HHS Weekly Update: Telehealth Boost, PBM Reforms, and Expanded Home Care

Welcome to your weekly HHS update, where we break down the biggest moves from the Department of Health and Human Services and what they mean for everyday life. This week's top headline: President Trump signed the FY2026 Labor-HHS appropriations bill into law on February 3, ending the partial government shutdown and unlocking full-year funding for HHS programs, according to Advisory Board and EY Tax News reports. This minibus package pumps billions into public health, with Community Health Centers getting a boost to $4.6 billion and extensions for key telehealth flexibilities through 2027 and hospital-at-home care until 2030. Key developments include major pharmacy benefit manager reforms—limiting their compensation in Medicare, demanding transparency on payments, and cracking down on unfair pharmacy contracts starting in 2028. Medicare now covers multi-cancer early detection tests, and low-income Part D folks see copays drop to $1-3 before 2028. CMS's new final rule closes a loophole on provider taxes, effective April 3, hitting states with transition deadlines through 2028. HHS also reopened comments on nondiscrimination rules for disability, clarifying gender dysphoria protections. For Americans, this means easier access to home-based care, cheaper drugs, and rural maternity cost studies to lower birth expenses—vital as 1.8 million used key meds last year per CMS data. Businesses like PBMs face audits and reporting, while hospitals gain DSH payment relief through 2027. States get flexibility on out-of-state pediatric providers and Medicaid work programs, but must report maternity costs within 30 months. No big international ripples here. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasized in the press release, "These protections safeguard conscience rights for providers." Watch the Senate HELP hearing today on NIH modernization and CMS drug negotiations by February 28. Citizens, comment on HTI-5 interoperability rules by February 27 at regulations.gov, or check hhs.gov for telehealth guides. Next, track PAHPA reauthorization RFIs. For more, visit hhs.gov/press-room. Tune in next week, subscribe now, and thanks for listening. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai. For more http://www.quietplease.ai Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.