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Home healthcare agencies may see a 1% drop in Medicare reimbursement in 2017, the final year of cuts meant to recoup previous overpayments. The proposed rates—which would mean Medicare would pay home health agencies $180 million less next year than in 2016—were published the same day that the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to hear a case challenging a federal labor rule that home health providers say is harming their businesses. ... The proposed payment reduction is not the only financial challenge facing home healthcare providers. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court decided it would not hear a case challenging a new Department of Labor rule that requires higher wages for many home healthcare workers. (Dickson and Schencker, 6/27)

A small group of lawmakers will head to Washington, D.C., Tuesday to meet with federal regulators as part of an effort to work toward improving access to health care coverage for uninsured Tennesseans. The group — formally known as the "3-Star Healthy Project" — will meet with officials from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and present a plan that will include creating a two-phased approach that will focus on finding ways to address the needs of uninsured veterans and those struggling with behavioral health issues, Rep. Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, told The Tennessean Monday. (Ebert, 6/27)