THE LATEST FROM CMS ++ MORE ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ++++

THE LATEST FROM CMS Fierce Healthcare: CMS Gives MA Rates A 2.48% Bump For 2027 Plan Year In Final Rule https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/cms-gives-medicare-advantage-rates-248-bump-2027-plan-year-final-rule?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--rgFuKxjZ4PamUjcypdGmd_18RblTwBsvx5X8W3vSj89Yikgs_imTkRCypkYK7nNu70Grn93ncWLnsfmjyIX1B0NrYpQ&_hsmi=412541607&utm_content=412541607&utm_source=hs_email Following significant industry outcry over a proposal to keep Medicare Advantage rates largely flat in 2027, the Trump administration has bumped payments up slightly in the final policy. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services initially proposed a 0.09% increase in rates as part of the MA and Part D Advance Notice. In the final rule, the increase is instead set at 2.48%, which CMS said equates to about $13 billion in additional payments to plans for the coming plan year. (Minemyer, 4/6) Fierce Healthcare: CMS Unveils New Medicare Pilot For Hemp, CBD Products https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/cms-unveils-new-medicare-pilot-hemp-cbd-products?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--mcP6xSYWi_S9DKPN83VFXAJNshQZ_qJzWv2_HIxBLEAMg0j-6iB9bz_ne8ymOlg1viJsKu94mxFp6xFxgMH5W-LIFnA&_hsmi=412541607&utm_content=412541607&utm_source=hs_email The Trump administration has announced a new initiative that would allow participants in certain alternative payment models to offer hemp-based products to patients when it aligns with clinical guidance. The new Substance Access Beneficiary Engagement Incentive (BEI) was unveiled on April 1 by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The agency said it would be available to providers participating in the ACO REACH model as well as the Enhancing Oncology Model, and will be allowed under the eventual Long-Term Enhanced ACO Design (LEAD) Model beginning next year. (Minemyer, 4/6) MORE ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CBS News: Two More Pharmaceutical Companies, Abbvie And Genentech, To Officially Launch On TrumpRx https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trumprx-abbvie-genentech-prescription-drugs/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9ZZ4FvfhXT60j_LGvpsdoA-UuTESg21gI60-RoCrmwlKxYpcQDoW1cDlJRYAqzNchMByxfLlfm6tR3nU4Qz634fjePPg&_hsmi=412541607&utm_content=412541607&utm_source=hs_email Two more drug-making giants will officially start selling popular commercial medications on the White House's discounted pharmaceutical site as soon as Monday, CBS News exclusively learned. American pharmaceutical companies Abbvie and Genentech become the 10th and 11th companies to provide their prescriptions at a reduced rate on the "TrumpRx" site. (Rinaldi, 4/6) The New York Times: Federal Agency Unveils Three Potential Osteoarthritis Treatments https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/06/health/arpa-h-osteoarthritis-bone-cartilage.html?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_hwwbpQY0jG5gtf4dakHHxYO9gS2_aoFyWW2g_e6jvfsU184LZEJMhsM5sNAC2W9mOKux3wGonLkDti-0C_beX_kVWqg&_hsmi=412541607&utm_content=412541607&utm_source=hs_email Three years ago, a little-known new federal agency announced its first big project: It would invest tens of millions of dollars over five years to find a cure for osteoarthritis, the painful wearing away of joints that affects 32 million Americans. Now the agency, ARPA-H (the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health), says it has several promising solutions. Its research teams are contractually obligated to start testing in patients within 18 months. (Kolata, 4/6) The New York Times: Trump’s USAID Overhaul Sent Millions More Dollars To Big U.S.-Based Contractors https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/06/health/trump-foreign-aid.html?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--vistGtUhboQiIkU_5nHWXRBWyBunW1PSFVCEKnJXRvmxVz7xyfkyQ9aD08TlqlQPfTWjxedo2GpZ28ZKFvfrJ28eYHw&_hsmi=412541607&utm_content=412541607&utm_source=hs_email When the Trump administration began its overhaul of foreign aid in January 2025, officials made no secret of their disdain for giant aid organizations and private businesses who received multimillion dollar contracts to deliver health services to poor nations. They characterized them as “beltway bandits” who charged bloated amounts of overhead. They vowed to shut down the big U.S. players and instead channel aid through smaller organizations based in the countries receiving assistance. (Nolen, 4/6) Stat: A Star Scientist Showed That Better Genetics Lessons Could Reduce Racism. It Was The Death Knell For His Career https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/07/brian-donovan-fighting-racism-with-genetics-education/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_xOu_j4gwOeuJMiJzjLxgnsbgoZwi3onDuDwBn1bmTgRQ8pUmPXRnT_oiZ9UErXsysumjqyx__4kFrnzABaR5ddGY0sA&_hsmi=412541607&utm_content=412541607&utm_source=hs_email Described as a "generational talent," Donovan's revamp of genetics education came crashing down with NSF budget cuts. (Molteni, 4/7)