ARN Health Policy Digest - January 2024

We are pleased to present the January issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

Updates on FY 2024 Appropriations

Congressional leadership has released the text of a new Continuing Resolution (CR), which would extend funding for the four appropriations bills to March 1, and the remaining eight bills, including Labor-HHS, would expire on March 8, instead of February 2nd, to allow more time to negotiate for the rest of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. The bill is supported by Speaker Mike Johnson and continues the laddered approach to avoid an omnibus appropriations bill.

The Senate began procedural votes on the CR and has until midnight on Friday, January 19 to pass the CR before a partial government shutdown takes place. GOP absences leave Republicans with just 218 members voting this week which is the exact number needed to pass bills under regular order. Some far-right House members have already criticized the CR; therefore, Speaker Johnson will have to bring the CR to the floor under suspension of the rules. This requires two-thirds of the House to vote "yes" for the bill to pass, meaning that Speaker Johnson must rely on Democrats' support. However, the Speaker still must convince 77 Republicans to also vote in favor of the CR, even with every single Democrat voting "yes."

If the CR passes, Congress will have an extra six weeks to finalize spending bills for the rest of FY 2024. If the CR does not pass, a partial government shutdown may occur. We will keep ARN members updated as we learn more!

Former Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson Remembered as a Trailblazer

Former Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), who served in the House for three decades and was the first registered nurse elected to Congress, passed away December 31, 2023. During her tenure, Rep. Johnson became the first Black woman to chair the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, led the Congressional Black Caucus, and was a courageous and tireless advocate for nurses and nursing education. Among her nursing legislative efforts was the introduction of the National Nurse Act of 2011, which highlighted the vital role that nurses have in public health and disease prevention and outlined how nurses are in the ideal position to promote wellness and social justice to Americans. She will be remembered as a true trailblazer and public servant. Please find the Nursing Community Coalition's statement on Rep. Johnson's legacy here.

MedPAC Votes on Payment Recommendations for 2025

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) met last week to vote on their 2025 payment recommendations regarding payment adequacy and updates. Among their recommendations, MedPAC recommends reducing 2025 payment rates for skilled nursing facilities (SFNs) by 3 percent and reducing 2025 payment rates for inpatient rehabilitation facilities by 5 percent. Please find the link to their meeting agenda, presentation, and transcript here.

CMS Finalizes Prior Authorization Rule

On January 17, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization final rule (CMS-0057-F). This rule finalizes policies to improve the exchange of health care information and to streamline the prior authorization process. In addition to the final rule, CMS released a fact sheet outlining the major provisions.