Wakely Wire

April 3, 2025

New Insights

Newsworthy Findings

Bonus Article

Just for Fun

New Insights

Whitepapers, briefs, press releases and more

By Michael Cohen

Week in Washington 04/03/25

Tariffs President Trump announced sweeping tariffs this week. The tariffs are expected to have a significant impact on the US economy. While pharmaceutical was exempt from the current round, there is the potential for additional tariffs on this specific sector. However other medical supplies were impacted which is likely to increase prices on medical goods. ... Read more

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Newsworthy Findings

ACA Enrollment Increase Driven by Growth in States Won by Trump: KFF

Sign-ups for coverage on the Affordable Care Act exchanges have more than doubled since 2020. Enrollment was particularly concentrated in states won by President Donald Trump in last year’s election.

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Editor's Note

Much of the growth is thought to be linked to more generous federal financial assistance for the health plans but those enhanced premium subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year absent congressional action.

Healthcare Dealmakers—Cigna Closes $3.3B Medicare Sell-Off; Ascension's Illinois Hospital Divestures and More

Here’s a roundup of new deals that were revealed, closed, rumored or called off during the month of March.

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Editor's Note

Healthcare mergers and acquisitions are in no short supply as providers, health tech companies, retailers and other industry players look to expand their businesses and gain a competitive edge.

States Sue Trump Administration Over $11B Cuts to Public Health Funding

A coalition of 23 states and Washington, D.C., sued the HHS on Tuesday, arguing the cuts put states “at greater risk for future pandemics and the spread of otherwise preventable disease.”

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Editor's Note

To reduce costs, HHS plans to cut approximately 10,000 jobs through layoffs and significantly reduce state funding. Rhode Island’s Attorney General, Peter Neronha, warns that his state alone could lose over $31 million, potentially forcing the shutdown of vital programs like childhood vaccinations.

HHS Begins Layoffs in Chaotic Fashion

The Trump administration sent out the first round of reduction-in-force notices early Tuesday morning, telling employees the cuts are necessary to improve efficiency.

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Editor's Note

Starting Tuesday morning, HHS employees began receiving emails informing them they were affected by a “reduction in force (RIF) action.” Some only discovered they had been laid off when their badges failed to grant access to the building. According to a former staff member, those affected have yet to be told when they can access the building to retrieve their personal belongings.

Trump Healthcare Price Transparency Order may not Bring Intended Relief to Patients

President Donald Trump first told hospitals to put prices online in 2019 during his first administration and transparency rules for insurers soon followed, as the government sought to lower U.S. healthcare spending, the highest in the world. But not all prices were posted and consumers struggled to find and analyze the scattered data.

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Editor's Note

The Trump administration's healthcare price transparency order aims to help patients compare costs, but its effectiveness is hindered by disorganized and overwhelming data. Despite its goal of reducing healthcare spending, the complexity and inconsistency of the information make it difficult for consumers to make informed choices.

Bonus Article

Harvard Tuition is Now Free for Families Earning Under $200k–Includes Housing and Books for Those Below $100k

A free ride for Harvard College including housing will now be available for students from families with annual incomes of $100,000 or less—and tuition-free for undergrad students from families with annual incomes of $200,000 or less, beginning in the Fall of 2025. The significant expansion of financial aid announced will finally make Harvard affordable for low-and middle-income families.

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Just for Fun

Math Joke:

Why was the equal sign so humble?

Prior Week

Q: Why did the math teacher refuse to argue with a triangle?

A: Because it was always right, no matter the angle!

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