Donald Trump rescinded the Biden-Harris executive order aimed at lowering prescription drug costs, reversing efforts to increase affordability. This action aligns with Trump’s past proposals to cut spending on entitlement programs like Medicare and Medicaid, prioritizing the interests of Big Pharma over those of American citizens. His previous budgets included substantial cuts to these programs, contradicting his public statements. This reversal demonstrates a consistent pattern of favoring wealthy donors and corporations at the expense of social welfare.
Read More
Following the November election, Republicans secured control of both the House and Senate, giving them the power to shape the national agenda. Despite campaigning on issues like inflation and immigration, congressional Republicans are prioritizing cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, potentially saving hundreds of billions of dollars. This plan, however, contradicts their campaign promises and would disproportionately harm seniors and working-class Americans while potentially benefiting the wealthy through further tax cuts. Republicans’ narrow five-seat majority in the House, further reduced by Trump’s cabinet appointments, makes passing their agenda highly precarious.
Read More
Despite Trump’s past campaign promises to protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, his proposed budgets consistently sought to cut these programs. His incoming OMB director, Russell Vought, and a new “Department of Government Efficiency” plan to slash government spending, potentially circumventing Congress through executive action. This mirrors previous Republican attempts to dismantle these programs, though the current narrow House majority makes passage uncertain. The possibility of using impoundment to bypass Congressional spending allocations presents a significant risk to these entitlement programs.
Read More
Former television personality and heart surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz has been nominated by Donald Trump to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Oz, a MAGA supporter, will work alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reform the programs, focusing on disease prevention and eliminating waste and fraud. This appointment follows the tenure of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure and replaces Seema Verma, whose time at CMS was marked by controversy. Oz’s appointment is expected to significantly impact healthcare policy for millions of Americans.
Read More
President-elect Trump has nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Oz, a former heart surgeon and unsuccessful Senate candidate, will collaborate with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, to address the “illness industrial complex.” This nomination, if confirmed by the Senate, would place Oz in charge of programs providing health insurance to over half the U.S. population, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act. This appointment follows other Trump nominations of well-known media figures.
Read More
Millions of Americans could lose their health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as the 2021 American Rescue Plan subsidies are set to expire in 2025. Republicans have signaled they will not extend the subsidies, which have doubled enrollment in ACA plans, particularly in Southern states. If the subsidies aren’t extended, nearly 4 million people could lose their coverage by 2026, with further declines in enrollment in subsequent years. With a possible GOP sweep of Congress, significant changes to the ACA are anticipated, potentially including cuts to funding for outreach, Medicaid, and preventive services, although outright repeal of the law seems unlikely.
Read More
Tennessee will become the first state to provide families with baby diapers, and let me tell you, it’s a surprising and somewhat unexpected move coming from a state known for its conservative values. The announcement that the state’s Medicaid program will start covering 100 diapers a month for newborns, infants, and 1-year-olds is definitely a step in the right direction, but it also raises some interesting questions and observations.
It’s hard to ignore the irony in a state that has some of the lowest tax burdens in the country, suddenly embracing a social program like providing diapers for families in need.… Continue reading
As I read the troubling report about Georgia dropping 300,000 children from Medicaid, my heart breaks for these innocent little ones who are being robbed of essential healthcare. It is truly disheartening to see how the top three states, including Georgia, are responsible for such a significant number of disenrolled children. The fact that federal funds meant for the most vulnerable are being diverted to serve the interests of the politically connected is a stark representation of the broken system we live in.
The callous remarks from some individuals, suggesting that these children should stop being lazy and pull themselves up by their bootstraps, are infuriating.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood