Updates & Analysis

In this update:  Legislative Update Senate Democrats Release Report on MA DenialsOn October 17th, the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) released a report on Medicare Advantage (MA) plans’ use of prior authorization to reduce beneficiary stays in post-acute care facilities. The PSI surveyed actions by UnitedHealthcare, CVS, and Humana—which cover nearly 60% of MA…

In this update:  Legislative Updates Bipartisan House Letter Seeks to Avert Medicare Physician Payment CutsOn October 10th, a bipartisan group of over 200 members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urging them to pass legislation to avoid cuts in Medicare Physician Fee Schedule…

In this update:  NYS and NYC Opportunities OMH Issues RFP for Forensic Intensive and Sustained Engagement Team (F-INSET)On October 9th, the New York State (NYS) Office of Mental Health (OMH) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking one peer-run organization to create a Forensic Intensive and Sustained Engagement Team (F-INSET) for justice-involved populations. The traditional…

In this update:  Federal Agencies CMS Releases 2025 Star Ratings for MA and Part D Plans On October 10th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2025 Star Ratings for Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD), and Medicare Part D (PDP) plans. CMS publishes Star Ratings every year to measure the…

In this update:  NYS and NYC Opportunities DOH Issues RFA for Rural Health Network Development ProgramOn October 1st, the New York State (NYS) Department of Health (DOH) issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for the Rural Health Network Development Program. This program aims to improve the health of New Yorkers living in rural areas by…

In this update:  Federal Agencies CMS Adjusts Medicare IPPS Rates Due to Court DecisionOn September 30th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an interim final rule with comment period to modify hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) rates due to a decision by the D.C. Court of Appeals in Bridgeport v. Becerra. The…

In this update:  Federal Opportunities HUD Issues NOFO for Older Adults Home Modification Grant ProgramOn September 20th, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) seeking applicants to support implementation of the Older Adults Home Modification Program (OAHMP). This program enables low-income elderly persons to remain in…

In this update:  Legislative Update Congress Passes CR Funding Government through December 20thOn September 25th, the House and Senate passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government through December 20, 2024. The CR punts major legislative battles, including new total spending numbers, until after the November election, and potentially into a new administration. House Speaker…

In this update:  Federal Opportunities AHRQ Issues NOFO for State-Based Healthcare Extension CooperativesOn September 9th, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to establish state-based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives. These Cooperatives are meant to accelerate the implementation and dissemination of patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) across the country while…

In this update:  Legislative Update House Energy and Commerce Committee Advances Health LegislationOn September 18th, the House Energy and Commerce Committee convened a full committee markup to consider 16 bills, including several health care-related proposals. Most notably, the Committee advanced the Telehealth Modernization Act, which would extend Medicare telehealth flexibilities for two years, but without…

In this update:  Legislative Update Congress Returns from Recess, Considers Government Funding and Health BillsThis week, the House and Senate returned from recess. Both houses are scheduled to be in session through September 27th. The main order of business is passing a government funding bill, which is expected to be a continuing resolution (CR), as…

On August 29th, the New York State (NYS) Office of Mental Health (OMH) released a Request for Applications (RFA) for the fourth round of the OMH Community Mental Health Loan Repayment Program (OMH CMHLRP). This program supports licensed community mental health programs with the recruitment and retention of mental health professionals in underserved or health…