Government: Page 31


  • The HHS in DC
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    CMS finalizes ACA network adequacy rule

    Starting in 2026, plans sold in state-based exchanges will be required to meet time and distance standards for provider access that are already applied to plans sold federally.

    By April 3, 2024
  • The HHS in DC
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    Biden administration finalizes modest cut to 2025 Medicare Advantage rates

    Despite heavy lobbying, insurers failed to see MA rates improve in the final rule, which codified a 0.16% decrease to benchmark funding.

    By April 2, 2024
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    School-based Medicaid billing concerns delay proposed rule

    Concerns over negative impacts to students’ out-of-school public insurance benefits appear to be delaying the release of a federal education rule.

    By Kara Arundel • April 2, 2024
  • The HHS in DC
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    Biden administration finalizes rule cracking down on short-term plans

    Democrat lawmakers and patient advocacy groups cheered the final rule for protecting patients from the skimpy plans, while free-market advocates slammed it as limiting coverage options for consumers.

    By March 29, 2024
  • A healthcare worker in blue scrubs holds a tablet in a clinical setting
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    New federal health IT strategy increases focus on public health, AI

    The draft plan builds on its predecessor, which the health IT agency said drove “significant progress” in the use and exchange of electronic health information.

    By March 28, 2024
  • The HHS in DC
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    CMS streamlines Medicaid, CHIP renewal and enrollment in final rule

    It’s the “most robust and meaningful” regulation streamlining Medicaid eligibility since the Affordable Care Act was implemented a decade ago, one lawyer said.

    By March 28, 2024
  • People gather outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. on Friday, April 21.
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    Michaela Wong/Healthcare Dive
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    Overturning of Roe v. Wade

    Supreme Court weighs abortion opponents’ standing in mifepristone case

    Reversal of the FDA’s expanded access could limit use of medication abortion even in states that have legal protections for the procedure in place.

    By March 27, 2024
  • Weight loss drug obesity Ozempic
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    Medicare’s GLP-1 spending is skyrocketing, even without weight loss coverage: KFF

    Gross Medicare spending on the pricey drugs rose from $57 million in 2018 to $5.7 billion in 2022, according to a new analysis from the health policy group.

    By March 27, 2024
  • Rep. Jamie Raskin
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    Alex Wong/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Change Healthcare cyberattack

    Senior lawmaker questions UnitedHealth over Change cyberattack

    Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., said UnitedHealth’s “rapid consolidation and vertical integration” has major consequences for the healthcare sector, including increased control of the health IT market.

    By March 26, 2024
  • The exterior of the Veterans Affairs Hospital in New York City.
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    OIG details errors with VA, Oracle EHR deployment

    Three reports released last week outline scheduling and pharmacy problems with the electronic health record integration — including an error that may have contributed to a patient’s death.

    By March 25, 2024
  • The Eastern facade of the United States Capitol Building, with the House of the Representative's stair.
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    As laboratory-developed test rule looms, experts warn patients may lose access to critical diagnostics

    In testimony to Congress Thursday, industry and patient group leaders described the trade-offs expected from increased FDA oversight of laboratory-developed tests.

    By Susan Kelly • March 22, 2024
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    Change Healthcare cyberattack

    Hospital groups question HHS about data breach reporting after Change attack

    In a Thursday letter, the American Hospital Association urged the HHS’ Office for Civil Rights to reduce possible “duplicative” breach notifications from the Change cyberattack.

    By Susanna Vogel • March 22, 2024
  • An injection pen containing the drug semaglutide lies on a white plate.
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    Medicare to cover Novo’s obesity drug for some patients

    Two weeks after the FDA updated Wegovy’s label, Medicare changed its stance to allow people with a history of heart disease to receive treatment, a shift that could further boost access to the fast-selling medicine. 

    By Ben Fidler • March 22, 2024
  • A picture of the exterior of the US Department of Health and Human Services. In front of the building is a black sign designating the building's name.
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    CMS launches model to increase primary care investment in Medicare

    Value-based care and physician interest groups said the model should create a more stable cash flow for providers.

    By March 20, 2024
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    MedPAC’s physician pay recommendations insufficient, provider groups say

    The Medicare Advisory Payment Commission also suggests tying the rate of physician payment increases to the Medicare Economic Index — a move some industry groups support.

    By Susanna Vogel • March 19, 2024
  • A crowd of conferencegoers under banners emblazoned with the HIMSS24 logo.
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    Permission granted by HIMSS
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    Deep Dive // HIMSS24

    ‘As fast as possible but no faster than is safe’: Hospitals, tech companies confront AI governance

    Regulators seeking to erect guardrails around AI are facing a Sisyphean task, experts said at HIMSS. How do you oversee something that is constantly changing?

    By March 18, 2024
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    Change Healthcare cyberattack

    CMS releases Medicaid payment flexibilities during Change cyberattack

    The relief comes as 94% of hospitals reported financial impact from the outage, according to a survey from the American Hospital Association.

    By March 18, 2024
  • Text of the word 'Medicaid' in the middle of a U.S. dollar bill
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    Government watchdog warns of Medicaid oversight gaps

    The CMS doesn’t require states to report data on outcomes or care denials, and has made “delayed” progress on plans to analyze the information and make it public, according to the Government Accountability Office.

    By March 18, 2024
  • Microsoft logo at Mobile World Congress.
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    David Ramos via Getty Images
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    Q&A // HIMSS24

    Microsoft’s health VP takes on responsible AI

    David Rhew talks about Microsoft's new AI governance network and federal regulators’ plan to more actively oversee the technology.

    By March 18, 2024
  • The exterior of the Department Health and Human Services headquarters.
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    Change Healthcare cyberattack

    HHS opens investigation into Change Healthcare cyberattack

    The Office for Civil Rights will focus on whether protected health information was breached and if UnitedHealth complied with privacy and security requirements.

    By March 14, 2024
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    Q&A

    Center for Connected Health Policy’s Mei Kwong on what to expect for telehealth regulations

    Some telehealth provisions could expire by the end of the year unless Congress makes them permanent.

    By Brian T. Horowitz • March 14, 2024
  • The HHS in DC
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    HIMSS24

    HHS artificial intelligence task force takes shape

    The new group will stand up “assurance, monitoring, risk-management practices” around AI in healthcare, according to a top HHS official.

    By March 14, 2024
  • A pregnant person is checked with a stethoscope in a doctor's office.
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    Continuous Medicaid enrollment linked to less postpartum coverage loss, study finds

    States that have expanded Medicaid for a year after pregnancy might see similar coverage gains, researchers wrote.

    By March 13, 2024
  • A picture of Xavier Becerra giving a speech at a podium
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    Biden’s proposed budget for 2025 boosts cybersecurity funds, extends ACA subsidies

    The budget request includes proposals for “Medicaid-like” coverage in non-expansion states and future penalties for hospitals that don’t implement cybersecurity standards.

    By March 13, 2024
  • Digital technology vector background depicting a cyberattack.
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    Change Healthcare cyberattack

    White House meets with UnitedHealth, industry groups on Change cyberattack fallout

    Officials called on payers to cut red tape and offer financial support to providers, including advanced payments. 

    By March 13, 2024