- Eight Hospitals Selected for First Cohort of Rural Hospital Stabilization Program
- Announcing the 2030 Census Disclosure Avoidance Research Program
- CMS: Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2026 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; and Other Policy Changes; Correction
- CMS: Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2026 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; and Other Policy Changes; Correction
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Correction
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Correction
- CMS: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2026
- CMS: Medicare Program; FY 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare Program: Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2026
- Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare Program: Fiscal Year 2026 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements
- CMS: Request for Information; Health Technology Ecosystem
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2025 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program; and Medicare Overpayments; and Appeal Rights for Certain Changes in Patient Status; Corrections and Correcting Amendment
- CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; CY 2025 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment and Coverage Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program; and Medicare Overpayments; and Appeal Rights for Certain Changes in Patient Status; Corrections and Correcting Amendment
- VA: Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program Funding Opportunity
- State: 60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: J-1 Visa Waiver Recommendation Application
Free Technical Assistance Available for Serious Mental Illness
The Serious Mental Illness Training and Technical Assistance Center is now accepting requests for free technical assistance and clinical consultation to improve the effectiveness of treatment, recovery services, and supports for people with serious mental illness and first episode psychosis. It only takes three minutes to submit a request for these confidential services. Request technical assistance support today!
Pennsylvania Health Department Updates Public Standing Order for Naloxone
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has updated the public standing order for naloxone based on recent data and stakeholder feedback. The standing order for first responders will also be updated shortly to match the public one. Updated instructions for the use of naloxone are also available.
340B savings on Five Popular Diabetes Drugs and Inhalers will Drop Significantly on July 1
Since the start of 2025, 340B providers have experienced reduced 340B savings on Januvia, Janumet, Janumet XR, Atrovent HFA and Spiriva Handihaler. 340B savings on these drugs will drop even further starting on July, 1, 2025. These reductions are the result of manufacturers’ decision to drop the Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) for these drugs effective Jan. 1, 2025. Lower WAC prices lead to lower 340B savings, by causing:
- Lower reimbursement from insurers, starting almost immediately (aka in January).
- Higher 340B prices starting on July 1, when the new quarterly 340B discount (which lags six months behind changes in a drug’s WAC) will no longer include an “inflationary penalty.” Instead, the only discount will be the standard 340B discount of 23.1% for brand-name drugs.
This two-step reduction in 340B savings follows the same pattern that CHCs saw in 2024 with many diabetes drugs and inhalers, when a change in how state Medicaid rebates are calculated, led manufacturers to reduce WAC levels for many insulins and inhalers.
CMS Rescinds Guidance on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Questions for Medicaid and CHIP Applications
On June 5, CMS issued an informational bulletin (CIB) notifying states that it has rescinded a previous informational bulletin from Nov. 9, 2023. The rescinded CIB was titled Guidance on Adding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Questions to State Medicaid and CHIP Applications for Health Coverage. CMS stated that it no longer intends to collect this information as a part of T-MSIS data submissions.
Senate Confirms HHS Deputy Secretary Nominee
On June 5, the Senate confirmed former Silicon Valley executive Jim O’Neill as Deputy Secretary of HHS with a 52-43 vote. Previously, O’Neill worked under the George W. Bush Administration in various HHS roles and became principal associate deputy secretary of HHS. Upon his departure from the government, he served various roles in the biotechnology sector, most recently working as the CEO of a foundation focused on research into regenerative medicine solutions for age-related diseases. In his new role as Deputy Secretary, O’Neill will oversee daily operations of subagencies like the FDA and CMS and the development of federal health regulations.
‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Would Batter Rural Hospital Finances, Researchers Say
Cuts to Medicaid and other federal health programs proposed in President Donald Trump’s budget plan would rapidly push more than 300 financially struggling rural hospitals toward a fiscal cliff, according to researchers who track the facilities’ finances.
The hospitals would be at a disproportionate risk of closure, service reductions, or ending inpatient care, according to a report authored by experts from the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research following a request from Senate Democrats, who released the findings publicly Thursday. Many of those hospitals are in Kentucky, Louisiana, California, and Oklahoma, according to the analysis.
Trump’s budget plan, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” contains nearly $800 billion in Medicaid cuts, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. House Republicans passed the bill in late May, and it now awaits Senate consideration.
The proposed cuts to Medicaid raise the stakes for rural hospitals nationwide, many of which already operate on razor-thin, if not negative, margins. Diminished reimbursements from the state-federal health insurance program for those with low incomes or disabilities would further erode hospitals’ ability to stay open and maintain services for their communities — populations with more severe health needs than their urban counterparts.
“It’s very clear that Medicaid cuts will result in rural hospital closures,” said Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association, a nonprofit advocacy and research organization.
The Senate Democrats sent a letter to Trump, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and House Speaker Mike Johnson asking them to reconsider the Medicaid cuts.
Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), one of the Senate Democrats who requested the information from Sheps, in a statement said communities should know exactly what they stand to lose if Congress approves the reductions to Medicaid.
“People will die” if rural hospitals close, he said. “No life or job is worth a yes vote on this big billionaire bill.”
Article Explores Infection Prevention and Antibiotic Stewardship in Dentistry
A new article published in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) focuses on integration of antibiotic stewardship an infection prevention and control programs in dentistry. The authors conclude that infection control and stewardship programs complement each other and work synergistically to improve patient safety and health outcomes.
Pennsylvania Charitable Clinic Association Accepting Abstracts for Annual Conference
Report Sheds Light on Staggering Costs of Opioid Epidemic for Pennsylvania
A new analysis sheds light on the far-reaching costs of the opioid epidemic. The bill for opioid use disorder treatment shouldered by Pennsylvania and local governments in the state neared $5.3 billion in 2024, according to a report from Avalere Health. Pennsylvania ranked high in both the cost of treatment and the price tag for property crime linked to opioid addiction.
PHAN Publishes Report on Vulnerable Hospitals in Pennsylvania
Some hospitals are operating on a razor-thin margin. Any disruption can lead to the elimination of services or complete closures. With declining Medicare reimbursement and cuts to Medicaid, uncompensated care will increase and budgets will not be sustainable. Over the past 25 years, Pennsylvania has seen 78 closures or reductions in core services statewide, 26 of which were in rural counties. The Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN) has identified eight criteria that describe a hospital’s likelihood to be impacted should cuts or changes to the Medicaid program occur.