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, March 8, 2024) #Hospitals, #Tax

In his third State of the Union address, President Biden highlighted some of his health policy proposals for the upcoming year. His speech focused on efforts to lower prescription drug costs in Medicare and private health insurance and make permanent expanded premium tax credits for Marketplace coverage. Biden also called on Congress to provide $12 billion for women’s health research,… (Llamas, March 7, 2024) #Insurance Reform, #Prescription Drugs

the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) released a request for applications (RFA) for the Cell and Gene Therapy Access Model. Eligible manufacturers include those that have a gene therapy approved or licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sickle cell disease and participate in the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (MDRP). Responses are due by May 1… (Slifer, March 7, 2024) #Demonstration Programs, #Drug Pricing

The Senate Budget Committee convened a hearing to discuss how primary care can make the health care system more efficient. Senators spoke about the importance of individuals having strong relationships with their primary care providers. Senators and witnesses generally agreed that physician payment should be “rebalanced” to support primary care providers and incentivize the use of preventive care. Key Takeaways Policy Outlook. Senators from… (McClurg, March 6, 2024) #Accountable Care Organizations, #Costs, #Medicare Advantage, #Prevention, #Primary Care

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a statement recognizing the impact on health care operations of the cybersecurity incident affecting Change Healthcare, a unit of UnitedHealth Group (UHG), which occurred in late February. HHS stated it is prioritizing the coordination of efforts to minimize disruptions to care, and noted it has been actively engaged with UHG leadership,… (Colocho, March 5, 2024) #Health Information Technology, #Hospitals, #Privacy

Today, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Antitrust Division, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) jointly issued a request for information (RFI) to inform the agencies’ identification of enforcement priorities and future actions, including new regulations, aimed at promoting competition in health care markets and ensuring appropriate access to quality, affordable health… (Eisen, March 5, 2024) #Costs, #Delivery Reform, #Hospitals, #Primary Care

The National Security Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) in response to the Executive Order of February 28, 2024, titled “Preventing Access to Americans’ Bulk Sensitive Personal Data and United States Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern.” The Order mandates the Attorney General to establish regulations prohibiting or restricting U.S. persons… (Colocho, March 4, 2024) #Health Information Technology, #Privacy

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report examining opportunities for the Head Start Program to modify its resource allocation to better meet community needs as reflected by a community’s child poverty rate. This study found that Head Start availability and funding are not currently closely aligned with child poverty rates. Rather, data from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office… (Eisen, 1/1/70) #Health Equity, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Pediatrics, #Public Health

The House Energy & Commerce (E&C) Health Subcommittee convened a legislative hearing to examine 18 bills aimed at improving patient access to treatments for rare diseases (hearing memo) – including legislation affecting the drug approval process at the Food and Drug Administration, Medicare and Medicaid coverage, and other issues. All bills are bipartisan, except for the Antimicrobial Resistance Research Assessment… (Eisen, March 1, 2024) #Costs, #Drug Pricing, #Food and Drug Administration, #Pediatrics, #Quality, #Value-Based Insurance Design, #Value-Based Purchasing

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) convened its inaugural National Equity Summit to announce and publish the USDA Equity Commission’s final report. The Equity Commission has been working on the report since February 2022 to provide a set of actionable recommendations to modify programs, policies, practices, culture, systems, and structures to reduce disparities, and advance racial justice and equity for underserved communities. The… (1/1/70) #Health Equity, #Nutrition