Legislative Activity

The House will resume discussions this week about how to move a Continuing Resolution (CR) while appeasing conservative Republican members looking to attach a provision to block funding for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Last week, a scheduled vote on the CR was cancelled when the conference rejected a plan that would allow the Senate to vote separately on the CR and defunding provisions. Current discussions center on an alternative CR that includes a measure to delay ACA for a period of time—either one or two years. House Leadership will have to find the sweet spot of assuaging the conservative wing of the GOP while preventing a government shut-down, all leading up to ACA exchanges going live on October 1.

This Week’s Hearings:

  • Tuesday, September 17: The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health will hold a field hearing in Ohio on “Making a Difference: Shattering Barriers to Effective Mental Health Care for Veterans.”
  • Wednesday, September 18: The Senate Special Committee on Aging will hold a hearing on “Older Americans: The Changing Face of HIV/AIDS in America.”
  • Thursday, September 19: The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing on “Two Weeks Until Enrollment: Questions for CCIIO.”

Regulatory Activity

PCORI Awards

The Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) voted to fund 71 projects with $114 million over three years. The awards, totaling $114.2 million, will support patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research under PCORI’s National Priorities for Research and PCORI’s Research Agenda. Awards come under the third cycle of PCORI Funding Announcements (PFAs) associated with PCORI’s first four priorities and the inaugural cycle of PFAs under PCORI’s fifth.

CMS/MN Duals Demo

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new partnership with the state of Minnesota to test new ways of improving care for dual eligibles. Building on the state’s Minnesota Senior Health Option (MSHO) program, CMS and Minnesota will work together to improve the beneficiary experience in health plans that maintain contracts with both CMS as Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans and with the state to deliver Medicaid services.

other

MacPAC Meeting

The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) has scheduled a public meeting on Thursday and Friday, September 19-20. An agenda will be released in advance of the meeting.