Bulletin Board
Bulletin Board
Federal Health Policy Update for October 27
The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for the week of October 21 to October 27. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. 340B Responding to a federal court ruling that the federal government has shortchanged hospitals in its payments for 340B-covered prescription drugs, CMS has announced how it will compensate hospitals for its underpayments – at least for the 2023 fiscal year. According to CMS, it “…will apply the default rate (generally ASP plus 6%) to 340B-acquired drugs for [...]
Results of Annual Survey of State Medicaid Programs
The Kaiser Family Foundation has published the results of its annual survey of state Medicaid programs for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. Among the survey’s findings (in language taken directly from the Kaiser report): More than 3/4 of states that contract with MCOs [managed care organizations] enroll ≥75% of all beneficiaries in MCOs Some states reported newly implementing or expanding MCO programs States also report continued use of other service delivery and payment system reforms Two-thirds of states are using strategies to improve race, ethnicity, and language data About [...]
Hospitals to Continue to Face Staffing Challenges
While the number of health care employment openings is now declining and fewer health care workers are leaving their jobs, non-profit hospitals can expect to continue facing staffing challenges in the near future. At least that’s what Fitch Ratings says in a new report. “Despite some relief of late, U.S. not-for-profit hospitals are in for several challenging months with healthcare and social assistance job vacancies still high against a backdrop of low unemployment, according to Fitch Ratings in its labor dashboard for the sector,” the report said. Learn more from [...]
FEDERAL HEALTH POLICY UPDATE FOR OCTOBER 20
The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for the week of October 14 to October 20. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. White House President Biden has signed an executive order on lowering prescription drug costs. The order directs HHS to consider additional actions to further drive down prescription drug costs, encourages it to pursue such actions through its Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), and directs HHS to submit a formal report within 90 days outlining any [...]
COVID Pandemic: It’s Over? It’s Not?
An average of 400 daily COVID-related deaths. The potential loss of access to telehealth services. The need to redetermine Medicaid eligibility for people who benefited from the loosening of eligibility standards under the 2020 Family First Coronavirus Response Act. The upcoming commercialization of COVID vaccines. A promise to the nation’s governors of 60 days’ advance notice. These are among the reasons the federal government recently extended the declaration of the COVID-19 public health emergency for another 90 days. Becker’s Hospital Review takes a closer look at these and other reasons [...]