Billy Wynne

Behavioral Health Round-Up Below please find information on recent funding awards and new technical assistance centers from the Biden Administration. SAMHSA Announces $68.5 for Behavioral Health Education, Training and Community Programs The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has recently awarded $68.5 million…

CMS Seeks Public Comment on eCQM Timely Follow-Up for Colorectal Cancer and Breast Cancer Detection, Due October 15th The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is inviting public comments on electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) related to timely follow-up for: Abnormal Screening Mammograms for Breast Cancer Detection: This measure evaluates the percentage of women…

TEP Nominations to Develop and Maintain eCQMs, Due October 29th The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking nominations for a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) to assist in the development and maintenance of electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs). This initiative aims to enhance the quality of healthcare delivery by ensuring that eCQMs are effectively…

Proposed Rule for CY 2026 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2026 proposed rule (fact sheet) – a wide-ranging rule affecting Marketplaces and qualified health plans in the individual and small group markets, as well as requirements…

Agency Releases Guidance for Government Acquisition of AI; Agencies Must Ensure Contracts with AI Vendors are Brought into Compliance by Dec. 1 The White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently released a new memorandum, M-24-18, offering guidance on the responsible acquisition of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions by U.S. federal agencies. This memo, part…

OIDP Issues RFI to Inform the Development of the 2026-2030 National HIV/AIDS Strategy and the National Strategic Plans for Sexually Transmitted Infections, Vaccines, and Viral Hepatitis; Comments Due Dec. 6 The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP), is seeking input through a Request for…

Agency Highlights Gaps in Maternal Health Care Access in Medicaid Managed Care The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) conducted a study on maternal health care access in Medicaid managed care, highlighting critical gaps in a landscape marked by disparities and poor outcomes. Despite federal mandates for managed…

Final Guidance for Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program for Price Applicability Year 2027 and Effectuation of Maximum Fair Price in 2026 and 2027 Released Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued final guidance for the initial price applicability year (IPAY) 2027 and for the effectuation of the maximum fair price (MFP) in…

GAO Urges CMS to Assess Completeness and Accuracy of Hospital Pricing Data The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report evaluating the completeness of hospital pricing data, following a mandate from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2021 that required hospitals to publicly post their pricing to enhance transparency and promote…

Agency Publishes Report Assessing the Acute Hospital Care at Home Initiative The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a report (fact sheet) which reviews the Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCAH) initiative. AHCAH was launched during the COVID-19 public health emergency and allows certain Medicare-certified hospitals to treat patients with inpatient-level care at…