State exchange directors urge Senate to reconsider GOP megabill, citing harm to ACA enrollees

Seventeen states sent the letter to Senate leadership outlining how Republicans’ reconciliation legislation will kick millions off coverage, sicken risk pools and trample on state autonomy.

By Rebecca Pifer • June 5, 2025

HHS staffers sue over ‘hopelessly error-ridden’ layoffs

Most of the 10,000 HHS employees let go this spring could qualify for the class, according to lawyers. It’s the latest in a string of litigation against the Trump administration for drastically downsizing the federal workforce.

By Rebecca Pifer • June 4, 2025

Trump administration rescinds Biden-era guidance protecting access to emergency abortions

The CMS says it will continue to enforce EMTALA, including in cases where the health of a pregnant woman or unborn child are in “serious jeopardy.” However, it did not offer specifics about what constitutes serious jeopardy.

By Susanna Vogel • June 3, 2025

Trump administration names national coordinator for health IT

Thomas Keane, who previously worked as a senior advisor to the deputy secretary of the HHS, began the role on Monday.

By Emily Olsen • June 3, 2025

Epic charts growth in provider TEFCA adoption

The EHR vendor plans to transition all its customers to the government health information sharing framework by the end of the year. Currently, 41% are live with TEFCA.

By Emily Olsen • June 3, 2025

HHS releases more detailed 2026 budget disclosing scope of cuts

On Friday, the HHS fleshed out a preliminary budget released in the spring and gave new details about which of its programs would be terminated if the Trump administration gets its way.

By Rebecca Pifer • June 2, 2025

HHS ramps up pressure on providers offering gender-affirming care for children

Experts worry the Trump administration is attempting to coerce hospitals into halting gender-affirming care, and that new guidance could have a chilling effect on services.

By Susanna Vogel • May 30, 2025

Providers could lose $770B in revenue if GOP megabill passes

And that’s not counting an almost $200 billion increase in uncompensated care — most of which would fall on hospitals, the Urban Institute and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation project.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 30, 2025

CVS, Cigna sue Arkansas to overturn new PBM law

The massive pharmacy middlemen contend that Arkansas’ law, which requires PBMs to divest pharmacies they own in the state, flies in the face of the Constitution and would worsen healthcare access.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 30, 2025

Democrat appropriators decry lack of spending transparency at HHS

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn. sent a letter to the White House budget chief alleging that federal agencies, including the HHS, aren’t adequately disclosing their spending plans.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 29, 2025

Abortion providers could face more prosecution under Trump, experts say

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has indicated she wants to help challenge shield laws that protect clinicians offering abortion care, but the administration has sent mixed messages.

By Michael Brady • May 29, 2025

Trump administration threatens states over Medicaid coverage for undocumented immigrants

The CMS told states it plans to go over their Medicaid spending with a fine-toothed comb to ensure federal dollars aren’t covering immigrants in the country illegally.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 28, 2025

Medicaid cuts could threaten healthcare access for young adults: report

Young adults could struggle to navigate government bureaucracy and face other challenges managing work requirements or increased eligibility checks in the safety-net insurance program, the Urban Institute found.

By Emily Olsen • May 27, 2025

FDA sets COVID vaccine formula as RFK Jr. narrows guidance for shots

The agency recommends manufacturers update their vaccines to target the JN.1 strain. At the same time, HHS head Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is removing guidance that healthy children and pregnant women receive COVID shots.

By Delilah Alvarado • Updated May 27, 2025

Trump administration updates price transparency guidance for hospitals and payers

Federal agencies are seeking public feedback on how to improve price transparency around prescription drugs and boost hospital compliance and enforcement.

By Susanna Vogel • May 27, 2025

CMS expands audits to crack down on Medicare Advantage overpayments

The agency said it would increase the number of MA plan audits and complete its backlog of reviews by investing in technology and growing its medical coding workforce.

By Emily Olsen • May 22, 2025

House passes reconciliation bill with massive Medicaid cuts

Speaker Mike Johnson negotiated a number of last-minute changes to the megabill to ensure passage, including moving up the start date for Medicaid work requirements. The House passed the bill 215-214 on Thursday morning.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 22, 2025

Judge denies Florida Blue’s request to bump star ratings

The insurer sued the CMS late last year, arguing that flooding in Broward County should have qualified as an extreme and uncontrollable event relieving Florida Blue from star ratings decreases. A federal judge disagreed.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 21, 2025

FDA sets stricter approval standards for COVID vaccines

The agency will now require randomized, controlled data before approving new COVID shots for healthy children and adults.

By Delilah Alvarado • May 20, 2025

VA looks to increase Oracle EHR deployments

Secretary Doug Collins told lawmakers last week that the agency is hoping to roll out the software to 20 to 25 sites in fiscal year 2027, after largely halting new deployments in 2023.

By Emily Olsen • May 20, 2025

Pennsylvania governor pushes private equity reform following Crozer Health closure

Prospect Medical Holdings’ bankruptcy prompted two hospital closures in Pennsylvania. The closures caused layoffs, disrupted patient care and renewed calls for oversight from lawmakers and Gov. Josh Shapiro.

By Susanna Vogel • May 19, 2025

Judge shuts down drugmakers’ 340B rebate plans, for now

A district court ruled that the HHS does have the power to review drug manufacturers’ plans to pay hospitals rebates instead of upfront discounts on 340B medications. But it left the door open to the controversial reforms.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 19, 2025

Judge rules Trump administration cannot carry out $11B in public health funding cuts

It’s the second time a federal judge has sided with states in their legal battle to stop the Trump administration from slashing funds for public health initiatives.

By Susanna Vogel • May 19, 2025

RFK Jr. calls GOP Medicaid plans ‘not true cuts’

Republicans’ plan to reduce spending on Medicaid would eliminate waste, fraud and abuse, the HHS secretary said in hearings last week. Millions could become uninsured under the proposal.

By Emily Olsen • May 15, 2025

House committees advance reconciliation text with big impacts on healthcare

Republicans in Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means have approved their portions of President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” after marathon markups. Here’s an extensive look at what the legislation means for healthcare.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 15, 2025