Some Trump Executive Orders Impact Healthcare
As expected, re-minted President Donald Trump issued sweeping executive orders on day one of Trump 47 impacting almost all aspects of government. By and large, healthcare was less impacted. But here are some highlights:
- Trump instituted a regulatory freeze on all agencies. No proposed rules can be finalized or new ones proposed for 60 days. This impacts a number of healthcare regulations, including the 2026 Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D rule.
- A Biden executive order creating three drug pricing models was rescinded. This was meant to reduce spending and consumer outlays under the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). At the same time, the models would have further reduced flexibility of MA and standlone Part D (PDP) plans to craft plans.
- A hiring freeze was instituted impacting most non-public safety or national security agencies.
- The U.S. will pull out of the World Health Organization (WHO) over COVID failures as well as America’s costs compared to other nations. The U.S. is the biggest funder.
- A Biden executive order that seeks to protect and expand coverage in Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was rescinded.
- Biden’s executive order on artificial intelligence was rescinded, largely due to Trump’s different focus here and the belief that Biden had a heavy-handed approach.
In other news, the brand drug industry will ask Trump to pause the second round of Medicare drug price negotiations in part due to ongoing litigation. Proponents urge Trump to continue and argue there is no basis for any pause.
Last, advocates are asking Trump to avoid drastic Medicaid cuts and restructuring and targeting key moderates in the Senate in a public relations and advocacy campaign.
Additional articles: https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/trump-reverses-biden-healthcare-executive-orders-withdraws-world-health-organization/737838/ and https://www.modernhealthcare.com/politics-policy/trump-medicare-drug-price-negotiations and https://www.modernhealthcare.com/politics-policy/donald-trump-joe-biden-ai-executive-order-repeal and https://www.modernhealthcare.com/politics-policy/donald-trump-world-health-organization-us-exit-reconsider and https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5097280-trump-who-executive-order/ and https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/trump-pulls-us-out-who-condemned-public-health-experts and https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5098715-trump-executive-order-biden-prescription-drug-costs/ and https://insidehealthpolicy.com/daily-news/advocates-defend-medicaid-appeal-trump-massive-ad-campaign and https://www.statnews.com/2025/01/20/trump-executive-orders-health-care-drug-pricing-aca-covid-gender-discrimination/
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#trump #healthcare #first100days #medicaid #medicare #drugpricing #aca #obamacare #regulations #ai #who
More On DOJ Suit Against Walgreens
More on the lawsuit against Walgreens’ role in the opioid crisis. The Department of Justice (DOJ) says that Walgreens unlawfully dispensed and sought reimbursement for “millions” of prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. It says pharmacists dispensed despite clear red flags they were trained on. DOJ says the company fostered the culture and pressured employees to violate the law or deprived them of critical information.
Additional article: https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/doj-alleges-walgreens-filled-billed-millions-unlawful-opioid-prescriptions-new-lawsuit
#opioids #pharmacies #fwa #walgreens
Hospitals And Some Providers Face Possible Revocation Of Tax Exemption
Even before the Trump administration took office, a bipartisan group of lawmakers were examining the huge benefits hospitals get from non-profit status compared with what they deliver back to the community. Now, House Republicans have put two proposals on the table to impact hospitals’ tax exemption as well as other healthcare organizations.
One proposal would end hospitals’ ability to claim non-profit status, which could save $260 billion over a decade. Another option would axe the individual tax deduction for charity to healthcare organizations — like patient advocacy groups and other associations — which would save an estimated $83 billion over 10 years.
At least in terms of hospitals, it is high time for reform of tax exemption as well as implementation of site neutral payments. Both hold hospitals back from true efficiency and reform to their bloated cost structures.
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#hospitals #healthcarereform #siteneutral #taxexemption #providers
Senators Agree On PBM And Drug Cost Reforms
Senate Finance Chairman Mike Crapo, R-ID, Senate HELP Chairman Bill Cassidy, R-LA, and Senate Help Committee Ranking Member Bernie Sanders all seem committed to moving pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) reform as well as lowering prescription drug costs by bolstering generic drug access.
(Article may require a subscription.)
#drugpricing #pbms #congress
https://insidehealthpolicy.com/daily-news/cassidy-sanders-say-pbm-reform-priority-health-committee
Three States Want Work Requirements
The Biden administration rescinded almost all work requirements for Medicaid (minus Georgia). With Trump’s arrival, at least three states are already signaling they want to pursue such restrictions for some Medicaid enrollees. Arkansas wants its waiver request reapproved. Ohio similarly will ask and Iowa may do so as well. South Dakota and North Carolina could follow. Georgia may actually back off a little from its strict requirement.
#medicaid #workrequirements
https://www.beckerspayer.com/policy-updates/states-renew-push-for-medicaid-work-requirements.html
— Marc S. Ryan
