The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced $65.7 million in grant awards for substance use prevention services, enhancing the behavioral health workforce and behavioral health care for children and those at risk of becoming unhoused. Funding includes $27.5 million for Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success (SPF-PFS) grants for states and communities across the country. SPF-PFS grants were… (Marceno, August 27, 2024) #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Opioids, #Prevention

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a final recommendation statement on screening and supplementation for iron deficiency during pregnancy. The Task Force determined that more research is needed to determine whether or not asymptomatic pregnant adolescents and adults should be screened for iron deficiency or take iron supplements. This recommendation is consistent with the 2015 recommendation statement on… (Colocho, August 22, 2024) #Coverage Decisions, #Health Equity, #Prevention, #Primary Care, #Women’s Health

The Biden-Harris Administration launched a new “Time Is Money” initiative, aimed at reducing everyday hassles that waste Americans’ time and money. This effort targets corporate practices that deliberately complicate processes like canceling subscriptions, getting refunds, and navigating customer service, which often result in unnecessary delays and costs for consumers. The administration is committed to addressing these issues by implementing new… (Colocho, August 22, 2024) #Costs, #Insurance Coverage, #Transparency

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) release a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) to apply for Cooperative Agreement funding to support states’ participation in the Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Access Model (fact sheet and FAQs). What is it. The CGT Access Model tests whether a CMS-led approach to developing and administering outcomes-based agreements (OBAs) for cell and… (Slifer, August 19, 2024) #Demonstration Programs, #Drug Pricing, #Prescription Drugs

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced the launch of the Native Collective Research Effort to Enhance Wellness (N CREW) Program with $268 million in funding to support Native American-led research to address overdose, substance use, and pain. NIH intends for the program to promote the development of prevention and therapeutic interventions consistent with the traditions and needs of Native American communities and… (McClurg, August 16, 2024) #Health Equity, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Opioids

the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the negotiated Maximum Fair Prices (MFPs) for 10 drugs covered under Medicare Part D, which will take effect on January 1, 2026 (press release, fact sheet, one-pager). These are the first 10 drugs that will see significant price reductions under the Inflation Reduction Act’s drug price negotiation program, with prices dropping… (Colocho, August 15, 2024) #Drug Pricing, #Medicare Part D

The Center for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Services (CMCS) at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a CMCS Information Bulletin (CIB) with requirements and best practices to ensure timely access to family planning services and supplies through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). What it is. The CIB provides states… (Llamas, August 14, 2024) #Women’s Health

The Department of Housing and Urband Development (HUD) released a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input on the Choice Neighborhood grant program. Comments are due October 11, 2024.   What is it. The Choice Neighborhoods program focuses on the redevelopment of severely distressed public housing and/or HUD-assisted housing as well as the revitalization of the surrounding neighborhood.  This includes two types… (Joyce, August 12, 2024) #Housing, #Public Health, #Social Determinants of Health

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aimed at exploring the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on patient safety. AHRQ invites grant applications that will investigate whether and how breakthrough AI applications can influence patient safety outcomes and how these technologies can be implemented safely in health care settings. The emphasis… (Colocho, August 12, 2024) #Grants, #Health Information Technology, #Hospitals, #Physicians, #Quality

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a final notice to finalize the process and procedures for the Transitional Coverage for Emerging Technologies (TCET) pathway and provides its responses to the public comments received (fact sheet). What is it. Last June, the Biden Administration released a notice with comment to establish the TCET pathway for Breakthrough Devices to accelerate access to… (Slifer, August 7, 2024) #Coverage Decisions, #Medical Devices