Today, Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture GT Thompson (R-PA) released a discussion draft of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 for Farm Bill reauthorization (press release; title-by-title).  In addition to agricultural programs, the Farm Bill authorizes several important federal nutrition programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The 2018 Farm Bill expired on September 30, 2023, but the… (McClurg, May 17, 2024) #Nutrition, #Telehealth

Senate Finance Committee (SFC) Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID) released a white paper that examined the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and policy options to support clinicians while improving chronic care (press release). The white paper builds on the Committee’s recent hearing on chronic disease and clinician payment (Impact Health summary) and provides the following… (Slifer, May 17, 2024) #Chronic Diseases, #Delivery Reform, #Physicians

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its 14th annual report identifying potential savings and efficiency improvements in federal government operations (press release, highlights). This comprehensive report highlights 112 new measures across 42 areas that could save taxpayers billions by reducing overlap, duplication, and fragmentation. It also addresses previous GAO recommendations that remain unimplemented but could yield significant financial and operational… (Colocho, May 16, 2024) #Costs, #COVID-19, #Health Information Technology, #Hospitals

Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced the bipartisan Pay PCPs Act of 2024 to establish hybrid primary care payments under the Medicare program (press release). Notably, Sens. Cassidy and Whitehouse called the bill “a marker for future primary care legislation,” indicating that a number of policies are changeable. They released a request for information seeking feedback on… (Llamas, May 16, 2024) #Physicians, #Primary Care

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its Plan for Promoting Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Automated and Algorithmic Systems by State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Governments in Public Benefit Administration (press release). This plan addresses the responsible use of AI in public benefits program administration, as mandated by President Biden’s Executive Order (EO) on AI… (Colocho, May 15, 2024) #Health Equity, #Health Information Technology, #Privacy, #Public Health, #Transparency, #Workforce

The House Education & Workforce full committee convened a hearing with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to examine President Biden’s fiscal year (FY) 2025 Budget for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (Impact Summary). The Committee focused on funding priorities in the budget including reproductive and maternal health and behavioral health and discussed recent HHS rules. Democrats praised the… (Eisen, May 15, 2024) #Budget, #Costs, #COVID-19, #Health Equity, #Insurance Reform, #Medicare for All, #Prevention, #Public Health, #Quality, #Rural Health, #Skilled Nursing Facilities, #Social Determinants of Health, #Transparency, #Women’s Health

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) conducted an audit to assess whether Medicaid State agencies were properly invoicing for and collecting rebates for physician-administered drugs under the Medicaid drug rebate program. Enacted in 1991, the Medicaid drug rebate program mandates manufacturers to provide rebates to States for covered outpatient drugs, ensuring eligibility… (Eisen, 1/1/70) #Drug Pricing, #Physicians

The House Ways & Means (W&M) Committee convened a markup of legislation to support rural health providers and access to telehealth. H.R. 8261 with telehealth and Hospital at Home extensions received broad bipartisan support, but every bill and amendment other than the telehealth extension had a party line vote. Republicans passed several pieces of legislation targeted to rural health providers… (McClurg, May 9, 2024) #Graduate Medical Education (GME), #Hospitals, #Rural Health, #Telehealth

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report examining California’s Medicaid eligibility procedures during the unwinding period following the end of the continuous enrollment condition due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This audit, prompted by legislative changes including the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (CAA),… (Eisen, May 9, 2024) #Coverage Decisions, #COVID-19, #Insurance Coverage

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center, announced the Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) Model (press release/ fact sheet/full proposal).  The IOTA Model aims to increase access to life-saving kidney transplants for patients living with kidney disease and reduce Medicare expenditures by transplanting more patients and removing… (Lewis, May 8, 2024) #Chronic Diseases, #Demonstration Programs, #End-Stage Renal Disease, #Hospitals