- Providers and health systems are preparing to weigh in on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) ideas for how to use Medicare to improve maternal health. While Medicare covers fewer pregnant, birthing, and postpartum patients than other payers —including Medicaid — CMS has asked for feedback on whether the program’s conditions of participation should be used to set a national standard for maternal health quality. The agency requested input on its ideas as part of the proposed fiscal 2025 Inpatient Prospective Payment System, and comments are due June 10. Industry leaders are hoping CMS opts to increase obstetric care pay and are urging the agency to balance quality improvement efforts and access. (Article here)
- Elevance Health’s philanthropic arm is launching a new initiative that aims to provide loans to small businesses and other organizations in a bid to address health equity. According to an announcement, the Elevance Health Foundation has made a $10 million commitment to the “impact investing” effort. The loans offered through the program will be offered at below Prime rates, and the partners will deploy the funds to address key social needs like access to care, food insecurity, and health disparities. (Article here)
May 28, 2024
Inequities and SDOH | Tea Leaves