agree to Submit Comments Reiterating Previous Transparency Recommendations The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) convened a session to discuss the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on nursing facility staffing and payment transparency, establishing…

Commissioners Discuss Plan to Examine Hospital Supplemental Payments Over the Next Two Years The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) convened a session to discuss its work plan for examining supplemental payments to hospitals. MACPAC staff provided an overview of the issue and proposed three areas of work that it plans to advance…

HELP Committee Advances Bipartisan Workforce Bill But Funding Challenges Persist The Senate Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (HELP) Committee convened a markup to discuss a package of legislation related to maternal and infant health, pediatric research, and the health workforce (Impact summary). The legislation would reauthorize a set of health care workforce programs, including Community…

States Reinstate Coverage for Nearly Half Million Children and Individuals Disenrolled Due to Auto-Renewal Issues; 29 States and DC Are Working on Reinstating More The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that nearly 500,000 children and other individuals who were improperly disenrolled from Medicaid or CHIP will regain their coverage, as a result…

Departments Propose IDR Administrative Fee Amount and Methodology, Certified IDR Entity Fee Ranges The Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services (HHS) (the Departments) released a proposed rule to establish the independent dispute resolution (IDR) administrative fee amount and methodology, and the certified IDR entity fee ranges for single and batched determinations. The…

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $600 Million in Awards for COVID-19 Test Manufacturing and the Re-Opening of COVIDTests.gov; Free Tests Available for Households Beginning September 25 The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), announced it is investing $600 million in 12 U.S. COVID-19 test manufacturers and reopening…

Subcommittee Discusses Home Health; Expresses Concern About Payment and Access The Senate Finance Committee Subcommittee on Health Care held a hearing titled, “Aging in Place: The Vital Role of Home Health in Access to Care.” Senators and witnesses were very concerned that people are not able to begin home health treatment, even if they receive…