Federal Health Policy Update for May 7
The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for May 1-7. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Congress Congress hopes to pass a reconciliation package to fund Immigration and Customs [...]
States Continue to Prep for Medicaid Eligibility Changes
With last year’s budget reconciliation bill – also known as H.R. 1 and the “Big Beautiful Bill Act” – requiring most Medicaid beneficiaries to have jobs or participate in community engagement activities beginning next year, the states continue to develop [...]
HHS to Attack Overprescribing of Psychiatric Drugs
The Department of Health and Human Services is launching a campaign to reduce the frequency with which providers prescribe drugs for patients with behavioral health challenges. The new campaign, announced earlier this week, will seek to analyze prescribing patterns for [...]
ASH Urges CMS to Support Public-Private Partnerships to Aid Medicaid Eligibility Redeterminations
In a letter to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Deputy Administrator Daniel Brillman, the Alliance of Safety-Net Hospitals encouraged CMS to “…enable states to enter into public/private partnerships to leverage private funds to support their efforts to comply with [...]
Federal Health Policy Update for April 30
The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for April 24-30. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Congress Yesterday, House Republicans adopted the Senate’s budget resolution, clearing the way for [...]
Some States Seek to Expand Medicaid Work Requirements
While last year’s H.R. 1, often referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Act Bill,” introduced a requirement that Medicaid applicants document that they have worked, attended school, or participated in some form of community engagement for one month as [...]
Feds End Support for Fentanyl Test Strips
The federal government will no longer help states pay for fentanyl test strips. This was among several messages included in a “Dear Colleague” letter sent late last week by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to [...]
Medicare Innovations Foster Focus on Behavioral Health
A number of recent changes in the Medicare program appear designed to make it easier for beneficiaries to pursue behavioral health assistance. Among them: A greater focus on the integration of physical and behavioral health. A greater willingness to pay [...]
Federal Health Policy Update for April 23
The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for April 17-23. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. The White House President Trump has issued an executive order calling for accelerated [...]
Some States Step in to Help Offset Health Exchange Changes
Enhancing existing state subsidies to help pay health insurance premiums. Replacing lost premium tax credits. Reducing monthly premiums. Extending subsidies to some middle-income individuals and families. Mitigating the loss of eligibility for lawfully present immigrants. These are among the steps [...]
