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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today published the medical loss ratio credibility adjustments for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program managed care plans for rating periods beginning July 1, 2017 or later.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health yesterday awarded 16 organizations about $100,000 each to help prevent opioid misuse by women and girls in underserved communities.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday issued a final rule updating the Payment Error Rate Measurement and Medicaid Eligibility Quality Control programs to reflect how states adjudicate eligibility for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program under the Affordable Care Act, among other changes.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee today held a hearing on extending federal funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program and Federally Qualified Health Centers. Without congressional action, federal funding for CHIP is set to expire Sept. 30. Witnesses at the hearing included representatives from the National Association of Community Health Centers, Manatt Health and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

More than 16.7 million people enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program between Oct. 1, 2013 and April 30, 2017, increasing total enrollment in the programs by more than 29% since the start of the first open enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace, according to a report released today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The nation’s governors yesterday urged Congress to extend funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program for five years, at the current enhanced federal matching rate. “Certainty of funding in the near-term is needed so that states may appropriately budget and plan for their upcoming fiscal years,” leaders of the National Governors Association said in a letter to the House Energy and Commerce and Senate Finance committees.

An estimated 69 infants were born with perinatal HIV infection in 2013, down from 216 in 2002, according to a study published online today by JAMA Pediatrics. “The continuing prevalence of missed prevention opportunities suggests that the remaining HIV transmissions occur in a subset of the population that is particularly difficult to reach with the recommended interventions,” the authors said.

Nearly 16.2 million people enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program between Oct. 1, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2016, increasing total enrollment in the programs by more than 28% since the start of the first open enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace, according to a report released today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Most governors are planning upcoming budgets that assume federal funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program will continue, according to a survey released today by the National Academy for State Health Policy. Thirty-three of the 40 states responding to the December survey said their proposed budgets assume federal funding for CHIP will continue; most of the others were unsure or had not yet determined budget assumptions. Without congressional action, federal funding for CHIP is set to end Sept.

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee today approved legislation that would count certain income when determining eligibility for Medicaid. H.R. 829, approved 20-12 as amended, would require states to consider certain lump sum payments when determining modified adjusted gross income for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. H.R.

More than 16.4 million people enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program between Oct. 1, 2013 and Nov. 30, 2016, increasing total enrollment in the programs by 29% since the start of the first open enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace, according to a report released yesterday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Patricia M. DePompei, R.N., M.S.N., president of University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital and MacDonald Women's Hospital in Cleveland, is the 2017 chair of the ���������� Associations (AHA) Section for Maternal and Child Health Council.

The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission today recommended five additional years of federal funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, calling for action “as soon as possible” to preserve health insurance coverage for more than 8 million children and mitigate budget uncertainty for states. Without congressional action, CHIP’s funding will expire and states will not receive any new federal funds for CHIP beyond Sept. 30, 2017.

More than 15.7 million people enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program between Oct. 1, 2013 and Sept. 30, 2016.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday released two rules, one final and one proposed, to address eligibility and appeals processes for the Medicaid and CHIP programs. The final rule completes the agency’s work related to appeals, notices and Medicaid eligibility changes under the Affordable Care Act.

More than 15.7 million people enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program between Oct. 1, 2013 and Aug. 31, 2016.

Focusing on community needs using a data-driven approach and local resources has improved care for expectant mothers and babies in western Michigan. More than 10 years ago, the black infant mortality rate in Kent County was 22.4 deaths per 1,000 live births, one of the highest rates in the state. To address the issue, Spectrum Health, based in Grand Rapids, collaborated with several key community organizations to establish Strong Beginnings, a program designed to improve maternal-fetal health.

Today's final Medicare Access & CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) rule presents challenges and opportunities for hospitals and health systems, and the nearly 540,000 directly employed or contracted physicians with whom they partner to deliver quality care.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has approved Arizona’s plan to allow new enrollment in the Children’s Health Insurance Program. “Today’s approval is a step forward for the health of Arizona children in low-income families,” said Vikki Wachino, CMS deputy administrator and director of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services.

Health care providers and other stakeholders may email questions and concerns regarding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ final rule applying certain provisions of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 to Medicaid managed care organizations, Medicaid alternative benefit plans and the Children’s Health Insurance Program to parity@cms.hhs.gov, the agency announced yesterday. The rule was issued in late March.