Agency Releases Information About Part B Prescription Drugs Subject to IRA Inflation Rebates
Agency Releases Information About Part B Prescription Drugs Subject to IRA Inflation Rebates
Today, the Biden administration announced (press release; fact sheet) it will begin enforcing a provision of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on April 1 that penalizes drug companies for raising prices on Medicare prescription drugs faster than inflation. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) estimate that Medicare beneficiaries who take the 27 Part B drugs and biologics subject… (Testa, March 15, 2023) #Cost-Sharing, #Drug Pricing
Nominees for Board of Scientific Counselors, Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases; Due April 14
Nominees for Board of Scientific Counselors, Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases; Due April 14
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking nominations for membership on the Board of Scientific Counselors, Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases (BSC, DDID) – a federal advisory committee that advises the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, CDC Director, and the Directors of CDC’s three infectious disease national centers concerning strategies, goals, and priorities for the programs… (Llamas, March 14, 2023) #Public Health
Mental Health Grants for People Experiencing Homelessness, Youth, and American Indian and Alaska Native Communities
Mental Health Grants for People Experiencing Homelessness, Youth, and American Indian and Alaska Native Communities
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) released a several mental health-related funding opportunities. The grants intend to provide mental healthcare for individuals experiencing homelessness, community collaborations for school-based trauma, and the promotion of the mental health of youth and families in American Indian/Alaska Native communities. Treatment for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness, Serious Emotional Disturbance, or Co-Occurring Disorders… (McClurg, March 14, 2023) #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Pediatrics, #Social Determinants of Health
Ahead of Budget Release, President Biden Releases Plan for Extending Medicare Solvency
Ahead of Budget Release, President Biden Releases Plan for Extending Medicare Solvency
Ahead of the President’s fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget release, President Biden provided details on the Administration’s plan to extend Medicare solvency by 25 or more years and lower costs for beneficiaries. The White House details that the budget will feature the following proposals to extend the solvency of Medicare’s Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund: Moderately increasing the Medicare tax… (Slifer, March 7, 2023) #Budget, #Drug Pricing, #Mental and Behavioral Health
Agency Announces New Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Agency Announces New Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of L’Tonya Davis as its first permanent Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO). The CDIO will lead USDA’s ongoing efforts to improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) and oversee the implementation of the USDA’s DEIA strategic plan. Davis will replace Leslie Weldon, who was named acting CDIO in March 2022…. (McClurg, March 6, 2023) #Health Equity, #Nutrition
Commissioners Examine Implementation Considerations for Providing Pre-Release Medicaid Services to Adults Leaving Incarceration
Commissioners Examine Implementation Considerations for Providing Pre-Release Medicaid Services to Adults Leaving Incarceration
The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) convened a session to examine implementation considerations for states preparing to provide pre-release Medicaid services to justice-involved adults. Senior Analysts Lesley Baseman and Melinda Becker Roach presented an overview of California’s recently approved Section 1115 demonstration to provide a set of pre-release services to certain individuals leaving incarceration (WHG Summary). Staff… (Colocho, March 3, 2023) #Demonstration Programs, #Health Equity
Commissioners Examine Countercyclical DSH Allotments; Commissioners Favor Recommending a Permanent ARPA-Like Policy
Commissioners Examine Countercyclical DSH Allotments; Commissioners Favor Recommending a Permanent ARPA-Like Policy
The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) convened a session to discuss potential recommendations for countercyclical disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotments. Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments offset hospital uncompensated care costs for Medicaid-enrolled and uninsured patients. During economic recessions, Medicaid enrollment and the number of people who are uninsured increase. The Commissioners previously agreed that a countercyclical… (Colocho, March 3, 2023) #Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH)
Commissioners Begin Work on Potential Policy Recommendations to Enhance Capacity of State Medicaid FFS Programs
Commissioners Begin Work on Potential Policy Recommendations to Enhance Capacity of State Medicaid FFS Programs
The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) is interested in developing recommendations for policies to help state Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) programs better serve beneficiaries. Today, a panel shared the perspectives of three states that use alternative approaches to contracting with full-risk managed care organizations. Notably, about 90 percent of Medicaid beneficiaries are enrolled in some form of managed… (Llamas, March 2, 2023) #Delivery Reform
Commission Discusses Focus Group Findings on the Experiences of Dual Eligibles in Integrated Care Models
Commission Discusses Focus Group Findings on the Experiences of Dual Eligibles in Integrated Care Models
The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) held a presentation on the results of a focus group study on the experiences of individuals who are fully dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid benefits and enrolled in integrated care models. MACPAC contracted with NORC at the University of Chicago to conduct focus groups and interview enrollees. For dually… (McClurg, March 2, 2023) #Dual Eligibles
National Advisory Council Explores How Research Can Contribute To Firearm Injury Prevention; Hears from CDC and NIH Regarding Current and Future Initiatives
National Advisory Council Explores How Research Can Contribute To Firearm Injury Prevention; Hears from CDC and NIH Regarding Current and Future Initiatives
Firearm injury prevention is a strategic imperative of the National Advisory Council for Nursing Research (NACNR). The Council held a meeting focused on the role nurse scientists and nursing research can play in firearm injury prevention. Presentations outlined the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s current firearm injury prevention research initiatives including the… (Colocho, February 22, 2023) #Prevention, #Public Health