The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for April 21-27.  Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents.

End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

• DeBrunner & Associates has prepared a summary of the status of selected government health care waivers and flexibilities upon the expiration of the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11.  The DeBrunner summary covers telehealth, COVID-19 treatment and coverage, flexible hospital operations, long-term-care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities and units, patient cost-sharing, and state Medicaid waivers.  Find the summary here.

• CMS has posted a new FAQ that addresses its waivers and flexibilities upon the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.  Find it here.

• CMS has updated its “COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Billing” document to indicate that this FAQ will expire at the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency and will not be updated and directing stakeholders to other agency resources for answers to frequently asked questions.  Go here to learn more.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

• CMS has issued a proposed rule that would reduce barriers to care for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) individuals by removing

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for April 8 – 20.  Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents.

The White House

The Biden administration has announced a plan to expand health coverage for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) individuals.  To this end, it announced that HHS will soon propose a rule amending the definition of “lawful presence,” for purposes of Medicaid and Affordable Care Act coverage, to include DACA recipients.  If finalized, the rule would make DACA individuals eligible for these programs for the first time.  Under the proposed rule, DACA individuals would be able to apply for coverage through the health insurance marketplace, where they may qualify for financial assistance based on income, and through their state Medicaid agency.  Learn more from this White House fact sheet.  HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra has released a letter on the same subject.

Congress

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY) has introduced H.R. 2665, the Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act, bipartisan legislation that would delay pending cuts to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (Medicaid DSH) payments.  Currently, Medicaid DSH payments would be cut, beginning in 2024, by $8 billion a year through 2027.  …

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for March 31 – April 7.  Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents.

The White House

President Biden has signed an executive order calling for the modernization of the regulatory review process.  Among other objectives, the order seeks to improve the effectiveness of the regulatory review process and promote inclusive regulatory policy and public participation.  The order gives the Office of Management and Budget, through its Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs and in consultation with the Council of Economic Advisers and representatives of relevant agencies, one year to revise and update the regulatory review process.  Find the executive order here.

Medicare Payment Regulations

• CMS has released its proposed Medicare inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) prospective payment system rule for FY 2024.  The proposed rule calls for increasing IRF rates three percent and adjusting the outlier threshold to maintain outlier payments at three percent of total IRF payments.  CMS also proposes permitting hospitals to open new IRF units at any time during the cost reporting period that would be paid under the IRF prospective payment system if the hospital notifies the CMS regional office