The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Medicare Part D Manufacturer Discount Program Guidance and request for comment (attached). What is it.  Pursuant to the Inflation Reduction Act, the guidance sunsets the Coverage Gap Discount Program and implements the new Manufacturer Discount Program. Beginning in 2025, manufacturers will provide discounts in the following new three-phase benefit: Annual… (Slifer, May 12, 2023) #Medicare Part D, #Prescription Drugs

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra issued an amendment to the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) to update the determination of a public health emergency related to COVID-19. The PREP Act allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue a Declaration to grant liability immunity to Covered Persons who manufacture,… (Colocho, May 12, 2023) #Coverage Decisions, #COVID-19

The House Energy & Commerce Committee Health Subcommittee convened a hearing to discuss reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA). PAHPA was last reauthorized in 2019 as the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (PAHPAIA, P.L. 116-22). This new reauthorization offers an opportunity to incorporate lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. The hearing featured two panels… (McClurg, May 12, 2023) #COVID-19, #Health Information Technology, #Program Integrity, #Public Health, #Transparency

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced $140 million dollars for the launch of a new initiative, the Common Fund’s Somatic Mosaicism Across Human Tissues (SMaHT) Network. The purpose of the program is to increase knowledge and understanding of somatic mosaicism and catalog its appearance in normal human tissues. The NIH details that by cataloging this genetic variation, the SMaHT… (Marceno, May 11, 2023) #National Institutes of Health

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is requesting comment on a draft recommendation statement, draft evidence review, and draft modeling report on screening for breast cancer. The Task Force is now recommending that all women get screened for breast cancer every other year starting at age 40. When final, this recommendation would update the 2016 recommendation for biennial screening mammography… (Colocho, May 10, 2023) #Coverage Decisions, #Prevention, #Women’s Health

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on midwife-assisted births, the midwifery workforce, and midwifery education. GAO was asked to examine access to midwife education in response to the poor maternal mortality statistics in the US. Midwives attend births and provide care during pregnancy and the postpartum period. According to a National Partnership for Women and Families report, midwives… (Emenyonu, May 10, 2023) #Health Equity, #Women’s Health, #Workforce

Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a Surgeon General Advisory calling attention to the epidemic of loneliness and isolation in the country. Surgeon General Advisories are reserved for significant public health challenges that need the American people’s immediate attention, and this advisory aims to prioritize building social connection the same way other critical public health issues such as tobacco, obesity,… (Joyce, May 9, 2023) #Mental and Behavioral Health, #Prevention, #Primary Care, #Public Health, #Social Determinants of Health, #Wellness, #Women’s Health

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released an informational bulletin that provides key dates for expiration of Medicaid and CHIP COVID-19 requirements and flexibilities, including policies tied to the expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023. For a quick reference of key dates, see Appendix on p. 6. COVID-19 Related Medicaid and CHIP Coverage:… (Llamas, May 8, 2023) #COVID-19

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced two new initiatives by the Biden-Harris Administration to improve access to mental health resources and support for those addressing mental health challenges. The first is FindSupport.gov, an online guide to help Americans find available resources, explore treatment options, and learn how to get the support they need for issues related to… (Colocho, May 8, 2023) #COVID-19, #Health Equity, #Mental and Behavioral Health

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee convened a hearing to examine the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA). Last reauthorized in 2019, this would be the first time the considered a must-pass legislation would be reauthorized since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The hearing offered a glimpse into the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities for… (Colocho, May 5, 2023) #COVID-19, #Food and Drug Administration, #Prevention, #Public Health, #Workforce