Part D plans would take on more financial risk under new CMMI model
The CMS announced a new model to give Part D plans more skin in the game to cut Medicare's drug spending, and will expand the scope of its Medicare Advantage value-based design model.
Medicare
MedPAC recommends consolidating Medicare quality programs
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission recommended that Congress pass legislation to consolidate most of Medicare's value-based quality programs and boost payments for high-performing hospitals.
Medicaid
DSH: the brewing battle over billions that could get complicated
A proposal from Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to redistribute DSH money more equitably among states has a short runway to get congressional support ahead of a key September deadline. Can it get there?
Politics & Policy
Healthcare groups, hospitals tell president, Congress to end shutdown
Hundreds of groups including major healthcare industry associations and hospitals sent letters to Congress and President Donald Trump urging an end to the partial government shutdown, citing health consequences of the lapsed funding.
Public Health
Data Points: CHIP continues to grow, in enrollment and spending
Since it was enacted in 1997, the Children's Health Insurance Program has been largely hailed as a success and enjoyed support from both sides of the political aisle. While it got caught up in partisan bickering in late 2017, CHIP was ultimately reauthorized through 2023.
Military Health
Former VA chief Shulkin tapped to lead innovation at Sanford Health
Dr. David Shulkin, whose departure from the VA was announced through Twitter this past spring, will be chief innovation officer at Sanford Health in South Dakota.
Law & Regulation
FDA gets closer to making naloxone available over the counter
The Food and Drug Administration is preparing to allow the over-the-counter purchase of the drug overdose-reversal medication naloxone in an effort to expand greater access to the lifesaving drug.
Enforcement & Compliance
HCA-Mission Health deal OK'd by N.C. attorney general
North Carolina's attorney general approved hospital giant HCA Healthcare's $1.5 billion acquisition of Asheville-based Mission Health, after nabbing commitments from HCA meant to protect the state's healthcare industry.
Veterans Administration
New VA community care program regs stall at OMB over cost
White House budget officials are weighing draft regulations to shape the VA's new, streamlined community care program that is poised to bring billions into private hospitals and clinics.
