
Health Care | Health Care |
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Medicaid disagreements put Trump agenda bill in peril |
GOP hard-liners insisting on changes to the Medicaid provisions in a legislative package full of President Trump's priorities appear to have gotten one victory: GOP leaders intend to speed up the start date of work requirements. |
But they are adamant on withholding support for the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" unless there are other significant changes made to the Medicaid portion, including lowering the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for Medicaid expansion states. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) said Thursday that GOP leaders "absolutely" intend to speed up the implementation to ease the concerns of the Republicans threatening to sink the package if changes aren't made. "That helps support," Scalise said. As written, the work requirements would take effect in 2029 — a four-year delay that many conservatives say is far too long. Scalise did not specify how quickly the requirements would take effect. According to the Congressional Budget Office, work requirements would result in nearly 5 million people losing Medicaid. As currently written, those losses would occur after the 2028 presidential election. Moving up the date would accelerate the losses and could amplify them. Democrats would be handed a powerful political argument if millions of people lose insurance in the run-up to the election. Republicans argue the ones losing insurance would be "able bodied" people who are choosing not to work. Work requirements currently account for the largest savings in the health portion of the legislation; about $301 billion over seven years. The provision would require childless adults aged 19-64 years old to prove they work, go to school or volunteer for 80 hours a month. Experts say most Medicaid beneficiaries are working, and work requirements force enrollees to complete burdensome paperwork requirements. According to a CBO analysis of a 2023 Republican bill, work requirements had no impact on the employment status or hours worked by Medicaid recipients. |
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| How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: |
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed legislation Thursday making Florida the second state in the country to ban fluoride from public water. The bill doesn't mention fluoride specifically but calls for a ban on "the use of certain additives in a water system." It will take effect July 1. Speaking at an event in Dade City, DeSantis framed the bill as part of a larger fight about medical freedom and about restoring people's … |
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House Democrats with science backgrounds are warning President Trump against major funding cuts to scientific agencies, underscoring the benefits of investing in research and the risks of pulling support amid growing U.S.-China competition. Eleven Democratic lawmakers raised concerns Thursday about proposed cuts to the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National … |
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Doctors used personal gene therapy to treat an infant with a deadly genetic disease in a medical first. KJ Muldoon was born in August 2024, and DNA sequencing revealed he had inherited two gene mutations that prevented him from breaking down proteins in food. That leads to a buildup of ammonia that destroys the liver and can cause neurological damage with lifelong consequences. His condition, known as CPS1 deficiency, is one … |
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Branch out with a different read from The Hill: |
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Lawmakers question Kennedy on staffing cuts, funding freezes and policy changes at health department |
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats and Republicans alike raised concerns on Wednesday about deep staffing cuts, funding freezes and far-reaching policy changes overseen by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. A bipartisan group of lawmakers questioned Kennedy's approach to the job, some saying that he has jeopardized … |
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Let Medicare negotiate NOW |
Big drug companies want Congress to delay Medicare negotiation—costing taxpayers billions and forcing seniors to pay more. Learn more. |
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Local and state headlines on health care: |
- Louisiana set for record high whooping cough cases, state health officials say (KPLC)
- Amid rising costs, lawmaker wants to restart conversation about universal health care (Maine Morning Star)
- Hobbs says GOP's Medicaid cuts could kill people, cut off thousands of Arizonans from health care (KTAR)
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Health news we've flagged from other outlets: |
- Mental health and substance misuse treatment is increasingly a video chat or phone call away (KFF Health News)
- FDA commissioner says new vaccine 'framework' for industry is coming within weeks (Stat)
- Kennedy has "spiritual mandate" to reform U.S. health system, Calley Means says (Axios)
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Health Safety Net Programs: Will Older Adults Fall Through? Wednesday, May 21 at 8:30 a.m. EDT Join The Hill to discuss how recent shifts in federal health policy are affecting older Americans. From proposed budget cuts to safety-net programs to bipartisan efforts like the EPIC Act, key decisions in Washington could reshape care and access for millions. Speakers include: - Alison Barkoff, Former Director, Administration for Community Living
- Sue Koob, CEO, Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA)
- Edwin Walker, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging, HHS and more.
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Most read stories on The Hill right now: |
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The Supreme Court mulled whether judges should be allowed to extend injunctive relief to the entire country in a lively argument Thursday stemming … Read more |
| Suge Knight, the former CEO of Death Row Records, suggested Tuesday that President Trump could pardon Sean “Diddy” Combs if the rapper … Read more |
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Opinion related to health submitted to The Hill: |
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