TEFCA

Federal Health Policy Update for December 12

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for December 6-12.  Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Congress Funding the Federal Government With funding for the federal government set to expire in eight days, Congress is still negotiating the details of the next continuing resolution.  Speaker Johnson has indicated that the next continuing resolution will extend until an unspecified date in March.  Last week, the House majority and House minority exchanged proposals for additional items to include in the next continuing resolution and both parties listed health care extenders – [...]

Federal Health Policy Update for August 5

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for July 19 – August 5.  Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. CMS – Medicare Payment Regulations Final FY 2025 Inpatient Prospective Payment System Regulation CMS has finalized its hospital inpatient prospective payment system rule for FY 2025.  In the next fiscal year CMS will increase Medicare inpatient payments 2.9% while cutting Medicare disproportionate share hospital payments (Medicare DSH) $200 million.  It also has: finalized its use of new core-based statistical area (CBSA) delineations for use in Medicare wage index calculations; established [...]

Federal Health Policy Update for February 15

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for February 9-15.  Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Department of Health and Human Services HHS has released a 2023 update of its Equity Action Plan.  The plan outlines five priority areas to advance equity:  prevent neglect and improve care to help children thrive in their families and communities; promote accessible and welcoming health care for all; improve maternal health outcomes for rural, racial, and ethnic minority communities; prioritize the behavioral health of underserved populations; and increase clinical research and trial diversity [...]

Federal Health Policy Update for December 14

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for December 8-14.  Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. MedPAC Rate Recommendations At their latest public meeting, members of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission voted preliminary approval of the following rate updates for 2025 Medicare payments: Inpatient and outpatient services –update provided for in current law plus 1.5% and adoption of a safety-net index policy to pay safety-net hospitals another $4 billion. Physicians and other health professionals –update of 50% of the Medicare economic index and a new add-on payment for services [...]

Federal Health Policy Update for Wednesday, January 19

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government as of 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday, January 19.  Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Public Health Emergency Declaration Renewed HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra has renewed his department’s declaration of a public health emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The renewal took effect on January 16 and extends the declaration for three months.  Find the declaration here. Free COVID-19 Tests and Masks Upon request, the federal government is now providing four free monthly home COVID-19 tests to every household.  Order those tests [...]

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