Ex-Obama official who helped fix botched healthcare.gov rollout to join Biden’s Covid-19 team

January 14, 2021 News

Andy Slavitt, the former acting chief of Medicare and Medicaid under the Obama administration, is expected to join President-elect Joe Biden's Covid-19 team in a senior advisory role, CNN has learned.

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Trump Officials Approve Tennessee’s Controversial Request To Revamp Medicaid Funding

January 9, 2021 News

The plan, long endorsed by conservatives, would give the state broad flexibility in running its health insurance program for the poor, while capping annual federal funding for the program.
(Image credit: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Trump administration strikes parting blow at Medicaid with Tennessee block grant

January 9, 2021 News

Just days before leaving office, the Trump administration took a step toward fulfilling a long-held Republican dream of curbing Medicaid costs and giving states more flexibility to run the program.
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Behind Trump Clemency, a Case Study in Special Access

December 25, 2020December 25, 2020 Justice Department, News, Trump, Donald J, United States Politics and Government

Philip Esformes was sentenced last year to 20 years for Medicare fraud. Then a well-connected organization supported by his family weighed in with the White House.

RAND Technical Expert Panel Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Contract Star Ratings, July 22, 2020 Meeting

December 23, 2020 News

On July 22, 2020, the RAND Corporation convened a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) web meeting to gather input on analyses that could be conducted to further enhance the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Contract Star Ratings program.

A Medical and Scientific New Year’s Wish List

December 23, 2020 News

The last 4 years have been difficult for science and medicine. The relentless attack by members of the executive and legislative branches of government on science and federal agencies that conduct science has shaken the fundamental pillars of great US institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and in some regards the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Although the 2020 NIH budget increased to almost $42...

Obamacare sign ups increase for first time under Trump

December 19, 2020 News

More people signed up for Obamacare coverage on the federal exchange during open enrollment this year -- the only increase under the Trump administration, which has long sought to eradicate the landmark health reform law.
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Building a Better Clinician Value-Based Payment Program in Medicare

December 18, 2020 News

This Viewpoint reviews problems and successes to date in Medicare’s value-based payment programs, and argues for global payment structures across populations, settings, and episodes of care to improve quality, patient-centered outcomes, and efficiency while not disadvantaging safety-net clinicians.

Trump administration says it will withhold $200 million in California Medicaid funding over abortion insurance requirement

December 17, 2020December 17, 2020 News

The Trump administration announced two measures on Wednesday seeking to restrict abortion access, including withholding hundreds of millions in federal funding from California, one in a series of parting shots from an outgoing administration that has repeatedly sought to limit the procedure on religious protection grounds.

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Trump administration to withhold Medicaid funding from California

December 16, 2020December 17, 2020 News

HHS Secretary Alex Azar said the administration will withhold $200 million from California in the first quarter of 2021.