WHITE HOUSE:

The White House focused this week on more collaborative trade ties with the EU, signing the debt limit deal (along with a press conference from the Oval Office about the deal), and following up on last week’s National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism. One item of indirect interest for us:

• They announced a series of regulatory actions designed to address racial bias in home valuations, which is designed to create a more level playing field for minority homeownership. Many of your staff, particularly in rural areas, may appreciate hearing about the tools and opportunities available for them.

CONGRESS:

And it’s done! After months of back and forth, as expected early on, a debt-ceiling deal finally got done with just days to spare. Here’s an updated look at the key pieces of the deal. Finalizing the debt deal required concessions from both side and ultimately represented the interests of most centrists, while freezing out the extremists. As is often the case in politics, there were some interesting alliances and behind the scenes negotiations. One piece of interest to us that did make it into the deal: new work requirements for SNAP benefits, but not Medicaid beneficiaries. CNN has a good summary of the new SNAP rules. Regardless, with the debt ceiling discussions behind us, there isn’t a lot of must-pass legislation coming up. Elsewhere in the political world:

• An interesting look at the politics of selling the deal to the public, although it’s unclear what the drama actually means to the voting public.

• The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on healthcare mergers and consolidation.

• Roll Call took a look at several states that are expected to be more competitive in 2024, while Politico did a deep dive into the shifting politics in New York, where Democrats’ unexpected losses cost them the House.

• A little far afield, but a draft piece of legislation related to cryptocurrency is being circulated. You can access a copy here. Besides for the fact that many folks have an interest in cryptocurrency, it’s interesting in that it represents a serious attempt to start regulating a very unregulated field.

• Republicans in Wisconsin think they found the right challenger to take on incumbent Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin in a perennially competitive state.

• One interesting CRS report this week: an overview of the changes to SNAP under the debt ceiling deal. You can access a copy here (PDF).

AGENCIES:

One procedural note: CMS’ minimum staffing mandate was sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) early this week. Review by OMB is the last procedural step prior to publication in the Federal Register and implies the imminent release of the staffing mandate.

HHS announced the availability of $65 million for health centers impacted by Hurricanes Fiona & Ian in three hurricane-prone areas; specifically, Florida, South Carolina & Puerto Rico. For technical details, please see the central HRSA site.

The OIG at HHS released an analysis of payments to physicians who provide services in SNF and other healthcare facilities, finding that Medicare often overpaid using a non-facility rate, as opposed to the appropriate in-facility rate. This could lead to recoupment or tighter oversight for physician services. You can access copies of the report in brief and full report (both PDF).

They also published their semi-annual report to Congress. You can download a copy here (PDF).

CMS announced a plan to start covering Alzheimer’s drugs once they’ve received approval from the FDA, when specific criteria are met.

The White House plans to select former North Carolina Health Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen to run the CDC.

The Supreme Court ruled this week against unions, holding that they can be found liable for economic damages caused by a strike. However, the ruling did preserve the right of unions to strike.

FROM THE NOTEBOOK:

• An important op-ed from Mark Parkinson in The Hill on why the staffing mandate isn’t the answer to staffing shortages, as well as identifying Congressional legislation that would provide real impact.

• The Kaiser Family Foundation explored the early data from the Medicaid unwinding, which may provide insight into which states might be problematic for Medicaid renewals.

• A while back we tracked the effort by New York City to switch their retirees to a MA plan. Now the beneficiaries are suing to stop the switch.

• A look at ways to expand immigration and other pathways to increase foreign trained nurses in the United States.

• A FAQ on Washington’s new public long term care insurance program.

• A look at how staffing mandates actually play out in the real world, through the eyes of Rhode Island.

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