The new group, comprising two divisions from existing groups, will monitor and provide technical assistance to state and territory managed care programs.

Two CDC studies indicate that adults who have not received a bivalent mRNA booster vaccine have little remaining protection against COVID-19–associated hospitalization and that half of Americans aged 16 and up have hybrid immunity against the virus.

After months of back and forth between Republican lawmakers and the White House, President Joe Biden signs legislation to suspend the debt ceiling through 2024. The bill does not include work requirements for Medicaid recipients, a condition Republicans had sought early in negotiations.

This legislation effectively postpones the debt ceiling issue for two years, dispelling concerns of a potential financial catastrophe. This Action Update summarizes the legislation and provisions of interest to essential hospitals.

CMS says the withdrawal of the mandate, effective immediately, aligns with the agency's approach to other infectious diseases.

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce approved a measure to eliminate $16 billion of cuts to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital funding as part of a package that also includes measures for pricing transparency and site-neutral payments.

The Food and Drug Administration approves Paxlovid to treat COVID-19 in adults; a National Institutes of Health study sheds new light on long COVID-19.

The proposed rule targets drug misclassification, along with drug pricing and product data misreporting, by manufacturers.

The report summarizes HHS' progress, barriers, and future plans to improve access to services for individuals with limited English proficiency.

The proposed rules are part of CMS’ response to executive orders directing federal agencies to review existing guidance for opportunities to strengthen and improve access to health care coverage, including through Medicaid.

A World Health Organization advisory group recommends using the XBB subvariant in future vaccines; the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recalls eight respirators.

A new guide provides educational and referral strategies for health care providers to mitigate health issues related to climate change.

The FAQs guide state Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program agencies as they begin terminating enrollment for those who no longer qualify.

Language to avert an $8 billion cut to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments passed the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee by a 27-0 vote as part of the panel's consideration of 17 health-related bills.

The proposed rule changes directed payment policy; access standards and monitoring; in lieu of service and setting requirements; medical loss ratio policy and reporting; and quality strategies, improvements, and reviews.

An HHS fact sheet details policy changes with the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency; ASPR announces Project NextGen; CDC says the Johnson & Johnson vaccine no longer is available in the United States.

A bipartisan group of House members sent a letter to the House speaker and Democratic leader urging them to avert an $8 billion cut to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments on Oct. 1. America's Essential Hospitals helped build momentum for the letter signing campaign.

The letter expressed concern with reports that HRSA no longer will allow hospitals to administer 340B drugs in offsite outpatient locations that have not yet appeared on a filed Medicare cost report.

Health care providers will be able to prescribe controlled medication without requiring an initial in-person visit through Nov. 11.

America's Essential Hospitals calls on Senate leaders to reject a House proposal to impose work requirements for Medicaid as part of negotiations to raise the nation's debt limit, saying the plan would jeopardize access to care and harm communities.

The World Health Organization has ended the COVID-19 global health emergency designation, and the CDC will use hospitalization data to track COVID-19 spread.

The brief urges an appeals court to restore an Affordable Care Act requirement that most health plans cover certain preventive services.

If CMS finalizes the proposed rule, DACA recipients would be eligible to apply for coverage through the health care marketplaces, Basic Health Programs, and some Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs.

After receiving record comments on proposals to limit the prescription of controlled substances via telemedicine, the DEA will extend this COVID-era flexibility.

The six new members will review Medicaid and CHIP access and payment policies and make recommendations to Congress, the administration, and states.

Hospitals have until June 1 to preview their Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating, measure group score, individual measure results, and peer grouping.

FDA amends the Pfizer vaccine authorization for immunocompromised children aged 6 months to 4 years old, while the Biden administration ends its vaccine requirement for federal employees.

The May 5 webinar will feature CMS experts sharing how the end of the PHE will affect current health care waivers and flexible policies.

Two proposed rules establish access standards and standardize review and assessment of Medicaid payment rates across states; comments are due to CMS July 3.

Please urge your House members now to support H.R. 2665, the Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act, which eliminates two years of looming Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

The association urged CMS to withdraw its proposal to exclude patient days related to uncompensated care pools from the Medicare disproportionate share hospital funding calculation.