Federal Watch
August 3rd, 2012
This week, we share news regarding funding to keep the government operating in FY 2013, share the latest announcement by the CMS Innovation Center, and update you on a new report highlighting payment policies for nursing homes. We additionally remind you of two upcoming National Provider Calls and a CER-related funding opportunity through the NIA.
Federal Watch
July 27th, 2012
This week, we share the exciting news on how the Affordable Care Act has saved $3.9 billion for older adults on medications since its enactment, and share the latest appropriations updates on Capitol Hill. We additionally remind you of two upcoming National Provider Calls and a CER-related funding opportunity through the NIA.
Federal Watch
July 20th, 2012
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.
Federal Watch
July 12th, 2012
his week, we update you on several happenings on Capitol Hill. We provide you with a continued update regarding Obama’s signature healthcare law, the recently released 2013 Proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule, and HHS’s announcement of 89 new ACOs. We additionally share a relevant Kaiser Health News story around the “cost of care,” and remind you of an upcoming National Provider Call regarding the Medicare Shared Savings Program and Advance Payment Model.
Federal Watch
July 6th, 2012
This week, we update you on last week's historic Supreme Court health care ruling as well as AGS' support of National Memory Screening Day. We also provide an update on a new study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry which points to the Medicare coverage gap as a potential cause in older adults foregoing antidepressants.
Federal Watch
June 29th, 2012
This week, we update you on an upcoming CMS National Provider Call on the Medicare Shared Savings Program and Advance Payment Model, and share AGS’s recent comment letter to HHS on the Hospital IPPS Rule for FY 2013 rates. In a separate story, we provide you with an analysis of the historic Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act. Finally, we encourage you to take action by contacting your legislators, and urging them to fully address and put an end to the flawed SGR formula.
Federal Watch
June 22nd, 2012
This week, we update you on the Administration’s recent announcement about the rising use of electronic health records (EHR), and two upcoming CMS National Provider Calls about the EHR Incentive Program and the Medicare Shared Savings Program . Finally, we encourage you to take action by contacting your legislators, and urging them to fully address and put an end to the flawed SGR formula.
Federal Watch
June 15th, 2012
This week, we update you on the success of the Affordable Care Act, as it has delivered free preventative services to over 14 million Medicare beneficiaries during the first 5 months in 2012, we apprise you of a new opportunity to apply to become an advance payment ACO model, as well as the latest on a new appropriations bill that has been approved by the Senate Labor-HHS-Education- Appropriations Subcommittee.
Federal Watch
June 8th, 2012
This week, we update you on two relevant new studies: one of which deals with new business models to curb Medicare’s depleting health costs, and the second which emphasizes the caution needed in handling care for the dual eligible population. We additionally update you on HHS’s announcement in regards to its new $25 million funding opportunity to help states strengthen and expand their ability to help older adults access home and community-based long-term services and supports.
Federal Watch
May 31st, 2012
This week, we update you on a new CMS initiative to improve dementia care in nursing homes; a look at the challenges of moving frail older adults from long-term-care facilities back into the community; and a reminder that PCORI funding for CER applications will begin on June 1. Finally, we share further news on AGS’s most recent activities, 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.
