Lance's Corner

HRSA Issues Regulatory Update

Jun 26, 2025

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.

June 26, 2025

HRSA Reaffirms Commitment to Lowering Drug Prices for Low-income Patients

On June 24, HRSA announced new steps to lower out-of-pocket costs for life-saving medications.  In alignment with President Trump’s Executive Order “Lowering Drug Prices by Putting Americans First,” HRSA has issued updated award terms requiring HRSA-funded health centers to provide insulin and injectable epinephrine to low-income patients at or below the price paid by the center through the 340B Drug Pricing Program.  Read the release.

Administrator Engels Speaks with State Medicaid Directors

On June 11, HRSA Administrator Tom Engels participated in a fireside chat at the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) Annual Membership Meeting in Chicago.  NAMD is funded through HRSA's National Organizations of State and Local Officials (NOSLO) Program.  During the conversation, Administrator Engels discussed opportunities for collaboration between HRSA and state Medicaid programs, focusing on shared Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) priorities.  Addressing an audience of more than 150 Medicaid directors and senior leadership teams, he emphasized breaking down silos between federal and state programs, promoting radical transparency through enhanced data sharing and leveraging telehealth innovations to improve access to care.  He also highlighted areas where HRSA and Medicaid programs can align to improve health outcomes, expand workforce development and support underserved communities.  While in Chicago, Administrator Engels also visited Lawndale Christian Health Center, where he learned about their comprehensive care model that features an integrated approach to primary care, including medical, dental, and behavioral health services.  He also toured their VeggieRx Produce Prescription Program, a partnership with the Chicago Botanic Garden that provides patients with free produce boxes, nutrition counseling and cooking classes–an inspiring example of using food as medicine to improve community health outcomes.

HRSA Announces New Board of Directors for the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network

On June 5, HRSA announced the new 34-member Board of Directors for the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN).  This launch of the OPTN Board of Directors advances HRSA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen OPTN governance, mitigate conflicts of interest, and modernize the organ donation, procurement and transplantation system within the United States.  This effort has been strongly supported by HHS Secretary Kennedy, whose leadership has been key to advancing these modernization goals.  His support underscores a commitment to strengthening the U.S. organ donation, procurement and transplantation system, and to making impactful decisions that benefit Americans awaiting organ transplants.  Read the release.

HRSA Recognizes National HIV Testing Day

On June 27, HRSA will recognize National HIV Testing Day, a day to emphasize the importance of individuals knowing their HIV status.  When people know their status, they can take steps to protect their health and prevent transmission to others.  For those who test positive, early diagnosis and prompt linkage to care through HRSA’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) and Health Center Program lead to improved health outcomes and viral suppression.  In 2023, 90.6% of RWHAP clients reached viral suppression, highlighting the impact of connecting testing to comprehensive care.  Share FindHIVCare.hrsa.gov and FindAHealthCenter.hrsa.gov to help individuals find nearby health centers and RWHAP-funded medical providers who offer HIV testing, treatment and essential support services.

Championing Men’s Health during Men's Health Month

June marks Men’s Health Month, a time to encourage boys and men to prioritize their health and well-being.  Men are often less likely to visit the doctor, but regular checkups and preventive care can make a life-saving difference.  HRSA supports men’s health through a range of programs and services designed to improve access to care, prioritize preventive services, and improve men’s health outcomes.  Through HRSA's health centers, we provide affordable, high-quality primary care, including cancer screenings, blood pressure monitoring, and mental health and substance use services.  This month, HRSA encourages men to schedule a checkup or screening with a trusted health care provider.  Let’s work together to empower men to get the services they need to live longer, healthier lives.  Find a health center near you.

2025 HRSA Healthy Grants Workshop

Registration is open for the last two sessions of the 2025 Healthy Grants Workshop, scheduled for July 16 and August 13.  There is no cost, and all HRSA award and sub-award recipients are encouraged to attend.  Visit the 2025 Healthy Grants Workshop Schedule webpage for information on workshop times, topics, and presentations.  You can also find links to previous Healthy Grants Workshop recordings on the Healthy Grants Workshops webpage.  For more information, contact the Healthy Grants Workshop team at: HRSAGrantsWorkshop@hrsa.gov.

Celebrating World Sickle Cell Awareness Day

On June 19, HRSA recognized World Sickle Cell Awareness Day to raise awareness about sickle cell disease (SCD) and the challenges faced by patients, their families, and caregivers.  SCD is an inherited red blood cell condition affecting more than 100,000 people in the United States.  HRSA continues to support testing, counseling, treatment, and education occurring in clinics and community organizations nationwide through three coordinated programs - the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration Program, Sickle Cell Disease Newborn Screening Follow-up Program, and the Hemoglobinopathies National Coordinating Center.  Together, these programs strengthen the system of care, educate families and providers, and help kids and families get the best care based on the best science.

National Governors Association Center for Best Practices Policy Academy

On June 23, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices kicked off a Policy Academy and Learning Network, Rx for A Healthier America: Building Capacity to Support Innovative Strategies to Reduce the Burden of Chronic Diseases: 2025-2026, that is funded by HRSA's National Organizations of State and Local Officials (NOSLO) Program.  This Policy Academy and Learning Network will promote the Make America Healthy Again priorities by supporting Governors' offices in Missouri, Maryland, West Virginia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa to work toward programmatic, policy, and budgetary changes that will reduce chronic disease and obesity in America.

June

  • PTSD Awareness Month
  • Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month
  • HIV Testing Day (27)
 

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