CEO Update 194
House Passes Bill to Reauthorize Child Welfare Programs Included RTF Provision
The House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday passed unanimously H.R. 9076, the Bipartisan Protecting America’s Children by Strengthening Families Act, to reauthorize and reform the nation’s child welfare programs under Title IV-B of the Social Security Act. Authorization for these programs expired in fiscal year 2021, and there have been no serious reforms since 2008.
Introduced by Reps. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) and Danny Davis (D-Ill.), H.R. 9076 focuses mainly on America’s child foster care system and also includes a provision titled Improving Data Collection and Reporting for Youth in Residential Treatment Programs.
The language directs HHS and other agencies to update guidance to state agencies in administering state plans approved under parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act on a) best practices for federal and state agencies to collect data and share information related to the well-being of youth residing in residential treatment facilities, including those facilities operating in multiple states or serving out-of-state youth; b) best practices on improving state collection and sharing of data related to incidences of maltreatment of youth residing in residential treatment facilities, including with respect to meeting the requirement of section 471(a)(9)(A) of such Act for such youth in foster care; and c) best practices on improving oversight of youth residential programs receiving federal funding and research-based strategies for risk assessment related to the health, safety, and well-being of youth in the facilities.
The House Ways and Means Committee’s passage of this legislation follows the influential panel’s hearing last month about child welfare programs, which included testimony from Paris Hilton, who supported H.R. 2955, The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, aspects of which were incorporated into the data collection and reporting Section of H.R. 9076.
The next step would be for H.R. 9076 to move to the House floor for a vote; however, it’s unclear whether the House will consider the legislation. It’ also unknown if the Senate will consider the bill or consider similar legislation.
NABH will continue to monitor any congressional action related to H.R. 9076
HHS Streamlines Technology, Cybersecurity, and AI Functions Under ONC
HHS on Thursday announced a reorganization to streamline and strengthen its technology, cybersecurity, data, and AI strategy and policy functions.
Under the restructured format, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, or ONC, will be renamed the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, or ASTP/ONC. All oversight of technology, data, and AI policy and strategy will move from its current structure under the Assistant Secretary for Administration to ASTP/ONC, including the HHS-wide roles of chief technology officer, chief data officer, and chief AI officer.
In addition, the public-private effort between the health sector and the federal government on cybersecurity (“405(d) Program”) will move from ASA to the Assistant Secretary for Strategic Preparedness and Response, or ASPR, joining the other health sector cybersecurity activities already located in ASPR’s Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection.
Biden Administration Awards $45.1 Million to Expand Mental Health and Substance Use Services
The Biden administration this week announced grant awards totaling $45.1 million – including $15.3 million specifically for children and youth– to expand mental health and substance use services.
The youth funding will go toward supporting their mental health in school settings; serving children and families who have experienced traumatic events and grief; and providing services specific to young people of transitional ages who are at risk for or have serious mental health conditions.
“Be it fostering wellness in young people, caring for the unhoused, facilitating treatment and more, this funding directly supports the needs of our neighbors,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in an announcement about the funding. “These investments will empower communities to implement effective solutions that promote long-term healing and resilience.”
Click here to read about the various grant awards and access links to apply.
NABH Seeks Member Feedback on CMS’ 2025 PFS and OPPS Proposed Rules
NABH seeks member feedback on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed 2025 Physician Fee Schedule rule and 2024 Outpatient Prospective Payment System rule.
To weigh in, please begin by reviewing the regulations and NABH’s recent 2025 Physician Fee Schedule and 2025 Outpatient Prospective Payment System alerts to help NABH staff identify the priorities we should address with CMS, such as payment, impact on patients and quality, or operational challenges.
Please email your comments to Rochelle Archuleta by Friday, Aug. 9. Comments for both rules are due to CMS by Monday, Sept. 9.
Reminder: SAMHSA Announces Funding Opportunity to Enhance Capacity of Women’s Behavioral Health Providers
SAMHSA is accepting applications for its Women’s Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Center to enhance capacity of women’s behavioral health providers, general healthcare providers, and others involved in the holistic care of women with or at risk for mental health and substance use conditions—including women who were greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The agency said it has a total of $12.5 million for five years and anticipates granting one award. Applications are due by Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Click here to learn more.
Reminder: Behavioral Health Business to Examine ‘How AI is Making Healthcare More Human’ in August Webinar
The publication Behavioral Health Business will host a webinar next month to explore how AI could potentially enhance humanity in behavioral health.
The discussion will examine how AI could extend to underserved communities, improve patient outcomes, and increase both clinician and patient satisfaction.
It also promises to highlight new research involving 130,000 patients that shows people are significantly more likely to begin therapy when their experience starts with Limbic, an AI-powered clinical assessment, with the most positive effects observed among minority groups.
The webinar will be held Thursday, Aug. 22 at Noon ET. Click here to register.
Reminder: Please Submit Data to NABH’s Denial-of-Care Portal
We urge all NABH members to join those already submitting data to our Denial-of-Care Portal.
We are beginning to use aggregated portal data to illustrate and compare prior authorization practices for commercial, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid managed care denials.
Policymakers have expressed particular interest in our aggregate estimate on days of uncompensated charity care, as well as the length of delayed health plan responses to prior-authorization requests.
To support this advocacy push, we strongly encourage all NABH members to submit data to the portal. Please contact NABH Associate Manager for Congressional Affair Emily Wilkins with questions about the data metrics that we are collecting and/or the data-submission process.
Fact of the Week
A new poll from the National Alliance on Mental Illness found 82% of Americans are still not familiar with 988, the lifeline that helps people in mental health, substance use, and suicide crises get connected to support services.
For questions or comments about this CEO Update, please contact Jessica Zigmond.