Billy Wynne

MedPAC Commissioners Continue to Discuss MA Encounter Data Completeness and Advocate for Further Research into Encounter Data as the Singular Data Source for Comparison The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) convened a follow-up session to examine Medicare Advantage (MA) encounter data completeness. In March, MedPAC staff compared encounter data to provider-reported data which showed that…

FY 2025 IPPS and LTCH PPS Proposed Rule Proposes 2.6 Percent Overall Increase for Hospitals; Includes New Episode-Based CMMI Model Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the fiscal year (FY) 2025 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) and long-term care hospital prospective payment system (LTCH PPS) proposed rule (press release, fact sheet), which applies to…

Senate Finance Health Subcommittee Explores Barriers to SUD Treatment in Medicare and Medicaid The Senate Finance Health Subcommittee hosted a roundtable panel discussion on opportunities to improve substance use disorder care in federal health programs. Roundtable participants shared their expertise in the treatment of substance use disorder, with particular insights on treatment for adolescents and…

HRSA Releases New National Survey on the State of the Nursing Workforce and Holds Roundtable to Discuss Findings The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) released findings from the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN) and hosted a roundtable with leaders from more than 25 nursing and health care organizations to discuss the future…

HRSA Increases Loan Repayments by 50% for Primary Care Providers in High Need and Rural Areas The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has taken steps to fortify the primary care workforce by increasing loan repayments through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program. HRSA has increased loan repayments by 50% for primary…

House and Senate Commerce Chairs Unveil Comprehensive Data Privacy Draft Legislation that Would Not Preempt State Health Laws but Includes Private Right of Action The House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) unveiled the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA), a draft federal privacy…

CMMI Officials Describe New ACO PC Flex Model During Webinar The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI/Innovation Center) held a webinar to describe the new Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Primary Care Flex (ACO PC Flex) Model that was announced on March 19th (Impact summary). The model includes low-revenue Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) ACOs and will…

CY 2025 MA and Part D Policy and Technical Changes Final Rule Includes Provisions 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) final…

Organizations Discuss Financing Options for Clean Energy Projects The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE) held a presentation to discuss the Office’s Catalytic Program on Utilizing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The catalytic program is intended to support health care providers in taking advantage of the tax credits, grants,…

Senate HELP Subcommittee on Primary Health & Retirement Security Explores Corporate Greed in Health Care and Discusses Future Legislation The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security convened a field hearing to examine the impact of private equity (PE) on access to health care, particularly in light of…