MACPAC

Federal Health Policy Update for November 5

Don’t Miss: CMS releases final 2027 Medicare outpatient rule CMS releases final 2027 Medicare physician fee schedule rule New guidance for batching IDR claims The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for October 30-November 5. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. 2026 Midterm Elections Democrats regained control of the House and Senate in the 2026 midterm elections. As of 3:30 p.m. eastern time today, the House is 251-155 and the Senate 54-44, both in favor of Democrats, with the outcome of 29 House races and two Senate [...]

joe2026-11-05T17:13:24-05:00November 5, 2026|340b, Accountable Care Organization, ACO, Alternative payment models, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Congress, hospitals, MACPAC, Medicaid, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, Medicaid regulations, Medicare, Medicare post-acute care, Medicare regulations, Medicare reimbursement policy|

MACPAC Meets

Members of the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission met last week in Washington, D.C. The following is MACPAC's own summary of the two days of meetings. MACPAC’s October 2026 meeting began with a staff presentation on findings from a literature review on factors that drive hospital costs. MACPAC discussed the Medicaid payment methodologies used for inpatient and outpatient hospital services and clarified the distinction between hospital cost, defined as the resources that hospitals expend to provide care, and Medicaid hospital spending, defined as the payments Medicaid makes for those services. Next, staff provided background on the Medicaid [...]

joe2026-11-05T09:04:06-05:00November 5, 2026|hospitals, MACPAC, Medicaid, Medicaid regulations for long-term care|

Federal Health Policy Update for October 1

Don’t Miss: CMS partners with 37 states to launch Medicaid quality initiative CMS fleshes out GLOBE Model Medicare Part D Claims Data 340B Repository goes live The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for September 25 - October 1. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. The White House A statement issued by the White House titled “President Trump Takes Historic Action to Eliminate Wasteful and Harmful Spending” includes a series of cuts, or rescissions, of health-related federal expenditures, including $567 million for taxpayer-funded HHS services for non-citizens; $28 million [...]

joe2026-10-07T11:45:36-04:00October 1, 2026|340b, Alternative payment models, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMMI, MACPAC, Medicaid, Medicaid and homelessness, Medicaid regulations, Medicare, Medicare reimbursement policy|

MACPAC Meets

Members of the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission met last week in Washington, D.C. The following is MACPAC’s own summary of the meeting: MACPAC’s September 2026 meeting began with a discussion around community engagement (CE) requirements in Medicaid. The 2025 Budget Reconciliation Act established CE requirements and delegates to the Secretary the authority to set certain standards and procedures that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressed in the interim final rule with comment (IFC), issued on June 1, 2026. Staff summarized key IFC provisions, including individuals subject to CE, exceptions and exclusions from CE, state [...]

joe2026-09-30T11:58:20-04:00October 1, 2026|Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, hospitals, MACPAC, Medicaid, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, Medicaid long-term services and supports, Medicaid regulations|

Federal Health Policy Update for September 24

Don’t Miss: CMS plans major cuts in Medicare clinical lab payments Administration reconsiders shifting NIH grant decisions to White House All states enroll in CMS model to reduce prices of selected Medicaid-covered drugs The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for September 18-24. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. The White House The White House has issued the executive order “Enhancing Program Integrity and Interagency Coordination in the Administration of the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Program.” The order increases federal oversight of the H-1B visa program because “The abuse of [...]

joe2026-09-24T15:28:11-04:00September 24, 2026|Affordable Care Act, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, hospitals, MACPAC, Medicaid, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, Medicaid and homelessness, Medicaid regulations, Medicare, Medicare reimbursement policy|

Federal Health Policy Update for August 6

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for July 31 to August 6. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents.CongressThe Senate is expected to vote on its version of a continuing resolution (CR) before leaving for recess; it would extend federal government funding through December 11. Notably, the legislation includes language that would prevent the Office of Management and Budget from moving forward with its proposed change in how federal grants are awarded and overseen.Because appropriations bills have not cleared both chambers of Congress, the federal government faces a September [...]

joe2026-08-17T15:33:55-04:00August 6, 2026|340b, Accountable Care Organization, ACO, Alternative payment models, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, hospitals, MACPAC, Medicaid, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, Medicare, Medicare disproportionate share, Medicare DSH, Medicare post-acute care, Medicare regulations, Medicare reimbursement policy|

Federal Health Policy Update for July 30

Don’t Miss: Two new final Medicare payment rules CMS seeks data on 340B prescriptions Agency seeks potentially confidential ER data The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for July 24-30. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Congress Senate Republicans remain focused on advancing a short-term continuing resolution (CR) before the August recess; it is expected to differ from the CR the House passed last week. The Senate appears unlikely to consider a budget resolution for a third party-line reconciliation bill before September. The Senate Budget Committee announced a hearing [...]

joe2026-07-30T15:52:57-04:00July 30, 2026|340b, Affordable Care Act, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, hospitals, MACPAC, Medicaid, Medicaid disproportionate share, Medicaid DSH, Medicaid regulations, Medicare, Medicare regulations, Medicare reimbursement policy|

Federal Health Policy Update for July 23

Don’t Miss: Congress advances health care bills CMS proposes provider tax rule Courts act on ACA changes, 340B The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for July 17-23. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Congress The House Energy and Commerce Committee held a markup for 29 bills, advancing the following health care transparency measures with bipartisan support: H.R. 9390, Prices on the Wall Act of 2026 H.R. 9393, Lower Costs, More Transparency Act of 2026, part of a package that also includes: H.R. 3514, Improving Seniors’ Timely Access [...]

joe2026-07-23T16:29:15-04:00July 23, 2026|340b, Affordable Care Act, MACPAC, Medicaid managed care, Medicaid regulations, Medicare regulations, Medicare reimbursement policy, MedPAC|

Federal Health Policy Update for July 16

Don’t Miss: CMS proposed 2027 physician payment regulation House Ways and Means passes health care bills DHS publishes new, final public charge rule HHS pursues delivery models for potential psychedelic drugs for behavioral health treatment The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for July 10-16. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. CMS – Proposed 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule CMS has published its proposed physician fee schedule rule for 2027. Highlights include: A proposed reduction in Medicare physician rates. A reduction of payments for evaluation and management (E/M) [...]

joe2026-07-16T16:13:25-04:00July 16, 2026|340b, Accountable Care Organization, ACO, Alternative payment models, Congress, hospitals, MACPAC, Medicaid, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, Medicaid regulations, Medicare, Medicare post-acute care, Medicare regulations, Medicare reimbursement policy|

Federal Health Policy Update for July 9

Don’t Miss: CMS ends fast track process for Medicaid 1115 waiver renewals HHS publishes 2026 regulatory agenda HHS asks hospitals to sign healthy foods pledge The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for July 3-9. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Congress Congress will return to session on July 13. Committees with jurisdiction over health care will continue focusing on legislation that could ultimately be incorporated into a reconciliation package, FY 2027 appropriations legislation, or other end-of-year legislation. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) In the wake of [...]

joe2026-07-09T14:47:22-04:00July 9, 2026|Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Congress, hospitals, MACPAC, Medicaid, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, Medicare, Medicare reimbursement policy|