Public Health

In 2017, Reading Hospital was awarded a $4.5 million grant from CMS to implement the Accountable Health Communities (AHC) model and assess whether addressing the health-related social needs of local Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries would impact their healthcare costs and inpatient and outpatient healthcare utilization. This case study looks at 747 patients with resolved food needs and finds that among this cohort, emergency department visits dropped 32%, hospital admissions decreased 32%, readmissions were reduced by 30%, and hospital costs went down 31%. Among the patients who were also on the Diabetes Registry, A1C rates decreased by an average of 2.2%

On Friday, November 11, 2022 HHS announced that it will again extend the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). Based on commitments to provide at least 60 days’ notice prior to allowing the PHE to lapse, HHS had until Saturday, November 12, to provide states with notice that the PHE would either be extended or end in January. This means that unwinding protocol will not yet begin, and that the PHE policies such as Medicaid FMAP increases; continuous eligibility; and the 1135, Appendix K, and Emergency SPAs will remain in effect.

KFF’s new state Medicaid budget survey anticipates Medicaid enrollment will begin to decline in FY 2023, following the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). The 22nd annual survey finds that states expect growth in Medicaid enrollment to slow to 8.4 percent in FY 2022 (down from 11.2 percent the previous year) before declining by 0.4 percent in FY 2023.

ACL released its first comprehensive report on the accomplishments of Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III, VI, and VII programs. Enacted in 1965, the OAA created the foundation for a comprehensive system of services and supports that enables millions of older adults in this country to continue to live independently as they age. Today, programs funded by the OAA provide essential services to older adults, targeting those with the greatest economic or social need, particularly low-income and minority persons, older individuals with limited English proficiency, and older persons living in rural areas. The programs play a vital role in helping to maintain the health and well-being of millions of older adults and their caregivers.

ANCOR has announced a new campaign, As a DSP It's Up to Me!, designed to increase vaccine acceptance among direct support professionals (DSPs) so they can protect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A new COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit has been designed to reduce vaccine hesitancy among DSPs and offer a range of resources to help community providers engage in conversations with DSPs that encourage them to get vaccinated.

On Monday, June 27, 2022 the Biden Administration announced a new model aimed at improving cancer care for Medicare patients and lowering health care costs. CMS’ Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation designed the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM) to test how to improve health care providers’ ability to deliver patient-centered care and consider patients’ unique needs. The model will focus on supporting patients, caregivers, and survivors, while addressing inequities and providing patients with treatments that address their individual needs.

MACPAC has released its June 2022 Report to Congress on Medicaid and CHIP. The report recommends measures that Congress can take to better monitor access to care for Medicaid beneficiaries, improve the oversight and transparency of managed care directed payments, increase access to vaccines for adults enrolled in Medicaid, encourage the uptake of health information technology in behavioral health, and better integrate care for Medicaid and Medicare dual-eligibles. The commission also offers policy levers that states and the federal government can use to promote equity in Medicaid.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project (CVEEP) encourages the aging network to submit imput on a short survey to help identify tools, resources, and strategies for protecting older adults against COVID-19. The deadline to complete the survey is Tuesday, June 21, 2022.

On Wednesday, April 13, 2022, The administration renewed the COVID-19 public health emergency, just before the initial April 16 expiration date. This will extend pandemic policies and flexibilities that have made it easier for millions of Americans to access health insurance coverage under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, access telehealth services, and sign up for health insurance. CMS released guidance giving states 12 months to redetermine eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP, and Congress extended telehealth coverage of Medicare for five months after the emergency ends in the fiscal 2022 omnibus spending bill.

Long COVID is characterized by a combination of long lasting symptoms including fatigue, pain, and brain fog that range from mild to debilitating. Symptoms of long COVID can last up to months and are a potential cause of disability. The disability network can serve as a key source of information for those recovering from long COVID. The Administration has directed the Secretary of Health and Human Services to coordinate an interagency action plan to address the impacts of long COVID and improve access to services for individuals experiences symptoms and in recovery. The research action plan must specifically include plans to advance the understanding of the health and socioeconomic burdens on individuals affected by long COVID.