Historic government shutdown ends, leaving ACA subsidies in limbo

The House passed a stopgap funding bill and President Donald Trump signed it after a weeks-long impasse, reopening the government without a clear path forward on preserving enhanced subsidies for ACA plans — Democrats’ chief demand.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Nov. 13, 2025

Richard Pazdur, longtime FDA oncology leader, to head agency’s main drug office

The appointment of Pazdur as CDER head comes shortly after the surprise ousting of George Tidmarsh and should quiet many of the “lingering uncertainties” surrounding the FDA, wrote one industry analyst.

By Kristin Jensen • Nov. 12, 2025

FDA to remove safety warnings on hormonal menopause therapy

The decision, issued without the input of an official advisory committee, revises long-held labeling on the drugs cautioning the risk of cancer and heart disease.

By Delilah Alvarado • Nov. 10, 2025

Indiana approves controversial hospital merger despite FTC protests

Union Hospital and Terre Haute Regional are set to merge after getting the green light from Indiana’s health department over the objections of federal regulators in two administrations and the state’s own attorney general.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Nov. 10, 2025

Democrats introduce bill to repeal Medicare prior authorization pilot

Lawmakers argue the CMS innovation center pilot, which will implement AI-backed prior authorization for some services in six states, will add red tape and limit access to care.

By Emily Olsen • Nov. 10, 2025

Congress inches towards ending shutdown with no extension of ACA subsidies

The Senate overcame a key procedural hurdle on Sunday after eight Democrats broke with their party to back a measure freeing the government from the longest funding lapse in history.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Nov. 10, 2025

CMMI to launch model to lower Medicaid drug spending

Under the model, set to start next year, the CMS will negotiate lower prices for Medicaid programs linked to those paid in select other countries.

By Emily Olsen • Nov. 7, 2025

Novo, Lilly cut deal with Trump to lower prices of obesity drugs

The agreement will make Wegovy and Zepbound available to some Medicare enrollees for $245 per month, and starter doses of pill versions, once approved, for $149 monthly.

By Jonathan Gardner • Nov. 6, 2025

Telehealth groups urge Congress to adopt long-term virtual care fix

More than 450 telehealth and provider organizations are pushing lawmakers to avoid another temporary extension of telemedicine flexibilities amid a historic government shutdown.

By Emily Olsen • Nov. 6, 2025

Legislators object to proposed CMS payment changes for diabetes tech

In a letter to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, diabetes caucus leaders raised concerns that the agency’s proposals will reduce access to glucose monitors and insulin pumps.

By Elise Reuter • Nov. 4, 2025

Health groups urge passage of bill to ease Medicare pay cuts for tests

More than 30 organizations, including AdvaMed and the American Clinical Laboratory Association, are pushing for a permanent legislative solution to stop looming Medicare payment cuts for diagnostic tests.

By Susan Kelly • Nov. 3, 2025

Medicare finalizes controversial cut to specialty care next year

The CMS finalized the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2026 one day before the statutory deadline. It includes an overall payment hike and a few policies that are deeply unpopular with specialists.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Updated Nov. 4, 2025

Federal ACA enrollment kicks off without action on subsidies

Millions of Americans are facing steep price hikes for Affordable Care Act coverage while Congress dithers over the issue. Experts say there’s not as much time to act as legislators may believe.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Nov. 1, 2025

New CBO report confirms 340B’s ballooning costs. Congress must act.

Former Congressional Budget Office Director Dan Crippen argues the 340B discount program is overdue for reform.

By Dan Crippen • Oct. 31, 2025

HRSA approves 340B rebate models to hospitals’ chagrin

Drugs that will be subject to rebates in 340B next year include Bristol Myers Squibb’s Eliquis, Johnson & Johnson’s Stelara and Novo Nordisk’s Novolog.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Oct. 31, 2025

FDA, aiming to lower drug costs, moves to speed approval of biosimilars

The agency will no longer require studies comparing copycat biologics to their branded counterparts, which could help developers bring them to market more quickly and cheaply. 

By Jonathan Gardner • Oct. 29, 2025

Senators show bipartisan support for reforming 340B during HELP hearing

Lawmakers called for more transparency about how hospitals are using 340B revenue, including audits of participating facilities. 

By Susanna Vogel • Oct. 24, 2025

CMS calls back furloughed employees to help with Medicare, ACA enrollment periods

Roughly 3,000 employees went back to work on Monday, funded by user fees as the shutdown drags into its fourth week.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Oct. 24, 2025

Top RFK aide lashes out against healthcare industry for profiting off of illness

Calley Means stopped short of accusing hospitals, insurers and drug companies of actively working to keep Americans sick, but said it was an "economic fact" that the companies benefit financially when people are ill.

By Susanna Vogel • Oct. 22, 2025

AHA urges tariff exceptions for certain PPE, medical devices

The American Hospital Association warned future tariffs arising from the Trump administration’s Section 232 investigation could disrupt access to an array of tools and personal protective equipment.

By Susan Kelly • Oct. 21, 2025

Mark Cuban says Cost Plus Drugs will partner with TrumpRx

Cost Plus Drugs is sharing pricing data with TrumpRx, the administration’s new direct-to-consumer prescription drug website set to launch next year.

By Susanna Vogel • Oct. 20, 2025

HHS says it can still fire workers despite judge’s order pausing shutdown layoffs

The 982 HHS employees who received reduction-in-force notices are not represented by the unions that are plaintiffs in the case, the department’s head of personnel argued in a court filing.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Oct. 20, 2025

CMS slows technical support for rural health fund despite looming deadline

States have just weeks to submit their applications for the new Rural Health Transformation Program, but the CMS says its ability to provide support may be delayed due to the government shutdown.

By Susanna Vogel • Oct. 17, 2025

Oz reiterates need to improve Medicare Advantage payment accuracy

The CMS administrator’s comments at an industry event in D.C. reflect the difficult tightrope regulators in the Trump administration walk as they pursue MA reform.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Oct. 15, 2025

California passes laws targeting PBMs, private equity

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an array of healthcare bills into law last week that crack down on pharmacy benefit managers and beef up the review process for deals involving private equity firms.

By Susanna Vogel • Oct. 15, 2025