US Surgeon General Addresses Burnout, Telemental Health Bill Proposed

June 01, 2022 - Two pieces of proposed legislation are seeking to modernize healthcare IT infrastructure in the US. One such bill introduced by four senators would expand telehealth access and reduce regulations that limit telehealth usage. The other proposed legislation seeks to simplify Medicare Advantage prior authorization and create a real-time process for approving routine care.

Meanwhile, the US Surgeon General formalizes the nation’s response to the escalating healthcare worker burnout problem.

Proposed Telehealth Policy for Mental Healthcare

Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and John Thune (R-S.D.) released a draft of telehealth policies for mental healthcare projects that aim to increase access to care. Portions of the guidelines would remove in-person care requirements, allow audio-only appointments, and leverage CHIP programs to improve healthcare in schools.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant toll on the health and well-being [of] individuals and communities, exacerbating longstanding mental health and substance abuse challenges,” said Senator Cardin in a press release. “Telehealth, particularly for behavioral health services, has become an essential component of care, and I am pleased that we have this opportunity to improve access to telemental healthcare, particularly for underserved communities.” READ MORE.

FDA Issues Dietary Supplement Guidance

A new rule from the FDA will allow supplement companies to share product changes that they failed to submit during the pandemic. The FDA will accept late dietary ingredient notifications that include new ingredients and formula alterations during an extended discretionary enforcement period ending in 180 days. The FDA is the primary regulatory body that oversees the largely freewheeling supplement industry, and the agency holds the authority to ban products if they are delinquent in submitting their new ingredient notifications. READ MORE.

US Surgeon General Addresses Worker Burnout

A report from the US Surgeon General is urging healthcare providers to take action to reduce worker burnout at healthcare facilities. “The nation’s health depends on the well-being of our health workforce. Confronting the long-standing drivers of burnout among our health workers must be a top national priority,” US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said in a press release. “COVID-19 has been a uniquely traumatic experience for the health workforce and their families, pushing them past their breaking point. Now, we owe them a debt of gratitude and action. And if we fail to act, we will place our nation’s health at risk.”

The report cited administrative burden and a lack of paid leave as reasons for high turnover rates at healthcare provider organizations. READ MORE.

BMA Supports Prior Authorization Bill

The leading Medicare Advantage non-profit, Better Medicare Alliance (BMA), endorsed the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act which would modernize prior authorization. The bill includes recommendations for an electronic prior authorization process and real-time decision processing for routine medical care. Currently, there are bipartisan supporters of the bill in the House of Representatives and broad industry appeal for a simplified healthcare process for Medicare Advantage plans. READ MORE.

Four States Expand Postpartum Coverage

To the praise of HHS and CMS officials, four states have chosen to expand postpartum coverage under the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Thousands of families will now enjoy expanded postpartum healthcare coverage in California, Kentucky, Oregon, and Florida, thanks to the American Rescue Plan and CHIP section 1115. New statewide plans will give families who need it the most an extended period of coverage up to 12 months after the birth of a child. READ MORE.