Newsletters

09.11.24

CMS Issues Guidance on Renewal Timeliness Post-Unwinding

On August 29, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a Center for Medicaid & Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Services (CMCS) Informational Bulletin (CIB) and an accompanying slide deck to support states that continue to face renewal backlogs.


09.10.24

Building State Capacity to Assess Health Care System Performance

State policymakers and regulators are frequently confronted with questions and concerns about the performance of our health care system, and find themselves without the necessary information to effectively respond.


09.09.24

HIPAA Reproductive Privacy Protections at Risk By Texas Lawsuit

Last week, Texas AG Ken Paxton (R) sued the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), alleging that the new HHS final rule amending HIPAA regulations to strengthen protections for reproductive health information is unlawful and should be vacated (e.g., not go into effect).


09.05.24

Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform: Overview and Implementation Update

With support from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation (Foundation), Manatt Health prepared a new issue brief providing an overview and implementation update on the Massachusetts Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform (Roadmap).


08.28.24

Government Funding Will Dominate Post-Convention Congressional Session

The post-convention Congressional session in September is likely to focus on keeping the government funded past the end of the current federal fiscal year on September 30, with the next opportunity for substantive health policy legislation coming in the lame duck session after the November ...


08.28.24

CMS Releases Guidance to Promote Continuity of Coverage for Individuals Receiving HCBS

On August 19, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) Informational Bulletin (CIB) and an accompanying slide deck reminding states of their obligation to comply with federal Medicaid renewal requirements and identifying ...


08.28.24

Oregon PDAB Discusses Draft UPL Report

On August 21, Oregon’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) reviewed a draft upper payment limit (UPL) constituent engagement report, which captured feedback from patients, providers, health plans, manufacturers, and other entities on the potential impacts of a UPL.


08.27.24

New Guidance on Family Planning in Medicaid: Takeaways for States, Plans, and Providers

For states, managed care organizations, and providers—who all play a vital role in ensuring access to family planning services and supplies for the nearly 20 million women ages 18-44 enrolled in Medicaid—the CIB reiterates existing state and managed care organization requirements and ...


08.22.24

CMS Opens Funding Opportunity for States to Participate in Cell and Gene Therapy Model

On August 15, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for states participating in the Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Access Model.


08.22.24

Maryland PDAB Releases Draft Upper Payment Limit Action Plan

On August 9, Maryland’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) released its draft action plan for establishing upper payment limits (UPLs) for drugs identified as causing or likely to cause affordability challenges.