Tax reform legislation heads to a House-Senate conference committee. Meanwhile, a bill to delay Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payment cuts could be included in year-end legislation.

Senate and House bills to fund the Children's Health Insurance Program are similar, but the House version includes a one-year delay of Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts.

The federal fiscal year came to a close Sept. 30, ending a nearly yearlong congressional effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and bringing tax reform efforts and other health care priorities to the forefront in Congress.

Lawmakers return from the August recess to consider legislation and policy related to the Children’s Health Insurance Program, market stabilization, and cost-sharing reductions.

Aids provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services include fact sheets and overview documents, lists of alternative payment models, webinars and other educational tools, and support contacts.

MACPAC's March report includes analysis on Medicaid DSH and impacts of the ACA on hospitals, as well as recommendations for the future of CHIP.

In a request for information, CMS seeks input on how to improve the quality and reduce the cost of care for children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.

MACPAC's recommendation is part of a larger package of suggestions meant to improve coverage for children in low- and moderate-income families.

The FAQ provides clarification on managed care contracts, rating periods, and external quality reviews, among other things.

The letter was signed by America's Essential Hospital and 20 other national organizations.

CMS will use social video platform Twitch, improve the HealthCare.gov mobile interface, and use #HealthyAdulting to encourage young adults to sign up.

The House will consider a bill to prevent payments to providers ineligible for Medicaid and CHIP. The Senate will consider measures to fund opioid abuse and respond to the Flint water crisis.

Fourth cycle of grants through the Connecting Kids to Coverage program supports work to link eligible children with Medicaid, CHIP coverage; proposals due Jan. 20, 2016.

America's Essential Hospitals reviews Republican plan, which would join two Democratic bills now under consideration

Including trauma and drug-related bills, CHIP funding extensions, and homeland security

Also on tap is a Senate vote on homeland security funding that would bar legal status for undocumented immigrants and President Obama's 2016 budget

The six new members will serve three-year appointments, effective Jan. 1.

America’s Essential Hospitals urged MACPAC to support a four-year CHIP funding extension and during that time, evaluate the marketplaces' network adequacy, affordability, and covered benefits.

The commission seeks input on which groups of children would be most affected if CHIP expires and potential policy options through the marketplaces.

The association sent a support letter to House Energy and Commerce ranking members commending their effort to extend CHIP through FY 2019. The proposed legislation would also extend Medicaid primary care payments and bolster quality measures.

Models should use evidence-based social and behavioral insights to increase engagement in health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries, Medicaid beneficiaries, dual-eligible patients, and/or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) beneficiaries.

Letters of nomination and resumes are currently being accepted for six MACPAC seats. Appointments will be effective Jan. 1, 2015. Nominations can be submitted through Sept. 5.

The fact sheets assist hospitals and other organizations in community outreach and enrollment efforts. They cover the basics of Medicaid and CHIP benefits, enrollment eligibility, and enrollment processes.

CHIP funding will expire in FY 2016. Sen. Rockefeller introduced legislation last week to extend funding through FY 2019, which the association supports.

The funding authorization for CHIP is set to expire in October 2015. The Partnership for Medicaid urged Congress to protect CHIP funding, which will support coverage for an estimated 12.7 million children in 2015.

Agency accepts applications for Model 1 bundled payment initiative

Report concludes that slowing Medicaid enrollment in 2012 reflected economic recovery