Newborn Syphilis Cases Increased 10-Fold; Babies Born to Black, Hispanic and American Indian / Alaska Native Mothers Were 8 Times More Likely to Be Infected

Newborn Syphilis Cases Increased 10-Fold; Babies Born to Black, Hispanic and American Indian / Alaska Native Mothers Were 8 Times More Likely to Be Infected

According to CDC data, newborn syphilis cases increased by a factor of more than ten-fold since 2012.  If testing and treatment do not occur in a timely manner, syphilis during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death and lifelong medical conditions.     Per the data, more than 3,700 babies were born with syphilis in 2022.  This is 10 times higher… (Joyce, November 8, 2023) #Health Equity, #Pediatrics, #Prevention, #Primary Care, #Public Health, #Women’s Health, #Workforce

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Study Finds That Only Half of WIC-Eligible Individuals Receive Benefits

Study Finds That Only Half of WIC-Eligible Individuals Receive Benefits

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a report with estimates of eligibility and program reach in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).WIC provides access to food, nutrition education including breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health and social services. Eligibility includes women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum non-breastfeeding, infants, and children up to… (McClurg, November 7, 2023) #Nutrition, #Pediatrics, #Women’s Health

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Task Force Publishes Final Research Plan on Behavioral Counseling Interventions to Promote a Healthy Lifestyle and/or Weight Loss in Adults; Task Force to Explore Preventive Medications for Chronic Weight Management Separately in Upcoming Work

Task Force Publishes Final Research Plan on Behavioral Counseling Interventions to Promote a Healthy Lifestyle and/or Weight Loss in Adults; Task Force to Explore Preventive Medications for Chronic Weight Management Separately in Upcoming Work

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) published a final research plan on behavioral counseling interventions to promote a healthy diet, physical activity, and/or weight loss to prevent cardiovascular disease in adults. The draft research plan was posted for public comment from May 18, 2023, to June 14, 2023, and was previously titled “Weight Loss Interventions to Prevent Obesity-Related Morbidity… (Colocho, November 7, 2023) #Health Equity, #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Nutrition, #Prevention, #Primary Care, #Wellness

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CY 2025 MA and Part D Policy and Technical Changes Proposed Rule Includes Proposals to Advance Behavioral Health and Address Broker Compensation

CY 2025 MA and Part D Policy and Technical Changes Proposed Rule Includes Proposals to Advance Behavioral Health and Address Broker Compensation

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Contract Year (CY) 2025 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) program and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program (Part D) proposed rule (press release, fact sheet). What it is. The proposed rule includes proposals intended to enhance beneficiary protections, advance health equity, and improve access to behavioral health… (Slifer, November 6, 2023) #Biosimilars, #Health Equity, #Medicare Advantage, #Medicare Part D, #Mental and Behavioral Health

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Commissioners Discuss State Requirements Across Section 1915 Authorities for HCBS Programs; Will Explore Policy Options in January Meeting

Commissioners Discuss State Requirements Across Section 1915 Authorities for HCBS Programs; Will Explore Policy Options in January Meeting

The Medicaid Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) held a session to discuss federal requirements related to Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) across different Section 1915 authorities that states use to run these programs. MACPAC staff provided an overview of Medicaid HCBS, including waiver and state plan options, and discussed state considerations when choosing Section 1915 authorities. The session also… (Colocho, November 6, 2023) #Care Coordination, #Health Equity, #Home Health

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Commissioners Discuss Hospice Workplan; New Work will Examine End-of-Life Care for Beneficiaries with End-Stage Renal Disease

Commissioners Discuss Hospice Workplan; New Work will Examine End-of-Life Care for Beneficiaries with End-Stage Renal Disease

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) convened a session to discuss its workplan concerning hospice and end-of-life care. MedPAC staff provided an overview of new and ongoing projects the Commission is undertaking over the next eighteen months, including assessing hospice’s impact on net Medicare spending, studying the hospice aggregate cap and its effect on beneficiary outcomes, examining nonhospice spending for… (Colocho, November 3, 2023) #End-Stage Renal Disease, #Hospice

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Commissioners Discuss Mandated Report on Rural Emergency Hospitals

Commissioners Discuss Mandated Report on Rural Emergency Hospitals

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) convened a session to discuss the new Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) program established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (based on a MedPAC recommendation). The legislation requires MedPAC to review payment to REHs annually starting in 2024. In preparation, MedPAC Senior Analyst Brian O’Donnell and Principal Policy Analyst Jeff Stensland presented important context for… (Testa, November 3, 2023) #Critical Access Hospitals, #Hospitals, #Program Integrity, #Rural Health

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Commissioners Divided on Payment Policy for Software as a Medical Service

Commissioners Divided on Payment Policy for Software as a Medical Service

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) convened a session on software as a medical service (SaaS) and prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs). The staff provided an overview of current coverage and payment for SaaS and software as a medical device (SaMD) under the different Medicare payment streams and posed whether policy changes are needed in this space. The Commissioners were divided on whether… (Slifer, November 3, 2023) #Health Information Technology, #Medical Devices

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Agency Finalizes 3.4 Percent Decrease for CY 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Payments

Agency Finalizes 3.4 Percent Decrease for CY 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Payments

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year (CY) 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule (press release; fact sheet; MSSP fact sheet; QPP fact sheet), which addresses an array of policies under Medicare Part B and the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) Quality Payment Program (QPP).   What it is. CMS’ major… (Testa, November 2, 2023) #Care Coordination, #Clinical Labs, #Health Equity, #Medicare Access and Chip Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Opioids, #Physicians, #Primary Care, #Quality, #Social Determinants of Health, #Telehealth, #Therapy

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Agency Seeks Input on Strengthening Broadband Tools to Address Disparities and Improve Maternal Health

Agency Seeks Input on Strengthening Broadband Tools to Address Disparities and Improve Maternal Health

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a notice of inquiry (NOI) soliciting input on ways to enhance its “Mapping Broadband Health in America” platform to leverage digital health tools for maternal care improvement. The platform facilitates data-driven decision-making at the intersection of broadband and health, with a focus on maternal health. The platform allows for customized maps and analysis of… (Colocho, November 2, 2023) #Health Equity, #Health Information Technology, #Public Health, #Rural Health, #Women’s Health

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