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CMS’s update this morning – indicating that CPT 64568 is not covered for obstructive sleep apnea under any national coverage determination (NCD) – is in keeping with the view we articulated just two weeks ago,…

While UNH’s announcement this morning that it will rebate its expected 2026 ACA profits has drawn the most attention – and may pressure other Obamacare insurers [ELV, CI, HUM, CNC, OSCR, MOH] to make similar…

The latest draft of the government spending bill, released early this morning, presents an even more manageable policy outcome for pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) [UNH, CVS, CI, CNC, ELV, HUM] than previously expected; it revives…

The bipartisan, bicameral FY26 HHS appropriations bill text released this morning is largely consistent with our expectations, with incremental upside for life science tools (LST), diagnostics, and clinical labs. More specifically, the legislation – which…

With the House in session this week, but the Senate out, House leaders are expected to continue work on FY2026 appropriations before the Jan. 31 deadline, and a short-term continuing resolution (CR) likely being needed…

We expect the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s (MedPAC) FY/CY27 provider payment recommendations to meet the same fate as in prior years: largely ignored by Congress, though selectively cited by CMS to justify future regulatory tightening…

President Trump’s long-teased “Great Healthcare Plan”, released this morning, does little to meaningfully move the needle on healthcare redesign or cost containment beyond our prior expectations for legislative action affecting Obamacare insurers, non-ACA managed care…

Despite reports this afternoon that a bipartisan compromise on enhanced Obamacare premium subsidies will not be ready this week and is now expected to slip to the week of January 26, we continue to expect…

This is a busy week in Washington as Congress works through FY2026 appropriations while also advancing several policy items with market relevance. In addition, developments on crypto regulation, Russia sanctions, trade programs, tariffs, and foreign policy are…

Defense is likely to continue benefiting from positive headlines—particularly as President Trump is expected to reiterate his ~$1.5 trillion defense framing in the State of the Union (tentatively scheduled for Feb. 24) and again in his proposed budget (February / early March). However, the most probable outcome remains a materially smaller increase in defense spending constrained by process, timing, and…