Monday Morning Healthcare Update
March 10, 2025 12:13 pm |
Washington Strategic Consulting, IncA concise breakdown of key healthcare developments in Washington, DC this week.
Government Funding Update
- Shutdown Deadline: This Friday, March 14 at 11:59 PM ET
- House GOP Proposal: Speaker Mike Johnson introduced a seven-month continuing resolution (CR) through September 30, 2025
- Key Health Provisions:
- Extends funding for Community Health Centers, National Health Service Corps, and Teaching Health Centers with GME programs
- Continues Special Diabetes Programs
- Extends National Health Security programs
- Maintains Medicare telehealth flexibilities and Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver
- Delays scheduled reductions to Medicaid DSH payments
- Extends Medicare-dependent Hospital program and low-volume hospital adjustments
- Continues ambulance service add-on payments
- What’s Not Included: No provision to reverse Medicare physician payment cuts, which has drawn criticism from physician groups who argue the current formula doesn’t account for rising care costs
HHS Leadership Confirmations
- This Week’s Schedule:
- Thursday, March 13: Senate HELP Committee votes on Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (NIH Director nominee) and Dr. Marty Makary (FDA Commissioner nominee)
- Thursday, March 13: Dr. Dave Weldon (CDC Director nominee) appears before Senate HELP Committee
- Friday, March 14: Dr. Mehmet Oz (CMS Administrator nominee) appears before Senate Finance Committee
- Key Issues to Watch:
- Dr. Weldon will likely face questions about past statements linking vaccines and autism
- Dr. Oz may be questioned about Medicare Advantage oversight, including concerns about overpayments, care denials, and marketing practices
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Developments
- Court Ruling: On March 7, a federal district court rejected a request to block DOGE’s access to Treasury Department databases containing Medicare payment information
- Ongoing Concerns: The ruling noted “multiple mistakes in onboarding the Treasury DOGE Team” but found insufficient evidence of irreparable harm
- Other Litigation: Multiple lawsuits are challenging DOGE’s access to HHS systems and its role in recent layoffs of federal employees
Congressional Hearings
- March 11 at 2:00 PM: House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee hearing on “After the Hospital: Ensuring Access to Quality Post-Acute Care”
We’ll continue monitoring these developments and provide updates as the funding situation evolves. Please reach out if you have any questions or need specific information.
Monday Morning Healthcare Update
Washington Strategic Consulting, Inc
March 10, 2025 12:13 pm
A concise breakdown of key healthcare developments in Washington, DC this week.
Government Funding Update
- Shutdown Deadline: This Friday, March 14 at 11:59 PM ET
- House GOP Proposal: Speaker Mike Johnson introduced a seven-month continuing resolution (CR) through September 30, 2025
- Key Health Provisions:
- Extends funding for Community Health Centers, National Health Service Corps, and Teaching Health Centers with GME programs
- Continues Special Diabetes Programs
- Extends National Health Security programs
- Maintains Medicare telehealth flexibilities and Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver
- Delays scheduled reductions to Medicaid DSH payments
- Extends Medicare-dependent Hospital program and low-volume hospital adjustments
- Continues ambulance service add-on payments
- What’s Not Included: No provision to reverse Medicare physician payment cuts, which has drawn criticism from physician groups who argue the current formula doesn’t account for rising care costs
HHS Leadership Confirmations
- This Week’s Schedule:
- Thursday, March 13: Senate HELP Committee votes on Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (NIH Director nominee) and Dr. Marty Makary (FDA Commissioner nominee)
- Thursday, March 13: Dr. Dave Weldon (CDC Director nominee) appears before Senate HELP Committee
- Friday, March 14: Dr. Mehmet Oz (CMS Administrator nominee) appears before Senate Finance Committee
- Key Issues to Watch:
- Dr. Weldon will likely face questions about past statements linking vaccines and autism
- Dr. Oz may be questioned about Medicare Advantage oversight, including concerns about overpayments, care denials, and marketing practices
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Developments
- Court Ruling: On March 7, a federal district court rejected a request to block DOGE’s access to Treasury Department databases containing Medicare payment information
- Ongoing Concerns: The ruling noted “multiple mistakes in onboarding the Treasury DOGE Team” but found insufficient evidence of irreparable harm
- Other Litigation: Multiple lawsuits are challenging DOGE’s access to HHS systems and its role in recent layoffs of federal employees
Congressional Hearings
- March 11 at 2:00 PM: House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee hearing on “After the Hospital: Ensuring Access to Quality Post-Acute Care”
We’ll continue monitoring these developments and provide updates as the funding situation evolves. Please reach out if you have any questions or need specific information.