Billy Wynne

Agency Awards $42.6 Million to Support the Implementation of Evidence-based Prevention Strategies The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced $42.6 million in Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success (SPF-PFS) grants for 17 states and 60 communities across the country. SPF-PFS grants were established to prevent substance use initiation and reduce the…

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Sweeping Initiatives and Over $103 Million in Funding to Tackle Maternal Health Crisis on HHS Maternal Health Day of Action As part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Maternal Health Day of Action, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a series of initiatives and funding totaling more than $103 million aimed…

Ranking Member Cassidy Seeks Stakeholder Input on CDC Reform; Due Oct. 20 Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-OA) announced a request for stakeholder input to inform reforms to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in areas such as data modernization, state and local coordination, and…

Commissioners Explore Beneficiary Engagement Through Medical Care Advisory Committees The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission convened a session to examine how states are using medical care advisory committees (MCACs) as a strategy for beneficiary engagement in the development and implementation of Medicaid policies. Senior Analyst Audrey Nuamah provided an overview on MCACs, including…

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…