Trump administration RIFs on downsizing strategy
Experts and federal employees worry there’s little strategy to the president’s mass layoffs.
It’s Day 73 of the Trump administration, and the reductions in workforce have hit the federal government’s health agencies hard. More than 10,000 workers, including infectious disease experts and top scientists overseeing public health, cancer research and vaccine approvals have been ousted under the RIF. The Administration for Community Living, which coordinates federal policy on aging and disability, saw a 40% cut to staff — with experts speculating that the agency may take on tasks once relegated to the Department of Education.
President Trump Directs Federal Agencies to Eliminate Information Silos
Data sharing is the latest action item states should add to (or move up) their growing list of issues to watch in 2025. President Trump’s executive order, issued on March 20, aims to create “unfettered access to comprehensive data from all state programs that receive federal funding.”
Under federal law, however, CMS already has the ability to request data and perform audits to ensure compliance with federal requirements — with respect to state Medicaid agencies and state contractors — such as managed care plans, pharmacy benefit managers or prior authorization vendors as well as providers participating in Medicare and Medicaid. Similar data access and audit rights are also typical for HHS grant programs. It’s not clear whether this latest EO signals a change in agency policy or simply a shift in the frequency or granularity of the data CMS requests from states and other stakeholders receiving federal funding.
These standards generally don’t require funding recipients to disclose information concerning their activities outside the scope of the program.
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ICYMI: Waiver Worries? States Should Stay the Course on Medicaid 1115 Demonstration Implementation
Much of the focus in these past weeks among Medicaid policymakers has been on Congress and the unfolding budget reconciliation process, and rightly so. The next step in the process — an agreement between the Senate and House on a budget resolution that offers committee instructions that will guide reconciliation efforts this spring (and perhaps summer) — is picking up steam. We understand that the goal is to have the two-chamber resolution on the floor during the next three weeks. As we’ve discussed extensively in recent issues of The 80 Million, there is much at stake for Medicaid. Proposals being considered would, if passed, make unprecedented changes to the structure and level of Medicaid program funding, undercutting coverage, benefits and access for the people who rely on the program for health care.
But today, we reflect on other potential changes that may be brewing for Medicaid, specifically for Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration waivers.
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Report: Medi-Cal’s Medically Supportive Food and Nutrition Services have evolved to an increasingly standardized offering designed to meet program quality and outcome goals.
Gov. Gavin Newsom released a master plan to support individuals with developmental disabilities.
The FTC has halted its in-house court case against pharmacy benefit managers following the termination of two Democratic members.
Supreme Court Weighs Whether States Can Cut Off Medicaid Funding to Planned Parenthood – The Associated Press
Washington hospitals brace for financial strain as Medicaid cuts could bring layoffs – KOMO News
Cuts to food stamps and Medicaid could imperil this California Republican – Reuters
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