Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) sent a letter to State Medicaid Directors (letter; press release) requiring states to determine if they have an eligibility system that could cause people, particularly  children, to be disenrolled from Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) even if they remain eligible for coverage. If so, CMS requires them to… (Joyce, August 30, 2023) <span style="font-size:90%;

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is requesting comment on a draft recommendation statement and draft evidence review on primary care interventions to prevent child maltreatment. The Task Force determined that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of primary care interventions to prevent child maltreatment for children and adolescents younger than 18… (Colocho, August 29, 2023) #Coverage Decisions, #Pediatrics, #Prevention, #Public Health

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced three upcoming public workshops to encourage discussion on the 2023 Draft Merger Guidelines. Last month, the agencies jointly released a draft update of the Merger Guidelines, which outline the agencies’ approach to reviewing mergers and acquisitions within the context of federal antitrust laws. The agencies are actively seeking input… (Colocho, August 29, 2023) #Hospitals, #Subsidies, #Transparency, #Workforce

  The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the first 10 drugs selected for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program for price applicability year 2026 (press release, CMS press release and fact sheet, ASPE fact sheet). Additional details follow. Drugs Selected: HHS details that the selected drugs accounted for $50.5 billion in total Part D gross covered prescription drug costs, or 20 percent, of… (Slifer, August 29, 2023) #Drug Pricing, #Medicare Part D, #Prescription Drugs

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it awarded approximately $23 million in funding through the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) to support and advance evidence-based Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) programs. The goal of the TPP program is to prevent unintentional teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and promote positive youth development while advancing equity in adolescent health…. (Colocho, August 25, 2023) #Prevention, #Public Health

Last week the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced $24 million in initial funding to establish Maternal Health Research Centers of Excellence. NIH is funding these centers as part of the Implementing a Maternal Health and Pregnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone (IMPROVE) initiative. The main goal of these centers is to develop and assess innovative strategies to reduce pregnancy-related complications… (Marceno, August 23, 2023) #Health Equity, #National Institutes of Health, #Women’s Health

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a request for nominations for non-voting members to serve on the Maternal Mental Health Task Force subcommittee of the Advisory Committee for Women’s Services (ACWS). The function of the ACWS is to provide guidance to the Associate Administrator for Women’s Services (AAWS) on appropriate SAMHSA activities related to women’s substance use… (Marceno, August 23, 2023) #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Public Health, #Women’s Health

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under Project NextGen led by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), awarded over $1.4 billion to support the development of advanced tools and technologies for long-term protection against COVID-19. Project NextGen. Announced earlier this year, Project NextGen… (Colocho, August 22, 2023) #COVID-19, #Grants, #Prevention, #Public Health

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released a final recommendation statement on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent acquisition of HIV. The Task Force issued a grade ‘A’ recommendation that clinicians prescribe preexposure prophylaxis using effective antiretroviral therapy to adults and adolescent weighing at least 35 kg (77 lb) who are at increased risk of HIV acquisition to decrease the… (Colocho, August 22, 2023) #Coverage Decisions, #Prevention

Federal agencies have recently taken action related to maternal health, health equity, mental health, climate change and more. Additionally, a range of think tanks have published studies in these arenas. A round up of highlights is included below. Equity Biden Administration Release Resources to Advance Diversity and Opportunity in Higher Education Following SCOTUS’ Affirmative Action Decision: In response to the… (Joyce, August 21, 2023) #Health Equity, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Nutrition, #Pediatrics, #Prevention, #Public Health, #Women’s Health, #Workforce