Health Care Policy Update – Weekly Wrap-up and What’s Ahead – October 15, 2024


When is Congress in session? House 2024 Calendar Senate 2024 Calendar

What’s Ahead: This Week

Hearings and Markups – No notable hearings. Congress is not in session.

Notable Policy Events –
  • Tuesday, October 15
    • Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP), “2024-2030 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan Information Session.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
    • Cato Institute, “Do Biden’s New Rules for Short-Term Health Plans Protect Consumers or Threaten Them?” Free, Hybrid. Additional Information
    • Primary Care Collaborative (PCC), “Primary Care and Family Caregivers: How Medicare Can Strengthen the Partnership.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
    • Recognized Coordinating Entity (RCE), “2024 TEFCA RCE Monthly Informational Call.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
  • Wednesday, October 16
    • BrightTALK, “Boosting Equitable Connected Healthcare Access & Adoption.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
  • Thursday, October 17
    • ASTP, “Health IT Advisory Committee Meeting.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
    • Health Affairs, “Advancing Equity through Accountable Care with Purva Rawal from the CMS Innovation Center.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
  • Friday, October 18
    • Johns Hopkins University, “Tailored Plan Design for Underserved Populations in Medicare Advantage.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information

Weekly Wrap-Up: Notable Health Care Developments from Last Week

Medicare & Medicaid –

  • On October 7, CMS announced it is extending the deadline to comment on the Medicaid and CHIP parity compliance templates and instructional guides. The deadline to submit comments is now December 2, 2024. Bulletin Request for Comments
  • On October 8, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued a report estimating the budgetary effects of a policy that would authorize Medicare to cover anti-obesity medications. Full Report Summary
  • On October 9, Senate Finance Committee Chair Wyden (D-OR) sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) asking the agency to investigate Medicaid fraud by youth residential treatment facilities. Letter Press Release
  • On October 10, CMS released the 2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings. Fact Sheet Medicare Part C and D Performance Data
  • On October 11, CMS announced that Louisiana submitted a request for a section 1115 waiver, which aims to provide Medicaid coverage to qualified individuals prior to their release from prison or jail. Comments are due November 10, 2024. Application Public Comments

Marketplaces – On October 10, CMS released an informational bulletin on technology and process upgrades for account transfer functionality for states served by the federal ACA marketplace. Informational Bulletin

Payment & Delivery System Models – On October 8, CMS released a Request for Information (RFI) and a sample list of prescription drugs that the agency preliminarily intends to include under the proposed Medicare $2 Drug List Model. RFI responses are due December 9, 2024. Medicare $2 Drug List Model Press Release RFI

Public Health Prevention, Preparedness, Surveillance – On October 7, the FDA granted marketing authorization for the Rapid Check COVID-19/Flu A&B Antigen Test. Press Release

Health IT, Privacy, & Digital Health –

  • On October 8, ASTP released a blog post reviewing ASTP’s priorities, which include strengthening oversight and enforcement, engaging with developers, releasing educational resources, and enhancing feedback mechanisms. Blog Post
  • On October 10, ASTP released a data brief on standards adoption among health information exchange organizations. Data Brief
Prescription Drugs & Health Innovation – 
  • On October 7, House Energy & Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Griffith (R-VA) and Reps. Harshbarger (R-TN), Lesko (R-AZ) and Bilirakis (R-FL) sent a letter to the FDA requesting more FDA-compounder collaboration to fight drug shortages. Letter
  • On October 8, Energy & Commerce Committee Chair Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Pallone (D-NJ); Subcommittee on Health Chair Guthrie (R-KY) and Ranking Member Eshoo (D-CA); and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Griffith (R-VA) and Ranking Member Castor (D-FL) sent a letter to FDA Commissioner Califf requesting a briefing about the presence of counterfeit Ozempic and other semaglutide products in the medical supply chain. Letter Press Release
  • On October 11, the FDA published a guidance document, which outlines temporary policies for compounding certain parenteral drug products. Guidance Document Press Release

SDOH & Health Equity – On October 9, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded nearly $19 million to 15 states to identify and implement strategies to address maternal health. Awards List Press Release

Misc. –