Newsletters

01.23.25

Five Key Policies to Improve Coverage of Dyslexia Screening, Testing and Treatment

Dyslexia is a neurobiological disorder affecting up to one in five children, including over 80% of those with learning disabilities. Despite its widespread prevalence, many children are not properly screened or tested and often miss out on evidence-based interventions to address the associated ...


01.23.25

How Harnessing AI Could be a Game-Changer for Populations Served by Safety Net Institutions

Safety net providers and health systems, including those in rural areas, deliver care to a disproportionately higher share of governmental-insured and self-pay patients relative to other institutions. As a result of this payor mix, lower reimbursement rates associated with providing care to the ...


01.22.25

CMS Rescinds Guidance Authorizing 1115 Waivers with Capped Financing, Closed Formularies

On January 16, CMS released a State Medicaid Director Letter (SMDL) rescinding January 2020 guidance that invited states to apply for Section 1115 “Healthy Adult Opportunity” (HAO) demonstrations.


01.22.25

CMS Announces Additional Drugs Selected for 2027 IRA Medicare Drug Price Negotiation

On January 17, CMS announced the selection of 15 Medicare Part D drugs for the second cycle of negotiations—initial price applicability (IPAY) 2027.


01.22.25

Vimeo Prevails on DMCA Safe Harbor Defense Against Record Labels in Second Circuit Copyright Case

On January 13, 2025, the fifteen-year-long legal battle between EMI-affiliated record labels led by Capitol Records (Plaintiffs) and video-sharing internet service provider Vimeo, Inc. reached a new end, as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, on its second look at the case and in an ...


01.21.25

Safety Net Hospitals: Key Elements of a Successful Advocacy Strategy

Safety net hospitals play a critical role in their communities, providing quality, patient centered and affordable care to all patients regardless of their ability to pay. Considering the limited resources and funding challenges faced by safety net hospitals, advocacy with state and federal ...


01.17.25

Mayor Bass Takes Action to Jump-Start Cleaning and Rebuilding in Response to Wildfires

On January 13, 2025, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued Emergency Executive Order No. 1, the first executive action aimed to modify local law in response to the devastating fires throughout the city of Los Angeles. The Executive Order comes on the heels of a similar order issued by Governor ...


01.17.25

Will the CFPB Regulate Crypto and Gaming Platforms Under Regulation E?

Last week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a Proposed Interpretive Rule(“Proposed Rule”) on the applicability of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) and its implementing Regulation E to new and emerging digital payment mechanisms, including gaming platforms ...


01.16.25

Do No Harm: Will the Health Policy Commission’s New Power Hurt or Help MA's Health Care System?

Last week, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed H.4654 (An Act Enhancing the Market Review Process). Touted by the Governor and legislature as filling loopholes that contributed to the collapse of the Steward Health Care System, the new law includes the largest expansion of authority for the ...


01.15.25

CMS Releases Part D Redesign Program Instructions

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released and solicited comment on its draft Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Part D Redesign Program Instructions.