Government: Page 17
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Advocacy groups say Medicaid cuts would be ‘catastrophic’
In a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, hundreds of groups said the potential cuts would “shred our nation’s social safety net,” delaying access to care and ultimately driving up healthcare costs.
By Emily Olsen • March 28, 2025 -
HHS restructuring
HHS announces sweeping reorganization, including cuts of 10K workers
Along with shrinking the HHS’ workforce further, the reorganization announced Thursday will cut the department from 28 divisions to 15 and close five regional offices.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Updated March 27, 2025 -
DOJ backs up providers in suit against Claritev
Claritev, formerly known as MultiPlan, is being accused of conspiring with insurers to lower reimbursement for providers. The DOJ agrees, filing a statement of interest in the consolidated suit against the cost management firm.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 26, 2025 -
Senate committee advances Dr. Oz to lead CMS
Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee criticized the physician and TV personality ahead of the vote Tuesday for avoiding questions about potential cuts to Medicaid.
By Emily Olsen • March 26, 2025 -
Medicaid, SNAP cuts could lead to 1 million jobs lost in 2026: report
Reducing spending on Medicaid and the food assistance program could batter state economies and lead to job cuts — including 477,000 roles in in the healthcare sector alone, according to the Commonwealth Fund.
By Emily Olsen • March 25, 2025 -
Academic medical centers say funding cuts jeopardize health research
Proposed cuts to National Institutes of Health funding threaten a critical pipeline of innovation and discovery necessary to fuel advancements in patient care, according to researchers and provider groups.
By Susanna Vogel • March 21, 2025 -
DEA, HHS delay telehealth buprenorphine prescribing rule again
The final rule, which allows registered clinicians to prescribe up to an initial six-month supply of the drug used to treat opioid use disorder via telehealth, will now go into effect Dec. 31.
By Emily Olsen • March 21, 2025 -
Delayed CDC meeting on vaccines is rescheduled to April
A panel of CDC advisers, who had been set to meet in February, will discuss the current measles outbreak as well as guidelines for several types of shots.
By Delilah Alvarado • March 21, 2025 -
Opinion
The future of US healthcare depends on smarter immigration policies
A former HHS secretary argues healthcare should be able to utilize skilled immigrant clinicians to stem the effects of labor shortages.
By Tom Price • March 20, 2025 -
Medicaid work requirements could cut coverage for 5.2M
A new report found that millions could lose access to care, even though most Medicaid beneficiaries are working or should be eligible for exemptions from work requirements.
By Susanna Vogel • Updated March 24, 2025 -
FTC reiterates opposition to controversial Indiana hospital merger
Terre Haute Regional may be forced to close if it’s not acquired by Union Health, the hospitals argue in their latest request for a certificate that allows mergers to sidestep antitrust review. The FTC does not agree.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 18, 2025 -
Congress extends Medicare telehealth flexibilities for 6 months
Telehealth groups celebrated the extension, but added that the short-term reprieve means continued uncertainty for providers.
By Emily Olsen • March 18, 2025 -
MedPAC recommends Congress tie physician pay to inflation for 2026
Industry groups mostly supported the proposal to link payment increases for physicians to the Medicare Economic Index minus 1 percentage point.
By Susanna Vogel • March 17, 2025 -
Dr. Oz vows to scrutinize Medicare Advantage as CMS head
Mehmet Oz, who previously advocated for expanding the privatized Medicare program, said he would tackle upcoding among MA plans if confirmed.
By Emily Olsen • March 17, 2025 -
Dr. Oz stresses need for faster Medicare coverage of new devices during confirmation hearing
Mehmet Oz, President Trump’s pick to lead the CMS, said Medicare beneficiaries should have quicker access to new medical devices once they’re FDA approved.
By Ricky Zipp • March 17, 2025 -
Mayo Clinic settles multiyear dispute with Minnesota AG over charity care policies
The nonprofit health system did not admit to wrongdoing as part of the settlement, nor will it pay a financial penalty.
By Susanna Vogel • March 17, 2025 -
CMS nominee Dr. Oz says he supports Medicaid work requirements
Republicans are considering tying eligibility in the safety-net program to work, volunteer or education hours to meet spending targets.
By Emily Olsen • March 14, 2025 -
Opinion
Navigating the 2024 proposed HIPAA security rule amendments
A new proposed rule aims to significantly amend the HIPAA security rule — these are the key updates to know.
By Steven W. Teppler and Carly Rothstein • March 14, 2025 -
CMMI cancels 4 payment models early
The CMS estimates terminating the models will save nearly $750 million. The agency will also no longer implement two demonstrations that aimed to improve prescription drug affordability and access.
By Emily Olsen • March 13, 2025 -
Warren urges CMS nominee Dr. Oz to divest pharma and healthcare holdings
The senator said removing financial conflicts of interest would build confidence in Oz’s impartiality. The nominee's confirmation hearing is scheduled to be held on Friday.
By Susanna Vogel • March 13, 2025 -
Cigna reshuffles C-suite amid rising costs
Cigna promoted Brian Evanko to chief operating officer and named a new chief financial officer in his place, while Eric Palmer will be leaving the company as an apparent victim of the restructuring.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 13, 2025 -
Medicaid expansion cuts could hit provider revenue, spike uncompensated care: report
If states end their expansion programs in response to funding cuts, spending on healthcare services would fall by nearly $80 billion and uncompensated care costs would rise by $19 billion in 2026, according to new research.
By Emily Olsen • March 12, 2025 -
Lawmakers move to allow Medicare pay cut, drawing rebuke from physicians
The continuing resolution left in place a physician pay cut from Jan. 1, despite lobbyists’ hopes lawmakers would reverse it.
By Susanna Vogel • March 11, 2025 -
Trump administration proposes ACA program integrity rule that would decimate enrollment
The rule is like “making people crawl through broken glass” for health insurance, one expert said.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 11, 2025 -
Deep Dive // HIMSS25
Healthcare tackles AI oversight with no aid from Trump administration
The president’s deregulatory bent means more responsibility rests on the shoulders of healthcare stakeholders to get artificial intelligence right.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 10, 2025