WASHINGTON, D.C. – August 4, 2023 – U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Kweisi Mfume (D-Md. 7th) recently announced the introduction of the Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act, legislation that would posthumously award Henrietta Lacks the Congressional Gold Medal for her substantial contributions to medicine.
This week, 32 members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) sent a letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, Robert M. Califf, MD, urging the FDA to finalize the proposed rule to remove menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes.
Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the first monthly data report on the unwinding of Medicaid continuous coverage following the expiration of pandemic-era protections that prompted an eligibility redetermination process led by state agencies.
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Labor Health and Human Services advanced legislation today that increases spending levels for federal cancer research funding, continuing our nation’s bipartisan investment in the space.
Yesterday, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden held a call with cancer advocacy organizations to discuss the administration’s commitment to increase access to patient navigation services through reimbursement in Medicare.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed Calendar Year 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, including coding changes to allow for reimbursement for some patient navigation services and expanded access to telehealth services.
Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) reintroduced S. 2243 Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA). The bipartisan bill would create a national public education and awareness campaign to educate patients and providers about the availability and benefits of palliative care, expand federal research regarding palliative care, including pain and symptom management, and establish palliative care education and training programs for doctors, nurses and other health professionals.
Today the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor and the Treasury Department jointly released a proposed rule that would return the sale of short-term limited duration insurance plans (STLD) to a limit of 90 days. This is similar to rules that were in place prior to 2018, but under the proposed rule would apply to all STLD plans created after the final rule is issued. The proposed rule would also require STLD issuers to comply with new notice requirements to help consumers distinguish between an STLD plan and comprehensive health coverage.
Statement of the American Cancer Society, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, The Center for Black Health & Equity (formerly the National African American Tobacco Prevention Network) and the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund (public health intervenors in the case)