CMS Issues 1115 Demonstration Guidance
Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance that the agency no longer anticipates approving new section 1115 demonstration authorities or extending existing authorities that have allowed some individuals to remain enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP for extended periods of time, even if they may not have otherwise been eligible. CMS also does not anticipate approving new or extending existing Medicaid-funded workforce initiatives—programs that use Medicaid dollars to fund certain job training or employment-related activities. CMS will allow currently approved workforce initiatives to run their course but does not anticipate extending them further. 

For more details on the continuous eligible guidance, click here. For more details on the workforce initiatives guidance, click here.

CMS Expands Access to Gene Therapies Through State Agreements
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced this week that 33 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, will participate in the Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Access Model, a new approach to delivering cutting-edge treatments to people on Medicaid living with sickle cell disease. Participating states, including Illinois, represent approximately 84% of Medicaid beneficiaries with the condition, significantly expanding access to transformative care. 

Led by the CMS Innovation Center, the model is the first time the federal government has negotiated outcomes-based agreements with CGT manufacturers on behalf of state Medicaid agencies. Under the model, participating states receive guaranteed discounts and rebates from participating CGT manufacturers if the therapies fail to deliver their promised therapeutic benefits. To learn more about the Cell and Gene Therapy Access Model, click here. 

FDA Updates Medical Device Shortages List
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has added pediatric ventricular assist bypass (product code DSQ) to the medical device shortage list (MDSL). The disruption in availability of this device, also known as VAD, is expected to impact patient care and may require adjustments to the clinical management of pediatric patients requiring mechanical circulatory support.

The FDA announced it is also removing Intra-aortic Balloon and Control System (product code DSP) from the MDSL. For more information, click here.

Save the Date: ISHMPR Healthcare Marketing Conference Sept. 17-18
Marketing and communications leaders from Illinois hospitals, health systems, clinics, and healthcare-related agencies will meet up Sept. 17-18 for the Illinois Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations (ISHMPR) annual conference at the Herrington Inn & Spa in Geneva.

The event, titled “Rooted in Strategy. Blooming with Creativity,” is an opportunity to grow, learn and connect with other healthcare professionals. Marketing professionals from Memorial Health, OSF HealthCare and Silver Cross Hospital are among the speakers. They’ll cover topics including branding, crisis communication and engagement. Other topics will include social media, HIPPA compliance, artificial intelligence and more.

To register for the conference, click here. If you’re interested in sponsoring the event, learn more here.