Washington DC Update News
Below are recent articles from the Washington DC Update newsletter, a weekly Family Voices newsletter that provides the latest on national policy affecting children/youth with special health care needs and their families, and also shares relevant resources and happenings in the field.
Other News, Information, and Resources (Washington Update, October 31, 2018)
FDA Asks For Comments on Labeling Sesame Ingredients in Foods The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a “Request for Information” requesting input from the public about whether it should require that sesame be listed as an ingredient on food labels to help...
Your Input Sought/Announcements/Of Possible Interest (Washington Update, October 31, 2018)
YOUR INPUT SOUGHT Nominations Sought for Federal Family Caregiving Advisory Council – due Dec. 3 The Secretary of Health & Human Services (HHS) has posted a Notice requesting nominations for individuals to serve on the Family Caregiving Advisory Council, which was...
Greetings from Washington (Washington Update, October 25, 2018)
The Senate has joined the House in a pre-election recess. Both chambers will return to DC on November 13. Meanwhile, the administration has been very active in the health care sphere. During the past two weeks, the administration appointed a new head of the Center...
Upcoming Webinars and Calls (Washington Update, October 25, 2018)
NEW SERIES 2019 Assister Readiness Webinars, from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). To receive invitations to the live webinars and notifications when new material is posted, email ASSISTERLISTSERV@cms.hhs.gov with “Add to listserv” as the...
The Administration (Washington Update, October 25, 2018)
New administrator for the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services The Trump administration has appointed Mary Mayhew to be the new head of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS), which is within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (administered by...
Congress (Washington Update, October 25, 2018)
Congress is in recess until after the elections. This is a good time to visit your Senators and Representatives in their local offices to educate them about children with special health care needs, the needs of their families, and your state’s Family-to-Family Health...
Medicaid and CHIP News, Information, and Resources (Washington Update, October 25, 2018)
OIG signs off on Medicaid plan’s preventive screening incentive payments (FierceHealthcare, 10/19/18) Last week, the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) signed off on a Medicaid insurer's plan to make incentive payments to providers that increased preventive...
Affordable Care Act (Washington Update, October 25, 2018)
New guidance on state innovation waivers under the Affordable Care Act The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury (collectively, the Departments) have issued new guidance (press release; fact sheet) on waivers...
TRICARE (Washington Update, October 25, 2018)
TRICARE open season runs from November 12 through December 10. Compare 2019 FEDVIP Dental, Vision Plans Ahead of Open Season (TRICARE Benefits Update, 10/4/18) Together We Can Prevent Suicide (TRICARE Benefits Update, 9/27/18) Make Small Changes to Reduce the Risk of...
Other News, Information, and Resources (Washington Update, October 25, 2018)
Guidance on Bullying On October 21, the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education issued a 13-page letter outlining the obligations of a school when a student with an IEP or 504 Plan is bullied. Social Security Administration announces...
Encourage confidence to act