The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released an updated estimate that indicates the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to explore innovative health care payment models, is expected to increase federal spending by $1.3 billion from 2021 to 2030. This follows a significant increase in spending by CMMI during its first decade, where… (Colocho, September 29, 2023) #Budget, #Costs, #Delivery Reform, #Program Integrity, #Public Health

Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released multiple pieces of information for states and stakeholders. The release, described in full below, includes a letter reinforcing the continuous eligibility requirement for individuals 19 and under; additional state data related to Medicaid and CHIP eligibility renewals, and questions for public comment on Medicaid and CHIP implementation of the Mental… (Marceno, September 29, 2023) #Coverage Decisions, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Public Health

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a proposed rule to amend it regulations to make explicit that in vitro diagnostic products (IVDs) are devices under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act, including when the manufacturer of the IVD is a laboratory (press release). What is it. Historically, the FDA has exercised enforcement discretion over laboratory developed tests (LDT),… (Slifer, September 29, 2023) #Food and Drug Administration, #Medical Devices

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced $42.6 million in Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success (SPF-PFS) grants for 17 states and 60 communities across the country. SPF-PFS grants were established to prevent substance use initiation and reduce the development of substance use problems. Funding supports prevention efforts by supporting the advancement of and delivery of… (Marceno, September 28, 2023) #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Opioids, #Prevention

As part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Maternal Health Day of Action, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a series of initiatives and funding totaling more than $103 million aimed at addressing the maternal health crisis in the United States. These actions and initiatives are part of a broader effort to address the maternal health crisis in the… (Colocho, September 27, 2023) #Health Equity, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Pediatrics, #Prevention, #Public Health, #Rural Health, #Social Determinants of Health, #Women’s Health, #Workforce

Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-OA) announced a request for stakeholder input to inform reforms to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in areas such as data modernization, state and local coordination, and leadership. Comments are due October 20. Political Landscape. Ranking Member Cassidy begins the request for information by… (Llamas, September 26, 2023) #Public Health