Medicare Payments, 340B Pilot Changes, and Hospital Penalties Top This Week's Federal Health Policy News
The White House said it will send one-time $90 payments to more than 20 million Medicare beneficiaries to help cover Part B premiums, mostly through early October direct deposits. Congress is set to return after the midterm elections and must pass a spending package before the current stopgap funding measure expires on December 11. Federal agencies also updated the 340B rebate pilot participant list, issued new 340B analysis and commentary, penalized many hospitals for missing readmission standards, and reminded hospitals about price transparency requirements.
The White House said one-time $90 payments will reach more than 20 million Medicare enrollees — roughly one-third of participants — mostly through early-October direct deposits, with checks mailed to the rest. Lawmakers return after November's midterm elections facing a December 11 deadline, when the current stopgap funding measure lapses.
HRSA updated which manufacturers and drugs join its 340B rebate pilot, which replaces up-front discounts with post-purchase rebates — a shift from practice since 1992. ASPE published a report on misaligned incentives, and HHS's chief economist and chief regulatory officer outlined perceived program flaws in a STAT commentary.
Seniors enrolled in Medicare could see modest, one-time relief from the $90 payments, though the amount may do little against ongoing premium costs. Hospitals facing readmission penalties and 340B changes may revisit charity care, drug purchasing, or service lines, potentially affecting patients in underserved communities. The December funding deadline could also influence how quickly agencies carry out these policies.