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01.07.22
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Past issues are available in the Media Library.
House Files Medicaid Expansion Funding, COVID-19 Relief Spending Bill
CMS Issues Proposed Rule About Part D And Medicare Advantage Products
U.S. Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments On Vaccine Mandates
HHS Updates COVID-19 Hospital Reporting Guidance
DHSS Resets LTCF Dashboard
CDC Releases Rural COVID-19 Vaccination RCA
HHS Offers Funding To Improve Minority Health And Eliminate Health Disparities
Staff Contact: Brian Kinkade
A bill to fund the current year costs of Medicaid expansion has been filed in the House. The bill also includes funding for COVID-19 relief for local school districts, as well as a 5.5% pay increase for state workers. The House Budget Committee scheduled a hearing on Monday, Jan. 10, to discuss the bill.
Staff Contact: Andrew Wheeler
CMS released a proposed rule that is intended to “lower out-of-pocket Medicare Part D prescription drug costs and improve consumer protections, reduce disparities and improve health equity in Medicare Advantage and Part D.” The proposed rule also includes changes to market MA and Part D plans, a proposal to require MA plans to comply with special requirements if there is a declaration of disaster or emergency, and require sufficient network adequacy for new or expanded MA plans. The proposed rule includes requests for information about prior authorization for hospital transfers to post-acute care settings during a public health emergency and building behavioral health specialties within MA networks.
Comments and responses to the RFI are due Monday, March 7. MHA published an issue brief and encourages hospitals to respond to the RFI.
Staff Contact: Jane Drummond
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments for and against the Biden administration’s various vaccine mandates. Predictably, the court’s conservative justices seemed skeptical of the executive’s power to impose sweeping rules. They questioned whether Congress should weigh in on matters of vast economic and political significance. Conversely, the liberal justices seemed inclined to uphold the rule. Justice Sotomayor asked whether the tie to federal health care funding gave CMS greater latitude than OSHA to impose the mandate. Justice Alito suggested the court consider staying OSHA’s Monday, Jan. 10, enforcement deadline until it has the opportunity to rule. A decision is expected quickly.
Staff Contact: Carissa VanHunnik
HHS updated its COVID-19 Hospital Reporting Guidance document yesterday, which includes the addition of several new questions. Reporting on therapeutic D (sotrovimab) will become required on Wednesday, Jan. 19, with other requirements taking effect Wednesday, Feb. 2. The guidance also provides details on data measures that will be considered inactive for federal collection purposes. HHS is hosting several identical webinar sessions in the coming weeks to discuss guidance updates.
Staff Contact: Sarah Willson
DHSS reset and resent information to LTCFs regarding its long-term bed availability dashboard. The department is asking facilities to complete a brief survey, which will be followed by a confirmation email to update bed numbers each day. The information entered will populate an accompanying dashboard to assist hospitals in finding placement for patients who would best be served in a long-term care setting.
Staff Contact: Dana Dahl
The CDC recently released a “Rural Considerations” addendum to its field guide for conducting a Rapid Community Assessment, which involves reviewing existing data and conducting community-based outreach. The RCA web page also provides an assessment guide and tools for conducting RCAs in tribal communities and among adolescent populations.
Staff Contact: Stephen Njenga
HHS is offering funding for small business concerns to develop a product, process or service to improve minority health and/or reduce and ultimately eliminate health disparities. The proposal should address factors listed in the NIMHD Research Framework. Applications are due by Monday, April 4.
ATTEND:
READ: CMS issued updates to MLN Connects Provider eNews.