The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is requesting public comment on a new draft publication, Model Behavioral Health Crisis Services Definitions. According to the agency, this document was designed to provide clarity for providers, state and local governments, payers, and help seekers around the different types of crisis services. The information found in the document was gathered… (Marceno, November 22, 2024) #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Public Health

The Senate Appropriations Committee convened a hearing to address the urgent federal funding needs for communities affected by recent natural disasters. The session highlighted the bipartisan commitment to providing relief despite the challenges posed by post-election transitions and ongoing work to finalize fiscal year (FY) 2025 appropriations bills. The hearing featured two panels: Sens. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Thom Tillis… (Colocho, November 22, 2024) #Budget, #Grants, #Public Health

The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Policy convened a hearing to examine the future of tax policy as the country approaches 2025. The discussion centered on the consequences of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and the potential implications of further tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy. Chair Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)… (Eisen, November 20, 2024) #Costs, #Tax

The House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee held a hearing on November 19, 2024, to discuss the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Monica Bertagnolli appeared for the first time before the Subcommittee as the Director of the NIH.   Most of the hearing focused on Committee members’ general interests including rebuilding Americans’ trust in NIH, access to drugs and therapies, the… (Lewis, November 20, 2024) #National Institutes of Health

  Following the November 5th election, the Republicans are poised to have a “trifecta” and be in control of the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives.  When all votes are counted and certified the Republicans are expected to have a 53-47 majority in the Senate and a four seat or less majority in the House. This margin… (Lewis, November 18, 2024) #Affordable Care Act, #Budget, #Coverage Decisions, #Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH), #Food and Drug Administration, #Health Equity, #Health Insurance Exchanges, #Hospitals, #Medicare Advantage, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Nutrition, #Pharmacy Benefit Managers, #Public Health, #Social Determinants of Health, #Tax, #Telehealth, #Transparency, #Workforce

Today, Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act for Farm Bill reauthorization (press release; fact sheet; text). The legislation largely follows the framework Sen. Stabenow released in May (Impact summary), although the bill includes $39 billion in new funding. In addition to agricultural programs, the Farm Bill authorizes several important… (McClurg, November 18, 2024) #Nutrition, #Telehealth

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) jointly issued a third temporary rule that extends the full set of COVID-19 telemedicine flexibilities for prescription of controlled medications through December 31, 2025. What is it. The agencies note that as the DEA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) continue to… (Marceno, November 15, 2024) #Opioids, #Telehealth

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) released a detailed table on November 13 summarizing the expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). Many of these provisions, which impact individuals, families, and businesses, are scheduled to expire by the end of 2025. President-Elect Donald Trump has expressed support for extending all expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA),… (Joyce, Colocho, November 15, 2024) #Costs

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) held a meeting to discuss the participation bonus for clinicians in Advanced Alternative Payment Models (A-APMS). Clinicians who meet certain thresholds for payment and patients in an A-APM receive the bonus payment as an incentive for A-APM participation. The five percent bonus was originally intended to expire in performance year (PY) 2023, but was extended at 3.5 percent… (McClurg, November 8, 2024) #Demonstration Programs, #Insurance Reform, #Value-Based Insurance Design

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) convened a session to discuss the issue of Medicare’s coverage limits for inpatient psychiatric care in freestanding inpatient psychiatric facilities (IPFs). MedPAC staff presented recent data that underscores the negative impact of these limits on Medicare beneficiaries, especially those with chronic and severe mental health conditions. Based on their analysis, MedPAC staff recommended eliminating… (Eisen, November 8, 2024) #Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities, #Mental and Behavioral Health