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. …