Wakely Wire
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Whitepapers, briefs, press releases and more
Week in Washington 05/01/25
Congress House Republicans continue to debate what should be included in the reconciliation bill, with no consensus emerging, yet. The leading contender for savings within the health policy realm would be to target large cuts to Medicaid expansion savings either via a per capita cap or reductions in FMAP rate for this population. There is ... Read more
Events & More
Registration opens today for Medicare, Medicaid, And Marketplace: Adapting for Success in a Changing Healthcare Landscape, October 14-16 in New Orleans.
Join us at the stylish Four Seasons New Orleans for in-depth discussions with industry leaders on payment and financing of publicly funded healthcare programs, innovations for serving special populations, changes in the digital health landscape, strategies for addressing population health and improving behavioral health services, and more. You’ll gain actionable insights and make connections to navigate an evolving healthcare environment with confidence.
Newsworthy Findings
Supreme Court Rules Against Hospitals in DSH Formula Case
The high court ruled 7-2 against hospitals that argued the HHS was undercounting the number of low-income Medicare beneficiaries who should figure into their disproportionate share hospital payments.
Republican Lawmakers Urge CMMI to Focus on Cost Savings, Transparency
The letter from lawmakers on the House Ways and Means Committee that CMMI has also “promoted a political agenda ahead of its Congressionally mandated purpose,” like focusing on health equity.
Humana Posts ‘Really Good’ First Quarter on Stable Medical Costs
Humana beat earnings expectations for the first quarter and reaffirmed its 2025 guidance after medical costs came in as predicted. It’s a positive development for the insurer, which has been rocked by higher spending in privatized Medicare plans and the safety-net Medicaid program.
The Debate About Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Begins to Emerge (Finally)
With the focus on Medicaid cuts, the dismantling of the Department of Health and Human Services and so much more that has been part of the “flood the zone” tactics of the Trump administration, one big health policy issue—the looming expiration of the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits—has not received the attention it deserves. That may change soon.
A Pulse Check on Healthcare 100 Days In
In the first months of President Trump’s second term, sweeping changes to federal healthcare policy—including agency restructuring, funding cuts, and regulatory rollbacks—have raised significant concern among public health experts and industry leaders.
Bonus Article
Capable of Powering 1.1 Million Homes, the First of 64 Offshore Wind Turbines Rises Above the North Sea
Just for Fun
Math Joke:
I told my math book I had problems… It said, “Same.”
Prior Week
Q: What’s the one shape you should avoid at all costs?
A: A Trap-ezoid
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