Billy Wynne

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…

Ahead of Budget Release, President Biden Releases Plan for Extending Medicare Solvency Ahead of the President’s fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget release, President Biden provided details on the Administration’s plan to extend Medicare solvency by 25 or more years and lower costs for beneficiaries. The White House details that the budget will feature the following…

Agency Announces New Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of L’Tonya Davis as its first permanent Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO). The CDIO will lead USDA’s ongoing efforts to improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) and oversee the implementation of the USDA’s DEIA strategic plan.…

Commissioners Examine Implementation Considerations for Providing Pre-Release Medicaid Services to Adults Leaving Incarceration The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) convened a session to examine implementation considerations for states preparing to provide pre-release Medicaid services to justice-involved adults. Senior Analysts Lesley Baseman and Melinda Becker Roach presented an overview of California’s recently approved…

Commissioners Examine Countercyclical DSH Allotments; Commissioners Favor Recommending a Permanent ARPA-Like Policy The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) convened a session to discuss potential recommendations for countercyclical disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotments. Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments offset hospital uncompensated care costs for Medicaid-enrolled and uninsured patients. During economic recessions, Medicaid…

Commissioners Begin Work on Potential Policy Recommendations to Enhance Capacity of State Medicaid FFS Programs The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) is interested in developing recommendations for policies to help state Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) programs better serve beneficiaries. Today, a panel shared the perspectives of three states that use alternative approaches to…

Commission Discusses Focus Group Findings on the Experiences of Dual Eligibles in Integrated Care Models The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) held a presentation on the results of a focus group study on the experiences of individuals who are fully dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid benefits and enrolled in integrated…

National Advisory Council Explores How Research Can Contribute To Firearm Injury Prevention; Hears from CDC and NIH Regarding Current and Future Initiatives Firearm injury prevention is a strategic imperative of the National Advisory Council for Nursing Research (NACNR). The Council held a meeting focused on the role nurse scientists and nursing research can play in…