Billy Wynne

Subcommittee Hearing Reveals Partisan Divides on Pandemic Oversight and CDC Priorities The House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee convened a hearing to examine the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) preparedness for the upcoming respiratory disease season, and the agency’s recent restructuring efforts, designed to bolster operational, communication, workforce, and response…

Report Shows That States Have Not Collected All Capitation Payments On Behalf of Deceased Enrollees  The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report showing that some states made Medicaid capitation payments to managed care organizations (MCOs) on behalf of deceased enrollees. OIG says that 14 previous audits…

Research Grant Opportunities Related to Nutrition and Maternal Health The Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced two research-based funding opportunities to develop a subgrant program related to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and maternal health. The two opportunities are described below: Funding Opportunity: FY24 Participation…

Committee Considers Whether to Establish a Bipartisan Fiscal Commission to Balance the Federal Budget The House Budget Committee held a hearing with members from both parties and chambers of Congress to discuss legislative proposals that would establish a bipartisan, bicameral fiscal commission with the goal of reducing the federal debt and improving fiscal sustainability. Members from both…

Administration Launches Comprehensive Effort to Strengthen Supply Chain Resilience; Aims to Expand HHS Authorities for Domestic Manufacturing of Essential Medicines and Medical Countermeasures The Biden-Harris Administration announced crucial measures aimed at strengthening the nation’s medical supply chain resilience. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) detailed that President Biden plans to issue a Presidential…

Guidance on Batching Requirements for Federal IDR Process, 2023 CLAS Guidance The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury released Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) explaining how the batching requirements of the No Surprises Act (NSA) apply to the Federal Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process, in light of the U.S. District Court for the…

Agency Finalizes DTC TV and Radio Advertisement Requirements for Prescription Drugs  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule to amend its regulations regarding direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements for prescription drugs presented in television or radio format to ensure that the major statement relating to side effects and contraindications are be presented in a…

Manufacturer Discount Program Final Guidance Released; Make Clarifications Regarding Specified Manufacturer Phase-In, Applicable Discounts, and Conditions for Coverage The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Medicare Part D Manufacturer Program final guidance, pursuant to the Inflation Reduction Act, that becomes effective beginning January 1, 2025. CMS also released the Manufacturer Discount Program…

Administration Unveils Social Determinants of Health Resources; Includes Playbook and Call to Action to Improve Health and Well Being The Biden-Harris Administration, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), released several resources aimed at improving health and well-being by addressing social determinants of health (SDOH). HHS acknowledged the significant impact of…

Department Seeks Nominations for Advisory Committee Addressing Long COVID Impacts; Nominations Due January 16 The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the establishment of the  Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Long COVID to advise on research and innovation in the comprehensive government response to the lasting effects of COVID-19 and invites nominations for the…