Updates & Analysis

In this update:  Covid-19 Response FDA Approves Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine CMS Expands Medicare Payments for At-Home Vaccinations CMS Clarifies Nursing Home Vaccine Mandate Implementation Legislative House Approves Budget Resolution Regulatory Regulators Delay Enforcement of Certain Price Transparency Rules for Health Plans and Providers CMS Announces ACOs Earned $2.3 Billion in Shared Savings in 2020 CMS Releases…

On August 25th, the New York State (NYS) Department of Health (DOH) submitted a concept paper for a new Medicaid 1115 Waiver Demonstration to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Through this proposal, the State is requesting $17 billion to be reinvested over five years to support a transformational effort to address health…

On August 18th, the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) published a proposed rule in the State Register (available here) that establishes standards for Crisis Stabilization Centers (CSCs) under Article 36 of the Mental Hygiene Law. Crisis Stabilization Centers are a new licensure category authorized by the New York State Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22…

On August 23rd, the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) released a regulatory waiver (available here) that extends for an additional 60 days the temporary flexibilities currently in place due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The waiver provides temporary relief from various requirements of Title 14 of the New York Codes, Rules,…

On August 17th, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), released a funding opportunity for innovative, non-clinical trial research projects involving mental health services. NIMH will consider a wide array of projects, with a focus on “understudied areas where new knowledge has the potential for high public…

In this update:  Administration Biden Administration Announces Updates on COVID-19 Response  CMS Mandates Nursing Home Staff Vaccination HHS Recommends Booster Shots for All Administration Extends FEMA Reimbursement Deadline Regulatory CMS Offers States Extension of Deadline to Confirm Medicaid Enrollee Eligibility USDA Opens Applications for Rural Health Care Grant HHS Announces $19 Million in Telehealth Funding…

On August 12th, the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the “Sources of Strength” program, which is a universal school-based suicide prevention program designed to build protective influences across a defined adolescent population. The evidence-based program trains students as peer leaders and connects them with mentoring…

On August 3rd, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released several Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) for the below research studies that address mental health needs. The first opportunity under each category are pilot studies in preparation for the larger-scale studies outlined under the second opportunity in each category. Navigator Model Pilot Studies…

On August 2nd, New York State released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the sixth round of funding for supportive housing units under the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI). As part of the State’s $20 billion housing plan to ensure that New Yorkers have access to affordable and safe housing, this RFP contributes to…

In this update:  Administration Biden Administration Announces Updates on COVID-19 Response  Military Vaccine Mandate FDA Recommends Booster Shots for the Immunocompromised Legislative Senate Passes Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Including Resumption of Sequester Cuts Senate Democrats Pass FY 2022 Budget Resolution Regulatory CMS Ends Work Requirements for Medicaid in Ohio, South Carolina, and Utah CMS Leaders Publish…

On August 4th, the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the expansion of Youth Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams throughout New York State. The Youth ACT teams will serve children and youth (ages 10-21) with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) who:  Are returning home from inpatient settings or…

In this update:  Administration Biden Administration Announces Updates on COVID-19 Response  U.S. Hits 70% Vaccination Goal CDC Issues New Eviction Moratorium Legislative Senate Considers Infrastructure Bill; CBO Projects $256 Billion Impact on Deficit Senate Finance Committee Leaders Issue Bipartisan Request for Input on Mental Health Legislation Regulatory CMS Issues Final FY 2022 Hospital Inpatient PPS…