Plus, the latest on Trump's funding freeze

This Week

Feb 8, 2025

White House begins plan to eliminate 'thousands' of HHS employees, reports say


Elon Musk's treasury privileges curbed as DOGE targets CMS


Seeking funding freeze answers, Energy & Commerce Dems ask department heads if they 'intend to follow the Constitution'


Teladoc Health acquires Catapult Health for $65M to boost chronic condition management, at-home testing


Optum study: Accountable Medicare Advantage models reduce admissions, ER visits - Paige Minemyer

 

Featured

White House begins plan to eliminate 'thousands' of HHS employees, reports say

Managers across the health agencies were tasked with categorizing their probationary workers to determine those who were not mission critical, according to two new media reports citing internal sources.
 

Top Stories

Elon Musk's treasury privileges curbed as DOGE targets CMS

Government unions and cybersecurity experts are disturbed by Elon Musk's newfound access to personal information and the country's payment infrastructure, which coordinates funds for government health programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Now, Musk is viewing the CMS' payment and contracting system.

Seeking funding freeze answers, Energy & Commerce Dems ask department heads if they 'intend to follow the Constitution'

Democratic lawmakers are asking the Trump administration for answers on why some federal financial assistance recipients still aren't receiving funds and whether department heads "intend to follow the Constitution, the law and orders from federal judges."

Teladoc Health acquires Catapult Health for $65M to boost chronic condition management, at-home testing

Teladoc Health plans to acquire virtual preventive care provider Catapult Health as the company aims to build on its chronic condition management services and expand into at-home testing.

Optum study: Accountable Medicare Advantage models reduce admissions, ER visits

Medicare Advantage patients treated in value-based care models saw better outcomes than those treated in fee-for-service models, according to a new study from Optum.

Trump administration indefinitely suspends meetings of HHS' health IT advisory committee

The Trump administration indefinitely canceled meetings of the HITAC, an advisory panel established by the 21st Century Cures Act that helps the federal government establish rules and standards for the use of healthcare data and technologies.

Trump tariffs will escalate costs and disrupt the medical supply chain, industry execs warn

Most hospital finance executives surveyed said they will need to shift increased costs onto insurers and patients in the form of higher service charges.

Senate Finance Committee endorses RFK Jr. for HHS Secretary in 14-13 vote

Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., voted to approve Kennedy's nomination after a tense back-and-forth in a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee last week.

Federal agencies scrub key data on LGBTQIA-related topics following executive order

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scrubbed critical data and web pages related to LGBTQIA+ issues as part of an executive order seeking to "end federal funding of gender ideology."

Cigna unveils new initiatives aimed at improving customer experience, driving value

Cigna is officially kicking off a multiyear effort designed to "meaningfully" change the experience of its members.
 
Fierce podcasts

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How Congress may approach healthcare reform under Trump

As the first two weeks of his second term showed, keeping up with Trump’s actions—and their ramifications—requires full-time focus. A policy expert breaks down how Congress might approach reform in 2025.
 

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