Happy Holidays Health Policy News readers!

For this month’s edition, we tune into important CMS guidance and innovative state approaches to maternity and postpartum and behavioral health care as well as sharing the second article in our Fall Focus on Caregiving Series. We start with an overview of the proposed 2025 Exchange Guidance from our Health Policy News experts.  Our second article details the creative ways in which states seek to address the needs of the pregnant population diagnosed with a Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Lastly, in our second article in the Fall Focus on Caregiving Series, we share innovative approaches to respite care across key states.  

As the end of the year approaches, look out for our December Edition, a retrospective of 2023, with a preview of topics and developments the Health Policy News team will be following in 2024. 

CMS Releases Proposed Exchange Guidance for 2025  

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its annual proposed guidance for Exchanges and Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) this month – the Proposed Notice for Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2025 (NBPP) and the Draft Letter to Issuers on the Federally-facilitated Exchanges for 2025 (Letter). For an overview of key topics addressed by the changes, like Network Adequacy requirements, Essential Health Benefits and Standardized Plans, click here.  

 
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States Strategies to Support Pregnant and Parenting People with Substance Use Disorder  

Pregnant and parenting people with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) encounter numerous barriers to accessing evidence-based treatment and recovery services, including stigma, transportation and financial challenges, and fear of interaction with child protective and legal systems. To support these individuals, states have identified ways to meet the complex needs of this population. To read about extensions of postpartum coverage and allocated opioid settlement funds, click here.  

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Focus on Caregiving: Innovative Approaches to Respite Care  

In our second article in the Fall Focus on Caregiving Series, Health Policy News examines innovative approaches to respite care to increase access to and utilization of respite care services across the country. To read about innovative state-level approaches to policy and programmatic approaches to respite care, such as increasing utilization and flexibility in the spending of respite care funds, click here. 

 
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