Axios

Congressional Democrats are prodding the Biden administration to do more to prevent Medicaid coverage losses due to the end of the pandemic's continuous coverage provisions.

Why it matters: Over 3 million people have been dropped from Medicaid rolls so far, according to KFF, and experts have been alarmed that more than half have lost coverage for "procedural" reasons — meaning a lack of proper paperwork.

What they're saying: Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) told Axios she spoke with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra about the disenrollments this week.

• "We want to see some progress made and we want to see what more the federal government can push the states to do," she said.
• Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and House Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) wrote to CMS in June to urge additional steps, including requiring a state to implement a corrective action plan if it isn't following procedures, or pausing procedural disenrollments in a state.
• "We're talking to CMS to try to get them to use these tools and prevent some of the losses," Pallone told Axios on Tuesday. "The major problem is that the red states, a lot of them are purposely trying to take people off because they don't want to help pay for them."

The latest: CMS held a press call Wednesday to emphasize the actions it's taking as the process plays out. States began resuming their Medicaid eligibility checks in April after a three-year pandemic pause.

• "We are very concerned about the level of terminations," Center for Medicaid director Dan Tsai told reporters, adding that "we are using every lever that Congress has given us."
• A CMS spokesperson said the agency "has worked with 12 states to pause terminations to address issues related to full compliance with renewal requirements for part or all of their populations." Among the problems is some states' inability to auto-renew individuals if their income eligibility is verified.

Between the lines: CMS has been informally working with states to put the terminations on hold rather than using its power to formally order states to do it, said Jennifer Tolbert, director of state health reform at KFF.

• "There is some concern that while this more informal strategy will be effective with a number of states, it may not be effective with all states," Tolbert said. "And so, it may be necessary for CMS to take more formal action."

The other side: Brian Blase, a former Trump administration health official, noted that after three years without checks, many current Medicaid enrollees are not eligible.

• "States have an obligation to move as quickly and smartly as possible to begin cleaning up their Medicaid rolls" and "protecting taxpayers," he wrote in Forbes in May.
• Not everyone who loses Medicaid becomes uninsured. Some can get coverage from the Affordable Care Act marketplaces or employers.

The bottom line: Congressional Democrats, though, are on guard. Wyden told Axios this week he is concerned by the coverage losses. Asked if the administration needs to do more, he said, "I think everybody does."

A version of this story was published first on Axios Pro. Unlock more news like this by talking to our sales team.

The Federal Trade Commission sent another shot across the bow of the pharmacy benefit managers on Thursday, warning the companies against relying on "outdated" agency statements and studies that opposed more regulatory oversight and transparency of PBMs.

Why it matters: The move signals the FTC's growing interest in challenging what commissioners characterized as "competitively troubling changes in the PBM market" and its efforts to remove hurdles to state efforts to address concerns with the drug chain middlemen.

The worst drug shortage in a decade is disrupting gender-affirming care, as scarce supplies of injectable estrogen prevent some transgender women from obtaining hormone therapy.

Why it matters: Shortages of cancer drugs and other life-saving medications have already forced doctors to develop workarounds. A lack of access to estrogen products can affect trans patients in different ways: putting some through early onset menopause, reversing certain physical changes from their transition or causing them to experience anxiety and depression.

A Nebraska judge sentenced a 19-year-old woman to 90 days in jail and two years of probation Thursday for burning and burying a fetus she allegedly aborted with the help of her mother, per multiple reports.

Why it matters: In the aftermath of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, the case has been closely watched by abortion advocates, who have said it could be an indicator of what's to come as states increase restrictions on abortion access.

Despite what your social feeds say, rotting in bed all day probably won’t make you feel better, psychologists warn.

Why it matters: Staying in bed might make you feel worse than you already are, says Jennifer Taitz, clinical psychologist and author of the forthcoming book “Stress Resets: How to Soothe Your Body and Mind in Minutes.”

Nearly two years after Texas' six-week abortion ban went into effect, the state's infant mortalities spiked by over 10% in 2022, according to preliminary data obtained by CNN.

Why it matters: Texas' ban, which was the strictest in the U.S. at the time of its enactment, may be driving the increase in infant deaths by forcing people to carry nonviable pregnancies to term.

COVID relief funds helped almost 75% of U.S. hospitals post positive operating income during the height of the pandemic, according to a new analysis that questions if the federal aid was too generous or misdirected.

Why it matters: The findings counter the industry narrative that the pandemic left many facilities in the red and grappling with the surging costs of care amid supply chain and labor shortages.

Inflation may be cooling, but high medical costs could still make consumers pay more for Affordable Care Act health insurance in 2024.

Why it matters: President Biden has launched an offensive focused on lowering consumers' medical costs. Higher premiums for ACA marketplace plans could throw a wrench in the administration's messaging as Biden's re-election campaign takes off.

Drinking something hot might actually cool you down.

Why it matters: As July sets global heat records, finding ways to cool down and stay hydrated is more important than ever.