Taking the Pulse, A Health Care and Life Sciences Video Podcast | Episode 187: South Carolina Hospitals and Healthcare Industry Trends with Thornton Kirby, SCHA President
Among the many sweeping changes to the Medicaid program included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”), Congress established new statutory caps on state-directed payments (“SDPs”) in Medicaid managed care. SDPs have...more
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L.119-21) (the “OBBB”) passed by slim margins in the U.S. Senate (51-50) and U.S. House (218-214) and was signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025....more
Within the first six months of President Trump’s second term, his Administration and the GOP have already implemented significant policies that are reshaping health care in the United States. Through his Administration’s...more
On the afternoon of July 4, President Trump signed into law H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act – comprehensive budget reconciliation legislation that represents the core of President’s second-term domestic agenda and...more
As budget negotiations heat up in Washington, Medicaid has emerged as a key target for cost-cutting measures. With policymakers looking to trim federal spending while maintaining commitments to Social Security and Medicare,...more
Welcome trends in health care put bad news in perspective We've had plenty of gloom-and-doom news about health care lately, but as we near the year-end holidays that focus on giving thanks, let's look at some positive...more
A scandal of the U.S. health system may be far worse than imagined, with the medical debt sold to collection agencies alone amounting to a staggering $140 billion. The $140 billion estimate came from researchers who...more
On June 24, 2020, House Democrats proposed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 1425) (the “Proposed Act”), legislation aimed at reinforcing the Affordable Care Act (the “ACA”) by: (i) lowering...more
The Akerman Healthcare Practice Group, as part of its ongoing informational blogs and Practice Updates, will be publishing a series of articles, each outlining a significant healthcare industry issue from 2018, with an eye...more
In an unexpectedly broad ruling issued December 14, 2018, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas declared the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) as unconstitutional in its entirety. This decision, if ultimately...more
On November 20, 2018, Virginia submitted an application to CMS for a Section 1115 demonstration program entitled Virginia COMPASS (Creating Opportunities for Medicaid Participants to Achieve Self-Sufficiency). The application...more
Tuesday’s midterm elections showed that healthcare is now a top issue among voters, according to exit polls. In an NBC News poll, healthcare was the top issue for a plurality of voters, ahead of the economy, immigration, and...more
Healthcare was a top voter priority in the 2018 midterm elections, with 41 percent of national voters stating that healthcare was their "most important" issue. Accordingly, the Democratic strategy to focus on healthcare...more
This week, we as stakeholders and political observers hit a tangible milestone with the midterms. How this Tuesday goes will mean a lot in the health care for the next two years, and carries the potential to drastically alter...more
Earlier this month, Virginia became the 33rd state to expand its Medicaid program, and voters in Idaho, Montana and Utah are expected to decide in November ballot initiatives whether to join them. Medicaid provides health...more
To date, 34 states (including D.C.) have adopted Medicaid expansion. Of the remaining 17 states, some are considering expanding Medicaid. States with recent activity relating to Medicaid expansion include Florida, Idaho,...more
Congress passed a funding bill early this morning just after the February 8th deadline. The new legislation will make several changes to the Medicare program, delay cuts to disproportionate share hospitals, provide two years...more
Under the Dome: Inside the Maine State House provides a high-level overview of recent activity at the Maine State House. Republicans Challenge Wording of Medicaid Expansion Question on Fall Ballot - Question 2 on...more
After weeks of secrecy, the Senate has released a discussion draft of legislation that is the counterpart of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) previously passed by the House. The Senate legislation, entitled the Better Care...more
U.S. Senate Republicans on June 22, 2017, unveiled a "discussion draft" of their healthcare plan, the Better Care Reconciliation Act. This memorandum provides highlights of key provisions. The Congressional Budget Office...more
On June 22, 2017, Senate Republicans released a discussion draft of their proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), titled the “Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017” (BCRA). Beyond the title change,...more
Following a week of amendments and last-minute deal making, and after postponing a scheduled March 23 vote, the House leadership cancelled a vote on H.R. 1628, the American Health Care Act (AHCA), legislation to repeal and...more
Republican leaders on Capitol Hill face growing cross pressures from different factions of GOP lawmakers over their emerging legislation to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Conservatives in the House and Senate...more
Medicaid expansion in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) required coverage of individuals with incomes from 0% of poverty through 133% of poverty. The requirement to cover this group was overturned in NFIB v. Sebelius. As a...more
Seema Verma’s nomination to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) places Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration waivers into increasing spotlight. This article explores some of the current applications of...more