Billy Wynne

GAO Recommends Greater Coordination Within HHS to Address Ongoing Drug Shortages The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a study addressing ongoing drug shortages in the United States, which have been significantly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the types of drugs in shortage remain consistent with pre-pandemic patterns, the report underscores how the pandemic deepened…

Health Subcommittee Examines Biosimilar Market; PBMs and Part B Payment Considered Potential Barriers to Biosimilar Uptake The House Ways and Means (W&M) Health Subcommittee convened a hearing on the health of the biosimilar market and how increased access to such products can lower prescription drug costs for patients. The following witnesses spoke to the market…

CY 2026 MA and Part D Rate Announcement to Increase Payments to MA Plans by 5.06 Percent the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies (Rate Announcement) (press release and fact sheet) and the Final CY…

CY 2026 MA and Part D Policy and Technical Changes Final Rule Released, CMS Does not Finalize Coverage of Anti-Obesity Medications, AI Guardrails, Pharmacy Network Transparency, or Beneficiary Protections The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Contract Year (CY) 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) program and Medicare…

USDA Cracks Down on SNAP Application Processing Times The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a set of steps that it will take to bring states into compliance with timeliness requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application processing. USDA issued a letter to state agencies demanding that they take immediate action to address delays in processing applications…

Committee Examines Employer-Sponsored Coverage; Republicans Push Trump-Era AHP Reforms The House Education and Workforce, Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee convened a hearing focused on expanding access and affordability in employer-sponsored health care. With rising health care costs, lawmakers debated policies aimed at reducing costs, increasing flexibility, and ensuring access to health insurance for employees. Opening…

Senate Democrats Inquire About Rumored TEFAP Cancellations 25 Democratic and Independent Senators, led by Ranking Member of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), sent a letter to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) inquiring about reports that previously approved funding in The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) was cancelled.TEFAP provides assistance to food banks…

Paragon Institute Releases New Report Targeting Provider Taxes Amidst National Advocacy Pushback Against Medicaid Cuts Nationwide efforts in opposition to Medicaid cuts continue as Senators and Representatives return to Washington with three weeks of session planned before recessing again. While members continue to hear from concerned citizens and groups about potential cuts, Energy and Commerce…

Department Launches Deregulatory Task Force; Request Comments by May 26 on State and Federal Regulations that Pose Barriers to Competition in Health Care Markets The Department of Justice (DOJ) launched the Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force within its Antitrust Division to identify and advocate for the elimination of state and federal regulations that hinder free market…

Department Announces Major Reorganization and Reduction in Force of 20,000 Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced plans for a reduction in force (RIF) that it says will save $1.8 billion per year. The department is reducing its workforce by about 10,000 full-time employees, which totals 20,000 when combined with other efforts…