The Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced two new grant opportunities to strengthen the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The first is a Process and Technology Improvements Grant and the second is a Fraud Implementation Grant. The opportunities are described briefly below. SNAP Process and Technology Improvement Grants (PTIG) Program: PTIGs support projects that will modernize SNAP… (McClurg, April 23, 2024) #Nutrition, #Program Integrity

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released two final rules yesterday to strengthen access to coverage and care for Medicaid enrollees. The Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services Final Rule, described in this email, is intended to strengthen access to and quality of care across Medicaid services through fee-for-service (FFS) by establishing national standards for access to care (press release)…. (Joyce, McClurg, April 23, 2024) #Delivery Reform, #Dual Eligibles, #Health Equity, #Home Health, #Primary Care, #Transparency

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) and Tufts Medicine NEWDIGS released a white paper entitled “Managing the Challenges of Paying for Gene Therapy: Strategies for Market Action and Policy Reform.” ICER explains that it is the intent of the paper to call for thoughtful consideration of both market actions and policy reforms that have the potential to address… (Slifer, April 23, 2024) #Insurance Reform, #Pharmacy Benefit Managers, #Prescription Drugs

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care (LTC) Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting final rule (press release, fact sheet). What it is. The final rule outlines minimum staffing requirements for Medicare and Medicaid-certified LTCs. Why it’s important for you. CMS finalizes a total nurse staffing standard of 3.48 hours per resident day (HPRD),… (Colocho, April 22, 2024) #Care Coordination, #Costs, #Health Equity, #Long-Term Care, #Skilled Nursing Facilities, #Transparency, #Workforce

The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) unveiled a draft framework aimed at ensuring the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in health care and biomedical sciences. The framework, titled “Artificial Intelligence in Health, Health Care, and Biomedical Science: An AI Code of Conduct Principles and Commitments Discussion Draft,” outlines strategies for health care organizations to enhance the accuracy, safety,… (Colocho, April 19, 2024) #Health Equity, #Health Information Technology, #Public Health, #Transparency

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE) held a presentation to discuss the Office’s Catalytic Program on Utilizing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The catalytic program is intended to support health care providers in taking advantage of the tax credits, grants, and other supports made available by the IRA. OCCHE is hosting a series… (McClurg, April 19, 2024) #Hospitals