The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the final rule implementing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care (ACA) that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability in certain health programs and activities (fact sheet).  What it is. The final rule, “Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities,” reinstates and strengthens protections from… (Slifer, April 26, 2024) #Health Equity, #Women’s Health

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the selection of 20 states to participate in two separate technical assistance programs that aim to enhance the recruitment, training, and retention of direct care workers, particularly those providing home and community-based services (HCBS) for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Both programs are facilitated by the Administration for Community Living’s Direct Care Workforce… (Colocho, April 26, 2024) #Care Coordination, #Home Health, #Workforce

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) shared a progress update on its work with the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury (Departments), as well as the Office of Personnel Management, on rulemaking for the good faith estimate (GFE) and advanced explanation of benefits (AEOB) requirements of the No Surprises Act (NSA). CMS did not provide… (Llamas, April 25, 2024) #Transparency

The Biden Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy) along with a Federal Action Plan to create a coordinated and comprehensive national approach to suicide prevention. These efforts are a collaboration between the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Centers for Disease… (Marceno, April 24, 2024) #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Prevention, #Public Health

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a final rule prohibiting employers from imposing or enforcing non-compete clauses on workers (press release; fact sheet). What it is. The final rule prohibits employers from entering into non-compete clauses with all workers, on or after the final rule’s effective date. For non-competes entered into prior to the effective date, the final rule adopts a different approach for… (Testa, April 24, 2024) #Workforce

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced two new grant opportunities to strengthen the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The first is a Process and Technology Improvements Grant and the second is a Fraud Implementation Grant. The opportunities are described briefly below. SNAP Process and Technology Improvement Grants (PTIG) Program: PTIGs support projects that will modernize SNAP… (McClurg, April 23, 2024) #Nutrition, #Program Integrity

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released two final rules yesterday to strengthen access to coverage and care for Medicaid enrollees. The Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services Final Rule, described in this email, is intended to strengthen access to and quality of care across Medicaid services through fee-for-service (FFS) by establishing national standards for access to care (press release)…. (Joyce, McClurg, April 23, 2024) #Delivery Reform, #Dual Eligibles, #Health Equity, #Home Health, #Primary Care, #Transparency

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) and Tufts Medicine NEWDIGS released a white paper entitled “Managing the Challenges of Paying for Gene Therapy: Strategies for Market Action and Policy Reform.” ICER explains that it is the intent of the paper to call for thoughtful consideration of both market actions and policy reforms that have the potential to address… (Slifer, April 23, 2024) #Insurance Reform, #Pharmacy Benefit Managers, #Prescription Drugs

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care (LTC) Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting final rule (press release, fact sheet). What it is. The final rule outlines minimum staffing requirements for Medicare and Medicaid-certified LTCs. Why it’s important for you. CMS finalizes a total nurse staffing standard of 3.48 hours per resident day (HPRD),… (Colocho, April 22, 2024) #Care Coordination, #Costs, #Health Equity, #Long-Term Care, #Skilled Nursing Facilities, #Transparency, #Workforce

The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) unveiled a draft framework aimed at ensuring the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in health care and biomedical sciences. The framework, titled “Artificial Intelligence in Health, Health Care, and Biomedical Science: An AI Code of Conduct Principles and Commitments Discussion Draft,” outlines strategies for health care organizations to enhance the accuracy, safety,… (Colocho, April 19, 2024) #Health Equity, #Health Information Technology, #Public Health, #Transparency