Today, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the removal of all 17 members of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP). ACIP makes recommendations about the safety, efficacy, and clinical need of vaccines. Secretary Kennedy emphasized that the Biden Administration appointed all 17 of the members, including 13 in 2024, in order to prevent the… (McClurg, June 9, 2025) #Public Health

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report evaluating how states are using the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) Staffing Data Reports and related guidance to oversee and enforce federal staffing standards in nursing homes. The report assesses early implementation efforts from November 2022 through April… (Eisen, June 9, 2025) #Long-Term Care, #Skilled Nursing Facilities

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gather public input on the development of a comprehensive NIH Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy. The strategy will guide NIH efforts to harness AI for biomedical research, public health, and clinical care, with a particular focus on addressing chronic disease, a top priority for the Department of Health… (Colocho, June 5, 2025) #Chronic Diseases, #Grants, #Health Information Technology, #National Institutes of Health, #Prevention

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), through its Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) convened a high-level roundtable on cell and gene therapy (CGT), bringing together leading scientists, clinicians, federal officials, and patient advocates. Moderated by CBER Director Dr. Vinay Prasad, the session featured prominent experts including Dr. Catherine Bollard, Dr. Crystal Mackall, Dr. Fyodor Urnov, and Dr. Michelle… (Colocho, June 5, 2025) #Costs, #Drug Pricing, #Food and Drug Administration, #National Institutes of Health, #Pediatrics, #Therapy

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report demonstrating findings that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) lacks a coordinated, national approach for diagnostic testing related to infectious diseases with pandemic potential. HHS leads federal efforts through agencies such as the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention… (Eisen, June 4, 2025) #COVID-19, #Prevention

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

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

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

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

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