June 15, 2001

HHS Announces Task Force On Regulatory Burden

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson June 8 announced the establishment of a department-wide initiative to reduce regulatory burdens in health care and to respond faster to the concerns of health care providers and others affected by HHS rules. The Departmental Task Force on Regulatory Reform will be headed by the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation and will include an expanded review of Medicare and Medicaid regulations as part of a larger reform of the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). The task force will begin with a look at Medicare+Choice regulations followed by a review of cost reports HCFA currently requires of Medicare hospitals. HHS issues approximately 200 regulatory actions per year.