Category: Health Insurance

KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: Creating Chaos at HHS

President Donald Trump was sworn in Monday and by Wednesday had virtually stopped scientific policymaking at the Department of Health and Human Services. While incoming administrations often pause public communications, the acting HHS head ordered an unprecedented shutdown of all outside meetings, travel, and publications. Meanwhile, Trump issued a broad array of mostly nonbinding executive orders, but notably none directly concerning abortion. Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Stat, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Rodney Whitlock, a former congressional staffer, who explains the convoluted “budget reconciliation” process Republicans hope to use to enact Trump’s agenda.

CMS appeals UnitedHealthcare’s star ratings win

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has appealed UnitedHealthcare’s win over its Medicare Advantage star ratings score.
CMS filed the appeal on Tuesday in federal court for the Eastern District of Texas. 
It is appealing the November 22, 202…

Elevance pulls in $418 million in Q4 profit

Elevance Health saw $418 million in profit during the fourth quarter, down 51% from the $856 million in profit it hauled in at the end of 2023, company officials said during an earnings call this morning.
Revenue was up year-over-year, hitting $45 bill…

Aspirus embarks on $227 million hospital expansion

Aspirus Health in Wausau, Wisconsin is expanding one of its hospitals to the tune of about $227 million, with Aspirus Wausau Hospital earmarked for renovation as critical care needs grow in the region, the health system said.

HHS provides $590 million to Moderna amid vaccine controversy 

Three days before President Donald Trump was sworn into office, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the award of $590 million to Moderna to accelerate the development of mRNA-based pandemic influenza vaccines.
WHY THIS MATTERS

DOJ sues Walgreens for dispensing alleged illegal prescriptions

The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Walgreens Boots Alliance and its subsidiaries for allegedly dispensing millions of unlawful prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act.
According to the lawsuit, Walgreens then soug…

New York putting $188 million toward cancer center

New York State is investing in seven hospitals and healthcare partnerships, with preliminary approval part of the Healthcare Safety Net Transformation Program. This includes a $188 million investment in Jamaica Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering to …

What Trump and the GOP have planned for healthcare

Health systems are rightly concerned about Republican plans to cut Medicaid spending, end ACA subsidies and enact site neutral payments, says consultant Michael Abrams, managing partner of Numerof, a consulting firm.
“Health systems have reason to worr…

Sutter Health makes $1 billion AI deal with GE

California-based Sutter Health is entering into a seven-year partnership with GE Healthcare designed to integrate artificial intelligence technology into its health system operations, the organizations said this week.

How Does the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Impact Health and Health Care?

This policy watch provides a short overview of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), describing its history, budget, organizational structure and its major programs and responsibilities.