US Medicare Agency Brings Back Familiar Faces For Trump 2.0

Several first-term Trump veterans are returning to leadership roles at the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ahead of the expected confirmation of Mehmet Oz to lead the agency.

Several of the new CMS leaders are former GOP aides on Capitol Hill. (Shutterstock)

The Trump Administration is adding some experienced hands to potentially support Dr. Oz, President Trump’s nominee to run the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

More from Medicare

Newest HHS Staff Cuts Could Stymie CMS Health Plan Oversight

 
• 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.

Power Play: US FDA Likely Losing More Than Just Staff With Restructured Health Department

 

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.

CMS Nominee Oz Nears Confirmation Despite Concerns About Medicaid Cuts

 
• 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.

Study Shows ‘Insurer-PBMs’ Dominate Medicare Part D, Steer Patients to Their Pharmacies

 
• 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 Medicaid

Medicare Price Negotiation ‘One of Many’ Solutions CMS Will Pursue, Oz Says

 
• By 

Physician and TV personality Mehmet Oz, who is President Trump's nominee for CMS administrator, said he was instructed by President Trump to explore “every single way” the agency could lower drug costs.

Medicaid Cuts Could Prompt States To Tighten Drug Cost Controls, Former CMS Official Says

 
• By 

Recently retired CMS veteran John Coster discussed potential Medicaid cuts, rebate cap elimination and obesity drug coverage in an interview with the Pink Sheet.

CMS Layoffs Broader Than Reports Indicate, Former Administrator Brooks-LaSure Says

 
• By 

The "interwoven" nature of the offices within the agency likely means Medicare and Medicaid benefits may be disrupted by staff cuts despite assurances from the administration, Brooks-LaSure warned.