President Biden announced a series of actions to promote educational opportunity and diversity in colleges and universities following the Supreme Court’s rejection of affirmative action last week. The Administration considers this recent Supreme Court decision, which ruled that colleges cannot explicitly consider applicant’s race in admissions, could undermine efforts to advance racial equity and expand educational opportunities. The Biden-Harris Administration… (Colocho, July 3, 2023) #Health Equity, #Public Health

Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that describes the agency’s proposed actions to remedy the payment for 340B drugs for calendar years (CYs) 2018 through 2022 (press release).  What is it. In June 2022, the Supreme Court ruled that CMS’s differential payment of the average sales price (ASP) minus 22.5 percent for 340B drug was unlawful because… (Slifer, July 7, 2023) #340B

The Department of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury (Departments) released a proposed rule to ensure short-term, limited duration insurance (STLDI) and fixed indemnity benefits coverage do not undermine consumer protections and requirements under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) (fact sheet). It is part of a new series of actions announced by the Biden Administration to “lower health care… (Llamas, July 7, 2023) #Insurance Coverage

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Department of Treasury issued a request for information (RFI) on high-cost specialty financial products used to pay for health care (press release). The agencies are collaborating for the first time to explore whether health care provider and third-party efforts to promote products such as… (Colocho, July 7, 2023) #Costs, #Public Health, #Transparency

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) released a report on the projected impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on Medicare Part D out-of-pocket (OOP) spending.  This is part of a series of actions from the Biden Administration to lower health care costs and protect consumers. Pursuant to the IRA, the redesigned Part D… (Slifer, July 7, 2023) #Drug Pricing

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee unveiled and are seeking feedback on a bipartisan discussion draft of the 2023 Reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (press release). Public comments are due July 10.   Policy Outlook. Chair Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-LA) plan to mark up their bipartisan bill in July…. (Llamas, McClurg, Lewis, July 3, 2023) #Public Health

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the cycle year (CY) 2024 home health prospective payment and rate update proposed rule (fact sheet). What it is. The proposed rule outlines payments policies applying to home health agencies (HHAs) beginning January 1, 2024. Why it is important for you. The proposed rule covers various aspects, including providing information on… (Colocho, June 30, 2023) #Durable Medical Equipment, #Health Equity, #Home Health, #Hospice

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance explaining how the agency will apply the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) reduction to states that fail to meet reporting requirements as a part of the Medicaid continuous enrollment unwinding. CMS will review state-reported data on activities during the months that fall between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024… (Llamas, June 30, 2023) #Insurance Coverage

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) issued a request for information (RFI) inviting input on the Draft HHS 2023 Framework to Support and Accelerate Smoking Cessation. HHS aims to gather feedback regarding the Framework, which aims to enhance existing programs and promote smoking cessation, particularly among populations disproportionately affected by… (Colocho, June 29, 2023) #Care Coordination, #Health Equity, #Prevention, #Public Health, #Tobacco

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the “Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report: Implementation Strategies for Older Adults,” focusing on evidence-based strategies to increase physical activity among adults aged 65 years and older. The report highlights the importance of physical activity for older adults and provides detailed recommendations for achieving the recommended levels of physical activity…. (Colocho, June 29, 2023) #Chronic Diseases, #Health Equity, #Home Health, #Nutrition, #Prevention, #Public Health, #Wellness