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October 15, 2025

Trade Update: China, Asia, and Spain in the Spotlight

By Joe Lieber

We have the following thoughts about various updates on the trade front: We continue to believe that the recent trade / tariff tit for tat by China and the U.S. is mostly posturing. We see…

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October 15, 2025

PBMs: Policy Headwinds Persist with Some New Developments [CVS, CI, UNH, ELV]

By Beth Steindecker

Policy headwinds facing pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) [CVS, CI, UNH, ELV] remain entrenched despite shifting details since this spring. Recent developments, like California’s PBM law, White House drug pricing efforts, and the FTC litigation, underscore…

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October 15, 2025

Multi-Cancer / Colorectal Coverage & Payments

By John Leppard

We remain cautiously optimistic that any eventual longer-term FY26 funding bill will include legislation allowing – but not requiring – Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection (MCED) screening [GH, EXAS, GRAL]. Larger firms may nevertheless…

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October 14, 2025

[HUM] Stars Rating Litigation Likely Brings Chapter to Close

By Beth Steindecker

We think this morning’s court ruling against Humana (HUM) in its Medicare Advantage (MA) Stars litigation is likely the end of the road in its efforts to secure a higher score for its 2026 payment…

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October 13, 2025

Capitol Policy Weekly: Government Shutdown and China Trade

By Joe Lieber

We expect both the continued government shutdown and the U.S./China trade flare up that began on Friday to dominate Washington’s attention this week. Keep in mind, the Senate is in session this week, starting on…

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October 9, 2025

CGMs & Insulin Pumps: Competitive Bidding Lookahead

By John Leppard

Despite the nearly ubiquitous opposition of stakeholders, we think CMS will likely finalize its intention to include continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) [DXCM, ABT] in the next round of the Competitive Bidding Program (CBP), along with…

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October 9, 2025

DC Quick Takes: Govt. Shutdown, Farmer Aid and Stimulus, Redistricting

By Joe Lieber

Today we look at four market relevant items, including: 1) update on the government shutdown; 2) potential stimulus from Washington, which might be offset from a bigger rescission; and 3) a court case that could…

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October 8, 2025

[EHAB, PNTG, ADUS, BTSG, UNH, AVAH]: Medicare Home Health Expectations

By Beth Steindecker

We remain optimistic that home health companies [EHAB, PNTG, ADUS, BTSG, UNH, AVAH] will secure some mitigation in the final CY26 Medicare reimbursement rule, which may be released as early as month’s end and as…

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October 6, 2025

Still Optimistic on Obamacare Subsidy Fix with Reforms, But Less So on Age Rating and Reinsurance [OSCR, CNC, ELV, CYH, THC, HCA, UHS, ACHC]

By Beth Steindecker

Nearly a week into the government shutdown, with the parties dug in, we continue to expect Congress to “fix” the enhanced Obamacare subsidy cliff, benefiting exchange insurers, hospitals, and behavioral health providers. The questions remain…

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October 6, 2025

(DE, ADM, MOS, TSCO) The Farm Complex: Washington to the Rescue

By Joe Lieber

We see four policy-related events that should be positive to the farm complex, including companies like Deere (DE), Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Mosaic (MOS) and Tractor Supply (TSCO). Those events include: An event by the…

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