The nonpartisan Aspen Health Strategy Group (AHSG), part of the Aspen Institute, released a new report examining the pressing need to reduce firearm injury and offering strategies for the health sector to mitigate its impact. As noted in the report, more than 48,000 Americans lost their lives to firearms in 2021, twice as many were injured, and millions more experienced… (Colocho, February 26, 2024) #Health Equity, #Prevention, #Public Health

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE) held a presentation to discuss the Office’s Catalytic Program on Utilizing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The catalytic program is intended to support health care providers in taking advantage of the tax credits, grants, and other supports made by available by the IRA. OCCHE is hosting a… (McClurg, February 23, 2024) #Hospitals, #Tax

Highlights of recent federal funding announcements for behavioral health initiatives can be found below.  New Behavioral Health Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcements: Provider’s Clinical Support System – Universities NOFO, Applications Due April 15th The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced $5,400,000 for states and territories under the Provider’s Clinical Support System grant program. The aim of this… (Marceno, February 22, 2024) #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Opioids, #Prevention

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report investigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal health outcomes in the United States and evaluating the efficacy of federal measures in addressing maternal health disparities. This comprehensive study assesses data provided by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) concerning maternal health outcomes during the pandemic, while also scrutinizing… (Eisen, 1/1/70) #COVID-19, #Health Equity, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Women’s Health

Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), the ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released a comprehensive report outlining proposals aimed at enhancing privacy protections for health data.  The report follows Sen. Cassidy’s request for information (RFI) in September 2023 seeking input on health data privacy from various stakeholders including trade associations, hospitals, health technology companies, and think tanks (Impact… (Colocho, February 21, 2024) #Health Information Technology, #Privacy, #Transparency

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released an audit of Evaluation and Management (E/M) services provided via telehealth during the first 9 months of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). Several COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities are set to expire by the end of 2024, absent Congressional action, so policymakers are considering how to… (Eisen, 1/1/70) #COVID-19, #Insurance Coverage, #Physicians, #Telehealth

Last week, the House Committee on Agriculture held a hearing including testimony from Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. The full recording is available here.  The hearing included discussions regarding federal investments in nutrition programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), USDA investments in agriculture and the need… (Joyce, February 20, 2024) #Health Equity, #Nutrition, #Public Health, #Social Determinants of Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the Office of AIDS Research (OAR), issued a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit input for the development of the fiscal year (FY) 2026‒2030 NIH Strategic Plan for HIV and HIV-Related Research. The strategic plan guides NIH investments and priorities in HIV research with the aim of advancing towards ending the HIV pandemic. The RFI… (Colocho, February 20, 2024) #Chronic Diseases, #Health Equity, #National Institutes of Health, #Prevention, #Public Health, #Social Determinants of Health, #Workforce

The House Oversight and Accountability Coronavirus Pandemic Subcommittee convened the first session of a two-part hearing series to examine the effectiveness of vaccine safety reporting and injury compensation systems following the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. The hearing featured senior officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Health Resources… (Eisen, February 16, 2024) #COVID-19, #Health Equity, #Prevention, #Public Health, #Transparency, #Workforce

The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI/Innovation Center) released two updates about the States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model: a model overlap factsheet and hospital global budget financial specifications. Model Overlap Fact Sheet: The AHEAD model will operate statewide or in a sub-state region. In the factsheet, CMS details the models and programs that can concurrently operate with AHEAD…. (McClurg, Colocho, February 15, 2024) #Delivery Reform, #Demonstration Programs, #Hospitals