Written by Partnerships & Programs intern, Meghan Rakowski
On April 18th, C-TAC hosted one of our bi-monthly Policy Meet-Ups for coalition members to discuss policy changes and reflect on our established policy priorities for the year. These meetings provide member organizations with a briefing of important policy news and ways in which they can get involved in advancing equity and eliminating barriers to high-quality advanced care. The meeting was led by Torrie Fields, Strategic Advisor, Brain Lindberg, Senior Public Policy Advisor, and Marian Grant, Senior Regulatory Advisor.
The Policy Meet-Up commenced with an overview of the state policy environment and how it has changed since early February conducted by Torrie Fields. This included a refresher of the CMCS health equity framework and the essential priorities that eliminate disparities in all areas of healthcare, including advanced care. The Advanced Care Transformation (ACT) Index developed by C-TAC as a tool to evaluate the quality of care, was also referenced as a useful tool for state policy development. Recent evolutions in state & philanthropy work regarding serious illness were also explored. The projects mentioned included an increase in benefit development as seen in Hawaii, workforce capacity development exemplified by Maryland and New Jersey, the rethinking of advance care planning in Michigan, and awareness campaigns and the addressing of basic needs displayed in Massachusetts and Oregon.
Brian Lindberg guided the update on congressional developments. He began by re-emphasizing the policy priorities C-TAC has outlined for the 118th Congress. The main consideration mentioned was the dynamics in Congress around the debt limit and the influence this will have on advanced care legislation. Additionally, progress updates concerning the Improving Access to Advance Care Planning Act and Medicare Hospice modernization emphasize the direction of future work initiatives amongst the coalition.
The last portion of the Policy Meet-Up centered around a discussion concerning regulations. Marian Grant cited the recent CMMI Palliative Care Project Evaluation that exposed reasons for low enrollment in palliative care and provides a foundation for upcoming work to transform the healthcare landscape. Additionally, in the final Medicare Advantage rule, comments developed by C-TAC’s Regulatory Task Force were cited. The Regulatory Task Force is now working on statements concerning hospice utilization and health equity under the hospice benefit. These remarks will be used for the Proposed 2024 Hospice Rule Key Sections. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the Regulatory Task Force, please reach out to Marian Grant at mgrant@thectac.org.
This month’s gathering also touched on granted funds during COVID-19, pediatric palliative care benefits, and veterans services, as raised by members. C-TAC continues to advocate for policies to promote health equity and positively change the serious illness healthcare environment. C-TAC continues to explore member engagement opportunities, such as our member-only Policy Meet-Up, in order to create a space for advocates to learn about important changes in legislation and ask questions to our policy experts.
Here’s what Ellen Byrne from Illinois Hospice & Palliative Care Organization had to share about this month’s Policy Meet-Up:
As the Director of Policy and Government Affairs for the Illinois Hospice & Palliative Care Organization, I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the CTAC Policy Meet Ups. The expertise of the presenters means I can ask detailed policy questions and get the answers I need. The topics the speakers address -state policy, federal legislation and regulations, and care model innovations- are always valuable to the work I am doing to support our member providers who do the day-to-day work of caring for patients and families.
The most exciting thing from last week’s session was to hear that CTAC is leaning into the emerging opportunity to fundamentally reform the Medicare hospice benefit. Creating a modern hospice benefit that recognizes the way treatment for serious illness has progressed would be a huge step forward for Medicare beneficiaries and taxpayers, honestly. By prioritizing hospice reform at the federal level, CTAC and other stakeholders will effectively move the needle to expand understanding, choice, integrity and quality in hospice care.
Our next Policy Meet-Up will be held on June 7th 3 pm-4 pm EST. Our Policy Meet-Up is a member-only event.
For more information about membership and attending C-TAC events, please contact Partnership Director, Luke Scuitto at lscuitto@thectac.org.
