Billy Wynne

Agency Announces Funding Opportunity for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Providing Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Care The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), announced two funding opportunities, worth $123.6 million, for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) expansion. The CCBHC Planning, Development, and…

Nominations for National Advisory Council Due May 26 The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) issued a request for nominations for new members of the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality (Council) which advises the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Director of AHRQ on national health services research…

Department Announces New Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services to Support a Comprehensive Approach to Domestic Violence Prevention The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the creation of a new Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services (OFVPS) under the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). The OFVPS reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s…

Report Describes Expert Recommendations to Improve Infection Prevention and Control in Nursing Homes The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on actions to improve COVID-19 infection prevention and control in nursing homes. GAO convened an expert roundtable to discuss actions by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that could improve infection prevention…

Agency Releases Use of Federal Property to Assist the Homeless Proposed Rule The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a proposed rule on the use of federal property to assist the homeless. The rule modifies certain aspects of the Title V program that makes suitable federal properties categorized as underutilized, unutilized, excess, or…

Amended Definition of Tobacco Product Implemented, Pursuant to CAA of 2022 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued notices to implement conforming changes to its guidances and regulations under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to implement the amended definition of “tobacco product”, pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2022. The amended definition…

March 2023 Report to Congress: Race and Ethnicity Data, Nursing Facility Payments, Specialty Drug Coverage, and DSH Payments The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) released its March 2023 Report to Congress, with recommendations to (1) improve the collection and reporting of Medicaid race and ethnicity data, (2) increase transparency and improve the…

Agency Releases Information About Part B Prescription Drugs Subject to IRA Inflation Rebates Today, the Biden administration announced (press release; fact sheet) it will begin enforcing a provision of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on April 1 that penalizes drug companies for raising prices on Medicare prescription drugs faster than inflation. The Centers for Medicare…

Nominees for Board of Scientific Counselors, Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases; Due April 14 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking nominations for membership on the Board of Scientific Counselors, Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases (BSC, DDID) – a federal advisory committee that advises the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, CDC…

Mental Health Grants for People Experiencing Homelessness, Youth, and American Indian and Alaska Native Communities The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) released a several mental health-related funding opportunities. The grants intend to provide mental healthcare for individuals experiencing homelessness, community collaborations for school-based trauma, and the promotion of the mental health of youth…