health care affordability

Federal Health Policy Update for June 4

Don’t miss: CMS publishes new Medicaid work/community engagement requirements Energy and Commerce Committee looks at price transparency in health care An AI executive order and Congress prepares to weigh in Price cut: IDR dispute fee to fall from $115 to $15 per dispute The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for May 29 to June 4. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Medicaid Work Requirements – Interim Final Rule CMS has published an interim final rule with comment period to implement the Medicaid work and community engagement requirements [...]

joe2026-06-04T16:30:46-04:00June 4, 2026|Alternative payment models, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMMI, hospitals, Medicaid, Medicare|

Federal Health Policy Update for May 28

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for May 22-28. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Congress When Congress returns from the Memorial Day recess next week, lawmakers will have to address the Republican-led reconciliation bill to fund ICE and CBP. After, they plan to start working on a third party-line bill focusing on affordability—including health care—which leadership aims to pass by the end of July. Next week, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies is scheduled to mark up its Fiscal [...]

sysadmin2026-05-28T17:43:32-04:00May 28, 2026|Affordable Care Act, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Congress, MACPAC, Medicare, Medicare regulations, Medicare reimbursement policy|

Federal Health Policy Update for May 21

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for May 15-21. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Congress The House Ways and Means Committee marked up several health care bills addressing issues such as durable medical equipment (DME) and home health fraud. A discussion draft that would have required non-profit hospitals and health systems to provide additional reporting on community benefit spending was removed from the list of measures considered. See all the marked-up bills and a recording of the meeting on the committee’s website here. Ways & Means expects [...]

joe2026-05-21T16:10:09-04:00May 21, 2026|Affordable Care Act, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMMI, Medicaid, Medicaid managed care, Medicaid regulations, Medicare reimbursement policy|

Federal Health Policy Update for March 26

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for March 20-26. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Congress Republican leadership is exploring a reconciliation bill as a potential vehicle to fund Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) voting rights act. If pursued, this approach could increase the likelihood of additional health care cuts, including expanding site-neutral payment policies in both Medicare and Medicaid. It is not clear whether there will be sufficient support in either chamber for Republicans to pursue a party-line [...]

joe2026-03-26T15:09:34-04:00March 26, 2026|Alternative payment models, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, CMMI, Congress, hospitals, Medicaid, Medicaid disproportionate share, Medicaid DSH, Medicare, Medicare regulations, Medicare reimbursement policy|

Federal Health Policy Update for March 12

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for March 6-12. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Congress While the House was in recess this week, the Republican caucus held its annual retreat to discuss legislative priorities. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) continues to push for another reconciliation bill, hoping to revisit several proposals to reduce Medicaid spending that were not included in HR another rank-and-file Republicans have expressed doubt that this will be possible. Both chambers of Congress are scheduled to be in session next week. The House Committee on [...]

joe2026-03-12T16:09:44-04:00March 12, 2026|Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Congress, hospitals, MACPAC, Medicaid, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, Medicaid managed care, Medicare, Medicare post-acute care, Medicare reimbursement policy|