Government

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    Change cyberattack relief funding overpaid many hospitals: study

    But more than 300 hospitals didn’t participate in the CMS’ relief program, even though they faced financial disruption — and were more likely to be small and rural facilities, according to Health Affairs research.

    By • Dec. 9, 2025
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    1 in 4 ACA enrollees could go uninsured if subsidies lapse: KFF

    Nearly 60% of survey respondents said they wouldn’t be able to afford a $300 annual increase in healthcare costs without significantly disrupting their finances.

    By • Dec. 8, 2025
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    Aya Healthcare, Cross Country terminate staffing acquisition following FTC scrutiny

    The companies said extensive antitrust review made an acquisition untenable. Regulators said the deal would have “eliminated head-to-head competition” between two of the largest staffing service firms.

    By • Dec. 8, 2025
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    HHS outlines strategy to expand AI adoption

    Although the strategy is internally focused to start, the agency said it will collaborate with the private sector and identify “priority” conditions and health issues that could be addressed with AI tools. 

    By • Dec. 5, 2025
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    ‘Discredited’ CDC panel weakens endorsement for newborns’ hepatitis B shot

    After initially delaying a vote, ACIP backed a softer stance that dissenting members warned would cause harm to children in the future.

    By • Updated Dec. 5, 2025
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    Senators agree they need to act on expiring ACA subsidies. But they can’t nail down how.

    Hidden in Republicans’ ACA bashing during a Wednesday health committee hearing were some signs that a clean extension of more generous subsidies isn’t completely off the table — though one still doesn’t look likely.

    By • Dec. 4, 2025
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    Covert watchdog testing finds ACA vulnerable to subsidy fraud

    The Government Accountability Office successfully enrolled 18 out of 20 fake applicants in subsidized ACA plans. Republicans jumped on the report as ammunition in the debate over expanded subsidies.

    By • Dec. 4, 2025
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    House passes bill extending hospital at home waivers for five years

    The bill would waive certain requirements to enable hospitals to provide acute inpatient care in patients’ homes through 2030. It now heads to the Senate.

    By • Dec. 3, 2025
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    CVS agrees to pay $38M to settle insulin fraud claims

    For a decade, CVS knew it was skirting rules meant to limit overprescribing but did nothing to stop, according to the Department of Justice.

    By • Dec. 3, 2025
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    Trump administration repeals Biden-era nursing home staffing mandate

    HHS repealed the rule on Tuesday, which would have required nursing homes to increase staffing, saying the regulations would have disproportionately harmed rural communities.

    By • Dec. 3, 2025
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    Richard Pazdur, FDA drug czar, to retire from agency

    Weeks after being named head of CDER, Pazdur has submitted paperwork to step down at the end of the month, exacerbating what’s already been a turbulent year at the FDA.

    By Ben Fidler • Dec. 2, 2025
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    Hospitals sue to block HHS 340B rebate pilot

    The American Hospital Association, a Maine hospital group and four nonprofit systems are seeking a temporary restraining order against HHS’ controversial test of a new discount structure in the decades-old program.

    By • Dec. 2, 2025
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    Humana appeals Medicare Advantage star ratings loss to 5th Circuit

    The insurer continues to try to prove that regulators acted arbitrarily in downgrading its quality scores for 2025, despite numerous setbacks in the courts to date.

    By • Dec. 1, 2025
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    CMS proposes overhauling Medicare Advantage star ratings

    The agency suggested cutting a dozen quality measures where health plan performance is high and beneficiaries can’t easily distinguish between offerings.

    By • Nov. 26, 2025
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    OIG report finds Medicare overpaying for CGMs and supplies

    The CMS could use its competitive bidding program to address price concerns after payments for the continuous glucose monitors swelled over five years, the government watchdog said.

    By Elise Reuter • Nov. 26, 2025
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    Lawmakers propose Medicare reimbursement pathway for AI devices

    The legislation is intended to ensure AI-enabled devices receive an accurate CMS payment code.

    By Nick Paul Taylor • Nov. 26, 2025
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    CMS sets 2027 Medicare prices for Wegovy, Trelegy and 13 other drugs

    The second round of negotiations cuts spending an aggregate 44% over 2024 list prices as the federal government extends restraints over more medicines.

    By Jonathan Gardner • Nov. 26, 2025
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    HHS brings back workers fired during shutdown

    HHS reinstated all 954 workers let go last month, but firing and rehiring employees is becoming a troubling trend at the agency.

    By • Nov. 26, 2025
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    Trump administration appeals decision vacating Medicare Advantage audit rule

    A federal judge struck down the rule that would have clawed back billions of dollars in overpayments in September. Now, the HHS wants to take the case to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

    By • Nov. 25, 2025
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    CMS finalizes 2.6% outpatient pay bump, site-neutral policies

    Hospitals lambasted the final rule as inadequate, arguing the sector is facing significant financial pressures.

    By • Nov. 24, 2025
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    Oracle Health designated QHIN under TEFCA data sharing framework

    Eleven data exchanges have now received Qualified Health Information Network status, more than double the number that were recognized when the federal government’s framework first went live in late 2023.

    By • Nov. 21, 2025
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    Crapo, Wyden to reintroduce bipartisan PBM package

    Republicans and Democrats couldn’t be further apart on how to address the looming ACA affordability cliff. But there seems to be a path forward on curbing pharmacy benefit managers.

    By • Nov. 20, 2025
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    Urban safety-net hospitals vulnerable to Medicaid cuts: analysis

    Though the impact on rural facilities has received more focus from lawmakers, the majority of hospitals that are most susceptible to the funding cuts operate in urban communities, according to the report.

    By • Nov. 19, 2025
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    Republican antipathy during key Senate hearing darkens outlook for ACA subsidy extension

    More generous subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans have helped millions of Americans afford insurance. Chances are becoming slimmer that the assistance will survive the year.

    By • Nov. 19, 2025
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    States project flat Medicaid enrollment, increased spending as cuts loom: KFF

    Total spending in the safety-net insurance program is expected to grow 7.9% in fiscal year 2026, according to the survey. Meanwhile, states are facing significant federal cuts in the wake of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

    By • Nov. 18, 2025