Health Care Checkup
September 9, 2022
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Late last week, the White House issued a $47 billion funding request, to be attached to the continuing resolution (CR) which would provide support for Ukraine, COVID-19, monkeypox, and natural disaster recovery efforts. Specifically, the Administration is requesting $11.7 billion in Ukraine security and economic assistance, $2 billion to address the impacts of Russia’s war on domestic energy supply, $22.4 billion to combat COVID-19, $4.5 billion to fight monkeypox, and $6.5 billion to help states recover from natural disasters. Earlier this year, the Administration requested additional COVID-19 funds from Congress, but such funding was never approved. Several Senate Republicans have indicated that they oppose the funding request, which may create hurdles for Democrats. A top Senate Republican, John Thune (SD), told reporters that the GOP does not think additional funding is necessary because there is “plenty of money still swirling around from previous COVID bills.” A summary of the funding request can be found here.
This week, Representatives Larry Bucshon (R-IN), Ami Bera (D-CA), Michael Burgess (R-TX), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Bradley Schneider (D-IL) wrote a letter, asking stakeholders for input on how to improve the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), without dramatically increasing Medicare spending. MACRA shifted payments to physicians from volume-based to quality-based. However, the bipartisan group wrote that “logistical challenges have plagued MACRA almost since its inception.” The members are looking for feedback on the effectiveness of MACRA; regulatory, statutory, and implementation barriers; ways to increase provider participation; and recommendations to improve MIPS and APM programs. The full letter can be found here.
Three House Democrats, Ann McLane Kuster (NH), Lori Trahan (MA), and Peter Welch (VT) sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), urging the agency to rethink a July proposed rule that would scrap Medicare coverage for audio-only telehealth visits after the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ends. The group urged CMS to consider how ending coverage for audio-only telehealth would “compromise the provider-patient relationship and disproportionately impact populations who face barriers to accessing care.”
New data released by HHS found a 45% increase in overall volume and a “substantial improvement” in answer rates and wait times in the first month of the transition to the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline), compared to August 2021. To build on the progress, HHS is announcing a $35 million grant for tribal communities, who often face barriers to accessing technology and crisis services. As a reminder, the U.S. officially transitioned to the 988 Lifeline on July 16 of this year.
On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a final rule, restoring the decades long definition of “public charge.” Up until the Trump Administration, almost all non-cash government benefits, including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) were excluded from consideration. However, the Trump Administration modified the regulation to include such government benefits. The Trump-era rule is no longer in effect, but the DHS final rule formally codifies the historical definition of public charge. The final rule will take effect on December 23, 2022. More information can be found here.
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What to Expect Next Week: Both the House and Senate will be in session and will hold health-related hearings. On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety will hold a hearing titled, “Flatlining Care: Why Immigrants Are Crucial to Bolstering Our Health Care Workforce.” On Thursday, the House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing on “Preparing America’s Health Care Infrastructure for the Climate Crisis.” Additionally, it is possible that Suzan DelBene’s (D-WA) Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act ( H.R. 8487) will be on the House floor. |
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White House Requests $47 Billion in Funding for Ukraine, COVID-19, Monkeypox, and Natural Disasters
Late last week, the White House issued a $47 billion funding request, to be attached to the continuing resolution (CR) which would provide support for Ukraine, COVID-19, monkeypox, and natural disaster recovery efforts. Shalanda Young, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), laid out the request in a blog post published last Friday. Young wrote that the Biden Administration is calling on Congress to pass a short-term CR to “keep the Federal government running and provide the time needed to reach an agreement on full-year funding bills” before the current fiscal year ends on September 30. Specifically, the Administration is requesting $11.7 billion in Ukraine security and economic assistance, $2 billion to address the impacts of Russia’s war on domestic energy supply, $22.4 billion to combat COVID-19, $4.5 billion to fight monkeypox, and $6.5 billion to help states recover from natural disasters. Earlier this year, the Administration requested additional COVID-19 funds from Congress, but such funding was never approved. Young wrote that the lack of additional COVID funding prevented the Administration from adequately replenishing its national stockpile of at-home tests, and diminished domestic testing capacity for a potential fall surge. Several Senate Republicans have indicated that they oppose the funding request, which may create hurdles for Democrats. A top Senate Republican, John Thune (SD), told reporters that the GOP does not think additional funding is necessary because there is “plenty of money still swirling around from previous COVID bills.” A summary of the funding request can be found here.
Group of Bipartisan House Representatives Seek Stakeholder Feedback on MACRA
This week, Representatives Larry Bucshon (R-IN), Ami Bera (D-CA), Michael Burgess (R-TX), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Bradley Schneider (D-IL) wrote a letter, asking stakeholders for input on how to improve the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), without dramatically increasing Medicare spending. MACRA shifted payments to physicians from volume-based to quality-based. However, the bipartisan group wrote that “logistical challenges have plagued MACRA almost since its inception.” The members are looking for feedback on the effectiveness of MACRA; regulatory, statutory, and implementation barriers; ways to increase provider participation; and recommendations to improve MIPS and APM programs. The full letter can be found here.
House Democrats Urge CMS to Extend Audio-only Telehealth Coverage Through Medicare
Three House Democrats, Ann McLane Kuster (NH), Lori Trahan (MA), and Peter Welch (VT) sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), urging the agency to rethink a July proposed rule that would scrap Medicare coverage for audio-only telehealth visits after the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ends. The members wrote that, “In many rural communities where internet is unreliable, audio-only telehealth services are an essential part of care delivery.” They argued that telehealth visits with video require internet access, which not all Medicare beneficiaries have. The group urged CMS to consider how ending coverage for audio-only telehealth would “compromise the provider-patient relationship and disproportionately impact populations who face barriers to accessing care.” The full letter can be found here.
CMS Seeks Public Input to Promote Equity Among its Medicare and Medicaid Programs
CMS is requesting information from the public on ways to promote efficiency and reduce community-level burden across its Medicaid and Medicare programs. CMS is aiming to better understand the social needs of underserved populations to address health inequities and learn more about the challenges facing the health workforce. CMS encourages all interested stakeholders to submit their comments by November 4, 2022. Comments can be submitted here.
CMS Expands Medicaid and CHIP Coverage to 12-Month Postpartum Period in Indiana and West Virginia
On Thursday, CMS announced that Indiana and West Virginia will extend Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for the 12-month postpartum period. CMS estimates that this expansion of coverage will reach an additional 15,000 families. 42% of all births in the nation are covered by Medicaid. Additional information can be found here.
HHS Issues Declaration to Expand Monkeypox Testing
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra signed a declaration under section 564 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner to authorize emergency use of in vitro diagnostics to expand the availability of tests for monkeypox. Becerra said that the action would “[allow] the FDA to facilitate the development of more validated monkeypox tests and expand access to testing.” Additionally, HHS awarded AmerisourceBergen with a $19.8 million contract to allow the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) to expand its distribution capacity of monkeypox vaccines and treatments. Additional information can be found here.
New Data Shows 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Transition Improves Answer Rates and Wait Times
New data released by HHS found a 45% increase in overall volume and a “substantial improvement” in answer rates and wait times in the first month of the transition to the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline), compared to August 2021. To build on the progress, HHS is announcing a $35 million grant for tribal communities, who often face barriers to accessing technology and crisis services. As a reminder, the U.S. officially transitioned to the 988 Lifeline on July 16 of this year.
DHS Finalizes Public Charge Rule
On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a final rule, restoring the decades long definition of “public charge.” As a background, noncitizens can be denied a green card if they are deemed likely to become a public charge, meaning that they are likely to become “primarily dependent on the government for subsistence.” Up until the Trump Administration, almost all non-cash government benefits, including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) were excluded from consideration. However, the Trump Administration modified the regulation to include such government benefits. The Trump-era rule is no longer in effect, but the DHS final rule formally codifies the historical definition of public charge. The final rule will take effect on December 23, 2022. More information can be found here.
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SENATE HEARINGS AND EXECUTIVE SESSIONS |
Senate Judiciary Committee - Hearing
Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety Subcommittee Hearing: "Flatlining Care: Why Immigrants Are Crucial to Bolstering Our Health Care Workforce."
Wednesday, September 14 at 10:00 AM ET
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HOUSE HEARINGS AND EXECUTIVE SESSIONS |
House Committee on Foreign Affairs - Hearing
Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations and Global Corporate Social I Hearing: The Sustainable Development Goals and Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for U.S. Policy
Thursday, September 15 at 10:00 AM ET
House Committee on Ways and Means – Hearing
Full Committee Hearing: “Preparing America’s Health Care Infrastructure for the Climate Crisis.”
Thursday, September 15 at 11:00 AM ET
House Committee on Veterans' Affairs - Hearing
House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Hearing: Examining women veterans' access to the full spectrum of medical care, including reproductive healthcare, through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Thursday, September 15 at 2:00 PM ET
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ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCEMENTS |
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Food and Drug Administration
Guidance Documents from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institutes of Health
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