The House Committee on Education & Workforce Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) convened a hearing to discuss potential ways to improve upon the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and strengthen employer-sponsored health coverage. The hearing featured policy experts and advocates representing large employers, small business owners, and consumers: Ms. Ilyse Schuman, Senior Vice President, Health and Paid… (Llamas, September 10, 2024) #Insurance Reform

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking nominations for a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) to refine the Quality Measure Index (QMI). The QMI supports the assessment and selection of quality measures by displaying strengths and limitations to facilitate CMS’ selection of the best measures to implement in quality programs.  Details about the TEP follow. Title: Assessment of Quality… (Testa, September 10, 2024) #Health Equity, #Quality

The House Education & Workforce Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions convened a hearing to discuss ways to build upon and strengthen the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and address stakeholder feedback received through a recent request for information (RFI) on employer-sponsored coverage. Members expressed bipartisan support for reforming ERISA, with a focus on increasing transparency,… (Eisen, April 16, 2024) #Insurance Reform

Today, the Departments of the Treasury, Labor (DOL), and Health and Human Services (HHS) (collectively, the Departments) released final rules intended to strengthen parity requirements for mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) benefits provided by group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health coverage (press release, fact sheet). The final rules amend regulations implementing the… (Marceno, September 10, 2024) #Coverage Decisions, #Health Equity, #Mental and Behavioral Health

The Medicare Payment Advisory Committee (MedPAC) convened a session to discuss the measurement of the quality of care provided to Medicare beneficiaries by rural providers. MedPAC staff introduced core principles for quality measurement, which focus on a patient-centered approach designed to improve outcomes through enhanced provider coordination and system-wide changes. The discussion covered Medicare’s quality reporting programs, specifically Pay-for-Reporting and… (Eisen, September 5, 2024) #Medicare Advantage, #Quality, #Rural Health

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) convened a session to discuss a draft of the Commission’s context chapter on Medicare payment policy and financing. Principal Policy Analyst Rachel Burton detailed that the chapter serves as the backdrop for MedPAC discussions and recommendations over the coming year and features information on Medicare spending trends, factors influencing future spending, the financial status… (Testa, September 6, 2024) #Budget, #Cost-Sharing, #Graduate Medical Education (GME), #Health Equity, #Medicare Advantage, #Medicare Part D, #Medigap, #Quality, #Workforce

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) released reports on household food security in 2023 and on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) household characteristics in fiscal year (FY) 2022. Highlights are included below. Household Food Security in the U.S. in 2023 In 2023, USDA found that 86.5 percent of households were food secure. Food insecurity rose to 13.5 percent from 12.8 percent in… (McClurg, September 5, 2024) #Nutrition

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking nominations to the Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines (ACCV). ACCV comprises nine voting members with expertise in childhood vaccines, including three health professionals, three general public representatives, and three attorneys. The ACCV meets four times a year and members serve up to three years and receive a stipend and travel reimbursement…. (Eisen, September 3, 2024) #Public Health

Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced a package of five artificial intelligence (AI)-focused bills for the Senate to consider when it reconvenes in September. The legislation targets the use of AI in financial services, health care, and defense, and aims to boost national AI literacy. Sen. Rounds, a key figure in Senate AI regulation efforts, was selected by Senate Majority Leader… (Colocho, August 29, 2024) #Health Information Technology, #Hospitals, #National Institutes of Health, #Prevention, #Transparency

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a final rule that will establish a new Federal minimum age of sale for tobacco products. This change is required by the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Appropriations Act), and includes increasing the minimum age of sale for cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and covered tobacco products from 18 to 21 years of age; increasing… (Lewis, August 29, 2024) #Tobacco