REGULATION TRACKER

Through a Notice of Funding Opportunity, “Analyses, Research, and Studies to Assess the Impact of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Programs on American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) and the Indian Health Care System Serving AI/AN Beneficiaries,” CMS has sought an application from the National Indian Health Board (NIHB)for a single source cooperative agreement. The funding CMS anticipates awarding under this single source cooperative agreement will support research to assess the impact of CMS programs that affect AI/ANs and the Indian Health Care System.

The funding CMS anticipates awarding under this single source cooperative agreement will support research to assess the impact of CMS programs that affect AI/ANs and the Indian Health Care System, composed of Indian Health Service (IHS) providers, providers that are Tribally operated under the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), and providers operated by Urban Indian organizations (collectively referred to as ITU providers).

The total amount of funding available over a 5-year period will be up to $4,000,000 pending availability of funds and satisfactory performance by the recipient. The cooperative agreement will be awarded consistent with the overall quality of the proposal and the applicant’s ability to meet project goals. The amount of funding awarded will be no more than $800,000 per 12-month budget period, subject to availability of funds, and there will be five 12month budget periods under this award. Funding for budget periods 2-5 is non-competitive and is subject to the availability of funds as well as satisfactory performance of the recipient. The total award will not exceed $4,000,000.

NIHB’s application is due on September 1, 2022, and if the application is approved, CMS anticipates awarding a single source cooperative agreement by September 28, 2022. The anticipated period of performance for the cooperative agreement would be from September 29, 2022, through September 28, 2027, subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/09/02/202219085/analyses-research-and-studies-to-assess-the-impact-ofcenters-for-medicare-and-medicaidservices?utm_source=federalregister.gov&utm_medium=email&ut m_campaign=subscription+mailing+list

The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) established a pilot program, titled “Your Home, Your internet,” designed to increase awareness of and encourage participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program for households receiving Federal housing assistance. The pilot program is established on September 6, 2022.

Earlier this year, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) established the $14.2 billion Affordable Connectivity Program (or ACP). Over 12 million households have signed up to receive a $30 benefit (or up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands) to offset the cost of internet access. For those households, the Affordable Connectivity Program can open up a world of opportunity. They can work from home, take advantage of telehealth and remote schooling, and stay connected with friends and family. The Commission is committed to bringing those benefits to the millions more eligible households who have not yet signed up. In this document, the Commission establishes a pilot program, titled “Your Home, Your internet,” designed to increase awareness of and encourage participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program for households receiving Federal housing assistance.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/09/06/202218293/affordable-connectivityprogram?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=subscription+maili ng+list&utm_source=federalregister.gov

This rulemaking proposes changes to simplify the processes for eligible individuals to enroll and retain eligibility in Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Basic Health Program. This proposed rule aims to remove barriers and facilitate enrollment of new applicants, particularly those dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid; align enrollment and renewal requirements for most individuals in Medicaid; establish beneficiary protections related to returned mail; create timeliness requirements for redeterminations of eligibility in Medicaid and CHIP; make transitions between programs easier; eliminate access barriers for children enrolled in CHIP by prohibiting premium lock-out periods, waiting periods, and benefit limitations; and modernize recordkeeping requirements to ensure proper documentation of eligibility and enrollment.

In this rulemaking, CMS seeks to eliminate obstacles that make it harder for eligible people to remain enrolled, particularly those individuals who are exempted from MAGI and did not benefit from many of the enrollment simplifications in our 2012 and 2013 eligibility final rules. CMS seeks to streamline enrollment for individuals known to be Medicaid eligible, like current enrollees who are also eligible for but not enrolled in the MSPs. CMS seeks to remove coverage barriers, like premium lock-out periods and waiting periods that are not permitted under other insurance affordability programs, and to reduce coverage gaps as individuals transition from one insurance affordability program to another. Together, the changes in this proposed rule would streamline Medicaid, CHIP and BHP eligibility and enrollment processes, reduce the administrative burden on States and enrollees, expand coverage of eligible applicants, increase retention of eligible enrollees, and improve health equity.

To be assured consideration, comments must be received at one of the addresses provided below, no later than 5 p.m. on November 7, 2022.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/09/07/202218875/streamlining-the-medicaid-childrens-health-insuranceprogram-and-basic-health-programapplication?utm_source=federalregister.gov&utm_medium=email &utm_campaign=subscription+mailing+list

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Indian Health Service (IHS) invites the general public to comment on a new information collection titled, “Urban Indian Organization On-Site Review.” IHS is requesting the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve this new collection. The purpose of this notice is to announce the IHS’ intent to submit this collection to OMB and to allow 30 days for public comment to be submitted directly to OMB.

Consideration will be given to all comments received by October 11, 2022.https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/09/09/202219493/request-for-public-comment-30-day-information-collectionurban-indian-organization-on-sitereview?utm_source=federalregister.gov&utm_medium=email&utm _campaign=subscription+mailing+list

This notice document updates the Cost-Based and Inter-Agency billing rates for medical care or services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) furnished in certain circumstances.

VA’s methodology for computing Cost-Based and Inter-Agency rates for medical care or services provided by VA is set forth in 38 CFR 17.102(h). Two sets of rates are obtained by applying this methodology, Cost-Based and Inter-Agency.

Cost-Based rates apply to medical care and services that are provided by VA under 38 CFR 17.102(a), (b), (d) and (g), respectively, in the following circumstances: a) In error or based on tentative eligibility; b) In a medical emergency; c) To pensioners of allied nations; and d) For research purposes in circumstances under which the medical care appropriation shall be reimbursed from the research appropriation.

Inter-Agency rates apply to medical care and services that are provided by VA under § 17.102(c) and (f), respectively, in the following circumstances when the care or services provided are not covered by any applicable sharing agreement in accordance with § 17.102(e): a) To beneficiaries of the Department of Defense or other Federal agencies; and b) To military retirees with chronic disability.

The rates set forth herein are effective October 1, 2022.
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/09/13/202219739/cost-based-and-inter-agency-billing-rates-for-medicalcare-or-services-provided-by-the-departmentof?utm_campaign=subscription+mailing+list&utm_source=feder alregister.gov&utm_medium=email

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is proposing a new data collection activity for the Formative Evaluation of the Demonstration Grants to Strengthen the Response to Victims of Human Trafficking in Native Communities (VHT-NC) Program. The overarching goals of the formative evaluation are to understand the context in which the VHT-NC projects are implemented, the projects’ goals, and the paths they take to achieve their goals. The proposed data collection will include semi-structured interviews with project staff, project participants, and key partners.

Comments due within 60 days of publication ~ November 11, 2022.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/09/14/202219796/proposed-information-collection-activity-formativeevaluation-of-the-demonstration-grantsto?utm_source=federalregister.gov&utm_medium=email&utm_ca mpaign=subscription+mailing+list

HRSA is inviting public comment on the Draft Health Center Program Scope of Project and Telehealth Policy Information Notice (Telehealth PIN). The purpose of the Telehealth PIN is to establish policy for health centers that provide services via telehealth within the HRSA-approved scope of project. The Telehealth PIN also describes considerations and criteria health centers must meet for providing services via telehealth within the Health Center Program scope of project.

Submit comments no later than November 14, 2022.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/09/15/202219933/notice-of-availability-of-health-center-program-scope-ofproject-and-telehealth-policyinformation?utm_source=federalregister.gov&utm_medium=email &utm_campaign=subscription+mailing+list

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs (OPIA), Office of Tribal Government Relations (OTGR), is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment as a member of the Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs (“the Committee”) to represent the Indian Health Service, Billings Area. At least one member of the Committee represents urban Indian organizations nominated by a national urban Indian organization.

Nominations for membership on the Committee must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on October 7, 2022.https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/09/16/202220136/solicitation-of-nominations-for-the-appointment-to-theadvisory-committee-on-tribal-andindian?utm_campaign=subscription+mailing+list&utm_source=fed eralregister.gov&utm_medium=email

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA) will facilitate a tribal consultation session regarding the expansion of VA’s Indian Health Services/Tribal Health Program’s (IHS/THP) Reimbursement Agreements Program to include Purchase Referred Care (PRC) and Contracted Travel. VA seeks tribal feedback to assist with drafting an updated Reimbursement Agreement template for the lower 48 states. Input requested includes, but is not limited to, the agreed scope of service, payment rates, and invoicing or billing submissions.

VA will hold an in-person consultation on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. (EST) at the Hyatt Regency Washington, 400 New Jersey Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001, which will be hosted by the National Indian Health Board. Additionally, VA will hold a virtual consultation on September 30, 2022, between 1-2 p.m. (EST). Written comments must be received on or before September 30, 2022.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/09/16/202220068/notice-of-tribal-consultation-and-request-for-comments-onnew-agreement-template-draft-forvas?utm_source=federalregister.gov&utm_medium=email&utm_c ampaign=subscription+mailing+list

The focus of this consultation is to hear advice and recommendations on strategies to address systems challenges related to physician recruitment, retention, and provider burnout in Indian Country. The session will also include information on workforce programs in other related disciplines in which HRSA has forecasted programs slated for fiscal year 2023. HRSA will also highlight other key health programmatic activities including rural and maternal health initiatives.

Written testimony is being accepted until October 28, 2022 and can be emailed to HRSA at aianhealth@hrsa.gov DTLL:

https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:6a923 2e2-f0cd-370a-b126-d4679b12b7e0

This supplemental notice invites the public to nominate individuals from populations underrepresented in medicine to serve as members to the AHRQ Initial Review Group (IRG), which is responsible for the scientific peer review of AHRQ grant applications.

The AHRQ IRG conducts scientific and technical review for health services research and training grant applications and is comprised of five subcommittees or study sections, each with a particular research focus. AHRQ is seeking nominations from the public, including minority-serving institutions, academic health centers, community-based organizations, professional societies, or other state and federal agencies. The IRG is comprised of five subcommittees, or study sections, each with a particular emphasis around which peer reviewer expertise is assembled. AHRQ seeks nominations for each of the subcommittee competency domains described below:

1. Health Care Effectiveness and Outcomes Research: End-stage renal disease; cardiovascular disease; pediatrics; pharmacologist in opioid management; biostatisticians in health services research; health disparities and social determinants of health.
2. Healthcare Information Technology Research: Biomedical and consumer health informatics; family medicine; health care data analysis; health information technology; health services research in patient-oriented research; electronic health record and data for research; population-based studies in medicine; epidemiology; telehealth/telemedicine; emergency medicine; insurance benefit design; chronic condition care; natural language processing and machine learning; social networking and its determinants of health; health disparities and social determinants of health.
3. Healthcare Systems and Value Research: Health statistics; health care outcome research; evaluation and survey methods; health system and service research; health care policy research; health economics research; large database analysis; private health insurance/Medicaid and Medicare; learning laboratory development; health disparities and social determinants of health.
4. Healthcare Systems and Value Research: Health statistics; health care outcome research; evaluation and survey methods; health system and service research; health care policy research; health economics research; large database analysis; private health insurance/Medicaid and Medicare; learning laboratory development; health disparities and social determinants of health.
5. Healthcare Safety and Quality Improvement Research: Pharmacists with expertise in informatics; infectious diseases specialists; geriatricians; surgeons with a specialty in diagnostic error; health disparities and social determinants of health.

Nominations should be received on or before December 31, 2022.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/09/21/202220419/supplemental-solicitation-for-nominations-of-members-frompopulations-underrepresented-inmedicine?utm_source=federalregister.gov&utm_medium=email&u tm_campaign=subscription+mailing+list

On Monday, September 26, 2022, from 12:00 – 1:30 PM ET at 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C., United States, 2000, the IHS will provide important updates and extend an opportunity for Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to share input with IHS officials. IHS updates will include evaluating Health Care Facilities Construction Demonstration Project Proposals, Health Information Technology Modernization, decisions on Special Diabetes Program for Indians for FY 2023, Tribal Consultation Policy, 2022-2026 Office of Urban Indian Health Programs Strategic Plan, and Draft Operational Plan for IHS-VHA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Virtual Access: Join ZoomGov Meeting: https://ihsgov.zoomgov.com/j/1614036634 | Meeting ID: 161 403 6634

Telephone: (833) 568-8864 Toll-free | Meeting ID: 161 403 6634

https://www.ihs.gov/ihscalendar/calendar/ihs-listening-session/

For more information on the NIHB Conference visit: https://web.cvent.com/event/a659da55-6075-40f9-b57dab1395ebaa6f/websitePage:cab88dbb-07fb-4b28-86d57f6ac1d8dc7a?RefId=nthc2022