CMS Codifies Value-Based Care Strategy, $800M for Abuse Victims
CMS elaborates on future of value-based care, HHS allocates ARP funds to abuse victims, CDC joins new partnership to analyze disease patterns, and FDA approves HIV drug.
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By - In a white paper released last week, CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure reiterated the agency’s plan to support health equity and expand value-based care for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Research in the field of health equity also received a boost after the NIH announced a $10 million grant that will support University of Pennsylvania professors and their work fighting racial healthcare disparities in Philadelphia.
Another recent announcement from HHS heralded $800 million in funding for programs that support the survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault. Meanwhile, the FDA has approved a Gilead HIV treatment for use in pediatric patients. And, the CDC has announced a partnership with PointClickCare that will investigate disease patterns in long-term care patients.
CDC Partners with PointClickCare
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have announced a new partnership with PointClickCare, a health IT vendor specializing in de-identified health data. Data provided to the CDC through this partnership will increase researchers’ ability to understand COVID-19 and allow for analytical insights that explain disease patterns. Drawing information from 5 million patients, the CDC also plans to investigate trends in long-term care populations. The goal of the new partnership is to eventually provide better care for populations that had been previously underserved. READ MORE.
FDA Approves HIV Drug Expansion
The FDA recently approved a modified regimen of Gilead’s Biktarvy for use in pediatric patients. Those children suffering from HIV-1 who weigh more than 30 pounds will now have access to Biktarvy which showed strong efficacy in clinical trials. Approval of the drug comes at a time when 850 children a day become infected with HIV-1. READ MORE.
CMS Value-Based Care Strategy Announcement
CMS formalized its plans to change the state of care for most Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries by the end of the decade. The agency expects that value-based care will transform the healthcare system by addressing disparities, increasing affordability, supporting innovation, and promoting accountability. In a white paper, CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure emphasized the importance of the strategy saying, “As CMS, how are we promoting health equity will always be the first question we ask. Nevertheless, we are doing everything we can to break down barriers to care and lift up underserved communities.” READ MORE.
NIH Funds Racial Disparity Interventions
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine received a $10 million grant from the NIH to research racial health disparities. The research led by Eugenia C. South, MD and Atheendar Venkataramani, MD will be conducted in 60 predominantly Black neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia. Interventions enacted by the team include trash cleanup, tree planting, and increasing access to economic benefits. The study plans to operate with a control group that will not receive benefits and a test group that will receive economic benefits. READ MORE.
HHS Provides $800 Million to Support Domestic Violence Victims
A total of $800 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding will be awarded to programs supporting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and their children. In Monday’s announcement, HHS secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized “We must do everything in our power to prevent and combat sexual violence and domestic violence. Today’s historic investment will usher in new partnerships and tools to support the needs of survivors and their children.” The funds will be directed towards sexual assault service providers and culturally specific programs. READ MORE.
