Billy Wynne

Agency Releases Highlights from Annual Survey on Mental Health and SUD The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the results from its annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which details how U.S. residents experienced mental health and substance use disorders (SUD) in 2021 (press release). Context: The survey has…

Agency Releases Guidance on How States Can Use In Lieu of Services to Address SDOH in Medicaid The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance on options for states to address health-related social needs (HRSN) through the use of “in lieu of services and settings” (ILOS) policies in Medicaid managed care (guidance; press…

Issue Brief on Medicaid Nursing Home Payments Relative to Cost The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) released an issue brief comparing Medicaid nursing facility payments to costs. Medicaid nursing facility payments include a base payment and supplemental payments reduced by provider contributions to the non-federal share of payments. States make adjustments to…

Nominations Due March 15 The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a request for nominations to serve as members of the Task Force. The USPSTF is seeking nominees with expertise and national leadership in the following areas: • The critical evaluation of research published in peer-reviewed literature and in the methods of evidence review;…

EPA Seeks Nominations for the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a request for nominations for the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC). EPA intends to fill ten new vacancies for terms through September 2024. Candidates should represent the following groups: Academia; Business and industry; Community-based organizations; Non-governmental organizations; State…

FY 2023 Omnibus Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) early this morning released the $1.7 trillion fiscal year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The Senate is expected to vote on the measure in the next couple of days and send it to the House to be approved before the current Continuing Resolution runs out on…

Select Subcommittee Holds Final Hearing Examining Lessons Learned From COVID-19 And Discuss Next Steps To Prevent And Prepare For Future Crises The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis held a final hearing on how to prevent and prepare for future public health emergencies and formally adopted its final report (WHG Summary of the report here).…

Basic Health Program Funding Methodology for Program Year 2023 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the Basic Health Program (BHP) funding methodology for program year 2023. The methodology determines federal payment amounts to states that elect to operate a BHP, a coverage option for individuals under age 65 with household incomes between…

COVID-19 Winter Preparedness Plan The Biden Administration announced its COVID-19 Winter Preparedness Plan, a list of government actions and resources to increase access to vaccinations, testing, and treatments as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations increase. The plan includes the following resources: Free-at home, rapid COVID-19 tests: Beginning today, U.S. households can order a total of four…

CY 2024 MA and Part D Policy and Technical Changes Proposed Rule Includes Proposals Aimed at Beneficiary Protections, Health Equity, Behavioral Health, and Prescription Drugs; Comments are due February 13 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Contract Year (CY) 2024 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) program and…