After his first week as the new administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Mehmet Oz, M.D., shared four goals that embody the “Make America Healthy Again” mandate of President Donald Trump. Here’s #4: “Shifting the paradigm for health care from a system that focuses on sick care to one that fosters…
Commentary: Dr. Oz Wants Prevention? He Should Embrace CRT
CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz Spells Out Medicare, Medicaid Priorities
Oz has been tasked with fulfilling the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda.
After his first week as the new administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Mehmet Oz, M.D., has listed his priorities for the Department of Health & Human Services’ largest agency. In an April 10 press release, Oz referenced President Donald Trump’s mandate to “Make America Healthy Again.” “Great societies protect their…
Commentary: What Schoolhouse Rock’s ‘Bill’ Would Want You to Know About Policy
Bills S. 247 and H.R. 1703 to upgrade ultralightweight wheelchair frames are currently in the Senate and House.
I grew up watching Schoolhouse Rock! between Saturday-morning cartoons. While those short videos on grammar, math and American history were great for my education — the preamble song is why my entire civics class scored 100% on that quiz — one video had an outsized impact on my understanding of the legislative process. “I’m Just…
HHS Starts ‘Transformation’ that will Reorganize CMS, Other Health-Care Agencies
Programs supporting seniors, people with disabilities will be integrated into other agencies.
With sweeping changes that include reorganizing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has begun the “transformation” mandated by an executive order from President Donald Trump. On March 27, HHS announced that changes — which will involve the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the…
DMEPOS Relief Act, H.R. 2005, Introduced in U.S. House
New bill seeks to restore Mediare 75/25 blended reimbursement rate.
A bill to provide Medicare funding relief to many home medical equipment (HME) providers has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa). H.R. 2005, the DMEPOS [durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies] Relief Act of 2025, seeks “a 75/25 blended Medicare reimbursement rate for DMEPOs in non-rural/non-competitive bidding…
Ultralightweight Wheelchair Upgrades on the Agenda at AAHomecare’s Expanded Legislative Conference
The conference is scheduled for May 12-13.
Carbon and titanium upgrade legislation will be among the talking points at this May’s legislative conference hosted by the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare). AAHomecare noted in a March 5 announcement that 2025 “has ushered in a new administration and major leadership changes on Congressional committees of jurisdiction for health-care finance issues. Our industry must…
Bill for Medicare Carbon Fiber, Titanium Upgrades Introduced in House
The bill would make upgrading ultralightweight frames more accessible for Medicare beneficiaries
A bill that would provide a more accessible pathway for Medicare beneficiaries to upgrade to carbon fiber or titanium ultralightweight wheelchairs has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. H.R. 1703 was introduced on Feb. 27 by Rep. John Joyce (R-Pa.) and Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.). It’s described on the Congress.gov website as amending…
United Spinal ‘Closely Following’ Executive Orders Impacting People with Disabilities
President Trump’s executive order could impact funding for Medicaid and other programs.
United Spinal Association is keeping a watchful eye on health-care and disability funding policies that could change due to executive orders from President Trump. “Our policy and advocacy team is gathering all the facts about the orders and resulting policies that impact our community,” said United Spinal President/CEO Vincenzo Piscopo in a Feb. 3 bulletin…
Poll: Medicare, Medicaid Remain Hugely Popular as Trump Administration Takes Over
A large majority of respondents believe health care will become less affordable in the next few years.
Results of a new poll conducted by KFF (formerly the Kaiser Family Foundation) show that a large majority of Americans have favorable views of Medicare and Medicaid, regardless of political party affiliation. While President Donald Trump’s incoming administration and a new Congress have discussed slashing Medicaid funding —reporting this month from Politico mentioned potentially $2.3…
Ultralightweight Wheelchair Upgrade Bill Introduced in Senate
The bill provides a path for wheelchair riders to upgrade to titanium or carbon fiber frames.
Once again, a bill to provide a path for ultralightweight wheelchair riders to upgrade to titanium or carbon fiber frames has been introduced in the Senate. The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) announced the bill’s introduction in a Jan. 27 bulletin. “The Choices for Mobility Act, S. 247, closely follows titanium/carbon fiber legislation introduced in…