Billy Wynne

Commissioners Support Draft Policy Recommendations Focused on the Challenges of Transitions of Care for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

By Billy Wynne / February 27, 2025

Commissioners Support Draft Policy Recommendations Focused on the Challenges of Transitions of Care for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) convened a session to present draft policy options aimed at addressing the challenges faced by children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN)…

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Health Subcommittee Reexamines PBM Reform; Democrats Focus on Impact of Potential Medicaid Cuts

By Billy Wynne / February 26, 2025

Health Subcommittee Reexamines PBM Reform; Democrats Focus on Impact of Potential Medicaid Cuts The Energy and Commerce (E&C) Health Subcommittee convened a hearing to examine pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices and discuss bipartisan reform efforts. The following witnesses spoke to certain PBM practices that inhibit the ability of patients, pharmacies, and employers to obtain affordable…

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Committee Republicans Issue RFI on Data Privacy and Security Framework; Comments Due April 7

By Billy Wynne / February 26, 2025

Committee Republicans Issue RFI on Data Privacy and Security Framework; Comments Due April 7 The House Committee on Energy and Commerce, led by Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Vice Chairman John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA), issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gather input on a federal comprehensive data privacy and security framework. The Committee is…

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President Trump Issues Executive Orders on Deregulation and Federal Government Downsizing; Aims to Eliminate Advisory Committees on Long COVID and Health Equity

By Billy Wynne / February 21, 2025

President Trump Issues Executive Orders on Deregulation and Federal Government Downsizing; Aims to Eliminate Advisory Committees on Long COVID and Health Equity President Trump issued two significant executive orders aimed at restructuring the federal government and reducing regulatory oversight. These directives emphasize the administration’s commitment to reducing the size and influence of the federal bureaucracy,…

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Department Rescinds Gender-Affirming Care Guidance and Issues New Biological Sex Definitions

By Billy Wynne / February 20, 2025

Department Rescinds Gender-Affirming Care Guidance and Issues New Biological Sex Definitions The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced significant policy shifts in alignment with executive orders (EOs) issued by President Trump. The agency rescinded prior guidance on gender-affirming care and released new directives emphasizing biological sex definitions. These actions reflect the administration’s position…

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Agency Finalizes Reforms to ACA Marketplace for 2026: Higher User Fees, Safeguards Against Fraud, Simplified Plan Choice, and More

By Billy Wynne / February 20, 2025

Agency Finalizes Reforms to ACA Marketplace for 2026: Higher User Fees, Safeguards Against Fraud, Simplified Plan Choice, and More The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2026 final rule (fact sheet) – a wide-ranging rule affecting Marketplaces, qualified health plans in the individual and…

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FTC Announces New HSR Thresholds and Filing Fees for 2025; Effective February 10

By Billy Wynne / February 20, 2025

FTC Announces New HSR Thresholds and Filing Fees for 2025; Effective February 10 The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced updated jurisdictional thresholds and a revised filing fee schedule for reporting transactions under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act, effective February 10, 2025 (press release). Under the Clayton Act, the FTC is required to adjust HSR thresholds…

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New Executive Order to Expand IVF Access: Policy Recommendations Due May 19

By Billy Wynne / February 19, 2025

New Executive Order to Expand IVF Access: Policy Recommendations Due May 19 President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) to expand access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) (fact sheet). Executive Order The EO directs the Domestic Policy Council (DPC) to develop a list of policy recommendations to “protect IVF access and aggressively reduce out-of-pocket and…

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New USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins Calls for State Pilots and Outlines Guiding Principles

By Billy Wynne / February 18, 2025

New USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins Calls for State Pilots and Outlines Guiding Principles Newly confirmed Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) Brooke Rollins sent a letter to state, Tribal, territory, and local government partners to share her principles for USDA nutrition programs and encourage states to act as policy incubators. Secretary Rollins asks states to pilot creative…

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