K&L Gates Triage: An Insider’s Perspective on the Health Care Debate in Washington, DC
Last week, the Biden-Harris administration (the Administration) announced a new rule simplifying the process for enrolling in Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Basic Health Program (BHP)....more
On March 28, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced that it is extending the temporary special enrollment period (the Unwinding SEP)...more
The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed a dramatic rise in the use of telehealth nationwide to deliver health care services to Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees. In response to the health crisis, both...more
We are pleased to present our annual End of Year Plan Sponsor “To Do” Lists. This year, we present our “To Do” Lists in four separate Employee Benefits Updates. This Part 1 covers year-end health and welfare plan issues....more
Introduction - The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed a dramatic rise in the use of telehealth nationwide to deliver services to individuals enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The federal...more
Congress was in session for a final week of legislative business before the two-week Independence Day recess. The House brought a small-business-focused healthcare bill to the floor, approving it along party lines....more
On May 10, 2023, HHS announced that many telehealth and teleprescribing flexibilities will remain in place after the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023. Congress extended many telehealth...more
The House held a district work week while the Senate was in session, with plenty of healthcare action at the committee level. The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on barriers to mental health care. The Senate Health,...more
On January 31, 2020, pursuant to Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) determined that a public health emergency (PHE) exists due to the soaring...more
Congress was in session, and it was a busy healthcare week at the committee level, with six hearings focused specifically on health issues. On the House floor, Republicans passed the Limit, Save, Grow Act—a bill that raises...more
With the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) set to end on May 11, 2023, the Department of Labor, Department of the Treasury, and Department of Health and Human Services (the “departments”) have published FAQs explaining...more
The White House recently announced that the COVID-19 national emergency and public health emergency (PHE) declarations will end on May 11, 2023. These declarations have been in place since the beginning of the COVID-19...more
In January 2020, Alex M. Azar, II, then secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), signed a nationwide declaration of a Public Health Emergency (PHE) that would largely shape the response of public...more
Congress ended a busy work period after passing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) last week. This Holland & Knight alert summarizes the healthcare provisions in the IRA and provides an outlook on health policy issues that may...more
Below is Alston & Bird's Health Care Week in Review, which provides a synopsis of the latest news in health care regulations, notices, and guidance; federal legislation and congressional committee action; reports, studies,...more
On April 28, 2022, in a joint letter written by the HHS Secretary, Xavier Becerra, and CMS Administrator, Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, to the Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HHS requested an opinion...more
On March 22, 2022, HHS announced that it had distributed more than $413 million in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments to more than 3,600 health care providers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. HHS directed its disbursement...more
Below is Alston & Bird’s Health Care Week in Review, which provides a synopsis of the latest news in healthcare regulations, notices, and guidance; federal legislation and congressional committee action; reports, studies, and...more
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the United States, states, payers, and providers are looking for ways to expand access to telehealth servic es. Telehealth is an essential tool in ensuring patients are able to access...more
Last week, HHS released seven new and modified Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding payments distributed to providers via the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund. The FAQs cover a wide range of topics, including appealing...more
Last week, HHS launched the application for both Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural payments. As described in the September 13, 2021 Health Headlines, HHS made $25.5 billion in new funding...more
On September 10, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) offered updates regarding its Provider Relief Fund program, including $25.5 billion in new funding that will soon be made available to health care...more
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced that it will make $25.5 billion available in new COVID-19 relief funds to providers through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). To...more
On Friday, September 10, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced several developments related to the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). 60-Day Grace Period - First, HHS announced a 60-day grace...more