This week, Congress continued work on a year-end legislative deal, with bills to fund the federal government through September expected

The incoming administration will have the opportunity to impact how Americans experience and access health care. Two organizations, the Kaiser Family

At the start of the pandemic, estimates about the impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency, and related economic crisis, on health care spending diverged widely. Some experts predicted increased health care costs due to the expense of treating patients with the novel disease, while others anticipated reduced spending as a result of lockdowns and the deferral of non-emergent procedures and treatments.

In the waning days of the Trump administration, the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), along with other federal agencies, are rushing to propose and finalize various rules before President-Elect Biden takes office. Many of these rules will face increased legal jeopardy for lacking standard notice-and-comment rulemaking in some way. Others are likely to be delayed or withdrawn by President Biden.

This week, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) released an analysis of different state government plans for COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Current projections show that a limited number of COVID-19 vaccine doses may start to become available as early as December, with more doses available over time.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network released a paper this week that outlines problems and potential solutions for various issues within Medicare appeals processes. The hurdles in various appeals processes can pose insurmountable burdens for people with Medicare who need access to care, services, medication, and items.

On November 10, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that could up-end the country’s entire health care system. The case, California v. Texas, was brought by 18 states and the Trump administration. If successful, it would strip health care coverage from millions of Americans

Last week, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Part B premiums and deductible amounts for 2021. Medicare Part B covers physician services, outpatient services, some home health services, durable medical equipment (DME) and some other medical services.

The Medicare Rights Center, along with over 1,800 other individuals and organizations, submitted comments in opposition to this waiver in September, while the Trump administration received a total of eight comments in support.

A court case that may invalidate controversial changes to immigration rules has had two developments this week. The case, which challenges changes that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made to the “public charge rule,” is one of several that have been brought asking courts to review the policy.