President Donald Trump this week announced that Alex Azar will be appointed as the next Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary. Azar spent nearly a decade at pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, where he most recently served as president of U.S. operations before leaving earlier this year. Prior to his time at Eli Lilly,…
Read More »As part of ongoing discussions and debate around tax reform measures, Congressional Republicans are considering repealing the Affordable Care Act’s individual insurance coverage mandate. Such a move would likely provide offsets for additional tax cuts that have recently been proposed by Republicans, though reports have revealed several Republicans are concerned about the chances of a…
Read More »The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a measure to reauthorize and fund the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), community health centers, and other health-related programs. Recall, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced measures in October on a partisan-basis to fund CHIP for five years and community health centers for two years. All Democrats…
Read More »On Thursday this week, the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis finalized its report to the Trump Administration. The report consists of 56 recommendations—ranging from opioid prescribing practices, prevention and treatment services, law enforcement tactics, and funding mechanisms—and focuses on federal, state, and local actions. Notably, the report did not include…
Read More »Despite a series of failed negotiations and legislative attempts throughout the year, Congress continues to propose measures to attempt to stabilize federal health insurance marketplaces. We highlight the latest proposals below, as well as detail recent developments around health insurance premiums in light of President Trump’s decision to end cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments. Legislative Proposals…
Read More »Next week, the U.S. House of Representatives will hold a vote on extending funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Recall earlier this month, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced a bill on a partisan vote that would extend CHIP funding for five years. Democrats voted against the measure citing concerns with some…
Read More »Nearly three months after signaling his intention to do so, President Donald Trump this week officially directed the acting director of the Department of Health and Human Services to declare the opioid crisis a public health emergency. The declaration will permit public health agencies to redirect existing resources to address the crisis, eliminate or reduce…
Read More »On Thursday this week, President Donald Trump took two decisive actions related to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which are likely to send health insurance marketplaces into turmoil. Earlier in the day, President Trump signed an executive order directing key agencies to issue new regulations and guidance related to provisions of the ACA. Later, the…
Read More »The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced a cooperative agreement opportunity to establish a roster of public health departments that would be pre-identified and pre-approved for rapid funding by CDC for public health emergencies of such magnitude, complexity, or significance that it would have an overwhelming impact upon, and exceed resources…
Read More »Despite failing to legislatively repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) last month, Congressional Republicans and Trump Administration officials are expected to continue attempts to undermine the ACA through what’s being characterized as a “synthetic repeal” through a series of administrative and budgetary actions. It is rumored that President Trump may soon sign an…
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