Lance's Corner

HRSA Issues Regulatory Update

Sep 20, 2024

The United States Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has issued an update on its regulatory activities.  You can read the complete HRSA regulatory update, with links to additional resources, below.

Hispanic Heritage Month Banner
September 20, 2024

HRSA Makes First Ever Multi-Vendor Awards to Modernize the Nation’s Organ Transplant System

optnOn September 20, for the first time in the program’s nearly 40-year history, HRSA announced the first ever multi-vendor contract awards to modernize the nation’s organ transplant system to improve transparency, performance, governance, and efficiency of the organ donation and transplantation system for the more than 100,000 people on the organ transplant waitlist. This transition from a single vendor to multiple vendors to support OPTN operations is a critical step in advancing innovation in the transplant system to better serve patients and their families and implements the bipartisan Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act signed by the President in September 2023. HRSA has awarded separate contracts to reform the organ procurement and transplant network to support improving quality and patient safety, modernizing IT, bolstering communications with patients, and more.

Read the release.

HRSA Announces Historic Investment to Integrate Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment into Primary Care

carole johnson announcement

On September 19, HRSA announced $240 million in awards to launch and expand mental health and substance use disorder services in more than 400 community health centers across the country that care for more than 10 million people. Health centers are trusted community providers and a primary source of care for individuals across the country who are uninsured, underinsured, or enrolled in Medicaid – making them well-positioned to respond to the urgent need for behavioral health services that are high quality, stigma-free, culturally competent and readily accessible. These grants will help expand access to needed care to help tackle the nation’s mental health and opioid crises – two pillars of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Unity Agenda for the nation.

Read the release.

HRSA’s Observes National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on September 27

gay men hiv aids awareness dayOn Friday, September 27, HRSA’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program will observe National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

This day is an opportunity to raise awareness about HIV stigma and to encourage HIV prevention and treatment among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.

Of the more than half a million clients receiving care through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program in 2022, nearly 42% are gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, and 90.2% of are virally suppressed. This means they are taking their HIV medication, reaching viral suppression, and can live longer and healthier lives without fear of sexually transmitting HIV to their partners.

Learn more.

HRSA Announces Nearly $100 Million to Grow the Health Workforce

photo of doctors and residentsOn Tuesday, September 7, HRSA announced nearly $100 million in awards to grow, support, and strengthen the health workforce and improve access to quality care in high-need areas across the country. The announcement was made in conjunction with an HHS Health Workforce Roundtable convened as part of HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra’s Health Workforce Initiative.

Read the release.

Deadline Extended to Complete Your 2024 National Ryan White Conference Survey: September 20

ryan white conference logoTime is running out to complete your 2024 National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care & Treatment survey. The deadline has been extended to this Friday, September 20, and the survey link is available on the conference virtual platform.

More than 6,500 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program recipients, federal, national, state, and local organizations and partners, providers, HIV community leaders, and people with lived experience participated in the 2024 National Ryan White Conference between August 20-23, 2024, in Washington, DC.

In total, the 2024 National Ryan White Conference, coordinated by HRSA's HIV/AIDS Bureau, featured more than 160 workshops, nearly 130 poster presentations, four plenary sessions, a special session with Ryan White's mother Jeanne White-Ginder, and several listening sessions.

Additionally, the event included an exhibit hall with more than 40 organizations, including federal partners such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, HHS' Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy, and HRSA's Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, Bureau of Primary Health Care, and Division of Independent Review.

Learn more.

Webinar on Strengthening Behavioral Health Services for Hispanic/Latino Populations

focus groupThis Hispanic Heritage Month, join HRSA’s Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs on Wednesday, October 2 from 1-2:30 p.m. ET for the next session of our Advancing Health Equity among Hispanic/Latino Populations series.

The webinar will feature grantees from HRSA’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program and Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program and highlight efforts to strengthen behavioral health services and reduce barriers to care for Hispanic/Latino populations, particularly in rural areas. The webinar will be broadcast in Spanish with live English translation. You can also watch past webinars in the series.

HRSA Recognized National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day on September 18

aging awarenessOn September 18, HRSA’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program recognized National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day to highlight the unique needs of people with HIV aged 50 and older. This is a day to raise awareness about HIV, address stigma and barriers to care, and encourage people 50 and older to get tested and know their status. People with HIV are now able to live longer, fuller lives because of highly effective treatments.

Yesterday, HRSA and CDC recognized National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day with the release of a joint letter. Currently more than 48% of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program clients are aged 50 and older. Through this program, HRSA ensures that people aging with HIV receive comprehensive care that addresses both their medical and social needs. Last month, HRSA also released a new program letter focused on how Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program recipients can support older adults, long-term survivors, and life-term survivors.

Learn more about how you can support people aging with HIV.

HRSA Attends HHS Secretary's Tribal Advisory Committee Meeting

Garrett at Secretary's Tribal Advisory Committee

HRSA Chief of Staff Garrett Devenney, Associate Administrator for Intergovernmental and External Affairs Antigone Dempsey, and Office of Tribal Affairs Director Juliana Blome represented the agency at the Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC) meeting in Tacoma, WA.

The annual meeting is a critical opportunity for the Department to engage with Tribal Governments and work together on health programs and opportunities in Indian country.

HRSA Highlights Improving HIV Health Outcomes at 2024 U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS

heather hauckHRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau highlighted efforts to end the HIV epidemic at the 2024 U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS in New Orleans, Louisiana from September 12-15.

The U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS is the HIV community’s largest conference, and this year’s theme was “Southern Joy” with a focus on improving HIV health outcomes in the South.

HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau Deputy Associate Administrator Heather Hauck and staff collaborated with federal partners, Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program recipients, and HIV community leaders to spotlight efforts on community engagement, using implementation science within the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, and improving HIV health outcomes through collaborative approaches to public health.

HRSA in the News

image of a calendar

September

  • National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month 
  • National Sickle Cell Awareness Month 
  • Newborn Screening Awareness Month 
  • National Recovery Month 
  • National Suicide Prevention Month and Week (8-14) 
  • National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (18) 
  • National Stillbirth Prevention Day (19) 
  • Infant Mortality Awareness Month

Funding Opportunities

 

Bureau of Health Workforce

Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program (HRSA-25-077) - apply by September 20

National Health Service Corps Students to Service Loan Repayment Program - apply by November 7

Bureau of Primary Health Care

Service Area Competition (HRSA-25-015) - apply by September 24

Service Area Competition (HRSA-25-016) - apply by October 15

Service Area Competition (HRSA-25-017) - apply by October 29

HIV/AIDS Bureau

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part A HIV Emergency Relief Grant Program - apply by October 1

Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. – Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Parts A and B - apply by October 22

Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. – Systems Coordination Provider - apply by October 22

Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. – Technical Assistance Provider - apply by October 22

AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) Emergency Relief Funds (ERF) - apply by November 4

View All Funding Opportunities

USDOL Issues Comprehensive Employer Guidance on Long COVID

The United States Department of Labor (USDOL) has issued a comprehensive set of resources that can be accessed below for employers on dealing with Long COVID.

Supporting Employees with Long COVID: A Guide for Employers

The “Supporting Employees with Long COVID” guide from the USDOL-funded Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) and Job Accommodation Network (JAN) addresses the basics of Long COVID, including its intersection with mental health, and common workplace supports for different symptoms.  It also explores employers’ responsibilities to provide reasonable accommodations and answers frequently asked questions about Long COVID and employment, including inquiries related to telework and leave.

Download the guide

Accommodation and Compliance: Long COVID

The Long COVID Accommodation and Compliance webpage from the USDOL-funded Job Accommodation Network (JAN) helps employers and employees understand strategies for supporting workers with Long COVID.  Topics include Long COVID in the context of disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), specific accommodation ideas based on limitations or work-related functions, common situations and solutions, and questions to consider when identifying effective accommodations for employees with Long COVID.  Find this and other Long COVID resources from JAN, below:

Long COVID, Disability and Underserved Communities: Recommendations for Employers

The research-to-practice brief “Long COVID, Disability and Underserved Communities” synthesizes an extensive review of documents, literature and data sources, conducted by the USDOL-funded Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) on the impact of Long COVID on employment, with a focus on demographic differences.  It also outlines recommended actions organizations can take to create a supportive and inclusive workplace culture for people with Long COVID, especially those with disabilities who belong to other historically underserved groups.

Read the brief

Long COVID and Disability Accommodations in the Workplace

The policy brief “Long COVID and Disability Accommodations in the Workplace” explores Long COVID’s impact on the workforce and provides examples of policy actions different states are taking to help affected people remain at work or return when ready.  It was developed by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) as part of its involvement in USDOL’s State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED) initiative.

Download the policy brief

Understanding and Addressing the Workplace Challenges Related to Long COVID

The report “Understanding and Addressing the Workplace Challenges Related to Long COVID” summarizes key themes and takeaways from an ePolicyWorks national online dialogue through which members of the public were invited to share their experiences and insights regarding workplace challenges posed by Long COVID.  The dialogue took place during summer 2022 and was hosted by USDOL and its agencies in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Surgeon General.

Download the report

Working with Long COVID

The USDOL-published “Working with Long COVID” fact sheet shares strategies for supporting workers with Long COVID, including accommodations for common symptoms and resources for further guidance and assistance with specific situations.

Download the fact sheet

COVID-19: Long-Term Symptoms

This USDOL motion graphic informs workers with Long COVID that they may be entitled to temporary or long-term supports to help them stay on the job or return to work when ready, and shares where they can find related assistance.

Watch the motion graphic

A Personal Story of Long COVID and Disability Disclosure

In the podcast “A Personal Story of Long COVID and Disability Disclosure,” Pam Bingham, senior program manager for Intuit’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Tech team, shares her personal experience of navigating Long COVID symptoms at work.  The segment was produced by the USDOL-funded Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology (PEAT) as part of its ongoing “Future of Work” podcast series.

Listen to the podcast

HHS OIG Issues Annual Report on State MFCUs

Per the notice below, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued its annual report on the performance of state Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs).

Medicaid Fraud Control Units Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report (OEI-09-24-00200) 

Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs) investigate and prosecute Medicaid provider fraud and patient abuse or neglect. OIG is the Federal agency that oversees and annually approves federal funding for MFCUs through a recertification process. This new report analyzed the statistical data on annual case outcomes—such as convictions, civil settlements and judgments, and recoveries—that the 53 MFCUs submitted for Fiscal Year 2023.  New York data is as follows:

Outcomes

  • Investigations1 - 556
  • Indicted/Charged - 9
  • Convictions - 8
  • Civil Settlements/Judgments - 28
  • Recoveries2 - $73,204,518

Resources

  • MFCU Expenditures3 - $55,964,293
  • Staff on Board4 - 257

1Investigations are defined as the total number of open investigations at the end of the fiscal year.

2Recoveries are defined as the amount of money that defendants are required to pay as a result of a settlement, judgment, or prefiling settlement in criminal and civil cases and may not reflect actual collections.  Recoveries may involve cases that include participation by other Federal and State agencies.

3MFCU and Medicaid Expenditures include both State and Federal expenditures.

4Staff on Board is defined as the total number of staff employed by the Unit at the end of the fiscal year.

Read the Full Report

View the Statistical Chart

Engage with the Interactive Map

GAO Issues Report on Medicaid Managed Care Service Denials and Appeal Outcomes

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes.  GAO found that federal oversight is limited because it doesn't require states to report on Medicaid managed care service denials or appeal outcomes and there has not been much progress on plans to analyze and make the data publicly available.  To read the GAO report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes, use the first link below.  To read GAO highlights of the report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes, use the second link below.
https://www.gao.gov/assets/d24106627.pdf  (GAO report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes)
https://www.gao.gov/assets/d24106627_high.pdf  (GAO highlights on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes)

CMS Issues Latest Medicare Regulatory Activities Update

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its latest update on its regulatory activities in the Medicare program.  While dentistry is only minimally connected to the Medicare program, Medicare drives the majority of health care policies and insurance reimbursement policies throughout the country.  Therefore, it always pays to keep a close eye on what CMS is doing in Medicare.  To read the latest CMS update on its regulatory activities in Medicare, use the link below.
https://www.cms.gov/training-education/medicare-learning-network/newsletter/2024-03-14-mlnc