The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the results from its annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which details how U.S. residents experienced mental health and substance use disorders (SUD) in 2021 (press release). Context: The survey has been issued annually since 1971. The survey captures indicators across various areas such as substance use… (LaRosa, January 5, 2023) #Health Equity, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Opioids

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance on options for states to address health-related social needs (HRSN) through the use of “in lieu of services and settings” (ILOS) policies in Medicaid managed care (guidance; press release). Background. ILOSs are alternative benefit designs in managed care programs that are established through Section 1115 waivers. These services can be… (McClurg, January 5, 2023) #Social Determinants of Health

The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) released an issue brief comparing Medicaid nursing facility payments to costs. Medicaid nursing facility payments include a base payment and supplemental payments reduced by provider contributions to the non-federal share of payments. States make adjustments to base payments based on resident acuity or case-mix, bed size, geography, or other characteristics. Payments… (McClurg, January 4, 2023) #Long-Term Care, #Long-Term Care Hospitals

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a request for nominations to serve as members of the Task Force. The USPSTF is seeking nominees with expertise and national leadership in the following areas: • The critical evaluation of research published in peer-reviewed literature and in the methods of evidence review; • Clinical prevention, health promotion and primary health care;… (Slifer, January 4, 2023) #Prevention

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a request for nominations for the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC). EPA intends to fill ten new vacancies for terms through September 2024. Candidates should represent the following groups: Academia; Business and industry; Community-based organizations; Non-governmental organizations; State and local governments; and Tribal governments and indigenous organizations. EPA is specifically seeking nominees with… (McClurg, January 3, 2023) #Health Equity

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) early this morning released the $1.7 trillion fiscal year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The Senate is expected to vote on the measure in the next couple of days and send it to the House to be approved before the current Continuing Resolution runs out on December 23. The omnibus includes $772.5 billion for… (Lewis, December 20, 2022) #Budget, #Graduate Medical Education (GME), #Housing, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #National Institutes of Health, #Nutrition, #Physicians, #Telehealth, #Women’s Health

The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis held a final hearing on how to prevent and prepare for future public health emergencies and formally adopted its final report (WHG Summary of the report here). Democrats supported the report’s recommendations and called for continued support to advance vaccine technology and support America’s workforce. Republicans expressed concern that the report did not… (Colocho, December 16, 2022) #COVID-19, #Prevention, #Public Health, #Workforce

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the Basic Health Program (BHP) funding methodology for program year 2023. The methodology determines federal payment amounts to states that elect to operate a BHP, a coverage option for individuals under age 65 with household incomes between 133 percent and 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), who are not… (Llamas, Slifer, December 16, 2022) #Insurance Coverage

The Biden Administration announced its COVID-19 Winter Preparedness Plan, a list of government actions and resources to increase access to vaccinations, testing, and treatments as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations increase. The plan includes the following resources: Free-at home, rapid COVID-19 tests: Beginning today, U.S. households can order a total of four at-home COVID-19 tests from the U.S. Postal Service at… (Llamas, December 15, 2022) #COVID-19, #Public Health

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Contract Year (CY) 2024 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) program and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program (Part D) (press release). What it is. The proposed rule includes proposals intended to enhance beneficiary protections, advance health equity, and improve access to behavioral health and prescription drugs in… (Slifer, December 14, 2022) #Health Equity, #Medicare Advantage, #Medicare Part D, #Mental and Behavioral Health