OIG Identifies $50 Billion in Potential Cost Savings Through Payment Recovery and Program Improvements
OIG Identifies $50 Billion in Potential Cost Savings Through Payment Recovery and Program Improvements
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG) released a report identifying $50 billion in potential cost savings through payment recovery and program improvements based on HHS-OIG work. There are 35 OIG reports identified for potential cost savings. Examples include: $7.7 billion by paying for Critical Access Hospital swing-bed services based on rates for nearby facilities… (Eisen, May 23, 2025) #COVID-19, #Critical Access Hospitals, #Medicare Advantage, #Risk Adjustment
House Votes to Approve Budget Reconciliation Bill, 215-214
House Votes to Approve Budget Reconciliation Bill, 215-214
The House of Representatives approved their budget reconciliation bill by a vote of 215-214, with Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Warren Davidson (R-OH) as the only Republicans to vote against the bill. Earlier in the day, the bill cleared the last hurdle to advancing to the House floor having been advanced by the Rules Committee by a vote of 8-4…. (Marceno, May 22, 2025) #Hospitals, #Insurance Coverage, #Pharmacy Benefit Managers, #Program Integrity, #Public Health
Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Weighs 10-Year Ban on State AI Laws Amid Debate Over Innovation and Consumer Protection
Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Weighs 10-Year Ban on State AI Laws Amid Debate Over Innovation and Consumer Protection
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade held a hearing on AI regulation and U.S. competitiveness. The hearing focused heavily on a contentious proposal for a 10-year federal moratorium on state-level artificial intelligence (AI) regulations. Lawmakers and expert witnesses debated whether such a ban would promote U.S. innovation and global competitiveness, or undermine consumer protections and… (Colocho, May 22, 2025) #Health Information Technology, #Privacy, #Transparency, #Workforce
Dr. Makary Reveals 5.5% FDA Budget Cut at Hearing; Senators Raise Alarms on Recent RIFs and Reported Delays at the Agency
Dr. Makary Reveals 5.5% FDA Budget Cut at Hearing; Senators Raise Alarms on Recent RIFs and Reported Delays at the Agency
The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies held a hearing with Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dr. Martin Makary, to review the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget for the FDA. The Commissioner of the FDA, Dr. Martin Makary, revealed that the agency is seeking $6.8 billion for FY 2026,… (Eisen, May 22, 2025) #Food and Drug Administration, #Prescription Drugs
FTC Finalizes Order Against Welsh Carson for Antitrust Violations in Texas Anesthesiology Market
FTC Finalizes Order Against Welsh Carson for Antitrust Violations in Texas Anesthesiology Market
On May 20, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) finalized a consent order with private equity firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (Welsh Carson) and its affiliates, resolving allegations that the firm orchestrated a years-long consolidation strategy in Texas’s anesthesiology market through its portfolio company, U.S. Anesthesia Partners (USAP) (press release). According to the FTC, Welsh Carson created USAP and… (Eisen, May 21, 2025) #Hospitals, #Transparency
RFK Jr. Faces Continued Bipartisan Pushback on HHS Budget; Alarms Raised Over Cuts and Program Eliminations
RFK Jr. Faces Continued Bipartisan Pushback on HHS Budget; Alarms Raised Over Cuts and Program Eliminations
The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing to review the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This marked Secretary Kennedy’s third congressional appearance this month, following testimony before the House Appropriations subcommittee and the Senate Health,… (Eisen, May 20, 2025) #Budget
New Framework for COVID-19 Vaccination Released; Vaccination Recommended for Individuals with Risk Factors and Adults Over the Age of 64
New Framework for COVID-19 Vaccination Released; Vaccination Recommended for Individuals with Risk Factors and Adults Over the Age of 64
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Marty Makary and Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) released a new framework for COVID-19 vaccination, in which the agency will recommend vaccination for adults over the age of 64 and all persons above the age of 6 months with one or more risk factors that put them at high… (Slifer, May 20, 2025) #Food and Drug Administration, #Public Health
Most-Favored-Nation Pricing Targets Released; MFN Rulemaking to Occur if Commitments are not Made
Most-Favored-Nation Pricing Targets Released; MFN Rulemaking to Occur if Commitments are not Made
Pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) on Delivering Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) Prescription Drug Pricing to American Patients, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the agencies have identified specific MFN targets pharmaceutical manufacturers are expected to meet to satisfy the requirements of the Executive Order. Basis for MFN… (Slifer, May 20, 2025) #Drug Pricing, #Prescription Drugs
FDA RFI on Infant Formula Nutrient Review
FDA RFI on Infant Formula Nutrient Review
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a request for information (RFI) to begin its process of reviewing nutrition requirements in infant formulas. FDA regularly reviews individual nutrient requirements but has not undertaken a comprehensive review of the minimum and maximum levels for certain nutrients since 1998. FDA now seeks public input to help determine whether existing requirements should be revised or adjusted…. (McClurg, May 16, 2025) #Nutrition, #Pediatrics
Committee Fails to Advance Reconciliation Bill
Committee Fails to Advance Reconciliation Bill
The House Budget Committee convened a markup of the combined legislative package of the eleven House Committees pursuant to title II of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2025, H. Con. Res. 14. The bill was not advanced by a roll call vote of 16 ayes and 21 nos. Republican members that voted against the bill included… (Slifer, May 16, 2025) #Budget, #Insurance Coverage, #Nutrition, #Program Integrity