The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced the launch of SUN Programs: USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids to address nutrition security during the summer months (press release). These programs offer families various options to ensure their children receive essential nutrition during the summer break from school. The SUN Programs include: SUN Bucks, a new… (Eisen, 1/1/70) #Nutrition, #Wellness

he Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security convened a hearing to discuss food is medicine initiatives. Policy Outlook. Senators from both parties were very supportive of food is medicine programs like medically tailored meals (MTMs) and produce prescription programs. While there are a number of related bipartisan bills, senators did not mention next steps to… (McClurg, May 22, 2024) #Nutrition

The Senate Judiciary Committee convened a hearing to examine competition in the prescription drug market, focusing on ensuring affordable and accessible medications. The Committee scrutinized with experts and patient advocates the range of tools used by brand-name drug manufacturers to delay the entry of generic and biosimilar drugs, such as patent thickets, product hopping, and “pay-for-delay” settlements. Committee members debated… (Colocho, May 22, 2024) #Biosimilars, #Drug Pricing, #Food and Drug Administration, #Generic Drugs, #Pharmacy Benefit Managers, #Transparency

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), announced a Special Emphasis Notice (SEN) for the Leading Edge Acceleration Projects (LEAP) in Health Information Technology (Health IT) funding opportunity for fiscal year 2024. This initiative seeks applications for projects in two specific areas: (1) Developing innovative methods to… (Colocho, May 20, 2024) #Care Coordination, #Grants, #Health Information Technology

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