Commissioners on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission also largely supported recommendations to increase pay for physicians and other health professionals slightly less than inflation in 2026.
The final rule is focused on TEFCA-related provisions, but comments on other parts of the proposal are still being reviewed for future regulations, according to an agency spokesperson.
The heart device manufacturer has taken certain systems offline in response to the incident, which involved the acquisition and encryption of files.
Lawmakers like Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden argued Mehmet Oz, who was nominated to oversee the CMS, has pushed to expand MA while owning stock in industry leader UnitedHealth.
The real estate investment trust also finalized its purchase of 14 skilled nursing facilities first announced in October.
The PBM Act would make companies like CVS and UnitedHealth that own health insurers or PBMs sell pharmacy assets. It would help independent pharmacies, but may not help patients, according to one expert.
About half of Americans say they’re worried about how the incoming administration could impact their health insurance, while 22% of people who put off choosing a plan cited the presidential turnover directly.
Improved management of labor expenses contributed to the ratings change.
The warnings come less than a week after the fatal shooting of a UnitedHealthcare CEO unleashed expressions of anger on social media about health insurer practices.
The number of uninsured Americans will increase by 3.8 million on average each year from 2026 to 2034 if the subsidies lapse, according to an estimate by the Congressional Budget Office.