Health Center News & Information
Elizabeth Linderbaum, MPP, NACHC Deputy Director of Regulatory Affairs, contributed to this post. Forty-five percent (45%) of health center patients suffer from hypertension, compared to 32% of the general population.1 The good news is that high blood pressure (BP) is the leading modifiable risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, and congestive heart failure, and …
We turn the page on 2019 and plunge ahead to 2020 with a lot of unfinished work. A key task left unfinished as we approach a new decade is long-term and stable funding for Community Health Centers, now operating under a temporary measure through May 22nd. Even so, health centers are no less supported; indeed, …
This post has been updated with new information. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the CMS Primary Cares Initiative, with the goal of improving patient care while managing health care costs. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar described the move as “a historic turning point” in press reports. He …
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a rule on the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) last December, bringing significant changes to the program. Named the “Pathways to Success,” the final rule will require Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) participating in the MSSP to take greater financial risks. NACHC’s comments on the proposed rule …
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a proposed rule that would transform their Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP), pushing accountable care organizations (ACOs) to take on increasing levels of financial risk. CMS’s proposal, which it is calling “Pathways to Success,” would consolidate and streamline the ACO track options; require that participating …
Today CMS published its much anticipated federal policy guidance (SMD: 18-002, see NACHC summary here) reiterating its support and describing considerations for states with an interest in pursuing Section 1115(a) Medicaid waivers to implement work and/or community engagement requirements for Medicaid. This effort began last year with a letter from then-Secretary Price and CMS Administrator …
By Erin Sheehan and Kersten Burns Lausch As states continue to see rising premiums and fleeing insurers in their individual insurance marketplaces, a number are looking to the new Section 1332 State Innovation Waiver option to make reforms and increase stability in the marketplaces. What is a 1332 Waiver? Created by Section 1332 of the …
Just after her Senate confirmation as Administrator of the Centers for Medicaid Services (CMS), Seema Verma joined HHS Secretary Tom Price in a letter to governors on their commitment to work together to improve the Medicaid program. The letter states that the federal framework for Medicaid has not “kept pace with emerging evidence around the …
While it is unclear what changes Congress may make to the Medicaid program, even without further Congressional action, changes are coming to Medicaid. The recent Senate confirmations of Health and Human Services Representative Tom Price as Secretary of Health and Human Services and Seema Verma as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services …
On February 15, 2017, CMS issued its proposed rule on “market stabilization” in the Affordable Care Act’s Marketplaces. This proposed rule is one of the first issued by the Trump Administration. Below you will find a summary of the major provisions of the proposed rule and can read NACHC’s comments on the proposed rule here. We …