Expected US Health and Human Services secretary and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services director, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Mehmet Oz, could face an early Medicare Part D Catch-22 if confirmed. They must decide whether to extend the Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration, a Biden administration program that has garnered withering criticism from Republicans, but also helped ensure that 2025 premiums for stand-alone Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) would not skyrocket.
‘Not a Good Look’: Premiums Could Jump If Trump’s CMS Drops Part D Demo
Despite GOP criticism of the Part D stabilization program and its budgetary impact, the Trump Administration may decide to keep it in part to avoid blame for a premium increase.
More from Medicare
• By
A former CMS manager worries casework and other necessary functions could suffer as a result of the 300 staff cuts at the agency that are part of a massive HHS restructuring.
• By
About 3,500 full-time FDA employees are expected to be laid off as part of a restructuring of the Health and Human Services Department and experts questioned whether the cuts could be implemented without harming FDA’s core mission.
• By
Democrats opposed the nomination because they believe Mehmet Oz will not defend Medicaid from spending cuts. His pledge to continue lowering drug costs in Medicare and Medicaid did not offset the concerns.
• By
An analysis of Medicare Part D and other data found that more than one-third of all pharmacy spending went through pharmacies owned by Cigna, CVS Health, Humana or UnitedHealth Group.
More from Legislation
• By
Trial sponsors in Germany should start preparing negotiation strategies to tackle difficult discussions with trial sites over standardized clauses.
• By
Newly proposed legislation for bolstering the EU’s drug manufacturing capacity and reducing its overreliance on foreign manufacturers includes a number of measures, such a requirement for EU countries to prioritize the security of supply over price when procuring drugs.
• By
An enhanced role for patients in the European Medicines Agency was a key proposal within the EU pharmaceutical legislation overhaul – but patient groups warn this provision could be scrapped or weakened due to ongoing negotiations.