Billy Wynne

SAMHSA Announces $65.7 Million for Substance Use Disorder Grants Including Provider Training and Treatment for Individuals at Risk of Becoming Unhoused The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced $65.7 million in grant awards for substance use prevention services, enhancing the behavioral health workforce and behavioral health care for children and those at risk of…

Agency Issues Final Recommendation on Screening and Supplementation for Iron Deficiency During Pregnancy; Task Force Concludes More Research is Needed The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a final recommendation statement on screening and supplementation for iron deficiency during pregnancy. The Task Force determined that more research is needed to determine whether or not…

Administration Launches ‘Time Is Money’ Initiative; HHS and DOL Urge Insurance Industry to Streamline Consumer Processes The Biden-Harris Administration launched a new “Time Is Money” initiative, aimed at reducing everyday hassles that waste Americans’ time and money. This effort targets corporate practices that deliberately complicate processes like canceling subscriptions, getting refunds, and navigating customer service,…

Cooperative Agreement Funding Available for Cell and Gene Therapy Access Model; Applications are Due February 25, 2025 The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) release a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) to apply for Cooperative Agreement funding to support states’ participation in the Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Access Model (fact sheet and FAQs).…

Agency Announces Funding to Support Native American-Led Research on Opioids, Substance Use, and Pain The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced the launch of the Native Collective Research Effort to Enhance Wellness (N CREW) Program with $268 million in funding to support Native American-led research to address overdose, substance use, and pain. NIH intends for the program to…

Agency Releases First 10 Negotiated Drug Prices for Initial Price Applicability Year 2026; Projects $6 Billion in Medicare Program Savings and $1.5 Billion in Out-of-Pocket Savings the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the negotiated Maximum Fair Prices (MFPs) for 10 drugs covered under Medicare Part D, which will take effect on January…

Best Practices to Support Access to Family Planning Services and Supplies Through Medicaid and CHIP The Center for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Services (CMCS) at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a CMCS Information Bulletin (CIB) with requirements and best practices to ensure timely access to family…

RFI Seeks Input On Neighborhood Grant Program; Comments Due October 11 The Department of Housing and Urband Development (HUD) released a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input on the Choice Neighborhood grant program. Comments are due October 11, 2024.   What is it. The Choice Neighborhoods program focuses on the redevelopment of severely distressed public housing…

Agency Issues Notice of Funding Opportunity to Examine the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Health Care Safety; Initial Applications Due September 25, 2024 The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aimed at exploring the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on patient safety. AHRQ invites grant applications…

CMS Releases Final Policy for Transitional Coverage of Emerging Technologies; First Nomination Deadline October 31 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a final notice to finalize the process and procedures for the Transitional Coverage for Emerging Technologies (TCET) pathway and provides its responses to the public comments received (fact sheet). What is it.…