Billy Wynne

Report on Behavioral Health in Medicare Could Inform Potential Legislative Action This Congress The Medicare Payment and Access Commission (MedPAC) will include a congressionally requested report on behavioral health services under the Medicare program in the June 2023 report that could inform potential legislative action this Congress. At today’s meeting, commissioners identified high-priority areas of…

Panel Discusses Access to Dental Benefits for Adult Medicaid Beneficiaries The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) convened a panel focused on access to covered dental benefits for adult Medicaid beneficiaries.  The panel included three panelists representing Virginia’s adoption of full dental benefits for all Medicaid beneficiaries, Louisiana’s adoption of dental benefits for…

Commissioners Discuss Recommendations Aimed at High Cost Part B Drugs The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) convened a session to vote on the draft recommendations to lower Medicare spending on Part B drugs. MedPAC staff presented the policy options the Commission is considering as alternative approaches for Medicare to address high prices and uncertain clinical…

OCR Proposes to Modify HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy; Comments Due June 16 The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released a proposed rule to modify the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule to better protect sensitive information related to reproductive health care,…

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…