Billy Wynne

ONR Issues RFI on Advancing Food is Medicine Initiatives Through Research, Services and Community Outreach; Comments Due June 30 The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Nutrition Research (ONR) issued a request for Information (RFI) inviting input on research opportunities and best practices for Food is Medicine research programs. Food is Medicine is a term…

FDA Approves First Nonprescription OTC Naloxone Nasal Spray; Builds on Administration’s Efforts to Improve Equitable Access to Essential Health Care The Biden-Harris Administration announced the approval of the first nonprescription, over-the-counter (OTC) naloxone nasal spray, Narcan. This action represents a significant advancement in promoting both the accessibility of naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid-related…

Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Examines President’s FY2024 Budget; Expresses Agreement Regarding Maternal Health, Mental Health and Early Childhood Education The House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education held a hearing with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra on the President’s fiscal…

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…