The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an information collection request (ICR) on the Medicare Transaction Facilitator (MTF) to be used in 2026 and 2027 in the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. What is it. The notice indicates CMS’s intent to collect information from manufacturers of selected drugs (Primary Manufacturers) and dispensing entities through the MTF to facilitate… (Slifer, October 29, 2024) #Drug Pricing, #Medicare Part D, #Prescription Drugs

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released a draft recommendation statement and evidence review on behavioral counseling interventions to support breastfeeding, and a draft recommendation and evidence review focusing on screening for intimate partner violence (IPV) and caregiver abuse of older or vulnerable adults. Both drafts are open for public comment, providing health care professionals and the public an… (Colocho, October 29, 2024) #Coverage Decisions, #Prevention, #Public Health, #Wellness, #Women’s Health

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking nominations for a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) to support the development and evaluation of Physician Cost Measures and Patient Relationship Codes (PCMP). This initiative aims to enhance the effectiveness and relevance of cost measures used in healthcare, ultimately improving patient care and resource utilization. Details about the TEP follow. Title: Physician… (Eisen, October 28, 2024) #Costs, #Physicians

The Biden-Harris Administration issued a National Security Memorandum (NSM) on Artificial Intelligence (AI), directing federal agencies to adopt AI responsibly in national security and intelligence work, while building guardrails to mitigate misuse risks (fact sheet). The NSM, the first of its kind, represents a pivotal step toward establishing a coordinated approach to AI’s integration into national defense, advancing U.S. leadership,… (Colocho, October 28, 2024) #Health Information Technology, #Privacy, #Transparency

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a substantial investment of $110 million in women’s health research, addressing historical gaps in the field. Since the launch of the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research in November 2023, the focus has been on conditions that disproportionately impact women, including menopause-related issues, endometriosis, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular conditions. It is part of a… (Eisen, October 25, 2024) #Health Equity, #Women’s Health

The Biden-Harris Administration has introduced a “window-shopping” feature for the 2025 Open Enrollment Period, starting November 1, enabling consumers to preview health coverage options. Thanks to expanded tax credits from the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act, many consumers can access plans with $0 premiums or save over $800 annually. Notably, 97% of consumers will be able to… (Eisen, October 25, 2024) #Affordable Care Act, #Insurance Coverage

The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement Executive Order (EO) 14117, aimed at preventing access to sensitive U.S. personal and government-related data by foreign adversaries like Russia, China, and Iran (press release, fact sheet). The rule targets specific national security risks related to bulk data and defines prohibited and restricted transactions to limit… (Colocho, October 24, 2024) #Health Information Technology, #Privacy

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) took significant steps to strengthen the nation’s health workforce by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the California State University (CSU) system. This agreement establishes a national model for collaboration between universities and federal agencies to address critical health workforce needs. It focuses on encouraging students to pursue careers in federal… (Colocho, October 23, 2024) #Grants, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Mid-Level Practitioners, #Physicians, #Primary Care, #Public Health, #Telehealth, #Workforce

The Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Phillip Swagel sent a letter in response to a request from the House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-TX) about the impact of increasing the Thrifty Food  Plan (TFP) on the labor force. The TFP, which is used to determine the value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, was increased for the first time… (McClurg, October 22, 2024) #Nutrition

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) released a report on the 2024 out-out-pocket (OOP) spending limit (OOP cap) and its associated savings for Medicare beneficiaries (press release). Pursuant to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), in 2024, Medicare enrollees’ OOP spending was capped once they reached the catastrophic phase of… (Slifer, October 22, 2024) #Medicare Part D, #Prescription Drugs