Health and Human Services

WASHINGTON — Three years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the public health emergency declared to combat it will come to an end on Thursday, May 11. Though public health officials say SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, remains... Read More

WASHINGTON — Twenty nationally recognized public health and nutrition experts have been tapped by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services to help draft the nation’s revised dietary guidelines. The first meeting of the new Dietary Guidelines... Read More

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has proposed changes to federal regulations governing the confidentiality of medical records related to substance abuse disorders. According to department officials, the proposed changes to Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder... Read More

WASHINGTON — A proposed physician fee schedule for 2023 published this past week by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services aims to increase access to behavioral health care, cancer screening and dental care. The Calendar Year 2023 Physician Fee... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services last week awarded $13 million to bolster nursing education and training and grow the nursing workforce.  According to administration officials, one significant factor constraining admissions to nursing schools is the limited... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration said Tuesday it will award millions of dollars in grants to expand all-hours mental health and substance abuse care in more communities around the country. The new funding opportunity was authorized by the Bipartisan Safer... Read More

WASHINGTON — Families in need in six states and one tribal territory will be the beneficiaries of a new diaper distribution program rolled out by the Department of Health and Human Services this week. The pilot program will award $8... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services has approved a first-of-its-kind proposal to cover community-based mobile crisis intervention services in Medicaid.  The proposal originated with the Oregon Health Authority and with the department’s blessing, through the Centers for... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration will reportedly convene a meeting on Aug. 30 with state health officials and executives from the drug and pharmacy industries to lay the groundwork for transferring greater control of pricing and coverage for COVID-19 shots... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule Tuesday morning that promises to provide millions of Americans with access to lower cost, over-the-counter hearing aids. The action, which follows an executive order signed by President Joe Biden... Read More

WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued guidance to over 60,000 different retail pharmacies, reminding them that under federal civil rights laws, and as recipients of federal financial assistance, they are prohibited from discriminating... Read More