Today, pursuant to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued draft part one guidance on a select set of topics for the Maximum Monthly Cap on Cost-Sharing Payments Program, which requires all Medicare prescription drug plans to offer their Part D enrollees the option to pay their out-of-pocket (OOP) Part D drug costs… (Slifer, August 21, 2023) #Cost-Sharing, #Prescription Drugs

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced that it is seeking nominations for membership to serve on the Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines (ACCV). ACCV advises the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on how to implement the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). The ACCV consists of the following individuals: Three health professionals, two of… (McClurg, August 21, 2023) #Pediatrics

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), along with the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), have jointly announced a request for information (RFI) to gather input from the open source software community and cybersecurity experts (press release). Open… (Colocho, August 18, 2023) #Health Information Technology, #Privacy

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) released a proposed rule to improve access and parity in a number of food distribution programs.  This includes the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, The Emergency Assistance Program (TEFAP), and USDA Foods disaster response.  Comments are due October 13, 2023 and can be submitted here.   The proposed… (Joyce, August 16, 2023) #Health Equity, #Social Determinants of Health

On the First Anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) released a comprehensive report outlining the impact of the IRA on prescription drug costs for the more than 65 million Americans enrolled in the Medicare program. Highlights from the ASPE Report: Insulin… (Colocho, August 16, 2023) #Costs, #Drug Pricing, #Public Health

The Department of Justice (DOJ) released an updated Language Access Plan aimed at providing equal access to its programs, activities, and services for individuals regardless of their language proficiency (press release). The plan outlines strategies for improving translation and interpretation services, ensuring quality assurance, and expanding tools for better public service. The plan is in line with Attorney General Merrick… (Colocho, August 16, 2023) #Health Equity

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA).  The NPRM outlines how the EEOC proposes to implement the law with the intention of ensuring that pregnant and postpartum workers can retain their jobs while having a healthy pregnancy and postpartum recovery.  The law applies to pregnancy,… (Joyce, August 15, 2023) #Health Equity, #Public Health, #Women’s Health, #Workforce

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a Request for Application (RFA) detailing payment, care delivery, quality, and other policies for the Making Care Primary (MCP) Model (Impact Health summary). Interested applicants may apply to the model later this month when the Application Portal opens. CMS will accept applications between September 4 and November 30, 2023. Those… (Testa, August 14, 2023) #Delivery Reform, #Demonstration Programs, #Health Equity, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Primary Care, #Quality, #Risk Adjustment, #Social Determinants of Health

A July publication from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation entitled Medicaid Managed Care Strategies to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities in Mental Healthcare for Adults outlines strategies for states to utilize their Medicaid managed care (MMC) programs in pursuit of health equity goals. The brief focuses on mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia, while excluding substance-use disorders…. (Marceno, August 11, 2023) #Health Equity, #Mental and Behavioral Health

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced $88 million to programs aimed at further improving behavioral health. These initiatives seek to address a wide range of needs, including the development and support of school-based mental health programs, as well as expanding access to substance use disorder treatments…. (Marceno, August 11, 2023) #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Opioids, #Prevention