Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced a new federal rule that prohibits state Medicaid plans and CHIP funds from covering gender-affirming hormone therapies and procedures for minors. The rules define such care to include puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical operations. Although the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asserted serious risks, many leading medical associations affirm the safety of this type of care.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced a federal rule that prohibits state Medicaid and CHIP plans from covering gender-affirming procedures, including puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, for minors under age 18. The policy takes effect on October 13, though state plans may receive continued federal funding for up to six months for current patients. This move faces opposition from leading medical associations who affirm the safety of gender-affirming care.

WalletHub analyzed factors including cost, access, and outcomes to rank the best and worst states for healthcare in the US across all 50 states and D.C. The analysis relied on data compiled by multiple institutions, noting that New Hampshire was found to have the best healthcare while Alaska ranked lowest overall.

Vice President JD Vance will host a meeting with members of Congress at the White House to discuss legislative action on fraud. The task force, led by Vance, is targeting healthcare fraud schemes and has suspended over $1.4 billion in federal funding for suspected providers. The Justice Department recently expanded its Northeast Health Care Fraud Strike Force to Philadelphia.

Vice President JD Vance will host members of Congress at the White House to discuss legislative action on fraud. The meeting includes discussions on targeting fraud in states and districts, with the Justice Department expanding a health care fraud strike force to Philadelphia. Federal and state authorities charged 19 defendants in schemes involving $4 million in Medicare and Medicaid claims.

Sturgis Hospital, a rural hospital in Michigan that converted to a federal emergency-focused model to stay open, closed in 2026 after declining emergency department use. The closure highlights concerns about the effectiveness of the Rural Emergency Hospital model under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is expected to reduce Medicaid funding and strain rural healthcare facilities.

The Trump administration is ending a Medicare drug subsidy program initiated by the Biden administration in 2024, leading to potential 2027 premium increases for 25 million Medicare Part D beneficiaries. Federal officials claim the impact will be minimal, with most seeing less than a $10-per-month increase, while Democrats criticize the move as increasing healthcare costs for seniors.

Medicare will end a subsidy program that reduced prescription drug plan premiums, as insurers can now price plans accurately without it. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) claims premiums will rise by less than $10 for most recipients, with some seeing lower costs. The subsidy, which averaged a $16 reduction, supported Medicare Part D plans offered through private insurers like UnitedHealth Group, Humana, and Aetna.

The Trump administration is ending a Medicare Part D subsidy program, which could lead to higher monthly costs for 25 million beneficiaries starting in 2027. The program, initially implemented by the Biden administration in 2024, offset prescription drug premiums. Federal officials claim the impact will be minimal, but Democrats criticize the move as increasing healthcare costs for seniors.

The Trump administration is ending a Medicare drug subsidy program that lowered prescription drug costs for 25 million seniors, leading to potential higher monthly premiums in 2027. The program, initially implemented by the Biden administration in 2024, was a response to the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Democrats criticized the decision as increasing costs for seniors, while CMS claims the impact will be minimal, with most beneficiaries seeing less than a $10 monthly increase.

Sturgis Hospital in Michigan, which converted to a federal emergency-focused model to save rural hospitals, closed after three years, highlighting concerns about the model's effectiveness under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The law includes a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program but faces criticism for potentially disadvantaging rural hospitals amid expected Medicaid funding cuts.

Eli Lilly's obesity drug retatrutide showed significant weight loss in a Phase 3 study but did not reduce cardiovascular risk. The U.S. Medicare program is offering injectable GLP-1 obesity medications like Wegovy, Foundayo, and Zepbound through a trial program for $50 monthly, with high patient demand for injectables despite expectations of pill preference.

The Trump administration froze over $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota, citing the need for additional documentation to verify claims at high risk for fraud. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and CMS deferred $867 million to California and $199 million to Minnesota, targeting specific providers identified as high-risk based on historical billing patterns.

The U.S. federal government has frozen over $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota due to fraud concerns, with the Trump administration citing the need for more documentation on high-risk claims. The move is part of a broader crackdown targeting Medicaid fraud in Democratic-led states, including previous actions against other states.

The article discusses how 15% of U.S. hospital stays result in readmissions, citing a case where a patient named Charlotte was readmitted due to an incorrect medication dose. It emphasizes asking critical questions before discharge to avoid readmissions, reduce healthcare costs, and prevent complications like hospital-acquired infections.

The Trump administration has frozen over $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota, citing the need for additional documentation to prevent fraud. The federal government deferred $867 million to California and $199 million to Minnesota, requiring states to provide evidence for Medicaid claims or face future payment reductions.

The Trump administration deferred over $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota due to 'suspected fraud and noncompliance.' Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated the move aims to prevent fraudulent spending, while state governors accused the administration of political motives. The action follows a broader campaign to investigate federal funding misuse.

The Trump administration deferred over $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota due to suspected fraud and noncompliance. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated the move aims to prevent fraud before it occurs, while governors from both states accused the administration of political motives.

The Trump administration announced deferring over $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota due to suspected fraud and noncompliance, part of a broader strategy to prevent fraudulent spending. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated the action aims to stop payments before fraud occurs, while state governors accused the administration of political motives. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has faced challenges in justifying some deferrals, including errors in data used for investigations.

The Trump administration announced deferring over $1 billion in Medicaid payments to Minnesota and California due to 'suspected fraud and noncompliance.' The states accuse the administration of political motives, with Minnesota's governor suggesting the funds are being withheld to finance tax cuts for wealthy Americans, and California's governor claiming political targeting.

Severely ill prisoners granted compassionate release in Hawai‘i remain incarcerated due to long-term care facilities refusing them, citing criminal backgrounds. Similar issues occur nationwide, with facilities avoiding parolees over Medicaid reimbursement risks under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Medicare covers CBD and hemp products through a limited pilot program called the Substance Access Beneficiary Engagement Incentive (BEI), allowing eligible beneficiaries to receive up to $500 annually in products containing 0.3% or less THC. Eligibility requires a physician in an ACO or EOM and state-specific legal access.

CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz emphasized improving healthcare quality and reducing costs to help Americans stay healthy and productive longer, projecting a $1 trillion economic benefit if people work an additional year. He highlighted the importance of annual wellness exams and leveraging technology like AI for better care delivery.

2.6 million Americans dropped Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage in 2026 due to expired subsidies, causing premiums to more than double. Enrollment fell 12% year-over-year, with states using HealthCare.gov experiencing sharper declines than state-run exchanges. The Trump administration attributed some losses to fraud, while analysts highlight affordability as the primary driver.

Sturgis Hospital in Michigan closed after over a century of service due to financial challenges, impacting 300 employees and signaling broader struggles for rural hospitals. The closure highlights systemic issues like declining reimbursements, rising costs, and federal policy changes affecting rural healthcare.

The Trump administration has narrowed the definition of 'medically frail' for Medicaid exemptions from work requirements, requiring significant health conditions and impairment in work ability. States worry this change could lead to coverage loss for sick and disabled enrollees, prompting a lawsuit from 25 Democratic-led states. Medicaid agencies face challenges implementing the new guidelines, which add documentation hurdles for recipients.

Obamacare enrollment has declined significantly in states like Ohio, Oklahoma, Arizona, South Carolina, and Minnesota following the expiration of federal subsidies. Nationally, enrollment dropped by 13% (about 3 million people), attributed to improper sign-ups and reduced premium payments after subsidies ended.

Some offices and services will close on Friday, July 3, ahead of Independence Day, which falls on a Saturday this year. Federal agencies like the Social Security Administration and Medicare & Medicaid Services will be closed, while the U.S. Postal Service remains open Friday but closed Saturday. Retailers and restaurants generally operate normally, though Costco and some stores have adjusted weekend hours.

The Trump administration proposes a rule to prevent hospitals in the 340B program from charging markups on discounted drugs for Medicare patients, estimating $1.1 billion in annual savings. The rule aims to change reimbursement formulas to reduce patient costs, but the American Hospital Association warns it could strain hospital finances and access to care.

The Trump administration is proposing a rule to prevent hospitals in the 340B program from billing insurers above discounted drug costs for Medicare patients, aiming to save $1.1 billion annually. The rule targets hospitals that currently markup drug prices, which could reduce patient costs but may also impact hospital revenues and services.

The Trump administration proposes a rule to prevent hospitals in the 340B program from charging markups on discounted drugs for Medicare patients, aiming to save $1.1 billion annually. The rule would reduce Medicare reimbursements for these hospitals by approximately 40%, targeting cost savings for patients while raising concerns about potential revenue losses for hospital systems.

The Trump administration proposes a rule to prevent hospitals in the 340B program from charging markups on discounted drugs for Medicare patients, aiming to save $1.1 billion annually. The rule would adjust Medicare reimbursement formulas for these hospitals, with an example showing potential savings on the prostate cancer drug Lupron Depot.

The Trump administration's new Medicaid guidance narrows the definition of 'medically frail' to require significant work impairment, raising concerns that many sick and disabled enrollees may lose coverage. States face challenges implementing work requirements under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with 25 Democratic-led states and D.C. suing over the revised guidelines.

A coalition of 25 states and the District of Columbia is suing the Trump administration over new Medicaid work requirements, arguing the policy unlawfully restricts access to healthcare. The lawsuit challenges the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) Interim Final Rule (IFR), which mandates documentation for exemptions to work, volunteer, or education requirements for Medicaid enrollees. The rule, effective in January 2027, would require able-bodied individuals to work 20 hours weekly while enrolled in free healthcare.

The Trump administration has narrowed the definition of 'medically frail' for Medicaid exemptions from work requirements, causing concerns that many sick and disabled enrollees may lose coverage. States are struggling to comply with the new guidelines, which require assessing a person's ability to work, and 25 Democratic-led states plus DC have sued over the policy.

The Trump administration has narrowed the definition of 'medically frail' for Medicaid exemptions, requiring recipients to prove significant work impairment. States are struggling to implement the new work requirements, and 25 Democratic-led states plus DC have sued over the policy.

The Trump administration has narrowed the definition of 'medically frail' for Medicaid exemptions from work requirements, prompting concerns that many sick and disabled enrollees may lose coverage. Twenty-five Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia have sued the administration over the new guidelines, which require individuals to prove significant work impairment due to health conditions.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is launching a temporary pilot program to cover weight loss drugs for some seniors, effective through the end of 2027.

Over 1 million people enrolled in Obamacare plans lack Social Security Numbers, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. They stated the situation is 'plagued by fraud'.

President Donald Trump announced the nomination of Chris Klomp to serve as deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Trump cited Klomp's leadership in Medicare operations and his commitment to healthcare reforms, including the Most Favored Nation Drug Pricing Policy. The decision was made in collaboration with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.