DEA Extends Pandemic Telemedicine Rules Through December 2024
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on Friday said it will extend its eased, COVID-19 pandemic rules for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine through Dec. 31, 2024.
This is DEA’s second extension of these rules; the agency first extended its pandemic-era, telehealth regulations in May 2023, which are set to expire on Nov. 11, 2023.
DEA said in its
notice that DEA and HHS continue to consider revisions to the agency’s March 2023 proposed rule and that DEA’s telemedicine listening sessions last month helped inform this latest extension. NABH reported on those listening sessions in
CEO Update on Sept. 15.
FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Developing Treatment Drugs for Stimulant Use Disorders
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week issued draft guidance for developing drugs to treat stimulant use disorders.
Stimulant Use Disorders: Developing Drugs for Treatment addresses the FDA’s current recommendations regarding the overall development program and clinical trial designs for developing drugs to treat moderate-to-severe cocaine use disorder, methamphetamine use disorder, or prescription drug stimulant use disorder.
The FDA will accept public comments about the guidance through Monday, Dec. 4. Click
here for comment submission instructions.
CMS Seeks Feedback on Assessing Parity Compliance in Medicaid Managed Care, ABPs, & CHIP
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking public comments about a set of questions regarding processes to assess compliance with mental health parity ad addiction equity requirements for Medicaid managed care arrangements, Medicaid Alternative Benefit Plans (ABPs), and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. (CHIP).
The questions for comment address a variety of topics, including model formats (e.g., templates) and key questions to consider that could make documenting compliance with parity requirements more efficient and effective; processes that states and managed care plans use to determine whether existing coverage policies are comparable for mental health and substance use disorders compared with medical and surgical benefits; how data should be collected; and more.
CMS will accept public comments
here through Monday, Dec. 4. NABH will submit comments.
CBO Estimates Federal Subsidies for Health Insurance to be $1.8 Trillion in 2023
In a new
report, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates federal subsidies for health insurance in 2023 to be $1.8 trillion, or 7% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
Meanwhile, the CBO and the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) together project those net subsidies to grow substantially–reaching $3.3. trillion, or 8.3% of GDP, by 2033.
The CBO said this is the first time the projections reflect the entire population instead of only the civilian, noninstitutionalized population younger than 65.
CMS Administrator Brooks-LaSure to Host Stakeholder Update on Oct. 17
CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure and her leadership team will provide a stakeholder and partner update about the agency’s recent accomplishments and efforts to advance the
CMS Strategic Plan on Tuesday, Oct. 17.
Click
here to RSVP for the hourlong call, which starts at 1 p.m. ET.
NIMH Marks 75th Anniversary with Podcast Series
The National Institute of Mental Health is honoring its 75
th anniversary with a podcast series that explores the stories behind influencers and innovators in mental health research and the lives of people with mental illness.
The latest podcasts feature “Depression: The Case for Ketamine,” and “Understanding and Preventing Youth Suicide.” Click
here to listen.
Please Nominate Members for the NABH Board of Trustees!
NABH is seeking help from members as the NABH Selection Committee prepares to consider possible nominees to serve on the NABH Board of Trustees. Specifically, NABH requests that members help the association identify:
►
Board Chair-Elect and
► Four Board seats that will become available in 2024
The Selection Committee is particularly interested in identifying senior managers who represent the broad diversity within the NABH membership, including various levels of care, organizational structures, and size.
Please download a nomination form to share your recommendations of individuals you would like to see included in the single slate for 2024.
Please attach a curriculum vitae (CV) for each person you recommend. This will help the Selection Committee in its deliberations. You are welcome to suggest yourself.
Please return this form (and candidates’ CVs)
by Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, to
maria@nabh.org.
Fact of the Week:
People who work shift work are 22% more likely to develop depression than those who work a regular daytime schedule, according to a recent
study published in
JAMA Network Open.
For questions or comments about this CEO Update, please contact Jessica Zigmond.