College Cost Reduction Act Introduced in the House

On Thursday, House Education and the Workforce Committee Chair Virginia Foxx (R-NC) introduced The College Cost Reduction Act, a bill that addresses accreditation, Pell grants, student loans, regulatory relief, and more. The bill is one of several expected in the Committee to address Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization.

The Committee press release, and links to the bill text, fact sheet, and summary may be accessed here. A summary from ACE may be accessed here and a summary from NAICU may be accessed here.

ASAHP Urges Congressional Leaders to Adopt Senate Funding Framework

ASAHP was one of 850 organizations to urge Congressional leadership finish the FY24 appropriations process and adopt the bipartisan Senate funding framework as a starting point for final negotiations.

The letter may be accessed here.

Department of Education Takes Next Steps on Negotiated Rulemaking for State Authorization, Distance Education, and Accreditation

On Tuesday, the Department of Education released six issue papers on topics for negotiated rulemaking. The topics include the following issue areas: Cash management, Return of Title IV Funds, Accreditation, State Authorization, Distance Education, and TRIO. Negotiators will meet virtually on January 8-11, February 5-8, and March 4-7. Sessions will be open to the public and include opportunities for public comment. ED also announced the list of the individuals who will serve on the negotiating committee and subcommittee.

The Department of Education’s press release may be accessed here. More details may be accessed here. An article from Inside Higher Ed may be accessed here.

ASAHP and CDC Coalition Urge Robust CDC Funding for FY 24

ASAHP was one of 139 organizations that are members of the CDC Coalition and joined in sending a letter to congressional appropriators urging at least $11.581 billion in funding for the CDC’s programs in FY 2024.

The letter may be accessed here.

ASAHP and Friends of HRSA Urge Robust HRSA Funding for FY 24

ASAHP was one of 86 members of the Friends of HRSA coalition and other supporting organizations that urged congressional appropriators to prioritize HRSA funding and to oppose the inclusion of any cuts or partisan policy riders related to any of the agency’s programs. Earlier this year, the Friends of HRSA coalition wrote to the leaders of the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations subcommittees urging them to provide at least $10.5 billion for HRSA in FY 2024. Strong funding for HRSA is critical to supporting all of HRSA’s activities and programs, which are essential to protect the health of our communities.

The letter to Congressional appropriators may be accessed here.

House Committee Advances Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act

On Tuesday, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce advanced, in a 37-8 vote, the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act. The bill would expand the use of Pell funding for short term, high quality credentials. Currently, Pell grants can only be used for programs with a 15-week minimum, but the bill would allow its use for programs offered during a minimum of eight weeks, but less than 15 weeks. To pay for the expansion, the bill would end federal student loans, starting next July, at the 50-60 institutions that are subject to the federal endowment tax, a controversial proposal not included in the Senate’s workforce Pell bill, the JOBS Act, which does not yet have a Committee markup date scheduled.

On Tuesday, the Committee also advanced, in a 44-1 vote, A Stronger Workforce for America Act, which would reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The bill would codify the Strengthening Community Colleges Workforce Development Grant Program to improve and expand high-quality workforce development programs at community colleges, and would authorize the program for each of the Fiscal Years 2025 through 2030 at $65 million.

The bills and and a recording of the markup may be accessed here. Coverage from Inside Higher Ed may be accessed here and here.

Senate Committee Markup to Reauthorize Mental and Behavioral Health Education and Training Program

On Tuesday, the Senate HELP Committee will hold a mark up of four bills, including S. 3393, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act. The bill would reauthorize the Mental and Behavioral Health Education and Training Program at $50 million for FY 24, $55 million for FY 25, $60 million for FY 26, $65 million for FY 27, and $75 million for FY 28.

The bill text and summary, as well as the markup, may be accessed here.

Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program Funding Opportunity

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has announced the opportunity to apply for funding under the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP). The purpose of the GWEP is to educate and train the health care and supportive care workforces to care for older adults by collaborating with community partners. Applicants must maximize patient and family engagement to address care gaps and improve health outcomes for older adults by integrating geriatrics with primary care and other appropriate specialties using the Age-Friendly Health Systems Framework. Estimated total funding is $43 million, and 43 grant awards are expected. Applications are due February 26.

The funding opportunity announcement may be accessed here.

Department of Education Seeking Nominations for Negotiated Rulemaking Panel on State Authorization, Accreditation, and other Higher Education Issues

The Department of Education is seeking nominations to represent various constituent groups on a negotiated rulemaking committee to consider the following issues:

• The Secretary’s recognition of accrediting agencies and related issues;

• Institutional eligibility, including state authorization;

• The definition of distance education as it pertains to clock hour programs and reporting for students who enroll primarily online; 

• Return of Title IV of Higher Education Act of 1965 funds; and

• Cash management to address disbursement of student funds.

Nominations must be received by December 13, 2023. Negotiators selected by ED will meet virtually on January 8-11, February 5-8, and March 4-7 to discuss ideas for regulatory reform. A subcommittee will meet virtually on January 12 and February 9. Sessions will be open to the public and include opportunities for public comment.

The Department of Education’s press release may be accessed here. An article from Inside Higher Ed may be accessed here.

Administration Releases U.S. Playbook to Address Social Determinants of Health

The Biden Administration released its “U.S. Playbook to Address Social Determinants of Health”. The 53-page document aims to impart a strategic approach to addressing health related social needs, highlighting an initial set of actions by federal agencies, and setting the stage for agencies and organizations to re-imagine new policies and actions around SDOH, both inside and outside of government. The playbook outlines individual and community-centered interventions, with actions grouped into the following three pillars: 1. Expand Data Gathering and Sharing, 2. Support Flexible Funding to address Social Needs, and 3. Support Backbone Organizations.

The playbook may be accessed here.

The Challenge Of Paying For Health Care

U.S. adults with low or average incomes are more likely than their counterparts in eight other high-income nations to struggle to afford their health care, according to a new Commonwealth Fund issue brief that explored how financial barriers affect health care decisions by individuals.

The brief can be obtained at Cost of Not Getting Care Income Disparities High-Income Countries | Commonwealth Fund.

Expanding Medicare Access To Behavioral Health Care

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it is expanding access to behavioral health services for beneficiaries with Medicare through coverage of intensive outpatient services. It also is making it easier for the public to learn what a hospital charges for items and services through improved hospital price transparency requirements. 

More information can be obtained at CY 2024 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System Final Rule (CMS 1786-FC) | CMS.

ED Releases Final Rule on Oversight, Accountability, and Consumer Protection

The Department of Education announced final regulations to enhance oversight and accountability for institutions of higher education and strengthen protections for student borrowers. The final rules cover four areas: financial responsibility, administrative capability, certification procedures, and Ability to Benefit. The regulations will be published in the Federal Register on October 31 and will go into effect on July 1, 2024.

The Department of Education’s announcement may be accessed here, and a post from NC-SARA may be accessed here.

Tightening Rules Around Short-Term Health Insurance Plans

The Trump administration loosened regulation of short-term health insurance plans, with a stated goal of increasing coverage and reducing the uninsured rate. The Biden administration has proposed reversing course to limit these plans’ duration. 

More information can be obtained at Tightening Rules Around Short-Term Health Insurance Plans | Commonwealth Fund.

ASAHP Clinical Education Committee Seeking Graduate Student Project Coordinator

ASAHP’s Clinical Education Committee is looking for a project coordinator . The Project Coordinator will participate in all ASAHP Clinical Education Committee activities, including monthly conference calls and delegated Task Force / ASAHP meetings. The Project Coordinator will work with Committee members to support their objectives and assist with meeting goals of the Committee.

The hours are flexible and generally 2 to 4 hours per week. Applicants must be a graduate student at an ASAHP member institution. Students are paid by the hour.

Interested students can apply here.

Department of Education Outlines Strategies to Increase Diversity and Opportunity in Higher Education

Today, the U.S. Department of Education released “Strategies for Increasing Diversity and Opportunity in Higher Education,” a report to guide state and higher education leaders on policies and practices to advance diversity on college campuses. The report reviews evidence-based strategies and promising practices in the areas of outreach, admissions, financial aid and funding, and college completion, and is meant to serve as a resource to help guide institutions and states as they respond to the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina et al. (collectively “SFFA”).

The Department of Education press release may be accessed here. The report may be accessed here.

Department of Education Announces Gainful Employment Final Regulations

Today, the Department of Education released an unofficial copy of its final gainful employment regulations. According to the Department, the rule “will protect approximately 700,000 students a year from career training programs that leave graduates with unaffordable loan payments or earnings no better than what someone who did not pursue postsecondary education earns in their state.” The final rule also includes a new Financial Value Transparency (FVT) framework, that will give students in all programs detailed information about the net costs of postsecondary programs, and the financial outcomes they can expect.

More details may be accessed here.