Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation

HLPC Director Carmel Shachar, along with colleagues, published a thought-provoking article in Health Affairs Forefront on the use of AI in health insurance, particularly prior authorization (PA) decisions. The article explores the lack of oversight on these algorithms and proposes solutions for policymakers. Read more & join the discussion: https://ow.ly/162R50Sxnv2 #healthcare #AI #healthinsurance

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a new rule to strengthen HIPAA privacy protections for reproductive health care. In this JAMA Viewpoint piece, HLPC Faculty Director Carmel Shachar writes that this new rule is significant because: 1) It closes a loophole: Previously, law enforcement could access abortion records in abortion-restrictive states. 2) It protects people traveling for abortions: Patients who travel to states with legal abortion can now keep their medical records private. 3) It creates challenges for telehealth abortions: Unclear laws make it difficult to determine if telehealth abortions are protected. 4) Clinicians decide lawfulness: Clinicians, not law enforcement, determine if an abortion was lawful under medical necessity exceptions. 5) Legal challenges are expected: States may challenge the rule in court. Read: https://lnkd.in/enC2uqxA #HIPAA #ReproductiveRights #Telehealth

Is AI in Healthcare Leaving Patients Out in the Cold? Examining Prior Authorization with Carmel Shachar, Amy Killelea, and Sara Gerke. HLPC Faculty Director, Carmel Shachar co-authored a recent article in Health Affairs Forefront that explores the growing use of AI in health insurance, particularly for prior authorization (PA) decisions. The article highlights the lack of oversight on how algorithms are developed and used by insurers, potentially impacting patient access to necessary care. Learn more about the policy recommendations in the article and the need for increased transparency and accountability in AI-driven healthcare decisions: https://lnkd.in/ejm3wMt2 #healthcare #AI #healthinsurance

In an expected but still monumental move, SCOTUS issued a decision in Loper Bright vs. Raimondo overruling decades of precedent under which courts gave deference to agency interpretation of federal statutes the agency was charged with enforcing. Read our latest Health Care in Motion to learn more about how this decision could impact access to health care, including for people with complex and chronic conditions. https://ow.ly/VWua50SECTY Subscribe to Health Care in Motion: https://lnkd.in/eQ6a8K_R #HealthCareInMotion #SCOTUSDecision #HealthCarePolicy

Have questions about how to best leverage our just launched State Medicaid Policy Toolkit in your state? Join us and the Food Is Medicine Coalition for a Webinar on July 30th, 2-3 p.m. ET. More info: https://lnkd.in/exPQ4h5s Register here: https://ow.ly/XLsW50SEsLr

Medicaid policy is complicated! Are you engaged in food is medicine work but still navigating the complicated legal landscape? We are deeply grateful to our colleagues at the Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation for their invaluable work on our groundbreaking field-wide resource, Food is Medicine State Policy Toolkit, to ensure accuracy and rigor. The toolkit:  ✅ Offers a comprehensive guide for State Medicaid policymakers  ✅ Details all existing authorities to employ food is medicine coverage through Medicaid.  ✅ Provides information about application guidelines and shares resources from CMS to support implementation. https://bit.ly/3W7vfeB

Changes are coming to PrEP coverage in Medicare! CHLPI has a new resource to help patients, providers, and pharmacists navigate the change. Read: https://lnkd.in/eaMMUSAf

Medicaid policy is complicated! Are you engaged in food is medicine work but still navigating the complicated legal landscape? Alongside our colleagues at the Food is Medicine Coalition, we are excited to launch this groundbreaking field-wide resource, The Food is Medicine State Policy Toolkit! The toolkit: ✅ Offers a comprehensive guide for State Medicaid policymakers ✅ Details all existing authorities to employ food is medicine coverage through Medicaid. ✅ Provides information about application guidelines and shares resources from CMS to support implementation. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/eAi2_mED #foodismedicine #MTMswork #MTMaccess

The Supreme Court last week weighed in on access to abortion care in emergencies. Here's the breakdown: The Cases: Two cases, Moyle vs. United States and Idaho vs. United States, looked at whether federal law allows emergency abortions despite state bans. The Decision: In a 6-3 vote, SCOTUS dismissed the cases, allowing emergency abortions in Idaho for now. What This Means: Idaho can't enforce its abortion ban in emergency situations, but bigger questions remain unanswered. What's Next? Read more about the decision and its potential impact in our latest Health Care in Motion: https://lnkd.in/eS4a_2mF #HCIM #HealthCare #SCOTUS

A new article in STAT discusses how current nutrition standards for Medicaid home-delivered meals fall short. CHLPI's Clinical Instructor Rachel Landauer was interviewed. Read: https://lnkd.in/ebCx3mEA