House Democrats want to subpoena analysis of Medicaid work requirements
Two members of a House oversight committee want to subpoena the Trump administration to turn over documents associated with proposed Medicaid work requirements.
In a letter to Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., who chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Reps. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., and Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., requested a subpoena after officials at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services declined to respond to a documentation request regarding the impact of Medicaid work requirements on low-income families.
RELATED: Democratic lawmakers say Medicaid work requirements could force families off coverage
“Because these proposed work requirements have not been adequately thought through, they could cause many low-income Americans and their families to lose their health insurance simply by complying with these new requirements,” the pair wrote. “This is a perverse result that even the proponents of these new requirements should oppose.” (Letter—PDF)
Medicare paid $7.1B to labs in 2017
Medicare payments to laboratories have remained consistent over the last four years, clocking in at $7.1 billion in 2017, according to the HHS Office of Inspector General.
But that could change with new payment rules that started at the beginning of 2018 that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services estimates could save $670 million.
Last year, lab payments were largely concentrated among three laboratories, which accounted for 15% (or $1.1 billion) of total payments. Likewise, the vast majority of payments ($4.5 billion) were concentrated among 25 tests made up primarily of drug and blood tests. Five of those tests accounted for $2.2 billion. (Report—PDF)
HHS launches Innovation and Investment Summit
Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan has launched a yearlong innovation summit to help facilitate ongoing collaboration between investors and new innovative companies.
The Innovation and Investment Summit was created following a June request for information about an innovation working group. The summit, which will meet quarterly, will focus on facilitating “high-level dialogues” between investors and companies. The group will also host an “industry day” and determine where federal policies are standing in the way of new innovations. (Release)
John Hancock to build wearables into life insurance underwriting
One of the nation's oldest life insurers is overhauling the way it provides life insurance by underwriting plans that track health data through wearables and smartphones.
John Hancock unveiled its first interactive policy in 2015 and is now switching its model to rely solely on those offerings. The policies will incorporate "Vitality," which the company bills as its behavioral change platform that can help policyholders make lifestyle changes to diet and exercise or alcohol consumption.
The approach could run up against a number of hurdles, however, not the least of which include privacy concerns and a lack of accuracy among wearable devices. (Release)