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

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued draft part two guidance on select topics of the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (press release, fact sheet). What is it. Pursuant to the Inflation Reduction Act, the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan provides Medicare beneficiaries the option to pay their out-of-pocket (OOP) Part D drug costs through monthly payments over the course… (Slifer, February 15, 2024) #Drug Pricing, #Medicare Part D

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released a draft research plan on screening and behavioral counseling interventions for unhealthy alcohol use in adolescents and adults. The USPSTF’s research approach for screening and interventions for unhealthy alcohol use entails targeting relevant studies based on specific criteria. This includes focusing on screening for and interventions to address unhealthy alcohol use across… (Colocho, February 15, 2024) #Coverage Decisions, #Pediatrics, #Prevention, #Public Health

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) jointly issued a request for information (RFI) regarding market concentration among large health care group purchasing organizations (GPOs) and drug wholesalers, as well as information regarding their contracting practices. The aim of this RFI is to gain an understanding of how the activities of these… (Eisen, 1/1/70) #Costs, #Drug Pricing, #Generic Drugs, #Rural Health, #Wholesalers

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced two updates to federal nutrition programs. Farm to Food Bank: FNS has awarded nearly $3.8 million in grants to 27 state agencies for Farm to Food Bank programs in The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Farm to Food Banks helps prevent food waste and deliver donated foods from local producers to… (McClurg, February 13, 2024) #Nutrition

The Senate Finance Committee convened a hearing to examine the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into patient care and the necessary regulations. The hearing highlighted the potential of AI in health care while addressing the need for regulations and adequate guardrails, consistent reimbursement policies, standards, and accountability measures to ensure its effective and equitable integration into patient care. The hearing… (Colocho, February 9, 2024) #Health Equity, #Health Information Technology, #Hospitals, #Physicians, #Privacy, #Transparency