On November 8, 2023 the Senate Finance Committee held an open session to discuss and vote on a large multi-faceted package of bills designed to create more mental health access, lower the cost of drugs to Seniors, and extended a number of expired Medicare and Medicaid provisions.
On November 3, 2023, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) held the final day of its November meetings. Two sessions were held regarding issues related to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans: coding and favorable selection and network management and prior authorization (PA).
On November 2, 2023, in a marathon day for health care policy, both the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) held the first day of their November meetings. MedPAC covered Rural Emergency Hospitals, Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs), hospice, and software payment. MACPAC held a panel and a discussion on Medicaid unwinding.
On October 27, 2023, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions held a field hearing on the Hospital Staffing Crisis. The hearing explored whether staffing issues are leading to dangers in patient care and to nursing burnout.
On October 5, 2023, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) discussed Medicare physician payment reform. The Commission believed spending growth limits/volume adjustments won’t work and that new methods should be implemented like more payments for quality of care.
