Federal Watch
July 20th, 2012
AGS is tracking developments in Washington and will be providing weekly updates for our readers via our List Serv, americangeriatrics.org, our Facebook page, and our Twitter feed. This week, we update you on the House’s approval of the Labor- HHS- Education bill, CMS’s addition of 15 new Accountable Care Organizations, and the release of an IOM report about mental health and substance use among older adults. We additionally inform you of a new NIA grant to advance the goals of Comparative Effectiveness Research, and remind you of the upcoming National Provider Call on the Medicare Shared Savings Program and Advance Payment Model. Finally, we share our latest efforts, and encourage you to take action by contacting your legislators, and urging them to fully address and put an end to the flawed SGR formula.
House Panel Approves Labor-HHS Bill with Deep Health Cuts
The House Appropriations Labor-HHS-Education subcommittee approved the annual spending bill for HHS programs on a mostly party-line vote of 8-6. House Republicans beat back Democratic efforts to protect funding needed to implement provisions of the health reform law. The bill, as approved, would de-fund parts of the Affordable Care Act, eliminate the Agency for Health Care Quality and Research - a 20-year-old entity - and slash the budget for other health programs. In total, the bill would cut $1.3 billion in funding for HHS. To read more, please visit here.
CMS Adds 15 More ACOs Under 'Advanced Payment' Model
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that 15 new Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) will be participating in the Advance Payments ACO Model, designed to support physician-based and rural ACOs in the Medicare Shared Savings Program who have less access to capital. Through this model, selected participants will receive upfront and monthly payments, which they can use to make important investments in their care coordination infrastructure. This week’s announcement brings the total number of Advance Payment ACOs to 20. CMS will also be allowing organizations who are applying to participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program beginning January 1, to apply to participate in the Advance Payment ACO Model. Interested organizations must apply to both the Medicare Shared Savings Program and the Advance Payment ACO Model to gain consideration.
IOM Releases New Report on Mental Health and Substance Use among Workforce for Older Adults
According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in their new report, at least 5.6 million to 8 million - nearly one in five - older adults in America have one or more mental health and substance use conditions, which present unique challenges for their care. With the number of adults age 65 and older projected to soar from 40.3 million in 2010 to 72.1 million by 2030, the aging of America holds profound consequences for the nation. Following its 2008 report highlighting the urgency of expanding and strengthening the geriatric health care workforce, the IOM was asked by the Department of Health and Human Services to undertake a complementary study on the geriatric mental health and substance use workforce. An expert committee assessed the needs of this population and the workforce that serves it. For the full report, please visit here.
The National Institute on Aging Invites Applicants to Help Continue CER Research
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has announced a new grant opportunity titled “Secondary Analyses of Comparative Effectiveness, Health Outcomes and Costs in Persons with Multiple Chronic Conditions (R21”). This federal grant is the next step in NIA’s continued work to advance the research agenda for multiple chronic conditions. For information on the new grant, you may visit: grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-13-003.html. The application deadline is October 11, 2013. Any questions can go to:
Marcel Salive, MD, MPH
Division of Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology
Phone: 301-496-6761
Email: marcel.salive@nih.gov
REMINDER
National Provider Call Medicare Shared Savings Program and Advance Payment Model Application Process — Tuesday, July 31 1:30-3 pm ET
On Tuesday, July 31, 2012, CMS will host a National Provider Call, where subject matter experts will provide an overview and updates to the Shared Savings Program application and Advance Payment Model application processes for the January 1, 2013 Shared Savings Program start date. A question and answer session will follow the presentations. The Shared Savings Program Application and the Advance Payment Model web pages have important information, dates, and materials on the application process. Call participants are encouraged to review the applications and materials prior to the call.
What AGS Did This Week
Senator Ron Wyden (D- OR) and Representative Elliot Engle introduced legislation to improve palliative and hospice medicine to help older adults and those with serious or chronic illnesses better manage their pain and improve their quality of life. AGS formally endorsed this piece of legislation known as the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act. To view the AGS’s endorsement you may visit here.
How You Can Help
AGS encourages you to Take Action by visiting AGS’ Health in Aging Advocacy Center. Contact your members of Congress today, and urge them to call for both the repeal of the SGR and comprehensive Medicare payment and delivery reform. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Susie Sherman, Senior Coordinator of Public Affairs & Advocacy, ssherman@americangeriatrics.org.
Modified On: July 20th, 2012
