House passes important opioid bills
The US House of Representatives passed  H.R. 6, to address the Opioid Epidemic, combining more than 50 bills approved individually by the House focusing...
Comments needed on Stark law burdens
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments through Aug. 24 on how it can reduce regulatory burdens and obstacles to...
Rural health workgroup provides recommendations on quality measures; public comments sought
The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy has partnered with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the National Quality Forum (NQF)...
VA releases nursing home ratings
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the first time in history shared its annual ratings on 130 VA nursing homes. While 60 of...
House nears finish line on opioid legislation
The U.S. House is moving toward taking definitive action on wide-ranging proposals to help address the opioid epidemic. The main legislation, H.R. 6, the...
MACPAC issues June report to Congress
The Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) released its June 2018 Report to Congress on Medicaid and CHIP.
The...
CMS issues guidance on using Medicaid to combat opioid crisis
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last week released guidance designed to build on their commitment to partner with states to ensure...
Medicare coverage for hospital, skilled nursing care in jeopardy by 2026
The 2018 annual report recently released by the Boards of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance and Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Funds included...
MedPAC issues report to Congress
As a part of its mandate from Congress, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) released its June 2018 Report to the Congress: Medicare and...
DOJ won’t defend latest ACA challenge
The Department of Justice (DOJ) in a brief filed in federal court last week said it will not defend the Affordable Care Act (ACA)...