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News by Topic: Policy

Jul 12, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Census Bureau seeking comments on the timeline for the adoption of the 2024 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) updated race and ethnicity data collection standards into the American Community Survey (ACS). Specifically, The Census Bureau is seeking feedback about the impact this update will have on data users, researchers, and community organizations if it is implemented in either the 2026 ACS or the 2027 ACS. The Census Bureau developed the ACS to collect and update demographic, social, economic, and housing data every year that are that are similar to the data collected once a decade as part of the decennial census and is the only source of such data for small areas and small subpopulations across the nation and in Puerto Rico. Comments are due by August 12, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 12, 2024 - Announcement of a public health emergency beginning July 5, 2024 from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) related to Hurricane Beryl in Texas. Offers information and resources for those impacted and responding to the hurricane including CMS waivers, healthcare enrollment, a disaster toolkit, dialysis care, and medical equipment and supplies replacement.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Jul 12, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of proposed rulemaking from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) proposing to amend the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations to establish and use eligibility criteria regardless of family income. Comments are due within 60 days of the publication of this notice, which is scheduled for July 16, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 12, 2024 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Advisory Council (NAC) will hold a virtual public meeting on August 29, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items include remarks from the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use; updates on SAMHSA priorities; follow-up on topics from the previous meeting. Presentations and discussions will focus on older adults; workforce; legislative updates; the Office of Management, Technology, and Operations (OMTO); budget; and credentialing work. Registration is required to attend the meeting. Individuals interested in making oral presentations must notify Carlos Castillo by 1:00 p.m. Eastern on August 22, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 12, 2024 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will hold a public meeting of the Tribal Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) on August 27, 2024, from 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. Eastern. SAMHSA TTAC provides a venue wherein Tribal leadership and SAMHSA staff can exchange information about public health issues, identify urgent mental health and substance abuse needs, and discuss collaborative approaches to addressing these behavioral health issues and needs. Meeting information will be posted on the SAMHSA Council's website. Pre-registration is required.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 11, 2024 - Describes the effect the federal mandate on nursing home staffing is likely to have on nursing homes in Oklahoma. The rule would require Oklahoma to hire more than 1,200 full-time employees, including 538 nurse aides and 715 RNs over the 5 years the rule is phased in, and is seen as a particular threat to rural nursing homes.
Source: KOSU
Jul 11, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' proposed calendar year 2025 physician fee schedule rule includes new payments and coverage for digital health and telehealth services. The draft rule contains significant provisions for Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers and gives opioid treatment programs more flexibility in their use of telehealth services.
Source: Fierce Healthcare
Jul 11, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the emergency reinstatement of a generic information collection umbrella titled "Generic Umbrella for Medicaid and CHIP State Plan, Waiver, and Program Submissions" and fifty individual generic information collections. Comments are due by July 16, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 11, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing: 1) changes to the Physician Fee Schedule and Medicare Part B payment policies; 2) policies for the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate program under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; 3) updates to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program expanded model; payment for dental services inextricably linked to specific covered medical services; 4) updates to drugs and biological products paid under Part B including immunosuppressive drugs and clotting factors; 5) Medicare Shared Savings Program requirements; 6) updates to the Quality Payment Program; 7) Medicare coverage of opioid use disorder services furnished by opioid treatment programs; 8) updates to policies for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs); 9) electronic prescribing for controlled substances for a covered Part D drug under a prescription drug plan or an MA-PD plan; 10) updates to the Ambulance Fee Schedule regulations; 11) updates to Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule regulations; 12) updates to the diabetes payment structure and COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) flexibilities; 13) expansion of colorectal cancer screening and Hepatitis B vaccine coverage and payment; 14) establishing payment for drugs covered as additional preventive services; and 15) Medicare Parts A and B Overpayment Provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Comments are due by September 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 11, 2024 - Notice from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announcing a public meeting of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention National Advisory Council (CSAP NAC) on August 27, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items will include an update from the CSAP NAC Substance Use Prevention Workforce Subcommittee and an overview and discussion on CSAP's primary prevention portfolio. Registration is required. Individuals interested in making oral presentations must notify Jennifer Fan by 1:00 p.m. Eastern on August 20, 2024.
Source: Federal Register