Billy Wynne

Innovation Center Announces NOFO Application Period for AHEAD Model; LOIs for Cohorts 1 & 2 Due by Feb. 5 Today, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI/Innovation Center) released a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the AHEAD Model (IHPP summary). The Innovation Center also hosted a webinar to discuss the new model, which…

Department Unveils Comprehensive Language Access Plan for Inclusive Health Care The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) unveiled a comprehensive Language Access Plan aimed at enhancing access to health care and services for individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and disabilities. This initiative aligns with President Biden’s executive orders promoting equity and inclusion across…

HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2025 proposed rule The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2025 proposed rule (fact sheet) – a wide-ranging rule affecting Marketplaces and qualified health plans in the individual and small group markets, as well as requirements…

Agency Announces $52 Million for Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Programs The Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment of more than $52 million to improve dietary health and access to fresh fruits and vegetables through the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP). GusNIP funds various projects that work with other USDA nutrition programs like the…

Task Force Concludes More Research is Needed to Recommend For or Against Screening and Interventions for Oral Health in Asymptomatic Adults and Children 5 Years and Older The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released two final recommendation statements concluding that evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of routine screening…

Subcommittee Explores Guardrails for AI in Health Care that Balance Innovation, Biosecurity, and Patient Safety The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security convened a hearing to examine the potential benefits and risks of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the health care sector. This marks the first Senate…

Senate Finance Committee Advances Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act with Bipartisan Support The Senate Finance Committee (SFC) convened a markup of the Modernizing and Ensuring Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Accountability (MEPA) Act (IHPP Summary, CBO score, description of the Chairman’s Mark). The bill was advanced out of Committee by a vote of 26-0. There was…

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,…