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Somehow the overall failings of the healthcare system are the fault of health plan executives I wade into this debate with some anxiety, but I am frankly astonished by the online vitriol since the blatant assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Law enforcement believes the killing was clearly targeted, especially given the inscriptions on shell casings which said “delay, deny and defend.” Terribly, some have celebrated Thompson’s death or argued that he deserved to die given his business’ practices. Others have used the tragedy to attack health plans as evil entities that seek simply to deny or delay care. The social media comments single health insurers out as the sole bogeyman in the national healthcare debate. Far-left groups’ posts speculate about soon-to-be-unearthed sinister plots and treachery that are at the heart of the assassination. To me, all the comments are unfortunate and lack important perspective. Bruce Japsen, a writer for

New measures and major Star changes coming The just released 2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has a number of important Star program measure and policy updates. As promised, here is my thorough assessment of the Star changes from the rule. See Monday’s blog here for the rest of the proposals in the rule: https://www.healthcarelabyrinth.com/large-ma-and-part-d-rule-issued-for-2026/ . Will the changes really go into effect? What will happen to these proposals is anyone’s guess right now. The Biden administration did not publish the rule in time to finalize it before the current president leaves office. That will allow the incoming Trump administration the ability to delay final publication and remove significant portions if it wants to. I don’t expect the new administration to disturb some of the technical changes and customary roll out of Star measures, but it likley will stop some

2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D rule has major changes to the programs The Biden administration issued its draft 2026 Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D rule last week. A draft is available, but the Federal Register indicates the rule was pulled back for additional clarifications and would be reposted on December 10. Due to its late posting, the rule will not be finalized before the Trump administration takes office and therefore could simply be revamped rather than be rescinded. In some ways, the rule does not have some of the mega changes that some expected in the areas of Star, risk adjustment, and more. This could be due to some sensitivity to the current financial woes of the MA industry. But there is plenty for the industry to object to. I have read the 700-plus page draft rule and reviewed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Fact