Government Funding Bill Still Not Passed; Due Up Tuesday in House
With Democrats off the Senate funding package to end a partial government shutdown, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-LA, is still expressing optimism about the House approving a funding package Tuesday. The Rules Committee is now meeting to pass a rule, which then clears the way to have a party-line vote on the Senate package. But with the ability to lose but one vote given a slim majority, Johnson’s optimism may be a bit too, well, optimistic. However, Johnson says he is not asking President Donald Trump to call those Republican holdouts to get the deal over the finish line.
This package and an earlier one funds all but the Homeland Security department through September 30. That is funded for two weeks, giving time for Democrats and Republicans to discuss concerns over ICE and Homeland Security conduct.
Additional article: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5719277-johnson-trump-gop-holdouts-funding/?tbref=hp
#governmentshutdown #congress #trump
Fitch Predicts 2027 MA Contraction
Rating agency and advisor Fitch predicts that the 0.09% rate hike in the 2027 Advance Notice for Medicare Advantage (MA) will mean yet more benefit, product, and geographic contraction for the 2017 open enrollment season. Analysts had predicted a 4% to 6% hike, but the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) included a series of new risk adjustment reforms to reduce overpayments in the program. It leaves open that final rates could move upward.
Both UnitedHealthcare and Elevance Health signaled they planned to shed more lives in 2026. They both signaled that more benefit cuts could occur for 2027.
#medicareadvantage #rates #cms #advancenotice
TrumpRx Website Delayed
The Trump administration has delayed the launch of TrumpRx.gov, a website designed to connect Americans with discounted prescription drugs sold directly by manufacturers. President Trump has struck deals with 16 of the 7 largest brand makers. Part of those negotiations involved cost reductions for self-pay Americans, which can now access cheaper prices on the website.
The site was expected to go live by the end of January. That appears delayed at least ten days.
#drugpricing #trumprx #branddrugmakers
https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/pharmacy/trumprx-launch-delayed
Prior Auth Biggest Burden For Enrollees
A new healthcare policy group KFF poll finds that people cite prior authorization (PA) review as their top problem by a wide margin, with 32% saying prior authorization requirements are a major burden. That is more than those who cite what they owe (23%), getting appointments when they need them (20%), or finding providers who accept their insurance (17%).
Additional article: https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/poll-people-view-prior-authorization-as-greatest-burden-in-navigating-the-health-system/
#healthplans #priorauthorization
— Marc S. Ryan
