The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are hosting two public meetings in September 2024. These meetings are focused on important health issues and will provide opportunities for public input. **Detailed Text:**

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are taking proactive steps to engage the public in addressing critical health issues.

The first public meeting, scheduled for September 17, 2024, is a joint event organized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Indian Health Service (IHS). This meeting brings together the Tribal Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) and the IHS National Tribal Advisory Committee on Behavioral Health (NTAC).

* The FDA is holding two separate advisory committee meetings in the coming months. * The first meeting will focus on the approval of a new cancer drug. * The second meeting will focus on the use of AI in healthcare.

The report provides insights into the physician network characteristics and their impact on consumer access to care. III. Policy & Advocacy The HRSA announced a new initiative to address the primary care workforce shortage. This initiative aims to increase the number of primary care providers in underserved areas. The initiative includes a variety of strategies, such as loan forgiveness programs, scholarships, and grants. IV. Emerging Trends The report “The Future of Primary Care” by the American Medical Association (AMA) outlines key trends shaping the future of primary care. These trends include: a. Increased demand for telehealth services. b. Growing emphasis on patient-centered care. c.

This new rebate approach is a significant development in the effort to lower drug prices in the United States. It represents a shift from the traditional approach of negotiating directly with pharmaceutical companies, which has been criticized for its lack of transparency and effectiveness. The new approach, which is being implemented through a partnership with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), involves a tiered system of rebates based on the drug’s price and sales volume.

* **J&J’s stance:** Johnson & Johnson (J&J) maintains its commitment to transitioning from drug discounts to rebates for two of its 340B drugs. * **HRSA’s concerns:** The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) expressed concerns about the potential impact on patient access and affordability.

The announcement was made by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The funding will be distributed to 10 Navigator organizations across the country, with each organization receiving an average of $10 million. The Navigator program is a critical component of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and plays a vital role in ensuring that individuals and families have access to affordable health insurance.

* **Funding Allocation:** Over $65 million in grants awarded by SAMHSA to address mental health and substance abuse crises. * **Focus Areas:** Strengthening the nation’s prevention and treatment workforce, particularly in mental health and substance use disorder care. * **Alignment with President’s Agenda:** The initiative aligns with the President’s Unity Agenda, which focuses on tackling mental health challenges and the opioid crisis. * **Program Expansion:** Support for the expansion of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) and other programs focused on training and deploying a more diverse and culturally competent healthcare workforce.

The advisory also emphasizes the importance of addressing the social determinants of health, recognizing that factors like poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to quality healthcare can significantly impact parental mental health. It calls for a multi-sectoral approach to address these social determinants, involving government agencies, community organizations, and healthcare providers. The advisory highlights the need for increased awareness and education about parental mental health, urging parents to seek help when needed. It also stresses the importance of creating supportive environments for parents, such as providing access to affordable childcare, flexible work arrangements, and mental health services.

7 million will be used to support cancer care initiatives. The grant funding is part of a larger effort to address the nation’s most pressing health challenges, including mental health, substance use disorders, and cancer. This initiative is aligned with the Biden Administration’s Unity Agenda, which aims to address these challenges through a comprehensive and collaborative approach.