TEP Nominations to Develop and Evaluate Physician Cost Measures and Patient Relationship Codes, Due November 18th
TEP Nominations to Develop and Evaluate Physician Cost Measures and Patient Relationship Codes, Due November 18th
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking nominations for a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) to support the development and evaluation of Physician Cost Measures and Patient Relationship Codes (PCMP). This initiative aims to enhance the effectiveness and relevance of cost measures used in healthcare, ultimately improving patient care and resource utilization. Details about the TEP follow. Title: Physician… (Eisen, October 28, 2024) #Costs, #Physicians
Administration Issues National Security Memorandum on Artificial Intelligence and Companion Framework for AI Governance and Risk Management
Administration Issues National Security Memorandum on Artificial Intelligence and Companion Framework for AI Governance and Risk Management
The Biden-Harris Administration issued a National Security Memorandum (NSM) on Artificial Intelligence (AI), directing federal agencies to adopt AI responsibly in national security and intelligence work, while building guardrails to mitigate misuse risks (fact sheet). The NSM, the first of its kind, represents a pivotal step toward establishing a coordinated approach to AI’s integration into national defense, advancing U.S. leadership,… (Colocho, October 28, 2024) #Health Information Technology, #Privacy, #Transparency
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $110 Million from ARPA-H’s Sprint for Women’s Health
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $110 Million from ARPA-H’s Sprint for Women’s Health
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a substantial investment of $110 million in women’s health research, addressing historical gaps in the field. Since the launch of the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research in November 2023, the focus has been on conditions that disproportionately impact women, including menopause-related issues, endometriosis, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular conditions. It is part of a… (Eisen, October 25, 2024) #Health Equity, #Women’s Health
Biden-Harris Administration Launches Window-Shopping for Marketplace Open Enrollment
Biden-Harris Administration Launches Window-Shopping for Marketplace Open Enrollment
The Biden-Harris Administration has introduced a “window-shopping” feature for the 2025 Open Enrollment Period, starting November 1, enabling consumers to preview health coverage options. Thanks to expanded tax credits from the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act, many consumers can access plans with $0 premiums or save over $800 annually. Notably, 97% of consumers will be able to… (Eisen, October 25, 2024) #Affordable Care Act, #Insurance Coverage
Department Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Limiting Data Transfers to Countries of Concern and Accompanying CISA Security Requirements; Comments Due Nov. 28
Department Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Limiting Data Transfers to Countries of Concern and Accompanying CISA Security Requirements; Comments Due Nov. 28
The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement Executive Order (EO) 14117, aimed at preventing access to sensitive U.S. personal and government-related data by foreign adversaries like Russia, China, and Iran (press release, fact sheet). The rule targets specific national security risks related to bulk data and defines prohibited and restricted transactions to limit… (Colocho, October 24, 2024) #Health Information Technology, #Privacy
Department Announces New Initiatives to Strengthen the Health Workforce: HHS and CSU Collaboration, ASPE Report, and Funding Opportunities
Department Announces New Initiatives to Strengthen the Health Workforce: HHS and CSU Collaboration, ASPE Report, and Funding Opportunities
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) took significant steps to strengthen the nation’s health workforce by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the California State University (CSU) system. This agreement establishes a national model for collaboration between universities and federal agencies to address critical health workforce needs. It focuses on encouraging students to pursue careers in federal… (Colocho, October 23, 2024) #Grants, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Mid-Level Practitioners, #Physicians, #Primary Care, #Public Health, #Telehealth, #Workforce
CBO Letter to House Budget Committee Chair Projects that the Thrifty Food Plan Increase Decreased Labor Force Participation
CBO Letter to House Budget Committee Chair Projects that the Thrifty Food Plan Increase Decreased Labor Force Participation
The Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Phillip Swagel sent a letter in response to a request from the House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-TX) about the impact of increasing the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) on the labor force. The TFP, which is used to determine the value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, was increased for the first time… (McClurg, October 22, 2024) #Nutrition
Report Finds Nearly $1 Billion in Out-of-Pocket Prescription Drug Savings Due to Inflation Reduction Act
Report Finds Nearly $1 Billion in Out-of-Pocket Prescription Drug Savings Due to Inflation Reduction Act
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) released a report on the 2024 out-out-pocket (OOP) spending limit (OOP cap) and its associated savings for Medicare beneficiaries (press release). Pursuant to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), in 2024, Medicare enrollees’ OOP spending was capped once they reached the catastrophic phase of… (Slifer, October 22, 2024) #Medicare Part D, #Prescription Drugs
FNS Invests $46 Million in Food Security Projects
FNS Invests $46 Million in Food Security Projects
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced an investment of $46 million in projects to support food and nutrition security in underserved communities and provide access to fruits and vegetables. The funding will be delivered mostly through Community Food Projects Competitive Grants (CFPCGP) and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP). The 20 funded CFPCGP projects aim to bring together… (McClurg, October 21, 2024) #Nutrition
Agency Releases Data on SNAP Participation Rates
Agency Releases Data on SNAP Participation Rates
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a report on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation in fiscal year (FY) 2022. USDA says that the data show that SNAP is effectively serving individuals with the greatest need, although participation rates vary across groups. Key findings include: 88 percent of all eligible individuals participated in SNAP in 2022, which was the highest participation rate since… (McClurg, October 18, 2024) #Nutrition