Politics

A Maryland pathologist and MedChi past president explains how all-or-nothing contracts, anti-steering clauses and private equity deals inflate costs. He also outlines the federal and state reforms that could restore competition.

A pre-election candidate survey lands two weeks before CMS sets the next round of rural health awards, which partly score states on nurse practitioner rules.

KFF's pre-election poll found voters trust Democrats over Republicans on health care costs by 20 points, and public support for a single government plan moves sharply depending on the argument people hear.

The proposal from Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. would end independent dispute resolution for care delivered starting in 2028.

EBRI data show employer plans pay hospital outpatient departments about twice what physician offices receive for the same physician-administered drugs, and the commercial market has barely begun to address the gap.

MGMA's government affairs staff walked through the fee schedule, value-based care, prior authorization, Medicaid and the year-end fight in Congress.

Current quality programs measure organizations and claims after the fact, but the next generation of measurement focuses on the everyday clinical decisions that drive unnecessary spending.

Kidney care advocates praise new appointees; advocacy group notes the task force creates financial effects on patients.

A primary-care voucher model would pay practices upfront for predictable care and leave insurance to cover catastrophic risk, cutting administrative burden and giving physicians time back with patients.

CMS chief says outcomes-based pay can help patients while finally ending physicians' box-checking frustration.

The 3-part federal plan targets costs, red tape and corporate consolidation across commercial health insurance.

RFK Jr. appoints members to fill a panel that has not met in more than a year, but is influential on primary care.

Ballard Spahr says the Hikma v. Amarin decision makes it harder for brand-name drugmakers to sue over "skinny label" generics — a shift likely to speed generic competition and lower costs for patients

Reactions from five leading organizations were among thousands of public comments on the draft document.

Physician groups back ACCESS Model but warn CMS against care fragmentation

Top HHS leaders introduce ACCESS model with discussions of patient health, costs and technology.

A Lancet modeling study of 195 medicines estimates the Trump administration's GLOBE and GUARD pricing models could save Medicare up to $11.6 billion in their initial phase — but confidential manufacturer deals could erase nearly 80% of those savings.

The United States must address vaccine misinformation head-on or risk losing children to infectious disease.

Three health policy leaders argue that strengthening primary care payment isn't an attack on specialists — it's the fix the whole system needs.

Checks are due to start in October, and the administration has not said how it arrived at $500 or which years the disputed fees cover.

Rigid adherence thresholds in CMS's updated coverage decision leave doctors and suppliers guessing — and vulnerable patients at risk of losing a life-extending therapy

Since April, confidence in Anthony Fauci has fallen to just 50%, while Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is unchanged at 38%, in a survey fielded during the Senate contempt vote.

Despite major problems across U.S. health care, evidence shows what primary care is getting right.

An HHS video sent patients to a Medicare comment docket that has already drawn more than 19,000 submissions.

The top news stories in medicine this week.