CMS Archives - Page 11 of 21

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: The Long Road to Unwinding Trump Health Policies

President Joe Biden signed a pair of health-related executive orders this week that would, among other things, reopen enrollment under the Affordable Care Act and start to reverse former President Donald Trump’s anti-abortion policies. Meanwhile, Congress remains bogged down with taking up the next round of covid-19 relief. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call and Shefali Luthra of The 19th join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.

Jan. 28, 2021

Trump Administration Approves First Medicaid Block Grant, in Tennessee

The plan, long endorsed by conservatives, would give the state broad authority in running the health insurance program for the poor in exchange for capping its annual federal funding.

By Phil Galewitz

Jan. 8, 2021

Podcasts

‘An Arm and a Leg’: Obamacare Alum Andy Slavitt Takes Stock of the COVID Pandemic — So Far

On the latest episode of ‘An Arm and a Leg’: Come for insights from an Obama administration health policy leader, stay to hear how frank health policy conversations can get uncomfortable.

By Dan Weissmann

Dec. 7, 2020

Feds Approve Fractious Georgia Plan to Change ACA Marketplace

Under the plan pushed by Gov. Brian Kemp, the healthcare.gov website will no longer provide options for Georgia starting next fall, and consumers will need to rely on private brokers, insurance companies, agents and commercial websites.

By Jordan Rau

Nov. 3, 2020

Medicare Fines Half of Hospitals for Readmitting Too Many Patients

The penalties are the ninth round of a program created as part of the Affordable Care Act’s broader effort to improve quality and lower costs. The average reduction in federal payments is 0.69%, with 613 hospitals receiving a penalty of 1% or more.

By Jordan Rau

Nov. 2, 2020

The Trump Medicaid Record: Big Goals, Yet Few Successes

The Trump administration sought to shrink the federal-state health program for low-income Americans and give states more flexibility. But Democrats and the courts thwarted most of those efforts.

By Phil Galewitz

Oct. 29, 2020

COVID-19

Rural Hospitals Teeter on Financial Cliff as COVID Medicare Loans Come Due

A lack of direction from federal administrators is causing confusion for many hospital administrators. Rural hospitals are among the ones hit hardest.

By Sarah Jane Tribble

Sept. 22, 2020

Podcast

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: It’s Scandal Week

President Donald Trump this week issued a prescription drug pricing order unlikely to lower drug prices, and he contradicted comments by his director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the need for mask-wearing and predictions for vaccine availability. Meanwhile, scandals erupted at the CDC, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Food and Drug Administration. And the number of people without health insurance grew in 2019, reported the Census Bureau, even while the economy soared. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Tami Luhby of CNN and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.

Sept. 17, 2020

HHS Plan to Improve Rural Health Focuses on Better Broadband, Telehealth Services

The proposal details a wide-ranging agenda to remedy the gaps in health care and myriad challenges in rural America. In addition to more telehealth options, it includes shifts in hospital payments and expanded funding for school-based mental health programs.

By Sarah Jane Tribble

Sept. 4, 2020

COVID-19

The COVID-19 Downturn Triggers Jump in Medicaid Enrollment

For the first time since 2017, Medicaid enrollment has begun increasing again, but not by as much as many analysts expected.

By Phil Galewitz

July 28, 2020

Must-Reads Of The Week

KHN senior correspondent Jordan Rau takes a spin through this week's essential health care news.

By Jordan Rau

June 5, 2020

Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes

Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you don't have to.

By Brianna Labuskes

April 10, 2020

COVID-19

To ‘Keep The Lights On,’ Doctors And Hospitals Ask For Advance Medicare Payments

As part of the federal response to the coronavirus crisis, Medicare is offering to give hospitals and doctors accelerated payments.

By Phil Galewitz

April 10, 2020

COVID-19

Pandemic Delays Federal Probe Into Medicare Advantage Health Plans

Government officials want to focus on fighting COVID-19 instead of recouping overcharges that run into the millions.

By Fred Schulte

April 8, 2020

Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes

Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you don't have to.

By Brianna Labuskes

April 3, 2020

COVID-19

More Than 5,000 Surgery Centers Can Now Serve As Makeshift Hospitals During COVID-19 Crisis

Under pressure, the federal government announced it will let surgery centers, hotels and even college dorms serve as hospitals to treat an overflow of patients.

By Liz Szabo and Cara Anthony

March 30, 2020

COVID-19

The Nation’s 5,000 Outpatient Surgery Centers Could Help With The COVID-19 Overflow

A coalition of anesthesiologists wants to repurpose the country's more than 5,000 surgery centers to serve as emergency overflow amid the coronavirus pandemic. The centers have trained medical staff largely sitting idle, anesthesia machines that could be turned into ventilators, and empty medical space. But obstacles such as federal payment rules, logistics and some skepticism are getting in the way.

By Cara Anthony and Liz Szabo

March 27, 2020

Botched Operation

New Federal Rules Will Let Patients Put Medical Records On Smartphones

Patients would have far more control over their health care with complete medical histories stored on their phones, proponents say.

By Fred Schulte and Erika Fry, Fortune

March 9, 2020

COVID-19

As Coronavirus Cases Grow, So Does Scrutiny Of Nursing Home Infection Plans

Seema Verma, administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, calls on state and federal health inspectors to focus on how facilities keep infections from spreading, especially in areas that have reported coronavirus cases.

By Jordan Rau

March 4, 2020