(Feb. 6, 2025) – MLN Connects Provider eNews from the Medicare Learning Network
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the following updates to MLN Connects Provider eNews:
Secretary Kennedy Announces $100 Million Investment in Great American Recovery | HHS.gov
This week, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy announced a comprehensive plan to strengthen prevention, expand treatment and implement the executive order President Donald Trump signed last week to ignite the Great American Recovery. The centerpiece of the plan is a $100 million investment to address long-standing homelessness, combat opioid addiction and improve public safety by expanding treatment that emphasizes recovery and self-sufficiency.
The Safety Through Recovery, Engagement and Evidence-based Treatment and Supports (STREETS) initiative will fund targeted outreach, psychiatric care, medical stabilization, crisis intervention and connect Americans experiencing homelessness and addiction to stable housing, with a clear focus on long-term recovery and independence.
Congress Enacts FY 2026 Federal Appropriations
Congress enacted an appropriations measure that would fund the “Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies” through federal fiscal year 2026. After minor revisions, the Senate overwhelmingly voted to advance the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 by a vote of 71 to 29. The House narrowly advanced the bill generally through party line votes of 217 to 214, with 21 Democrats voting for and 21 Republicans voting against the measure. H.R. 7148 contains funding and health care extenders that include the following:
- Rural Hospital Flexibility Program – $70.3 million
- Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – $145 million
- Rural Residency Planning and Development Program – $14 million
- Rural Hospital Maternity and Obstetrics Management Program – $15 million
- Behavioral Health Workforce and Education – $114 million
- Extension of enhanced Medicare low-volume payment adjustments through Dec. 31, 2026
- Extension of Medicare Dependent Hospital program through Dec. 31, 2026
- Extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities through Dec. 31, 2027
- Extension of the hospital care at home waiver through Sept. 30, 2030
- Prevention of Medicaid DSH funding cuts through Sept. 30, 2027
2026 Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Application Cycle Is Now Open
The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program application is now open through 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 12. If you are a nurse working in a critical shortage facility or teaching as a nurse faculty member at an accredited school of nursing, this program offers an opportunity to reduce your nursing school debt. Pay off 60 percent of your nursing education debt with two years of Nurse Corps service, and you can reduce it by an additional 25 percent with a third year of service.
CMS Closes Medicaid Health Care-Related Tax Loophole
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released information on a new rule that will close a Medicaid provider tax loophole used by some states. The loophole allows state health care-related taxes, especially those on managed care organizations, to be imposed at higher rates on Medicaid taxable units than on non-Medicaid taxable units, contrary to statutory and regulatory intent.
Medicaid Technology Companies Pledge to Assist States with Work, Community Engagement Requirements
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that 10 health technology companies have pledged $600 million in free or discounted products and services to help states work and community engagement requirements under H.R. 1. Participating companies include Accenture, Acentra Health, Conduent, GDIT, Deloitte, Gainwell, Maximus, Curam by Merative, Optum and RedMane. These commitments may result in savings for states implementing H.R. 1 provisions.
CMS Releases Organ Procurement Organizations Conditions of Coverage Proposed Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a proposed rule revising the Organ Procurement Organizations' conditions for coverage. The proposal would strengthen quality, safety and oversight; define and deter unsafe practices; maximize the use of medically complex organs; increase "smart competition" and remove barriers to new OPO certification.