Policy Blog

Medicare rewrote the coverage standard for TAVR this week and quietly opened a second one for aortic regurgitation.

Comment season closed on the 2027 payment rules and hospitals answered on every front at once, medical societies wrote their own vaccine schedule, and Edwards’ size-adjustable pulmonary valve reached its first American patient.

HHS opened a comment period on whether vaccines should still be routinely recommended, CMS put its RAPID device coverage pathway out for comment and paused TCET for new candidates, and No Surprises Act arbitration passed $22 billion in cost.

CMS published its RAPID device coverage notice against a payment rule that already closed a different door, joint replacement bundles go mandatory nationwide, and the ACA marketplace enters 2027 renewal sicker, pricier and in court.

This week: CMS released a sweeping Medicaid work requirements rule that blindsided states, patient advocates, and health systems—reshaping a coverage landscape already under strain from record-low children’s enrollment.