Old Weekly Roundup

June 26, 2024

In Focus:

Unlocking Solutions in the Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace Programs

Roundup:

Alaska Releases Coordinated Care Demonstration Project RFI
California Budget Deal Delays Healthcare Worker Minimum Wage Raise
District of Columbia Submits 1115 Behavioral Health Transformation Demonstration Renewal Request
Florida Awards Two Incumbents With Statewide Medicaid Prepaid Dental Program Contracts
Kansas Faces Protests from Aetna, CareSource Over KanCare Awards
Nevada Receives Approval for Dental Benefit Demonstration for Adults with Diabetes
New York City Awards $10.3 million in Funding to Expand Supportive Housing
Oregon Awards Contract to Acentra to Help Implement Medicaid HRSNs
Pennsylvania to Submit LTC Demonstration Amendment Requests in September 2024
Washington Opens Apple Health Expansion Registration for Undocumented Adults
CMS Releases Final Rule on Medicare Part D Electronic Prescribing, Adoption of Health IT Standards
CMS Releases D-SNP Enrollee Advisory Committee Insights
BrightSpring Health Services to Acquire FL-based Hospice Care Providers

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June 12, 2024

In Focus:

Report Outlines Opportunities to Strengthen Behavioral Health Workforce

Roundup:

California Medicaid Doctors Introduce Ballot Measure for Higher Pay
Idaho to Release Dual Eligible, LTSS Managed Care Procurement in June 2024
Illinois Governor Signs Medicaid Omnibus Bill
Michigan Releases HIDE SNP RFP to Transition MI Health Link Dual Demo
New Mexico Medicaid to Reimburse Tribal Community Health Workers
Oregon Receives Federal Approval to Establish Basic Health Program
Rhode Island Submits Addendum Request to Section 1115 Comprehensive Demonstration for HRSN Services
Texas Medicaid Application Delays May Cost State Millions in Federal Funding
Texas HHSC Rejects Protests Over Medicaid, CHIP Awards
MACPAC Releases June 2024 Report to Congress
Insurers Estimate $1.1 Billion in MLR Rebates Across Commercial Markets in 2024
Addus HomeCare Signs Agreement to Acquire Gentiva Personal Care
Elevance Wins Medicare Advantage Star Rating Lawsuit
Judge Blocks DOJ from Dismissing Humana Medicare Advantage Lawsuit
Judge Denies FTC Injunction to Block Novant Health’s Acquisition of North Carolina Hospitals

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June 5, 2024

In Focus:

Ohio Releases Next Generation MyCare Ohio Program RFA

Roundup:

Arkansas to Transition Medicaid Managed Care Dental Program Back to Fee-for-Service
Colorado Governor Signs Bills Addressing Housing, Nutrition Support Funding, Prescription Drug Access
Florida Governor Signs Bill to Establish Rural Emergency Hospitals
Indiana Receives Federal Approval to Transition LTSS to Managed Care
Michigan Selects Eight PIHPs for Substance Abuse Recovery Incentives Pilot Program
Minnesota Releases Medicaid, MinnesotaCare IHP RFP
Tennessee Awards Medicaid Dental Contract to Renaissance Life & Health Insurance Company
CMS Releases ACO Primary Care Flex Model RFA
HHS Selects Ten Additional States to Participate in CCBHC Demonstration
Evolent Health to Acquire AI Assets from Machinify
Solarity Announces Strategic Growth Investment from Private Equity Firm TA Associates

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May 29, 2024

In Focus:

Federal Healthcare Quality Initiatives: Recent Developments Reshaping the Landscape

Roundup:

Arkansas DHS Collaborates with State University to Strengthen Medicaid HCBS Programs
Delaware Senate Passes Provider Tax to Support Medicaid
Kansas to Face Protest from Aetna Over KanCare Awards
Oregon Names Emma Sandoe as Medicaid Director
Minnesota Medicaid Managed Care Program Will Stop Contracting with For-profit Insurers in 2025
New Hampshire Senate Committee Advances Legislation to Alter Medicaid Enhancement Tax
New York to Invest $30 Million at Increasing Inpatient Psychiatric Capacity
South Carolina Lawmakers Propose Study Committee to Examine Medicaid Expansion
Express Scripts to Collaborate with CPESN USA to Improve Healthcare Access at Independent Pharmacies
Elevance Health Foundation to Provide $10 Million in Funding to Address Health-related Social Needs

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May 22, 2024

In Focus:

Minnesota’s Initiative to Build a Stronger Substance Use Disorder Ecosystem

Roundup:

Arizona Awards FFS PBM Contract to OptumRX
Delaware Receives Federal Approval for Medicaid 1115 Waiver Extension
Florida Centene Subsidiary, CityBlock Partner to Provide Primary Care, Care Coordination Services
Illinois to Grant $200 Million in Additional Healthcare Transformation Grants
Kansas Governor Signs Bill to Invest in Mental Health Pilot Program, New Psychiatric Hospital
New Mexico Sets Expectations for MCOs to Invest in Behavioral Health Accessibility Under New Contracts
Nevada Solicits Public Input for Upcoming Coordination-only D-SNP RFP
Tennessee Receives Federal Approval for Section 1115 TennCare III Waiver Amendment
Wisconsin Medicaid LTC Contract Award Slated to Go to Molina
Senate Finance Committee Releases White Paper on Increasing Medicare Physician Reimbursement
Biden Administration Releases National Maternal Mental Health Strategy
CMS Discards Stacking Provision Under Medicaid Drug Rebate Proposed Rule
Centene Invests $900 Million To Develop Affordable Housing Units in Eight States

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May 15, 2024

In Focus:

HMA Opens Registration for Fall Conference: Unlocking Solutions in Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace

Roundup:

California Governor Retracts on Budget Deal to Use MCO Tax Revenue for Medicaid, Hospital Investments
Colorado Releases Accountable Care Collaborative Phase III RFP
Colorado Releases Behavioral Health ASO RFP
Florida Governor Signs Bill Allowing Medicaid Home Health Services Ordered by Nurses, Physician Assistants
Kansas Announces Intent to Award KanCare, CHIP Medicaid Managed Care Contracts
Michigan Invests $1.3 Million to Expand Hospital Rooming-in for Substance-exposed Babies
Missouri House Committee Advances Medicaid Hospital Tax Renewal
New York Releases RFA for Medicaid Housing Subsidies, Services through $87 Million Grant Funding
Oklahoma Hospitals See Higher Payments Under Managed Care
Texas Releases STAR Kids RFP
CMS Extends Medicaid Unwinding-related Waiver Demonstrations to June 2025
DOJ Creates Antitrust Task Force to Combat Healthcare Consolidations, Acquisitions Violating Laws
Eventus WholeHealth Acquires Premier Geriatric Solutions

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May 8, 2024

In Focus:

New HMA Report Outlines Proposed Reforms for Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

Roundup:

Arizona Restructures Medicaid Agency, Expands Leadership Roles
Arkansas Launches Four Preventative Pilot Programs for Children with Behavioral Health Conditions
Massachusetts Submits Amendment Request for MassHealth Section 1115 Demonstration
Michigan Requests Section 1115 Demonstration Extension Including SUD Pilot Program
Montana Medicaid Expansion Helps Decrease Inpatient, Emergency Service Costs
Missouri Senate to Vote on Medicaid Hospital Tax Renewal Following Filibuster
Nebraska Seeks Input on Medicaid Enterprise System Modernization
Joint Commission to Launch Rural Health Clinic Accreditation Program
Senate Finance Committee Introduces Legislation to Create Medicare Drug Shortage Prevention, Mitigation Program
Justice Department Advances Cigna’s Medicare Advantage Sale

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May 1, 2024

In Focus:

Medicaid Unwinding Check-in: Data Informed Observations to Guide Future Action

Roundup:

Alabama Legislators Hear from Arkansas, North Carolina Officials on Medicaid Expansion
Arkansas Cancels Medicaid Dental Services Procurement; Fails to Reach Agreement with Bidders
California to Adopt Health Care Spending Limit Beginning 2025
Colorado Extends Medicaid Eligibility for Beneficiaries Living with Disabilities
Connecticut House Passes Bill Aimed at Improving Elder Health Care System
Illinois Community-based Organizations to Receive More than $5 Million in Funding for Maternal, Infant Healthcare
Kansas to Implement Supplemental Waiver to Shorten IDD, Physical Disability Waiver Waitlists
Mississippi Medicaid Expansion Bill Heads to House, Senate for Vote
Oregon Medicaid Program Offers Equipment to Protect Beneficiaries Against Climate Change
CMS, NCQA Grant Two Week Extension for Insurers to Submit Star Quality Data
FTC Finalizes Rule to Prevent Digital Health Apps from Releasing Sensitive Medical Data
CVS to Acquire Medicare Advantage Broker Hella Health

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April 24, 2024

In Focus:

Five Takeaways from the CMS Medicaid Managed Care Final Rule

Roundup:

Connecticut Lawmakers Plan to Revisit Medicaid Managed Care for Enrollees
Florida Receives Eight Intents to Protest Against SMMC Awards
Georgia Governor Signs Bill to Relax Certificate-of-need Regulations, Form Health Commission
Maryland Total Cost of Care Model Improved Medicare Spending, Decreased Health Disparities in First Four Years
Massachusetts Receives Federal Approval to Provide Medicaid-funded Temporary Housing for Emergency Shelter Program
Michigan Medicaid to Offer Maternal Health Quality Payments
New York Enacted Fiscal 2025 Budget Invests in Health Equity, New Policies Promoting Access to Care
New Mexico Extends Medicaid Coverage for Seniors Receiving Long-term Care, Individuals with Disabilities
Texas Lawmakers Urge Governor to Cancel, Delay STAR, CHIP Awards
HHS Launches Investigation Examining PBMs

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April 17, 2024

In Focus:

Roundup:

Arkansas Awards CSG Government Solution IV&V Contract
Connecticut Submits Section 1115 Substance Use Disorder Demonstration Amendment
Kansas Delays KanCare, CHIP Medicaid Managed Care RFP Awards
Florida Announces Awards for Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Procurement
Mississippi Study to Test Food is Medicine Pilot Program
Nevada Proposes New Behavioral HCBS Program for Children
New York Governor Announces Fiscal 2025 State Budget Agreement with Legislature
Ohio MCOs Fund Community-based Programs Under NextGen Model
Medicare Telehealth Utilization Decreased in 2022; Does Not Limit Access to In-person Care, MedPAC Finds
CMS Proposes Transforming Episode Accountability Model to Improve Care During Surgery, Recovery for Medicare Beneficiaries
Accenture Federal Services to Acquire Cognosante
Elevance, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Invest in Primary Care Access Partnership

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