Government: Page

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    HHS plans to furlough more than 40% of staff if government shuts down

    A shutdown would hit the massive federal healthcare department’s agencies differently. For example, the CMS would lose 47% of its staff, while the CDC and the NIH would lose 64% and 75%, respectively.

    By • Sept. 30, 2025
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    Medical lobbies urge Trump administration to exempt healthcare from H-1B changes

    More than 50 medical groups have signed on to letters calling for healthcare workers to be exempt from new H-1B visa fees, warning the increased costs could cripple vital overseas recruitment.

    By Susanna Vogel • Sept. 30, 2025
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    Trendline

    Surprise Billing

    Federal legislation banning surprise bills has hit a barrage of roadblocks, complicating efforts to protect consumers from unexpected out-of-network charges.

    By Healthcare Dive staff
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    Medicare Advantage enrollment projected to fall in 2026: CMS

    Nearly 1 million fewer people could sign up for the privatized Medicare plans next year, according to the CMS, marking the first time in years MA enrollment could decline.

    By Emily Olsen • Sept. 29, 2025
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    UPMC patients fight to quash DOJ subpoena of gender-affirming care services

    Patients are asking the health system not to comply with a subpoena seeking information about minors who received gender-affirming care services.

    By Susanna Vogel • Sept. 29, 2025
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    Hospitals, doctors could lose $32B in revenue next year if ACA subsidies expire: report

    It’s the latest warning about the impact to the healthcare system if the subsidies are allowed to lapse.

    By • Sept. 26, 2025
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    Judge vacates Medicare Advantage audit rule in win for industry

    On Thursday, Texas Judge Reed O’Connor threw out a Biden-era rule that would have recouped billions of dollars in overpayments to MA plans.

    By • Sept. 26, 2025
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    Changes to H-1B visa program threaten to worsen healthcare labor shortages

    Experts worry healthcare providers won’t be able to pay the new $100,000 H-1B application fee. “These are often nonprofit organizations. They don’t have that kind of money lying around,” one lawyer said.

    By Susanna Vogel • Sept. 25, 2025
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    Physician practice acquisitions on the rise: GAO

    Consolidation with health systems can lead to higher prices, alongside a decrease or no change in care quality, according to a review from the Government Accountability Office.

    By Emily Olsen • Sept. 24, 2025
  • Tennessee State Sen. Bo Watson, Tina Joros, Daniel Smith and Sarah Jaromin speaking on a panel at the HIMSS AI Leadership Strategy Summit.
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    States are ramping up AI regulation. How should healthcare respond?

    Industry leaders should engage with state lawmakers on AI bills, given many legislators have limited experience with the technology or in healthcare more broadly, experts said during a HIMSS summit.

    By Emily Olsen • Sept. 23, 2025
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    Deep Dive

    Disparity in vaccine access between states roils patients, providers

    Recent changes to federal guidance on COVID-19 vaccinations have providers worried about what’s to come. “We have opened a door to not using science to guide care,” one physician said.

    By Susanna Vogel • Sept. 23, 2025
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    States should be full steam ahead on Medicaid work requirements, experts say

    There’s a lot that states want the CMS to weigh in on. But given the tight rollout timeline for the controversial mandates, they shouldn’t delay implementation, experts said during a MACPAC meeting.

    By • Sept. 22, 2025
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    CDC advisers postpone vote to delay some newborns’ hepatitis B shot

    Members of ACIP postponed a planned vote on withholding some infants’ first hepatitis B vaccine dose, adding more confusion to an already muddied meeting.

    By • Sept. 19, 2025
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    Medicare Advantage plans to share provider directories under CMS final rule

    The policy was originally proposed by the Biden administration in November, but comes amid a larger push for more transparency around payers’ provider networks from health officials in the Trump regime.

    By • Sept. 19, 2025
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    Fired CDC director says RFK Jr. aims to change childhood vaccine schedule

    Susan Monarez told senators at a hearing Wednesday that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pushed her out for refusing to rubber-stamp changes.

    By • Sept. 17, 2025
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    How to reform Medicare’s physician fee schedule to reprioritize primary care

    America’s primary care chassis is crumbling, and how Medicare pays physicians is partially to blame. Expanding value-based payment arrangements could be the answer, experts say.

    By • Sept. 17, 2025
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    GOP bill extends telehealth flexibilities, sidesteps ACA subsidies

    The continuing resolution would preserve virtual care flexibilities through Nov. 21. But it makes no mention of extending more generous financial assistance for people who buy plans on the ACA exchanges.

    By Emily Olsen • Sept. 17, 2025
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    House lawmakers scrutinize nonprofit hospitals’ tax-exempt status

    Republicans pushed for more oversight, or complete removal, of nonprofits’ tax-exempt status. Democrats warned restrictions could cause hospital closures.

    By Susanna Vogel • Sept. 17, 2025
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    Dan Zukowski/Healthcare Dive
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    Democrat governors urge Congress to extend ACA subsidies

    Eighteen blue state governors are warning of a looming affordability cliff for millions of Americans if lawmakers allow generous financial assistance to expire at the end of this year.

    By • Sept. 16, 2025
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    CMS opens applications for Rural Health Transformation Fund

    States have been anticipating more details about the program since July. Now, they will have until Nov. 5 to submit applications for a piece of the $50 billion pie.

    By Susanna Vogel • Sept. 16, 2025
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    A key CDC panel meets this week to discuss vaccines. Here’s what to know.

    A two-day meeting could prove an inflection point in HHS Secretary Kennedy’s efforts to overhaul U.S. vaccine policy, as hand-picked advisers are set to vote on guidelines for measles, hepatitis B and COVID shots.

    By • Sept. 15, 2025
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    FTC warns healthcare companies about restrictive noncompete contracts

    Chair Andrew Ferguson has sent letters to large healthcare employers and staffing firms asking them to review their employment contracts as the FTC pursues targeted enforcement of illegal noncompetes.

    By • Sept. 11, 2025
  • Sen. Ron Wyden speaks to reporters following a regular Democratic policy luncheon on April 8, 2025. Wyden is holding up the nomination of Sean Plankey to become director of CISA.
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    Wyden urges FTC to investigate Microsoft over Ascension cyberattack

    The influential senator argued the technology giant delivered “dangerous, insecure software” to the health system that contributed to a massive cyberattack last year.

    By Emily Olsen • Sept. 11, 2025
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    340B incentivizes hospital-clinic M&A, drives higher health spending: CBO

    The nonpartisan scorekeeper’s report reinforces longstanding concerns about the 340B drug discount program, including that it incentivizes behaviors that increase health costs for federal and private payers.

    By • Sept. 10, 2025
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    CMS issues guidance on cuts to Medicaid state-directed payments

    The guidance is meant to give states more time to meet requirements laid out in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. 

    By Susanna Vogel • Sept. 10, 2025
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    AHA accuses drug companies of colluding to impose 340B rebate plans

    The hospital lobby wants the Trump administration to investigate Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Novartis and Bristol Myers Squibb, citing the suspicious timing of their 340B rebate proposals.

    By • Sept. 9, 2025