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Update on 2023-2024 Medicaid Enrollment and Spending Trends
NAHC
The Kaiser Family Foundation issue brief focusing on Medicaid enrollment and spending trends contains a significant amount of interesting and useful information, derived from a survey of Medicaid agencies that collected data on actual FY2023 expenditures and projected FY2024 spending. Importantly, the survey results predict that the state share of Medicaid financing increased by 13% in FY23 and was projected to increase by and additional 17.2% in FY24.
The significant jump in state expenditures is primarily due to the expiration of COVID-related relief that provided additional federal funds and temporary reduced the required state share of Medicaid financing. The substantial increase in state obligations for Medicaid financing may have implications for eligibility, reimbursement, and covered services as states must grapple with how to manage their Medicaid budgets in the upcoming legislative sessions.
Importantly, expiration of “maintenance of effort” requirements provides states with more opportunity to restrict Medicaid spending compared to the 2020-2023 timeframe. In light of this, though overall state fiscal health remains stable, uncertainties in future economic projections coupled with this significant increase in in the state share of spending creates the need to closely monitor Medicaid proposals around the country next year.
Read the Kaiser Brief |
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Urgent Need to Increase Immunization Coverage for Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV and Use of Authorized/Approved Therapeutics in the Setting of Increased Respiratory Disease Activity During the 2023 – 2024 Winter Season
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Summary
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to alert healthcare providers to low vaccination rates against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Low vaccination rates, coupled with ongoing increases in national and international respiratory disease activity caused by multiple pathogens, including influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), and RSV, could lead to more severe disease and increased healthcare capacity strain in the coming weeks. In addition, a recent increase in cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) following SARS-CoV-2 infection in the United States has been reported Healthcare providers should administer influenza, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations now to patients, if recommended. Healthcare providers should recommend antiviral medications for influenza and COVID-19 for all eligible patients, especially patients at high-risk of progression to severe disease such as older adults and people with certain underlying medical conditions. Healthcare providers should also counsel patients about testing and other preventive measures, including covering coughs/sneezes, staying at home when sick, improving ventilation at home or work, and washing hands to protect themselves and others against respiratory diseases.
Read Full Notification |
ICYMI: Second Round of Ordering for Free COVID-19 Tests Now Open
ACL Updates
Starting on September 25, every U.S. household had an opportunity to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests through a partnership between the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and the United States Postal Service.
On November 20, a second round of ordering opened, allowing each household to place a second order to receive four more free tests. Households that have not yet placed an order can place two orders now, to receive a total of eight tests.
To order your free tests, go to COVID.gov and complete the form with your contact and shipping information.
People who are blind or have low vision can place a second order for free Ellume COVID Home Tests, which are more accessible than other options. For more information, including ordering instructions, please visit ACL's website. |
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NHPCO 2023 Facts and Figures Report
Facts and Figures is an annual report on key data points related to the delivery of hospice care, including information on patient characteristics, location and level of care, Medicare hospice spending, and hospice providers.
The findings in this report reflect patients who received care in Calendar Year (CY) 2021, or Fiscal Year (FY) 2021, provided by hospices certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and reimbursed under the Medicare Hospice Benefit. The 2023 Facts and Figures report continues to see the impact of COVID-19 on patient care and the effect of the COVID-19 waivers to the traditional delivery of hospice care. However, this year started to see the return to pre COVID-19 levels in some areas.
Download the Report |
December D.C. Slog
While the government remains funded through the end of the year under the dual-track Continuing Resolution (CR) passed last month, lawmakers continue to discuss a full-year spending deal. Despite Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) having come under criticism from House conservatives for negotiating the recent stopgap, the Freedom Caucus signaled last week that members may soften their demands for steep cuts to domestic spending. Without a spending vehicle in play this month, numerous pending health care items are unlikely to advance until the new year.
Over the next two weeks in session before the holiday recess, Congress will prioritize conference negotiations over the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and a potential supplemental funding bill to direct aid to Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, and the southern border. |
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