When is Congress in session? House 2024 Calendar Senate 2024 Calendar
What’s Ahead: This Week
Hearings and Markups –
- Tuesday, November 19
- House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, “National Institutes of Health (NIH).” Additional Information
- Wednesday, November 20
- House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, “Oversight Hearing: Assessing the Veterans Health Administration Fiscal Year 2025 Potential Shortfall.” Additional Information
- Tuesday, November 19
- Recognized Coordinating Entity (RCE), “2024 TEFCA RCE Monthly Informational Call.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Wednesday, November 20 to Thursday, November 21
- FDA, “2024 Digital Health Advisory Committee Meeting.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Wednesday, November 20
- CMS, “CMS Leadership National Call.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- CMS, “Person-Centered Listening Session: Improving Care Experience, Outcomes, & Equity in Rural Communities.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Center for Health Care Strategy, “Understanding Medicare to Advance Medicare-Medicaid Integration: State and Enrollee Perspectives.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- HHS Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP), “Health Equity by Design Task Force 2024.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- National Academies, “Optimizing Health with Age: What is Nutrition’s Role?” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Primary Care Collaborative (PCC), “Primary Care: The MVP of MSSP.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Thursday, November 21
- Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), “Advancing Health Equity through Technology: A Focus on Maternal Health and SDOH.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- MATTER, “Assessing Virtual Hypertension Solutions with PHTI.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
Weekly Wrap-Up: Notable Health Care Developments from Last Week
Medicare & Medicaid –
- On November 12, CMS and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) released a fact sheet on Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT). Fact Sheet Press Release
- On November 14, CMS announced that Florida requested to amend its Florida Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) section 1115(a) demonstration, which would implement operational changes resulting from the recent re-procurement of the Managed Medical Assistance and Dental plans. Comments are due December 14. Application Submit Comments
- Also on November 14, CMS released the Comprehensive Medicaid Integrity Plan (CMIP) for Fiscal Years 2024 – 2028, which aims to ensure the integrity of Medicaid and CHIP by combating fraud, waste, and abuse. CMIP
- Also on November 14, CMS released an informational bulletin and slide deck on the use of unwinding-related strategies to support improvements to state Medicaid eligibility and enrollment processes. Informational Bulletin Press Release
- Also on November 14, HHS issued a report evaluating certain Medicaid strategies to streamline ex parte renewals. Press Release Report
- Also on November 14, CMS approved section 1115 demonstration amendments in Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania to provide additional years of continuous eligibility for children beyond the 12-month statutory minimum, and provide continuous eligibility to individuals leaving incarceration in Colorado and Pennsylvania. Press Release
- On November 15, CMS released an informational bulletin with the 2025 Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Spousal Impoverishment, and Medicare Savings Program Resource Standards. Informational Bulletin Press Release
- Also On November 15, CMS approved an amendment to Georgia’s section 1115 demonstration, “Georgia Planning for Healthy Babies,” to continue the reimbursement of legally responsible individuals (LRIs) for providing personal care services to individuals under age 21 enrolled in the Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP). Approval Letter Press Release
Payment & Delivery System Models – On November 12, CMS published a report describing lessons learned from prior Innovation Center models focused on rural health and their application to current models. CMS intends to issue a Request for Application for the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration. Report 2024 Rural Health Hackathon
Public Health Prevention, Preparedness, Surveillance – On November 12, House Energy & Commerce Committee Chair Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Health Chair Guthrie (R-KY), and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Griffith (R-VA) sent a letter to GAO Comptroller General Dodaro, requesting an examination of the structure of laboratory safety programs at the CDC, FDA, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Letter Press Release
- On November 11, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposed to eliminate copayments for all VA telehealth services and establish a grant program to fund designated VA telehealth access points. Comments are due January 12, 2025. Announcement Proposed Rule
- On November 13, GAO issued a report on challenges HHS faces in carrying out its cybersecurity responsibilities. The report calls for implementing prior GAO recommendations to help HHS achieve its cybersecurity goals. Press Release Report
- On November 14, the CDC released a study on telemedicine use among adults with and without diagnosed prediabetes or diabetes. Research Brief
- On November 15, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released the third temporary extension of telemedicine flexibilities for the prescribing of controlled medications. The proposed rule will provide a one-year extension from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. Temporary Rule
- On November 12, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued a report on the behavioral health of adolescents across sexual identities. Press Release Report
- On November 13, the Biden Administration launched the National Behavioral Health Workforce Career Navigator, which aims to help behavioral health professionals identify state requirements for a range of behavioral health careers. Behavioral Health Workforce Career Navigator Press Release
- On November 14, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced a campaign to raise public awareness of the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. National Maternal Mental Health Hotline Press Release
- Also on November 14, SAMHSA issued Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) Watch, which presents drug street names that appeared in DAWN data for the first time from January 2023 to August 2024. DAWN Network Watch Press Release
SDOH & Health Equity – On November 13, Sens. Collins (R-ME) and Shaheen (D-NH) led 53 senators in a bipartisan letter to Senate leadership requesting reauthorization of the Special Diabetes Program (SDP), which expires on December 31, 2024. Letter Press Release
Health Systems & Health Care Workforce – On November 12, HHS published an update on the organ transplant system and how it is improving organ donation procurement and transplantation. Press Release
Misc. – On November 14, House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair Comer (R-KY) sent a letter to HHS and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), requesting documents and information from the departments to assist in the committee’s investigation of the Biden Administration’s establishment of government-wide scientific integrity committees. Letter to EPA Letter to HHS Press Release
Introduced Legislation –
- On November 12, Sen. Paul (R-KY) introduced the Health Marketplace for All Act of 2024 (S. 5298), which would allow health marketplace pools to be deemed an employer for purposes of offering a group health plan or group health insurance coverage. Bill Text Press Release
- Also on November 12, Sen. Paul (R-KY) introduced the Health Savings Accounts For All Act of 2024 (S. 5297), which would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the limitations on contributions to health savings accounts, and for other purposes. Bill Text Press Release
- Also on November 13, Sen. Kennedy (R-LA) introduced the Scientific Research Accessibility and Transparency Act (SRATA) (S. 5311), which would require the public release of all research supported by NIH. Bill Text Press Release