The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission convened a session to examine how states are using medical care advisory committees (MCACs) as a strategy for beneficiary engagement in the development and implementation of Medicaid policies. Senior Analyst Audrey Nuamah provided an overview on MCACs, including beneficiary barriers to participation and detailed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)… (Colocho, September 26, 2023) #Health Equity, #Transparency

Over the last several weeks the House of Representatives has been unable to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR), much less come to an agreement with the Senate on how to keep the government in operation past September 30.  Unless Congress can manage to quickly pass a CR, there are just days left before the end of the current fiscal year,… (Lewis, September 25, 2023) #Budget

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) awarded $45 million in grants to existing Long COVID clinics. The funding will support these multidisciplinary clinics to broaden access to coordinated, comprehensive, and person-centered care for individuals with Long COVID, especially for underserved, vulnerable, rural, and minority communities that are disproportionately impacted by Long-COVID…. (Gravesande, Marceno, September 22, 2023) #COVID-19, #Health Equity, #Public Health

The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) convened a session on Medicaid Unwinding. Principal Analysis and Research Advisor Martha Heberlein led panelists through a discussion exploring the advancements made, barriers and challenges for states and beneficiaries, and the role of CMS oversight. Panelists: Kate McEvoy, Executive Director, National Association of Medicaid Directors Allison Orris, Senior Fellow, Center on Budget and Policy… (Marceno, September 22, 2023) #Coverage Decisions, #Health Equity, #Insurance Coverage

The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) convened a session to discuss the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on nursing facility staffing and payment transparency, establishing minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities to ensure safe and quality care (Impact Health Policy Summary). MACPAC staff presented an overview of the proposed rule… (Colocho, September 22, 2023) #Long-Term Care, #Quality, #Skilled Nursing Facilities, #Transparency, #Workforce

The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) convened a session to discuss its work plan for examining supplemental payments to hospitals. MACPAC staff provided an overview of the issue and proposed three areas of work that it plans to advance over the next two years: (1) documenting payment methods and policy goals; (2) characterizing payment targeting; and (3)… (Testa, September 22, 2023) #Costs, #Hospitals, #Program Integrity, #Transparency

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (HELP) Committee convened a markup to discuss a package of legislation related to maternal and infant health, pediatric research, and the health workforce (Impact summary). The legislation would reauthorize a set of health care workforce programs, including Community Health Centers (CHCs), Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME), and the National Health Service… (McClurg, September 22, 2023) #Budget, #Pediatrics, #Primary Care, #Women’s Health, #Workforce

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that nearly 500,000 children and other individuals who were improperly disenrolled from Medicaid or CHIP will regain their coverage, as a result of HHS’s call to action on August 30 to states to address issues affecting auto-renewals (also known as “ex parte” renewals).   As a result of the August 30… (Llamas, September 21, 2023) #Coverage Decisions, #COVID-19

The Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services (HHS) (the Departments) released a proposed rule to establish the independent dispute resolution (IDR) administrative fee amount and methodology, and the certified IDR entity fee ranges for single and batched determinations. The proposed fees would apply to disputes initiated on or after the later of the effective date of this… (Llamas, September 20, 2023) #Coverage Decisions, #Hospitals, #Insurance Reform, #Physicians

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), announced it is investing $600 million in 12 U.S. COVID-19 test manufacturers and reopening COVIDTests.gov to provide free COVID-19 tests to households nationwide. This initiative aims to strengthen the domestic supply chain for COVID-19 tests, enhance preparedness for future pandemics, and secure 200… (Colocho, September 20, 2023) #Costs, #COVID-19, #Prevention, #Public Health