Katie Waldo
Subscribe to Katie Waldo's PostsKatie is an experienced government relations strategist who helps clients navigate the complex issues surrounding Medicare, Medicaid and the healthcare marketplace. Katie works with clients to represent their needs before the US Congress and the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its agencies by relying on extensive experience as a policy advisor on the Medicaid and Medicare programs, as well as the 340B program and other aspects of the Public Health Service Act. She anticipates the effects of state and federal policymaking on issues impacting their businesses and crafts proactive and comprehensive legislative strategies.Read Katie Waldo's full bio.
HHS, Labor, and Treasury Finalize Mental Health Parity Rule
By Katie Waldo, Rachel Stauffer, Erica Stocker, Jeffrey Davis, Leigh Feldman, Julia Grabo and Maddie News on Sep 26, 2024
Posted In Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans, Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
On September 9, 2024, the US Departments of Health and Human Services , Labor, and the Treasury finalized a rule related to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. This rule introduces significant updates to mental health and substance use disorder benefits, ensuring parity with medical and surgical benefits. Key changes include enhanced protections...
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2024 Chart of Healthcare Regulations
By Kristen O'Brien, Rachel Stauffer, Katie Waldo and Jeffrey Davis on Apr 24, 2024
Posted In Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans
During this election year, McDermottPlus is actively monitoring annual regulations that federal agencies are expected to release, as well as “ad hoc” regulations that will be released at the discretion of federal agencies. This chart displays health-related regulations that may be issued this year, organized by federal agency and date of potential release. Access the...
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CMS Approves New York 1115 Medicaid Redesign Waiver
By Katie Waldo and Kayla Holgash on Mar 7, 2024
Posted In Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans
On January 9, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the New York State (NY) 1115 Medicaid waiver “Medicaid Redesign Team” (MRT). The MRT is a long-standing waiver in NY that has continuously evolved to improve the administration, structure and financing of the NY Medicaid program; enhance Medicaid beneficiaries’ access to services;...
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Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform: What’s on the Horizon? (December 2023 Update)
By Leigh Feldman, Amy Kelbick, Rachel Stauffer, Erica Stocker and Katie Waldo on Dec 27, 2023
Posted In Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans
The price of prescription drugs has brought scrutiny to the entire drug supply chain. Congress and other policymakers continue to seek opportunities to lower costs for patients and the federal government. Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are a key stakeholder in the drug supply chain, functioning as intermediaries between insurance providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Congress and...
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Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform: What’s on the Horizon?
By Rachel Stauffer, Katie Waldo, Amy Kelbick, Leigh Feldman and Erica Stocker on Oct 17, 2023
Posted In Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans
The price of prescription drugs has brought scrutiny to the entire drug supply chain. Congress and other policymakers continue to seek opportunities to lower costs for patients and the federal government. Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are a key stakeholder in the drug supply chain, functioning as intermediaries between insurance providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers. PBMs administer...
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CMS Releases Proposed Rule: Medicaid Program; Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services
By Katie Waldo, Kayla Holgash, Rodney Whitlock and Debra Curtis on May 30, 2023
Posted In Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans
On May 3, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published the proposed rule Medicaid Program; Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services. The aim of the proposed rule is to enhance transparency in payment rates, establish uniformity in data and monitoring and provide states with fresh avenues to encourage the active involvement of beneficiaries...
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Healthcare Preview for the Week of May 1, 2023
By Debra Curtis, Katie Waldo, Kayla Holgash and Rodney Whitlock on May 4, 2023
Posted In Digital Health, Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans
There has been a flurry of activity in Congress focused on healthcare issues over the last two weeks. Committees in both the US House and Senate held hearings on legislation focused on increasing transparency and competition in the healthcare system that could have significant impacts for certain healthcare providers, healthcare plans and pharmacy benefit managers....
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Way Too Early Preview: What the Midterm Election Results Might Mean for Health Policy in 2023
By Debra Curtis, Katie Waldo, Rodney Whitlock and Eric Zimmerman on Nov 17, 2022
Posted In Health and Welfare Plans
Although we are still awaiting final results of the November 8, 2022, midterm elections, the US House of Representatives appears likely to flip to Republican control, while the US Senate will remain in Democratic hands. Changes from one party to another in Congress, even in just one chamber, can mean big changes in policy progress...
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Requirements Related to Surprise Billing: Policy Update
By Eric Zimmerman, Kristen O'Brien and Katie Waldo on Sep 9, 2021
Posted In Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans
The US Departments of Health and Human Services, Treasury and Labor, and the Office of Personnel Management issued an Interim Final Rule with comment implementing portions of the No Surprises Act, legislation enacted in December 2020 that bars surprise billing beginning January 1, 2022. Under the law, payers and providers (including hospitals, facilities, individual practitioners...
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