Health Policy News February
In this month’s edition of Health Policy News, we continue our Focus on Caregiving Series with an overview of the federal Credit for Caring Act introduced in February, along with similar state–level initiatives to provide financial support to caregivers via tax credits.
Our second article this month gives an overview of the recently published CMS bulletin on Health-Related Social Needs (HSRN) and shares key information on authorities and limitations. And lastly, HPN continues to cover the potential rollback of some opioid use disorder treatment flexibilities enacted during the public health emergency.
Congress and States Advance Efforts to Provide Financial Support to Caregivers
The Credit for Caring Act is a groundbreaking piece of legislation that aims to support family caregivers who play an essential role in caring for loved ones with chronic illnesses or disabilities. This bill recognizes the vital contributions of caregivers by providing a tax credit to alleviate some of the financial burdens they often face. To read about this bill’s goals and background, and current efforts within states aligning with the Credit for Caring Act, click here.
CMS Pushes Forward Efforts to Address Health-Related Social Needs
As states focus on advancing their 2024 Medicaid priorities, many of those lists are likely to be Health-Related Social Needs (HSRN). The Centers for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) gave HSRN efforts a boost at the end of 2023 with the release of an Informational Bulletin that outlined opportunities to cover through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) “clinically-appropriate and evidence-based” services and supports that address HSRN. To find out more about the wide range of opportunities available via Medicaid and CHIP authorities, click here.
SAMSHA Releases Final Rule on Opioid Use Disorder Treatment following Proposed COVID-19 PHE Telehealth Rollbacks
Following a public comment period that received a record 38,000 public comments, both SAMHSA and the DEA issued the “Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications.” On January 31st, 2024, SAMHSA issued a final rule updating certain regulations for Opioid Treatment Programs and the standards for treatment of opioid use disorder. To read more about the highlights of the final rule and its potential impacts on individuals seeking services for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), click here.
