December 2016
21st Century Cures Act Passes the House
By a vote of 392-26, the House passed the 21st Century Cures Act, it now awaits a vote in the Senate. The Cures Act was designed to increase the development and approval of new drugs, build up the nation’s mental health infrastructure, and provide additional funding to put towards combatting the growing opioid abuse epidemic. In addition to this, the Cures Act would provide additional funding to the NIH for it’s scientific research projects and provide ten years of additional support to the FDA to change its current oversight responsibilities.
While this act provides many positive provisions for health and scientific research, to pay for all of the proposed changes, money would be reallocated from the Prevention and Public Health Fund set up by the Affordable Care Act, which has been dwindling due to cuts made during budget appropriations over the last few years.
By a vote of 392-26, the House passed the 21st Century Cures Act, it now awaits a vote in the Senate. The Cures Act was designed to increase the development and approval of new drugs, build up the nation’s mental health infrastructure, and provide additional funding to put towards combatting the growing opioid abuse epidemic. In addition to this, the Cures Act would provide additional funding to the NIH for it’s scientific research projects and provide ten years of additional support to the FDA to change its current oversight responsibilities.
While this act provides many positive provisions for health and scientific research, to pay for all of the proposed changes, money would be reallocated from the Prevention and Public Health Fund set up by the Affordable Care Act, which has been dwindling due to cuts made during budget appropriations over the last few years.
President-Elect Trump Nominates Representative Tim Price to Serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Georgia Representative and vocal Affordable Care Act opponent Tim Price to serve as the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Rep. Price has proposed alternatives to the ACA every year since its passage in 2009, citing that he feels the current legislation interferes directly interferes with the patient-doctor relationship. Additionally, he has also stated his desire to fundamentally change the way the current Medicare and Medicaid programs operate under the Social Security Act and has proposed privatizing Medicare as an alternative to the current system.
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Georgia Representative and vocal Affordable Care Act opponent Tim Price to serve as the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Rep. Price has proposed alternatives to the ACA every year since its passage in 2009, citing that he feels the current legislation interferes directly interferes with the patient-doctor relationship. Additionally, he has also stated his desire to fundamentally change the way the current Medicare and Medicaid programs operate under the Social Security Act and has proposed privatizing Medicare as an alternative to the current system.
Pennsylvania Makes Birth Control Accessible to New Mothers Under Medicaid
As of December 1st, Pennsylvania Medicaid will begin paying hospitals separately to insert long lasting contraceptives as part of delivery services. Previously, hospitals were reimbursed for births using bundled payment options that did not separately incentivize the prescription of contraceptives to new mothers who might be interested.
In addition to separate payment for long lasting intrauterine devices and subdermal contraceptive implants, this new policy will also set aside federal funding to provide additional training to health care providers on postpartum contraception.
As of December 1st, Pennsylvania Medicaid will begin paying hospitals separately to insert long lasting contraceptives as part of delivery services. Previously, hospitals were reimbursed for births using bundled payment options that did not separately incentivize the prescription of contraceptives to new mothers who might be interested.
In addition to separate payment for long lasting intrauterine devices and subdermal contraceptive implants, this new policy will also set aside federal funding to provide additional training to health care providers on postpartum contraception.