Healthcare Compliance

Proposed Data Collection for Public Comment

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted a proposed data collection for public comment. The comment period closes on May 8, 2026. This notice initiates a consultation period for a new data collection initiative.

Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a notice regarding agency forms undergoing review under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This notice initiates a 30-day review period for specific forms to assess their information collection requirements.

Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a notice regarding agency forms undergoing review under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This notice initiates a 30-day review period for specific forms to assess their continued necessity and burden on respondents.

Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a notice regarding agency forms undergoing review under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This notice initiates a 30-day review period for public comment on the forms.

Notice of Availability of Pest Risk Analysis for Sweet Potato Importation from Korea

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a notice regarding the availability of a Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) for the importation of fresh sweet potato roots from the Republic of Korea into the United States. A public comment period is open for 59 days.

Addition of Sri Lanka to African Swine Fever Affected Regions List

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has added Sri Lanka to its list of regions affected by African Swine Fever (ASF). This notice updates the agency's official list of regions considered to be affected by the disease.

Proposed Revision to US Import Requirements for Pineapples from Taiwan

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has proposed revisions to the import requirements for pineapples from Taiwan into the United States. This notice is open for public comment until May 4, 2026.

Pioneer Hi-Bred maize genetically engineered status assessment

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has published a notice regarding Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.'s request for an extension of determination of nonregulated status for genetically engineered maize. The notice includes a plant pest risk similarity assessment and is open for public comment.

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has published a notice requesting public comment on proposed new agency information collection activities. The comment period is open until April 10, 2026.

CMS Announces Manufacturer Participation in Third Cycle of Medicare Drug Price Negotiation

CMS announced on March 13, 2026 that all 16 drug companies manufacturing the 15 drugs selected for the third cycle of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program and the 1 drug selected for renegotiation have chosen to participate. The participating manufacturers include GlaxoSmithKline (Anoro Ellipta), Gilead Sciences (Biktarvy), AbbVie (Botox), Eli Lilly (Trulicity, Verzenio), Novartis (Cosentyx, Kisqali), and 10 others. CMS will send initial offers for maximum fair price with concise justification no later than June 1, 2026, with the negotiation period ending November 1, 2026.

VA Introduces Claim Assist Portal for Faster Claim Responses

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new Claim Assist Portal providing veterans with a faster, digital way to respond when VA requests additional information on benefits claims. The optional portal sends email and SMS notifications with direct links, allowing veterans to log in, respond to requests, and digitally sign forms online without paperwork or mail. Veterans who prefer traditional methods may continue using mail, but the portal is designed to accelerate claim processing by eliminating postal delays.

VA Enhances Home Loan Program with New Technologies

VA's Loan Guaranty Service (LGY) is modernizing the VA Home Loan program through implementation of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), document intelligence, and automation tools. The technologies aim to deliver faster information to Veterans, enable real-time data management by lenders, and reduce paperwork throughout the loan process. LGY is also exploring precision risk assessment, policy simulation, and outreach analysis models to identify equity gaps and help keep Veterans in their homes.

VA Releases 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report

VA released the 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report in February, providing the most current data on suicide among Veterans and non-Veteran U.S. adults from 2001 through 2023. In 2023, 6,398 Veterans died by suicide, a decrease of 44 deaths from 2022, though 61% of those who died were not receiving VA health care in their last year of life. The report documents VA's expanded outreach efforts including over 33,000 new enrollments since January 2025 and 140,000 at-risk Veterans identified through the Veterans Interoperability Pledge, as well as 1.3 million Veterans Crisis Line contacts in fiscal year 2025, a 39% year-over-year increase.

VA Mobile App Adds Certificate of Eligibility for Home Loans

The Department of Veterans Affairs has updated its VA: Health and Benefits mobile app to allow eligible Veterans, service members, and surviving spouses to view their active Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Home Loan Letter directly in the app in real-time. The COE feature was deployed through a phased rollout from March 2–5, starting at 5% of users and expanding to 100% deployment. Veterans who do not have an active COE or want to make changes should work with their mortgage lender or through VA.gov.

Central Virginia Health District Confirms Three Rabid Animals

The Central Virginia Health District received confirmation on March 11, 2026 of three rabid animals found between March 6 and March 9, 2026: a rabid raccoon on Crestview Drive in the Forest area of Bedford County, and two rabid skunks on Suburban Road and Bethany Road in Campbell County. All three rabid animals had known or suspected contact with dogs, and there is no known human exposure among the three incidents. The Virginia Department of Health is issuing rabies prevention guidance to the public.

NY DOH Urges Colorectal Cancer Screening for Adults Ages 45 and Older

The New York State Department of Health has issued a public health advisory urging all adults ages 45 and older to undergo colorectal cancer screening, following new research showing colorectal cancer is now a leading cause of cancer death for adults under age 50, with rates increasing 3.5 percent per year over the past decade in that age group. More than 8,800 New Yorkers are diagnosed with colorectal cancer annually and approximately 2,800 die from the disease every year, while a Department study found that 73.5 percent of New York adults aged 45 to 75 received screening in 2024. The Department is working with local organizations and the NYS Cancer Consortium's Colorectal Cancer Action Team to increase screening rates to 80 percent statewide.

SAMHSA Extends NSDUH Field Tests; Comment Deadline May 12

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has extended the field tests for the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The agency is requesting public comments on this extension, with a deadline of May 12, 2026.

HHS-Certified Laboratories for Urine/Oral Fluid Drug Testing

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has published the current list of HHS-certified laboratories and instrumented initial testing facilities for urine and oral fluid drug testing. This notice serves as an informational update for federal agencies and relevant parties.

SAMHSA Proposed Collection for Underage Drinking Prevention Activities

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has published a notice requesting public comment on a proposed collection of information related to underage drinking prevention activities. This notice initiates a 60-day comment period for interested parties.

NY Health Urges Colorectal Cancer Screening for Adults 45+

The New York State Department of Health has released a public health announcement urging all adults ages 45 and older to get screened for colorectal cancer. The recommendation follows new research showing colorectal cancer is now a leading cause of cancer death for people under age 50, with rates in that group increasing 3.5 percent per year over the past decade. The Department's own study found that 73.5 percent of NY adults aged 45-75 received screening in 2024, indicating room for improvement, particularly among those ages 45-54 and those without insurance or a regular healthcare provider.

AHRQ Stats: Healthcare Quality Statistics on Adverse Events, Maternal Deaths, Opioid Use

AHRQ published a statistical overview titled 'AHRQ Stats' containing healthcare quality data across multiple domains: adverse drug events involving hypoglycemic agents by race/ethnicity in 2021, healthcare expenditure concentration in 2021 with the top 1 percent of spenders accounting for 24 percent of expenditures, maternal death rates by area income and race/ethnicity in 2020, dental care utilization trends during the COVID-19 era, psychological distress trends among adults between 2018 and 2021, and electronic nicotine use patterns among young adults in 2021. The data is sourced from the Chartbook on Patient Safety and MEPS statistical publications.

AHRQ Social Media Presence Update

AHRQ published an update to its social media presence page, listing the agency's official accounts across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. The page provides links to the main AHRQ accounts as well as the Director's official LinkedIn pages and topic-specific YouTube channels covering Health TV, Patient Safety, Primary Care, Data Resources, Health IT, and AHRQ en español. No compliance obligations or regulatory changes are associated with this informational update.

Minnesota Medicaid SPA 25-0036: MAT Services Recovery Peers

CMS approved Minnesota Medicaid SPA 25-0036 on March 10, 2026, with an effective date of October 1, 2025. The SPA removes the end date for Medication Assisted Treatment services per the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 and expands qualified providers to include recovery peers and treatment coordinators. Coverage of Naltrexone, Buprenorphine, and Methadone for MAT continues under the state plan for all beneficiaries meeting medical necessity criteria.

Arizona Medicaid SPA AZ-25-0029 Updates Nursing Facility Rates

CMS has approved Arizona State Plan Amendment AZ-25-0029, which updates fee-for-service payment rates for nursing facility services effective January 1, 2026. The amendment includes revised per diem rates ranging from $205.65 to $276.66 depending on level of care (LOA/Therapeutic, Subacute Care Levels I-III) and geographic designation (Urban, Rural, Flagstaff, Tucson). Provider appeals are available for extraordinary circumstances, specialty care services, and unique or unusually high case mix.

North Dakota Medicaid State Plan Amendment 26-0008 Updates Submission Designee

CMS approved North Dakota Medicaid State Plan Amendment TN 26-0008, which updates the designated official for State Plan submissions from the prior designee (TN 23-0025) to Krista Fremming, Interim Director, Medical Services Division, ND Department of Health and Human Services. The amendment was approved on March 10, 2026, with an effective date of January 5, 2026. CMS conducted review under 42 CFR 430.12(b) and statutory requirements in Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

South Dakota Medicaid SUD/IMD Template and Provider List Updates

CMS approved South Dakota Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) #25-0015, effective October 1, 2025, which replaces Attachment 3.1-L Substance Use Disorders/Institutions for Mental Diseases (SUD/IMD) template pages with updated CMS-provided versions and separately revises the random moment time study cost pool provider list for school-based direct services and administrative claiming activities. The amendment carries zero federal budget impact for FFY 2026 and FFY 2027 and is authorized under Section 1915(l) of the Social Security Act and 42 CFR 447.

Medicare Policy Updates and Coding Changes

CMS published 10 of 67 Medicare policy transmittals for 2026, covering topics including Review Choice Demonstration provider education (effective May 1, 2026), SSI/Medicare Beneficiary Data for FY 2024, preventive and screening services coding updates, Comprehensive Error Rate Testing program revisions, Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities Prospective Payment System April 2026 coding updates, Cardiac Contractility Modulation coverage for heart failure, Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database quarterly update, and certification/revocation language updates. Implementation dates range from April 6 to May 1, 2026.

MedPAC Recommends Medicare Physician Payment Increase for 2027

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission recommended that Congress increase the physician payment update for Medicare patients in 2027 by an additional 0.5 percent on top of the updates specified in current law (0.25 percent and 0.75 percent). The AMA welcomed the recommendation but expressed disappointment that MedPAC did not reiterate its support for tying physician payment updates to the Medicare Economic Index. The commission's findings confirm that Medicare physician payments have declined 33 percent from 2001 to 2025 when adjusted for inflation in practice expenses, putting patient access to care at risk.

Survey Shows Need to Rebuild Trust in Evidence-Based Health Information

The American Medical Association released findings from an Annenberg Public Policy Center survey showing that 73% of Americans express confidence in the AMA as a source of health information, ranking physicians and medical organizations among the most trusted sources. The survey highlights a widening trust gap, with confidence in federal health agencies declining even as Americans continue to rely on physicians for evidence-based health guidance. AMA CEO John Whyte emphasized that trust is the foundation of effective healthcare and public health outcomes.

Physician AI Adoption Doubles to 81% as Confidence Grows, Skill Loss Concerns Persist

The AMA's 2026 Physician Survey on Augmented Intelligence found 81% of physicians use AI in their practice, more than double the 38% rate in 2023. Average AI use cases per physician increased from 1.1 to 2.3 over the same period, with clinical documentation and medical research summarization as the most common applications. While 70% of physicians see AI as a tool to reduce burnout-related administrative tasks, 88% expressed concern about potential skill loss, particularly those with 10 years or less in practice. Physicians emphasized data privacy (86%) and robust safety and efficacy validation (88%) as critical for broader AI adoption.

Rabid Raccoon Found in Chesapeake; Public Health Advisory Issued

A juvenile raccoon discovered on Fordsmere Road in the Woodards Mill neighborhood of Chesapeake, Virginia on March 4, 2026, tested positive for rabies after being captured and submitted for testing by a local animal rescue organization. No animal or human encounters have been reported. Virginia law requires all dogs and cats four months of age and older be vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian, with vaccinations kept current.