Billy Wynne

Commissioners Review Draft Chapter on the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and Discuss Potential Areas for Work The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) convened a session to review a draft chapter for the June 2025 Report to Congress on the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) –…

Agency Issues Press Release Detailing Dr. Oz’s Vision After Recent Town Hall CMS issued a press release describing the new Administrator for the Center for Medicare & Medicaid’s vision and his role in the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. The release describes a focus on modernizing Medicare, the Marketplaces, and Medicaid, including empowering Americans with personalized health…

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…