• Tue, December 17, 2024

by: Modern Healthcare

Telehealth and doctors win, PBMs lose as government funding deal nears

The last-minute agreement to keep government funded until March likely also includes hospital-at-home provisions and more.

by: The Globe and Mail

The country isn't bankrupt. But the Trudeau government is completely spent

Canada has hit the point of intellectual bankruptcy from which a government, having run out of higher purpose, is merely chasing after survival

by: Daily Express

Pensioners blast Labour government over latest winter fuel payment snub

EXCLUSIVE: They say Keir Starmer's party is 'devoid of Christmas cheer' amid concerns that ministers have changed their attitude towards the elderly

by: Jewish Insider

Elon Musk praises Tucker Carlson interview with Jeffrey Sachs featuring antisemitic conspiracy theories

In the interview, Sachs blames 'the Israel lobby' for American foreign policy, and defends ousted Syrian dictator Bashar Al-Assad

by: Sky

Nigel Farage meets Elon Musk and JD Vance at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort

The Reform UK leader also reveals he met vice president-elect JD Vance on Monday. The meeting with Musk comes amid reports the tech tycoon is considering donating £78m to Mr Farage's party.

by: The New York Times

The Trump Factor Further Shakes Up Canada's Politics

The president-elect's threat to impose major tariffs on Canadian goods and other pointed comments have tapped into a treacherous moment in domestic politics.

by: The Daily Mirror

'Government betrays WASPI women by rejecting recommendation to cough up cash'

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall and PM Keir Starmer turned their backs on 3.5 million women by rejecting ombudsman's recommendation to pay them compensation

by: The Age

Review finds entrenched union issues on government construction sites

Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Builders will be contractually required to report and stamp out criminal behaviour on government worksites as part of a plan to tackle entrenched cultural issues with unions. A new alliance ...

by: The Australian Financial Review

A decade of deficits and a modest $5.5b election war chest

The budget is not estimated to return to surplus for at least a decade, and cumulative deficits over the next four years will be almost $22 billion larger than forecast in May.

by: CNN

Trump formally clinches Electoral College victory

Over 530 presidential electors will meet in all 50 states and DC to cast their votes for president and vice president. After the meetings, the official votes will be sent to Congress to count on January 6,

by: USA Today

Elon Musk and SpaceX face federal reviews over security, NYT reports

The New York Times reported that Musk and SpaceX had violated federal reporting protocols by not fully reporting his contacts with foreign leaders.

by: The Australian Financial Review

Labor lifts company takeover fees and bolsters phoenixing crackdown

Jim Chalmers' midyear budget update has increased fees for company takeovers and provided funding to boost penalties for dodgy behaviour.

by: MSN

Republican Senator Says RFK Jr. Assured Him He And Trump Have An 'Agreement' On Abortion

"He is not much older than me, so he's got a lot more knowledge than I do," the Republican said of RFK Jr. The post Republican Senator Says RFK Jr. Assured Him He And Trump Have An 'Agreement' On Abortion first appeared on Mediaite.

by: MSN

Virginia's 13 electors cast their ballots for president and vice president

Virginia's 13 electors cast their ballots for Vice President Kamala Harris for president, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for vice president.

by: MSN

All those mysterious drone sightings? The government says don't worry about it

A string of mysterious drone sightings over the East Coast of the U.S. has provoked a lot of anxiety about where they're coming from and who's flying them. A coalition of government agencies, however,

by: MSN

How Congress can end DC's lawfare and one-party federal bias

As we prepare for a new presidency, we need to think about fixing Washington, DC. No, I'm not just talking about the "drain the swamp" sense of reforming — and hopefully shrinking — the federal bureaucracy.

by: MSN

Australia's government spends its way to bigger budget deficits

Australia's government on Wednesday trimmed its likely budget deficit for the current fiscal year, but flagged bigger shortfalls ahead due to "unavoidable spending" on health, cost-of-living relief and veterans care.

by: MSN

Biden's Cabinet stand by statements of support as term draws to a close

With a month left in office, Biden's Cabinet reaffirms support, stating confidence in his leadership and fitness despite ongoing controversy and debate.

by: MSN

'Collateral damage': Former GOP finance chair warns Trump tariffs would be a disaster

Former House Financial Services Chair Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) has a stark warning for President-elect Donald Trump and the GOP Congress in the Wall Street Journal: tariffs are not going to balance the budget.

by: MSN

National security expert says Pentagon likely too 'embarrassed' to admit drone activity

A veteran soldier and national defense expert believes that if the Pentagon is refusing to reveal the source of a recent flurry of drone activity, it's likely because they are involved. "Usually when they don't say anything it's because the information will embarrass them in some way,

by: MSN

More world leaders from Argentina and El Salvador invited to Trump's inauguration

More world leaders are confirming they have been invited to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, and Argentine President Javier Milei is disclosing his plans to travel to Washington, breaking an American political tradition that kept foreign heads of state away from the transfer of power.

by: MSN

Donald Trump Sues Iowa Pollster Who Said He Trailed Harris: What We Know

President-elect Donald Trump is suing an Iowa pollster over a survey released before November's presidential election that showed Vice President Kamala Harris leading in the state. The lawsuit, filed on Monday,

by: MSN

Hamas: Ceasefire-Hostage Deal "Possible" After Doha Talks

After a brief statement from Hamas regarding the hostage negotiations, Becky Anderson and Jeremy Diamond report on what we know and what is still unclear.

by: MSN

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders appoints retired Colonel and Director of Military Affairs as Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she is appointing a retired Colonel with experience in state government as secretary of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs.

by: MSN

John Spratt, South Carolina congressman and fiscal steward, dies at 82

Mr. Spratt, an Ivy League and Oxford graduate whose father was a prominent lawyer and banker in York, combined the authenticity of a local son with the erudition of a pedigreed pr

by: MSN

Space Force must grow to counter China and Russia, lawmaker says

The leader of the House Armed Services Committee said Tuesday the Space Force needs to grow in size to overcome increasing threats from China and Russia. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., was a key player in establishing the Space Force five years ago.

by: MSN

Gloomier economy to shape election as government spends another $19 billion

The Albanese government will spend an extra $19 billion on childcare, healthcare and other priorities as it prepares to face voters without the economic recovery it had hoped for, the mid-year budget has revealed.

by: MSN

Trump sues Iowa pollster for 'election interference,' while opponents claim chilling of free speech

Trump claims J. Ann Selzer and the Des Moines Register tried to "create a false narrative of inevitability" for Kamala Harris. Experts said he aims to chill impartial election assessments.

by: MSN

Canada's prime minister faces calls to resign. Here's what could happen next

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces growing pressure to resign from his own Liberal Party after his top minister abruptly quit and criticized his handling of the budget. Trudeau has led the country for nearly a decade,

by: MSN

GOP report recommends Liz Cheney be criminally investigated over Jan. 6 work

Republicans released a report Tuesday reviewing the "failures and politicization" of the now-disbanded House Jan. 6 committee, capping their investigation by recommending a criminal investigation into former Rep.

by: MSN

Americans are falling prey to drone conspiracy theories. Trump isn't helping.

Joy Reid breaks down the drone mystery gripping the East Coast and explains how Trump is bringing slew of conspiracy theorists into the White House

by: MSN

New Indiana Medicaid budget projections leave top lawmakers 'scared'

The latest forecast shows a return to normal state revenue levels in Indiana but significant growth in Medicaid needs.

by: MSN

Time magazine Person of the Year: From Taylor Swift to Donald Trump and the list of every cover

How does TIME choose Person of the Year? Who dominated conversations for better or worse. Trump, Taylor Swift, President Obama earned the title. Twice

by: MSN

Government to ban WhatsApp for official business

The announcement comes after it was revealed ministers deleted messages exchanged during the pandemic.

by: MSN

Putin's retaliation for assassination of general will be 'strong and unpleasant,' former state department official warns

Former state department official Christian Whiton joins 'Varney & Co.' to discuss a top Russian general being assassinated in Moscow and a cease-fire deal growing closer in Israel.

by: MSN

Donald Trump Dubs 'Radical' Judge's Decision Not to Overturn Hush Money Trial Conviction 'Illegal and Psychotic'

President-elect Donald Trump was left fuming after Judge Juan Merchan's decision not to overturn his hush money trial conviction. On Tuesday, December 17, the 78-year-old took to his Truth Social platform to dub the judge "deeply conflicted,

by: MSN

Hamas says Gaza truce talks in Doha 'serious and positive'

Hamas said talks in Qatar on Tuesday aimed at a truce and hostage-prisoner exchange in Gaza were "serious and positive", a day after an Israeli delegation flew in to meet with mediators. "Hamas affirms that,

by: MSN

'Open season': Experts slam Trump's 'disgusting' lawsuit against Iowa newspaper and pollster

President-elect Donald Trump announced multiple lawsuits against media organizations, including one against the Des Moines Register and now-retired pollster Ann Selzer. As Puck News' Tara Palmeri reported Monday night,

by: MSN

US imposes penalty on companies who bribed Indian Organizations

The US Army Golden Knights delivered a stunning aerial display during pre-game festivities at the 125th Army-Navy football game, parachuting onto the field in Landover, Maryland on December 14.

by: MSN

Gay Trump donor & former Democrat Bill White tapped as Belgium ambassador

Donald Trump announced his selection of Bill White — a gay businessperson and Republican donor who dropped Hillary Clinton the night she lost the 2016 election — as Ambassador to Belgium. White, 57, along with his husband,

by: MSN

RFK Jr. says he plans to also meet with Dems in bid to get confirmed as Trump HHS head

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a Democrat turned independent, said he plans to meet with Democratic senators in his effort to be secure votes for confirmation as HHS secretary.

by: MSN

Trump sues Des Moines Register, pollster for 'election interference' after inaccurate poll

President-elect Donald Trump sued the Des Moines Register and its pollster for "brazen election interference" in publishing a survey the weekend before the election that showed Democrat Kamala Harris with a surprising lead of three percentage points in the state.

by: MSN

York City Council to vote on ordinance to protect immigrants and refugees

The York Trust Act would prohibit city employees, including police, from asking about residents' immigration status.

by: MSN

New bill would ban sex toys from major retailers in Texas, including Walmart and Target

In a bill introduced by newly-elected Republican Rep. Hillary Hickland, she calls the devices "obscene" and wants a law limiting where they're sold.

by: MSN

Polk County Board of Supervisors approves new immigrant and refugee welcome center

A new immigrant and refugee welcome center is coming to Des Moines after receiving approval from the Polk County Board of Supervisors. The board unanimously approved the welcome center, Global Neighbors,

by: MSN

Gov. DeSantis and Cabinet approve new state park for northwest Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet Tuesday voted to create the first new state park in seven years. It will be in Walton County in northwest Florida. The Upper Shoal River Florida Forever project includes 2,

by: MSN

Saini accuses Congress and AAP of resorting to politics on farmer issues

CHANDIGARH: Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday flayed the Congress and AAP and their leaders while accusing them of doing politics in the name of farmers.Saini was interacting with media after releasing vultures in air at vulture breeding centre at Pinjore.

by: MSN

A former governor and GOP heavyweights: Who cast MS electoral votes, and how were they chosen?

Mississippi's six electors cast their ballots Tuesday for President-elect and Vice President-elect Donald Trump and J.D. Vance. How were electors chosen?

Telehealth and doctors win, PBMs lose as government funding deal nears

The last-minute agreement to keep government funded until March likely also includes hospital-at-home provisions and more.
The article from Modern Healthcare discusses the inclusion of several healthcare-related provisions in a $1.7 trillion government spending bill. Key points include the extension of telehealth flexibilities that were initially implemented during the public health emergency, allowing for continued virtual care options. This includes waiving geographic restrictions and expanding the types of providers who can offer telehealth services. Additionally, the bill addresses physician payment adjustments, with a 2% cut in Medicare payments to doctors set to take effect in 2023, although there's mention of potential delays or modifications to this cut. The legislation also aims to reform pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) by increasing transparency and potentially altering how they negotiate drug prices, which could impact drug costs for patients. These measures reflect ongoing efforts to adapt healthcare delivery and payment systems in response to both immediate needs and long-term policy goals.

Read the Full Modern Healthcare Article at:
https://www.modernhealthcare.com/politics-policy/telehealth-flexibilities-doctor-pay-pbms-government-spending-bill

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