On July 12, CMS released a companion guide to the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services final rule (the “Access Final Rule”). This technical guidance—which focuses on the provisions regarding fee-for-service (FFS) payment...more
Since becoming aware of the cyberattack on Change Healthcare in late February, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a number of flexibilities to support affected providers that have experienced...more
In 2020, Medicaid spent $220.8 billion on hospital care. Hospital care accounted for 33% of Medicaid spending.
Supplemental payments are critical for closing the gap between hospital costs and Medicaid reimbursement,...more
There is a critical need to increase access to evidence-based care for justice-involved pregnant people with a substance use disorder (SUD)—and connect them to continued coverage and care upon release—according to national...more
9/11/2023
/ American Medical Association ,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Drug & Alcohol Abuse ,
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ,
Health Insurance ,
Healthcare ,
Medicaid ,
New Guidance ,
Opioid ,
Patient Access ,
Pregnancy ,
Prisoners ,
Substance Abuse
Since 2010, a reported 140 rural hospitals have closed their doors, including a record 19 hospitals in 2020 alone as a result of the financial pressures of COVID-19 compounded by many other long-standing challenges facing...more
Editor’s Note: In the article below, Manatt Health discusses the key policies in the “Mental Health Parity Improvements Act,” the latest draft legislation from the Senate Finance Committee’s bipartisan mental health...more
On August 1, CMS released a State Medicaid Director letter (SMD) laying out a new option for states to cover “health home” services for Medicaid-eligible children and youth with medically complex conditions. This benefit was...more
After weeks of negotiations and months of temporary stopgap funding bills since the federal fiscal year started in October 2021, on Tuesday, the President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, an omnibus funding...more
3/17/2022
/ Biden Administration ,
Controlled Substances ,
Federal Funding ,
Health Insurance ,
Healthcare ,
Healthcare Reform ,
Medicaid ,
Medicare ,
New Legislation ,
Section 340B ,
Telehealth
As the Biden administration begins its second year in office, the administration remains focused on its core health policy agenda—advancing coverage, access and equity....more
2/4/2022
/ Biden Administration ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Drug Pricing ,
Health Insurance ,
Healthcare ,
Healthcare Reform ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Medicaid ,
Medicare ,
Public Health Insurance Marketplace ,
Surprise Medical Bills ,
Telehealth
The Big Picture -
On November 19, the House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act (BBB) (H.R. 5376) by a vote of 220–213. The BBB contains a number of health and social policy priorities that are widely viewed...more
12/8/2021
/ American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ,
Biden Administration ,
Critical Infrastructure Sectors ,
Federal Budget ,
Federal Funding ,
Health Insurance ,
Healthcare ,
Healthcare Reform ,
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) ,
Low-Income Issues ,
Medicaid ,
Medicare ,
Pending Legislation ,
Popular ,
Prescription Drugs ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Tax Credits
Last month, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (the Innovation Center, or CMMI) released its long-anticipated white paper, “Innovation Strategy Center Refresh,” outlining the Innovation Center’s strategic outlook...more
The Big Picture -
Before leaving for its August recess, the Senate made progress on two major Biden Administration priorities by passing bipartisan infrastructure legislation and a fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget resolution....more
8/17/2021
/ Affordable Care Act ,
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ,
Biden Administration ,
Congressional Budget Resolution ,
Critical Infrastructure Sectors ,
Health Care Providers ,
Healthcare Reform ,
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Medicaid ,
Medicare ,
Medicare Part B ,
Medicare Part D ,
Patient Access ,
Prescription Drugs ,
Regulatory Agenda