ON CAPITOL HILL: Axios: Limits On Care Denials In Medicare Stall In Congress Again ++++

ON CAPITOL HILL Axios: Limits On Care Denials In Medicare Stall In Congress Again https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/medicare-denials-limits-stall-congress?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9FmIpRGVVTHNCrfSLMEMYV36F5oHN3L0J5KhvgXivkJvQRhjzg0XRxogfC-cY2-SU1Zlbzz6xBgd7h7QaDLNd9XzdGHQ&_hsmi=402677445&utm_content=402677445&utm_source=hs_email Long-running efforts to limit health plans' ability to deny or delay physician-ordered care are on hold again, despite mounting congressional frustration with insurers. By leaving a measure addressing so-called prior authorization reviews out of the bipartisan health package last week, lawmakers may have lost the chance to address a major source of aggravation for patients and doctors before the midterms. (Sullivan, 2/9) Modern Healthcare: Congress Signals Toward More PBM Reform, Targets GPO Subsidiaries https://www.modernhealthcare.com/politics-regulation/mh-congress-pbm-reform-gpo-subsidiaries/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--wqfpohXCxzSBR4WCByGXCW61GpmznFRkt-GDgqa8UJKllU0u7OGlmr9suXzD3UcP77w1QYZCaTNLtlHlxR0gMt4T3Jw&_hsmi=402677445&utm_content=402677445&utm_source=hs_email Congress may have just passed sweeping legislation targeting compensation and transparency in the pharmacy benefit manager sector, but numerous lawmakers say that’s just a start. Exactly what comes next — and what will still be relevant once the main provisions of the new law take effect in 2028 — is not clear, but some legislators took aim at the largest PBMs’ group purchasing organizations, singling them out in hearings with top health insurance executives last month. (McAuliff, 2/6) CIDRAP: US Allocates $5.9 Billion For Global HIV Programs In Spending Bill https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/hivaids/us-allocates-59-billion-global-hiv-programs-spending-bill?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--tZBGAm3HBLJLzq3JRGKN-xXuff6RJna1YFSSvmDnFWoAveAx1Mp7PQ_T4ZDucjMiIUSNXziiywTnb5UQj6F6Tagwo2A&_hsmi=402677445&utm_content=402677445&utm_source=hs_email This week, President Donald Trump signed into law a $5.9 billion spending package aimed at supporting the global response to HIV/AIDS and global public health. The signing of the appropriations bill was hailed by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) as providing life-saving support for millions of people across the globe. (Bergeson, 2/6) Fierce Healthcare: Virtual Diabetes Prevention Programs Secure Medicare Coverage https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/digital-health/virtual-diabetes-prevention-programs-secure-medicare-coverage?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_1UDJV3JtBhiSpxFfpuVD4PlM0kFzgwIlRcUpgvH9ODxcA3Degqc_dUTaNjZ6C4fpTxw4hNSlvdsfj5nP7ClMGKNdK2w&_hsmi=402677445&utm_content=402677445&utm_source=hs_email In the $1.2 trillion budget package signed Tuesday, a little-known healthcare provision was reauthorized that will allow millions of people on Medicare to access diabetes prevention education online. (Beavins, 2/6)