In Trump v. CASA, the Supreme Court granted a partial stay on the lower court’s nationwide preliminary injunctions that currently block the implementation of President Trump’s Executive Order (EO 14160) denying birthright citizenship to certain U.S.-born children based on their parents’ immigration status. In a 6-3 decision along ideological lines, the Court granted the Trump administration’s request to partially pause… (Joyce, Eisen, June 27, 2025) <span style="font-size:90%;

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center (CMMI) announced a request for applications (RFA) for a new six-year voluntary model implementing technology-enabled prior authorization in Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse (announcement; factsheet;, model website). CMS proposes the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) model to partner with companies that have experience implementing technology-enhanced prior authorization with other payers…. (McClurg, June 27, 2025) #Health Information Technology, #Program Integrity

The House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the promise of consumer-facing digital health tools like wearables, remote monitoring devices, and health data apps. Witnesses from companies such as WHOOP, CoachCare, and Epic Systems testified on how digital health technologies can promote prevention, catch disease early, and reduce health care costs. Lawmakers also explored the benefits… (Colocho, June 26, 2025) #Budget, #Care Coordination, #Chronic Diseases, #Costs, #Coverage Decisions, #Food and Drug Administration, #Health Information Technology, #Insurance Coverage, #Medical Devices, #Prevention, #Privacy, #Telehealth, #Transparency

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a confirmation hearing for Dr. Susan Monarez, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With the agency lacking a permanent director since January, senators from both parties questioned whether Dr. Monarez would act independently or align with Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)… (Eisen, June 26, 2025) <span style="font-size:90%;

The House Committee on Appropriations convened a markup of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Bill for fiscal year (FY) 2026 (text; summary; report language). A summary of key nutrition, rural development, and FDA provisions is included at the end of our full markup summary. The bill was favorably forwarded to the House with a vote of 35-27. What… (McClurg, June 25, 2025) #Budget, #Food and Drug Administration, #Nutrition, #Rural Health

The Congressional Research Service issued a report presenting Congress with a broad overview of regulatory options and policy considerations for artificial intelligence (AI). The report outlines how U.S. federal efforts have so far focused on agency-specific oversight, voluntary industry commitments, and the exploration of whether new authorities are needed. CRS contrasts the U.S. approach with international models, noting that while… (Colocho, June 24, 2025) #Budget, #Costs, #Health Information Technology

Pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order Lowering Drug Prices by Putting Americans First, today, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced that it has updated its award terms to require HRSA-funded health centers to provide insulin and injectable epinephrine to low-income patients at or below the price paid by the center through the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Whereas during President… (Slifer, June 24, 2025) #340B, #Community Health Centers, #Prescription Drugs

A group of health insurance plans announced a series of voluntary commitments to simplify, reduce, and streamline prior authorization. The changes will apply across markets, including commercial coverage, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid managed care. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will release a list of the insurance plans that made the commitments and some additional details later this summer. The plans… (McClurg, June 23, 2025) #Health Information Technology, #Medicare Advantage

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the 2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Final Rule, which includes a number of policies intended to address improper enrollments in Marketplace coverage and reduce improper federal spending on advanced premium tax credits (APTCs) (press release; fact sheet). What it is. The final rule revises standards relating to APTC eligibility criteria and… (Llamas, June 23, 2025) #Affordable Care Act, #Insurance Coverage

Today, in a 6-3 decision on U.S. v. Skrmetti, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Tennessee’s 2023 law (S.B. 1) banning access to gender-affirming care for minors, marking the first time the Court has ruled directly on the constitutionality of a state law targeting transgender medical care. The law had been challenged by families of transgender youth and a physician who argued it violated the… (Eisen, June 18, 2025) #Health Equity