Billy Wynne

Guidance: Possible FMAP Reductions for Unwinding Report Noncompliance Applies July 1 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance explaining how the agency will apply the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) reduction to states that fail to meet reporting requirements as a part of the Medicaid continuous enrollment unwinding. CMS will review state-reported…

Department Issues RFI on Draft Framework to Support and Accelerate Smoking Cessation; Comments Due July 30 The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) issued a request for information (RFI) inviting input on the Draft HHS 2023 Framework to Support and Accelerate Smoking Cessation. HHS aims to…

Department Releases Physical Activity Guidelines Midcourse Report; Shares Evidence-Based Strategies for Increasing Physical Activity Among Older Adults The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the “Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report: Implementation Strategies for Older Adults,” focusing on evidence-based strategies to increase physical activity among adults aged 65 years and older. The…

SAMHSA Awards $31.5 Million in Grants to Support the Mental Health and Well-Being of Children, Youth, and Young Adults The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced $31.5 million in grant awards to support behavioral health in children, youth, and young adults. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), this…

Study Demonstrates Increased Understanding of Prevalence of Treatment of Mental Health Disorders Among Key Populations The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the results of the Mental and Substance Use Disorders Prevalence Study (MDPS). The study aimed to fill the gaps in understanding mental illness by including populations such as individuals experiencing homelessness…

OIG Establishes Civil Monetary Penalties for Information Blocking The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a final rule establishing the civil monetary penalties (CMPs) for information blocking that were created by the 21st Century Cures Act. The rule also makes clear OIG’s authority to investigate claims of information blocking.  Information…

Department Holds Pride Summit Highlighting Key Actions for LGBTQI+ Support The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) hosted a Pride Summit to celebrate Pride month and discuss support for the LGBTQI+ community. The HHS Pride Summit aimed to highlight the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris Administration in improving access to health care services, promoting health…

CMS Anticipates 1.6 Percent Payment Increase for ESRD Facilities in CY 2024; Comments due August 25th The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its calendar year (CY) 2024 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) prospective payment system (PPS) proposed rule (fact sheet). Details follow. What it is. This proposed rule outlines ESRD PPS payment policies…

Oversight Subcommittee Examine MACRA Implementation; Discuss Potential Reforms to MIPS, APMs The House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (O&I) convened a hearing to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) – specifically, the two tracks in the Quality Payment Program (QPP): (1)…

Agencies Launch Joint Technical Assistance Center to Improve Access to School-Based Services The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in collaboration with the Department of Education (ED) launched the School-Based Services (SBS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center. CMS states that this TA center will enhance the provision of Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)…