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All posts tagged with “Public Policy News | Laws / Legal.”
In letter to CMS, lawmakers call for more MA transparency
12/12/23 at 03:14 AMIn letter to CMS, lawmakers call for more MA transparencyMcKnight’s Home Care DailyDecember 11, 2023Four senators demanded the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services make more data surrounding prior authorizations in Medicare Advantage publicly available. “In the last few years, federal watchdogs have released numerous reports examining concerning trends in MA,” Sens. Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), the letter’s signees, said in a statement. “Without publicly available plan-level data ... policymakers and regulators are unable to adequately oversee the program and legislate potential reforms.” The senators specifically requested CMS gather and publish data regarding prior authorization requests, denials and appeals, justifications for denials and the timeliness of prior authorization decisions.
Sen. Jacque—No Patient Left Alone Act advances with bipartisan support
12/11/23 at 04:00 AMSen. Jacque—No Patient Left Alone Act advances with bipartisan supportWis PoliticsDecember 7, 2023Madison, WI—Our loved ones would never be isolated from their families and friends again under legislation that cleared a State Senate committee today protecting our right to visit those dear to us in hospitals and care facilities. State Sen. André Jacque (R-De Pere), co-author of the proposal with State Rep. Chuck Wichgers, said research coming out of the pandemic has shown what we have known all along about the damage done to patients and their families by blocking human contact when they need each other most. ... Sen. Jacque said the No Patient Left Alone Act addresses these problems by allowing patients in health care facilities to receive visitors, subject to COVID-19 infections protocols, and to have in-person compassionate care visitation between a resident and any individual the resident requests to relieve physical or mental distress. ... The No Patient Left Alone Act (Senate Bill 257) passed the Senate Committee on Health earlier this morning 0n a bi-partisan 5-1 vote. It must next clear the full Senate and Assembly, and be signed by the Governor, to become law.
New Jersey Passes Community-Based Palliative Care Medicaid Bill
12/10/23 at 04:00 AMNew Jersey Passes Community-Based Palliative Care Medicaid BillPalliative Care NewsDecember 8, 2023A New Jersey state bill recently passed that establishes community-based palliative care benefits under Medicaid. The new legislation includes coverage for specialized medical care, emotional and spiritual support, as well as pain and symptom relief for Medicaid beneficiaries with advanced illnesses, including both adult and pediatric populations.
Top Lawmakers for Hospices to Watch in 2024
12/10/23 at 04:00 AMTop Lawmakers for Hospices to Watch in 2024Hospice NewsDecember 8, 2023Hospice providers will be looking to Congress in 2024 to address issues related to program integrity, quality improvement and industry-wide workforce pressures. As legislative efforts develop, hospices may want to focus their attention on a few key legislators. ...Notable Mentions: Rep. Beth Van Duyne, (R-Texas), Rep. Earl Blumenaur, (D-Oregon), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-California), Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-California), Sen. John Barasso (R-Wyoming), Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia).