The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security convened a hearing to examine the potential benefits and risks of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the health care sector. This marks the first Senate HELP hearing exploring the application of AI in health care, following President Biden’s recent Executive Order (EO) on shaping AI… (Colocho, November 9, 2023) #Coverage Decisions, #Health Equity, #Health Information Technology

The Senate Finance Committee (SFC) convened a markup of the Modernizing and Ensuring Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Accountability (MEPA) Act (IHPP Summary, CBO score, description of the Chairman’s Mark). The bill was advanced out of Committee by a vote of 26-0. There was one abstention. Overall, the bill features the following: Expanding the number of mental health and substance use providers participating in Medicare–including psychologists,… (Marceno, November 8, 2023) #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Pharmacy Benefit Managers, #Physicians

According to CDC data, newborn syphilis cases increased by a factor of more than ten-fold since 2012.  If testing and treatment do not occur in a timely manner, syphilis during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death and lifelong medical conditions.     Per the data, more than 3,700 babies were born with syphilis in 2022.  This is 10 times higher… (Joyce, November 8, 2023) #Health Equity, #Pediatrics, #Prevention, #Primary Care, #Public Health, #Women’s Health, #Workforce

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a report with estimates of eligibility and program reach in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).WIC provides access to food, nutrition education including breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health and social services. Eligibility includes women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum non-breastfeeding, infants, and children up to… (McClurg, November 7, 2023) #Nutrition, #Pediatrics, #Women’s Health

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) published a final research plan on behavioral counseling interventions to promote a healthy diet, physical activity, and/or weight loss to prevent cardiovascular disease in adults. The draft research plan was posted for public comment from May 18, 2023, to June 14, 2023, and was previously titled “Weight Loss Interventions to Prevent Obesity-Related Morbidity… (Colocho, November 7, 2023) #Health Equity, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Nutrition, #Prevention, #Primary Care, #Wellness

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Contract Year (CY) 2025 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) program and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program (Part D) proposed rule (press release, fact sheet). What it is. The proposed rule includes proposals intended to enhance beneficiary protections, advance health equity, and improve access to behavioral health… (Slifer, November 6, 2023) #Biosimilars, #Health Equity, #Medicare Advantage, #Medicare Part D, #Mental and Behavioral Health

The Medicaid Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) held a session to discuss federal requirements related to Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) across different Section 1915 authorities that states use to run these programs. MACPAC staff provided an overview of Medicaid HCBS, including waiver and state plan options, and discussed state considerations when choosing Section 1915 authorities. The session also… (Colocho, November 6, 2023) #Care Coordination, #Health Equity, #Home Health

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) convened a session to discuss its workplan concerning hospice and end-of-life care. MedPAC staff provided an overview of new and ongoing projects the Commission is undertaking over the next eighteen months, including assessing hospice’s impact on net Medicare spending, studying the hospice aggregate cap and its effect on beneficiary outcomes, examining nonhospice spending for… (Colocho, November 3, 2023) #End-Stage Renal Disease, #Hospice

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) convened a session to discuss the new Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) program established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (based on a MedPAC recommendation). The legislation requires MedPAC to review payment to REHs annually starting in 2024. In preparation, MedPAC Senior Analyst Brian O’Donnell and Principal Policy Analyst Jeff Stensland presented important context for… (Testa, November 3, 2023) #Critical Access Hospitals, #Hospitals, #Program Integrity, #Rural Health

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) convened a session on software as a medical service (SaaS) and prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs). The staff provided an overview of current coverage and payment for SaaS and software as a medical device (SaMD) under the different Medicare payment streams and posed whether policy changes are needed in this space. The Commissioners were divided on whether… (Slifer, November 3, 2023) #Health Information Technology, #Medical Devices