Government
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Medicare AI prior authorization pilot delaying care in Washington: report
The report compiled by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., found procedures in the state that were previously approved in two weeks now take four to eight weeks to be authorized.
By Emily Olsen • April 24, 2026 -
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FTC, US Anesthesia Partners reach settlement in Texas price collusion case
The private equity-backed anesthesia provider bought and bullied its way to market dominance in Texas, driving up prices for patients, the FTC alleged. The parties have now reached a deal, though USAP will not admit liability.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 24, 2026 -
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CMS, FDA unveil speedier Medicare coverage pathway for breakthrough devices
The pathway is designed to reduce the delay between FDA authorization and Medicare coverage for certain Class II and Class III breakthrough medical devices.
By Ricky Zipp • April 23, 2026 -
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AMA urges lawmakers to implement safeguards on AI chatbots
Though chatbots could have some benefits for mental health access, the physician lobby argued “immediate attention is required” to avoid harming patients looking for support.
By Emily Olsen • April 23, 2026 -
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Prices rose after No Surprises arbitration for some care: analysis
The data compiled by the Brookings Center on Health Policy shows that average arbitration prices for some services like imaging were seven times higher than Medicare prices.
By Sydney Halleman • April 22, 2026 -
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Moderna, after losing US funding, rebounds to start mRNA bird flu vaccine trial
A program that got caught up in HHS’ decision to abandon mRNA research was revived by a public-private coalition and is now beginning a large, late-stage test that could support a future approval.
By Kristin Jensen • April 22, 2026 -
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Providers push back on 340B rebate model
Hospitals and clinics told regulators that switching to rebates in the 340B drug discount program would impose costs that would outweigh the program’s benefits.
By Sydney Halleman • April 21, 2026 -
Judge dismisses Aetna’s No Surprises fraud suit against Radiology Partners
The insurer accused the radiology group of gaming the No Surprises Act to reap higher reimbursement. A judge tossed the case last week, saying Aetna needed to raise its complaints during the dispute resolution process.
By Emily Olsen • April 20, 2026 -
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RFK Jr. defends HHS tenure, 12% proposed budget cut
Republicans largely praised the HHS secretary’s track record during a marathon of House hearings last week, but some GOP lawmakers raised concerns about proposed budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health.
By Emily Olsen • April 20, 2026 -
Sponsored by PhRMA
Times up: Hospitals and the 340B markup program need reforms
Bipartisan agreement. Lowering costs for patients. Saving money for taxpayers. Fix 340B.
April 20, 2026 -
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CMS proposes repeal of add-on payment path for breakthrough devices
The agency said it developed concerns about the limited evaluation process for the devices after gaining experience with the alternative pathway.
By Susan Kelly • April 17, 2026 -
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Stakeholders urge Labor Department to finalize PBM transparency rule
Employers, lawmakers and more said regulators should hustle to get disclosure mandates for the controversial drug middlemen across the finish line, while PBMs slammed the rule as illegal, unnecessary and anticompetitive.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 17, 2026 -
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Erica Schwartz, ex-deputy surgeon general, picked to be next CDC director
If confirmed by the Senate, Schwartz could finally fill a void for an agency that’s cycled through multiple leaders over the last year.
By Delilah Alvarado • April 16, 2026 -
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FDA moves toward easing restrictions on certain peptides
The agency’s decision to hold an advisory committee meeting on the topic comes after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told podcaster Joe Rogan he’s a “big fan” of peptides.
By Kristin Jensen • April 16, 2026 -
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ACA exchanges will continue to shrink as fewer enrollees pay premiums, analysis suggests
About 14% of ACA enrollees didn’t pay premiums in January, a higher rate than usual and one that suggests ACA enrollment will continue to decline, according to Wakely.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 16, 2026 -
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VA deploys Oracle EHR at four Michigan medical centers
The rollout marks the first deployment of the records system at a VA medical center in years after technical problems plagued the project. In total, 13 medical centers are scheduled to receive the Oracle EHR in 2026.
By Emily Olsen • April 15, 2026 -
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CMS accepts more than 150 providers, digital health firms for ACCESS model
Participants will receive set reimbursement for managing Medicare beneficiaries’ chronic conditions, like diabetes, chronic kidney disease and hypertension.
By Emily Olsen • April 14, 2026 -
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Medicare proposes 2.4% pay bump for inpatient hospitals in 2027, floats mandatory model
Regulators are proposing to send $1.4 billion more to acute care hospitals and debut the first nationwide, mandatory payment model to lower the cost of joint replacements. Hospitals pushed back.
By Sydney Halleman • April 13, 2026 -
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CMS proposes new deadlines for prior authorizations for drugs
Drugs were left out of a 2024 rule streamlining prior authorizations by making decisions electronic and requiring payers to turn them around more quickly. The Trump administration is looking to address that gap.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 13, 2026 -
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CMS unveils first wave of health tech tools as it pushes data sharing initiative
The agency showcased dozens of tools Thursday, about 8 months after the CMS first announced the initiative that aims to ease health data sharing and improve access to digital health and AI products.
By Emily Olsen • April 10, 2026 -
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Judge allows states’ lawsuit over HHS restructuring to move forward
A group of 19 states and Washington, D.C., sued over the department’s sweeping layoffs and reorganization last year. A federal judge on Tuesday struck down the HHS’ bid to dismiss the lawsuit.
By Emily Olsen • April 9, 2026 -
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CMS finalizes higher Medicare Advantage rates for 2027 in gift to insurers
Regulators locked in a 2.48% rate hike for next year, much higher than the 0.09% that was proposed. Analysts said the Trump administration was likely spooked about coverage disruptions for seniors before the midterm elections.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 7, 2026 -
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White House seeks 12% cut to HHS in 2027
The Trump administration is requesting about $111 billion in discretionary funding for the HHS, nearly $16 billion less than its budget in 2026.
By Emily Olsen • April 3, 2026 -
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FTC urges Tennessee to preserve Ballad Health’s COPA
Lawmakers are considering bills that would unwind the state’s oversight over Ballad, a large state-sanctioned hospital monopoly. The FTC argues that’s a bad idea.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 3, 2026 -
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CMS finalizes Medicare Advantage star ratings overhaul, sending billions of dollars more to insurers
Regulators cut almost a dozen metrics that factor into the quality ratings and reverted back to an older and more generous bonus system. MA plans will get more than $18 billion in additional payments over the next decade as a result.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 3, 2026
