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 –
- Monday, October 7
- HHS, “A Conversation on The Lower Cost Prescription Drug Law with HHS Secretary Becerra and Medicare Enrollees.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), “Fireside Chat with Micky Tripathi, Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP) at the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Tuesday, October 8 to Wednesday, October 9
- Reuters, “Total Health 2024.” Paid, In-Person. Additional Information
- Tuesday, October 8
- National Association of Counties (NACo), “Health Equity in Action Summit: An AI Preview.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- The Hoover Institution, “Health Care: Key Priorities For The New Administration.” Free, In-Person. Additional Information
- Wednesday, October 9
- Fierce Healthcare, “Empowering Patients Through Connected Care: The Future of Digital Health.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), “Exploring the Changing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Legislation and Policy Landscape and Its Impact on Health and Public Health’s Workforce, Education, Training, and Research: A Workshop.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Thursday, October 10 to Friday, October 11
- Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), “October Public Meeting.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Thursday, October 10
- American Medical Association (AMA), “AMA Guides® Editorial Panel Oct. 10, 2024 Meeting.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- ATI Advisory, “The Hospital Discharge Crisis: Practical Solutions for Health System Leaders & Policymakers.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (LDI), “(Re)Writing the Future of Health Care With Generative AI.” Free, In-Person. Additional Information
- Modern Healthcare, “Value Based Care Virtual Briefing.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), “National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee (NAIAC) Public Briefing/Meeting.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- The Annie E. Casey Foundation, “Medicaid Opportunities to Support Youth Leaving Incarceration.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
Weekly Wrap-Up: Notable Health Care Developments from Last Week
Medicare & Medicaid –
- On September 30, CMS released the latest enrollment figures for Medicare and Medicaid. As of June 2024, 33,433,996 people are enrolled in Medicare fee-for-service, 34,076,428 are enrolled in Medicare Advantage or other health plans, and 79,963,470 are enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. Medicare Enrollment Data Medicaid Enrollment Data
- Also on September 30, HHS released information on the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program for the last quarter of 2024. Fact Sheet Press Release
- Also on September 30, CMS published a report on the Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCAH) initiative, which allows certain Medicare-certified hospitals to treat patients with inpatient-level care at home. Fact Sheet Report
- Also on September 30, the HHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) published a report stating that states are not leveraging managed care provider coverage requirements and network adequacy standards to promote access to maternal health care. Full Report Press Release Report in Brief
- On October 1, CMS announced that Michigan submitted a request for a section 1115 waiver, which requests coverage for certain pre-release services to eligible individuals who are incarcerated in state prisons, local county jails, and/or juvenile facilities and who are returning to the community. Comments are due October 31, 2024. Application Public Comments
- Also on October 1, CMS released an infographic on ADHD prevalence among children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. Infographic Medicaid Fact Sheet
- On October 2, HHS released final guidance outlining the process for the second cycle of negotiations under the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. Final Guidance Press Release
- Also on October 2, CMS provided accelerated payments to Medicare Part A providers and advance payments to Medicare Part B suppliers affected by Hurricane Helene beginning October 2, 2024. Press Release
- Also on October 2, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report on health care transparency, noting that CMS needs more information on hospital pricing data completeness and accuracy. Full Report Press Release
- On October 3, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released an analysis of developments in Medicare’s Prescription Drug Benefit under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This analysis was requested by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Crapo (R-ID), Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Grassley (R-IA), House Budget Committee Chair Arrington (R-TX), House Energy & Commerce Committee Chair Rodgers (R-WA) and House Ways & Means Committee Chair Smith (R-MO). CBO Analysis Press Release
Marketplaces –
- On October 1, HHS published an issue brief presenting Marketplace plan selections by race and ethnicity among 2015-2024 Open Enrollment Period enrollees in HealthCare.gov states. Issue Brief Press Release
- On October 4, CMS released the 2026 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters proposed rule. Comments are due November 12, 2024. Proposed Rule Fact Sheet Letter to Insurers
Payment & Delivery System Models –
- On September 30, CMS published an article in Health Affairs detailing its efforts to bring accountable care to all Medicare beneficiaries through permanent changes to accountable care organization (ACO) initiatives and the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Article
- On October 1, Sens. Grassley (R-IA) and Hyde-Smith (R-MS) sent a letter to CMS Administrator Brooks-LaSure, asking why CMS has not solicited any applications for the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration (RCHD) program since 2017. Letter Press Release
Public Health Prevention, Preparedness, Surveillance –
- On September 30, HHS OIG published a report stating that the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has established adequate controls for maintaining physical security over Stockpile Site A and for maintaining its records of inventory. Full Report Press Release Report in Brief
- On October 1, ASPR announced a $17.5 million agreement for innovative manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) in the United States to help mitigate drug shortages. Press Release
Health IT, Privacy, & Digital Health –
- On September 30, HHS published the final 2024-2030 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan in accordance with the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act. Final Strategic Plan Press Release
- On October 2, Reps. Kuster (D-NH) and Miller (R-WV) sent a letter to the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Gupta, HHS Secretary Becerra, and Attorney General Garland regarding telehealth flexibilities for opioid use disorder treatment. Letter Press Release
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Policy –
- On September 30, HHS awarded $68.5 million in grants for behavioral health education, training and community programs to help address mental health and substance use conditions. Press Release
- On October 3, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report highlighting areas for improvement for expanding access to drug misuse treatment. Full Report Press Release
Prescription Drugs & Health Innovation –
- On September 30, Senate Finance Committee Chair Wyden (D-OR) and Sen. Brown (D-OH) sent a letter to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Khan, urging the FTC to expand its examination of new anti-competitive practices by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Letter Press Release
- On October 2, the FDA determined that the shortage of tirzepatide injection, a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) medication, has been resolved. Press Release
- Also on October 2, the CDC announced a potential public health risk among individuals ordering counterfeit prescription medications from online pharmacies. Announcement
- On October 4, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released a warning about online pharmacies. Alert Resource
SDOH & Health Equity –
- On October 1, HHS issued a report highlighting key programs, activities, and policies of its strategic approach to addressing social determinants of health. Announcement Report
- Also on October 1, HHS released a brief summarizing case study findings from nine sites across the U.S. that integrate human services with a prevention lens. Announcement Report
- Also on October 1, HHS released a brief highlighting the efforts of nine case study sites to identify and center families’ strengths and needs while coordinating access to resources and services. Announcement Report
Legislative Activity –
Introduced Legislation –
- On October 1, Reps. Moskowitz (D-FL), Luna (R-FL), and Williams (D-GA) introduced the Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Related to Hurricane Helene (H.R. 9905), which would make supplemental appropriations for disaster relief in response to Hurricane Helene. Bill Text Press Release
- Also on October 1, Rep. Omar (D-MN) and 21 cosponsors introduced the Long Covid Research Moonshot Act (H.R. 9907), which would provide the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with $1 billion in mandatory funding per year for a decade to support studies, the pursuit of treatments, and the expansion of care for U.S. patients impacted by Long COVID. Bill Text Press Release