Podcasts about medicaid services

Dr. Mehmet Oz, former TV host and Pennsylvania Senate candidate, is one of America's most famous physicians. Now he's running the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which means he's in charge of programs that provide health care for about half of all Americans. He sits down with White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns to discuss potential Medicaid cuts, his big plans to lower drug pricing, why he's fielding early morning phone calls from President Trump, and his advice to patients to “be curious” about their health.  Plus, Burns is joined by senior political columnist and politics bureau chief Jonathan Martin to discuss his juicy column about the Ohio governor's race featuring Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy and former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel. And senior legal affairs reporter Kyle Cheney joins to discuss the showdown between Trump and the courts over his “Liberation Day” tariffs.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S&P Futures are trading slightly higher this morning after Wednesday's sell-off, which was triggered by a spike in Treasury yields amid concerns about a significant expansion in U.S. fiscal debt. The House is expected to pass Trump's tax and spending bill this morning; the vote is currently underway. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s “Make America Health Again” report is expected to be released today. Health insurer stocks are under pressure this morning following the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' announcement of expanded audits of Medicare Advantage plans. AT&T has agreed to acquire substantially all of Lumen Technologies' mass markets fiber business for $5.75 billion in cash.  Reports on Jobless Claims and the flash PMI report for May will be released today. On the earning front SNOW, URBN, ZM & AAP are higher after their releases. After the bell today earnings reports from INTU, WDAY, ADSK, CPRT, ROST and DECK are set to report.

Over 160 million Americans are served by Optum, yet many still don't fully understand what it actually does—or why it matters.Dr. Patrick Conway, newly appointed CEO of Optum and former head of CMS Innovation Center and Blue Cross NC, joins Steve for a wide-ranging discussion on the state of healthcare delivery, affordability, and the potential of value-based care at a national scale. With experience spanning the frontlines of medicine to top government and corporate leadership, Conway breaks down how Optum aims to improve care while controlling costs—and why he continues to practice as a pediatric hospitalist on weekends.We cover:

The Friday Five for May 16th, 2025: Dunkin' and Starbucks Summer 2025 Menus Viral Music Charts for Content Creation Potential Heart Benefit in Shingles Vaccine Possible Hints at ACA Subsidy Direction for 2026 AHIP 2026 Certification Dates   Dunkin' and Starbucks Summer 2025 Menus: “Dunkin' Summer Menu.” Dunkindonuts.Com, Dunkin', www.dunkindonuts.com/en/summer-menu. Accessed 13 May 2025. Fink, Bailey. “Starbucks Is Bringing Back Customers' ‘Favorite Drink Ever' This Summer.” Allrecipes.Com, Allrecipes, 17 Apr. 2025, www.allrecipes.com/starbucks-summer-menu-2025-11717043. Baker, Nicolette. “Starbucks' Summer Menu Just Dropped — Including a Brand-New Iced Beverage.” Foodandwine.Com, Food & Wine, 15 Apr. 2025, www.foodandwine.com/starbucks-summer-menu-2025-11715175.   Viral Music Charts for Content Creation: “100 Top Trending Songs on TikTok.” Tokchart.Com, Tokchart, tokchart.com/. Accessed 14 May 2025. Bowe, Tucker. “Apple Quietly Gave Your Iphone a Simple yet Fun New Feature.” Gearpatrol.Com, Gear Patrol, 12 May 2025, www.gearpatrol.com/tech/apple-music-shazam-viral-chart/.   “Shazam Viral Global Chart .” Shazam.Com, Shazam, www.shazam.com/charts/viral/world. Accessed 14 May 2025. “Spotify Viral 50 - Global.” Spotify.Com, Spotify, open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZEVXbLiRSasKsNU9?si=4zvmJR7bQnajf6_StIGfuw. Accessed 14 May 2025. “Viral Chart on Apple Music.” Music.Apple.Com, Apple Music, music.apple.com/us/playlist/viral-chart/pl.b127c05305ad413fb742e8585599ec84. Accessed 14 May 2025.   Potential Heart Health Benefit in Shingles Vaccine: McLendon, Russell. “Shingles Vaccine Can Reduce Risk of Stroke And Heart Attack, Study Finds.” Sciencealert.Com, ScienceAlert, 12 May 2025, www.sciencealert.com/shingles-vaccine-can-reduce-risk-of-stroke-and-heart-attack-study-finds. Rudy, Melissa. “Shingles Vaccine Has Unexpected Effect on Heart Health.” Foxnews.Com, FOX News Network, 9 May 2025, www.foxnews.com/health/shingles-vaccine-has-unexpected-effect-heart-health. “Shingles Vaccine Lowers the Risk of Heart Disease for up to Eight Years.” Escardio.Org, European Society of Cardiology, 6 May 2025, www.escardio.org/The-ESC/Press-Office/Press-releases/shingles-vaccine-lowers-the-risk-of-heart-disease-for-up-to-eight-years. Griesser, Kameryn. “Shingles Vaccine Reduces Risk of Heart Disease by 23%, Study of One Million People Finds.” Cnn.Com, Cable News Network, 12 May 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/05/09/health/shingles-heart-disease-vaccine-shots-wellness.   Possible Hints at ACA Subsidy Direction for 2026: Tong, Noah. “CMS Hints at Possible Cost-Sharing Reduction Payments for Insurers, Impacting ACA Enrollment.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 7 May 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/cms-hints-possible-cost-sharing-reduction-payments-insurers-impacting-aca-enrollment. “Explaining Health Care Reform: Questions About Health Insurance Subsidies.” Kff.Org, KFF, 25 Oct. 2024, www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/issue-brief/explaining-health-care-reform-questions-about-health-insurance-subsidies/. “Offering of Off-Exchange-Only Plans without ‘CSR Loading.'” Cms.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2 May 2025, www.cms.gov/files/document/offering-exchange-only-plans-without-csr-loading.pdf. “Plan Year 2026 Individual Market Rate Filing Instructions.” Cms.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2 May 2025, www.cms.gov/files/document/py-26-individual-market-rate-filing-instructions.pdf.   AHIP 2026 Certification Dates: “AHIP Medicare + Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Online Course.” Ahipmedicaretraining.Com, AHIP, www.ahipmedicaretraining.com/page/login. Accessed 13 May 2025.   Resources:   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency. Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.

Meidas Health is on a roll! Continuing its series of incisive interviews with the nation's top healthcare leaders, Chiquita Brooks-LaSure — head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under President Biden — joins host Dr. Vin Gupta for a hard-hitting discussion on prescription drug pricing in the United States. In light of President Trump's executive order yesterday — which was light on specifics — what's actually having an impact on lowering costs for patients nationwide? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We breakdown the 2025 Marketplace Proposed Rule and highlight what we think agents like you should know!    Read the text version    Contact our Under-65 Sales Team!   Resources: CMS Finalizes Improvements to Marketplace Plan Selection with 2026 Final Rule: https://ritterim.com/blog/cms-finalizes-improvements-to-marketplace-plan-selection-with-2026-final-rule/ Everything Agents Need to Know About Selling in State-Based Marketplaces: https://ritterim.com/blog/everything-agents-need-to-know-about-selling-in-state-based-marketplaces/ Everything You Need to Know About the ACA OEP: https://ritterim.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-aca-oep/ How to Help Clients Navigate ACA Marketplace Subsidies & Taxes: https://lnk.to/qzlRwV Lawsuit Changes DACA Recipients' Affordable Care Act Eligibility: https://ritterim.com/blog/lawsuit-changes-daca-recipients-affordable-care-act-eligibility/ Learn with Knight School: https://ritterim.com/knight-school/ Meet Ritter's Under-65 Sales Team: https://ritterim.com/meet-your-sales-team/ Steps to Get Ready for OEP: Federal Exchange States & State Based Exchanges: https://lnk.to/SyqM9T   References:   “2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Proposed Rule.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2025-marketplace-integrity-and-affordability-proposed-rule Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.   Follow Us on Social!  Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.

President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping drug pricing policy this week, seeking to lower drug prices in the U.S. by up to 80% through a reprisal of the Most Favored Nation rule he attempted to introduce in his first term. The rule would essentially link U.S. prices to those paid in other nations where medications are cheaper. Biopharma reaction was one of tentative relief, with BMO Capital Markets analysts suggesting the executive order had “more bark than bite.” Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that among the next 15 drugs to undergo IRA-prescripted price negotiations could be drugs payable through Medicare Part B, and not just Part D, where the first two rounds have applied.  Into all of this action steps Vinay Prasad, the outspoken oncologist and hematologist who was named last week as the next director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. While the S&P Biotech ETF fell by more than 5% upon the news, overall reaction was fairly measured, with cell and gene therapy executive Audrey Greenberg summing up Prasad's selection as “anything but a status quo appointment.”  Over in the weight loss and obesity space, Eli Lilly can't seem to lose. This weekend, Lilly announced full data from a head-to-head trial showing a “superior benefit-to-risk ratio” for its Zepbound over Novo Nordisk's Wegovy. And last week, the Indiana-based pharma won a court battle against compounders when a judge sided with the FDA, stating that tirzepatide—the active ingredient in both Zepbound and diabetes sister drug Mounjaro—was no longer in shortage. Add on a presidential shoutout during Trump's Monday press conference for its U.S. manufacturing investments, and it really was Lilly's week.  Flying less high are some 2,000 Bayer employees who lost their jobs in the first quarter of 2025 as part of the company's new operating model, which is intended to make Bayer “much more agile.” On a less direct flight is Galapagos, which reversed course on plans to spin out a portion of the company and find a new CEO. Instead, CEO Paul Stoffels will make a quicker exit and the Belgian biotech could sell off its cell therapy assets as it looks to build up a new pipeline in house, having abandoned the spinout idea altogether. Stay tuned.  Finally, in ClinicaSpace this week, we took a deep dive into the HIV treatment space, where companies like Gilead and Immunocore are targeting a cure, while the Trump administration slashes funding for HIV research.  

Big potential changes to how 340B operates plus heightened interest in both new protections and new restrictions for covered entities means there is much to keep track of in the 340B world. 340B Health CEO Maureen Testoni joins us to make sense of recent developments in the nation's courts and beyond.Rebates Get Their Day in Court340B Health, two member hospitals, and the government met drug companies in court in late April to challenge drugmaker attempts to replace 340B discounts with rebates. Testoni says the judge cited potentially devastating consequences to hospitals if rebates proceeded but also had probing questions for the government on how it is working to address drugmaker compliance concerns. The Dept. of Health and Human Services is set to release guidance by early June on the rebate issue, and the court's decision could come out soon.The White House Proposes 340B Big Oversight Shift A leaked copy of the Trump administration's latest budget proposal includes a plan to move the Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) from the Health Resources & Services Administration to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Testoni says the oversight shift is concerning because of a stark difference between the purpose of 340B and the operations of Medicare and Medicaid. CMS also imposed years of Medicare payment cuts to 340B hospitals that the U.S. Supreme Court eventually overturned.340B Protections, Mandates Take Center StageStates continue enacting laws to protect hospital access to 340B pricing, but they also are moving forward with reporting mandates and proposals to define how hospitals should use their savings. Testoni said reporting and use-of-savings mandates lead to misdirected views on the purpose of 340B, which goes far beyond direct patient care and cost assistance. On Capitol Hill, a report from a long-running investigation of 340B recently came out, contributing to the debate over possible new restrictions.ResourcesFederal Government Signals Upcoming Guidance on 340B Rebate Models Amid Legal ChallengesBrief Your Leaders on White House Plans for Major 340B ChangesNebraska Is 12th State To Enact Contract Pharmacy ProtectionsIndiana Becomes Fifth State To Mandate 340B Reports From HospitalsKey Senator Concludes 340B Investigation, Calls for Major ReformsNew 340B Health Research340B Impact Profiles

The National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced a partnership that will focus on studying the root causes of autism spectrum disorder using Medicare and Medicaid enrollees' data.

A Note from James:So Dr. Oz—television personality turned government official—this is such an interesting thing. He's going to be the new administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CMS. He's going to be in charge of all Medicare and Medicaid. What does he know or think about these parts of our government?Medicare and Medicaid, combined with Social Security, make up the biggest part of government spending. So it'd be interesting to know what he thinks. On his show, he'd talk about everything from medicine to alternative medicine to other healing methods. I want to know how he's going to handle things in the government.This is a republishing of a past podcast I did with Dr. Oz, but it still describes his approach to medicine. And I think, as a citizen, this is useful. That's why I wanted to share it again. He's going to be working closely with RFK Jr. and Marty Makary (who's also been on this podcast and is now head of the FDA).So here's Dr. Oz.Episode Description:In this re-released conversation, James speaks with Dr. Mehmet Oz about his philosophy on medicine, self-care, and the critical role nutrition plays in overall well-being. As Dr. Oz steps into a major government role as the head of CMS, this episode offers valuable insight into the beliefs and strategies he may bring to one of the most powerful positions in U.S. healthcare.Together, they cover the power of second opinions, why most people misunderstand sugar, how gut bacteria drive health, and what it means to choose yourself when it comes to well-being. They also unpack highlights from Dr. Oz's book Food Can Fix It, including practical strategies for brain health, stress, and weight loss.What You'll Learn:Why second opinions can drastically change your medical outcomes.The connection between stress, sugar, and your brain's coping mechanisms.What to eat (and avoid) for long-term brain health and energy.How gut bacteria influence digestion, immunity, and mood.Dr. Oz's personal routine for energy, sleep, and productivity.Timestamped Chapters:[00:00] Dr. Oz's New Role in Government[01:00] Dr. Oz's Philosophy: Empowering Patients[02:45] The Power of Second Opinions[04:00] Behind the Book: Food Can Fix It[06:00] Parenting, Health, and Self-Sacrifice[07:30] Why We Stress Eat—and What to Do Instead[09:30] Fixing the Root Cause with Food[12:00] Brain Food and Omega-3 Fats[15:30] Antioxidants, Alcohol, and Wheat Brain[17:30] Why Sugar Without Fiber Is Dangerous[18:30] Juicing vs. Smoothies[19:30] Food Traditions, Rituals, and Healing[20:15] Using Food as Medicine for Pain[21:00] The Role of Gut Bacteria[23:30] Smart Weight Loss Strategies[26:30] Rethinking Dairy, Gluten, and Processed Foods[28:00] Eating for All-Day Energy[30:30] Daily Routine: Sleep Hygiene and Focus[33:00] Final Thoughts and Dr. Oz's Upcoming PodcastAdditional Resources:

What are plan crosswalks in the Affordable Care Act Marketplace? Find out what this means for your clients and how agents can help in the process.    Read the text version    Register with Ritter: https://app.ritterim.com/public/registration/   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Resources: Everything Agents Need to Know About Selling in Sate-Based Marketplaces: https://ritterim.com/blog/everything-agents-need-to-know-about-selling-in-state-based-marketplaces/   Everything You Need to Know About the ACA OEP: https://ritterim.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-aca-oep/    FAQs About Selling On-Exchange & Off-Exchange Under-65 Plans: https://ritterim.com/blog/faqs-about-selling-on-exchange-off-exchange-under-65-plans/ How to Help Clients Navigate ACA Marketplace Subsidies & Taxes: https://lnk.to/qzlRwV Knight School: https://ritterim.com/knight-school/ Steps to Get Ready for OEP: Federal Exchange States & State-Based Exchanges: https://lnk.to/SyqM9T The Ritter Blog: https://ritterim.com/blog/ Meet Your Sales Team: https://ritterim.com/meet-your-sales-team/  Under-65 Health: https://ritterim.com/products/under-65/ What the Inflation Reduction Act Means for Your Medicare & ACA Clients: https://ritterim.com/blog/what-the-inflation-reduction-act-means-for-your-medicare-aca-clients/   References: “2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Proposed Rule.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2025-marketplace-integrity-and-affordability-proposed-rule. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025. “ECFR :: 45 CFR 164.512 -- Uses and Disclosures for Which an Authorization or Opportunity to Agree or Object Is Not Required.” Code of Federal Regulations, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-B/part-155/subpart-D/section-155.335. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025. “Low Cost Marketplace Health Care, Qualifying Income Levels.” HealthCare.Gov, https://www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.   Follow Us on Social!  Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Join Sarah as she dives back into CMS regulations! This week, she highlights 5 regulations from the 2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule.   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Resources: 5 Things About the 2026 CMS MA and Part D Rate Announcement: https://lnk.to/asgf20250411 CMS 2025 Marketplace Integrity & Affordability Proposed Rule: https://lnk.to/asgf20250314 CMS Updates to MA and Part D for CY 2026: https://lnk.to/asgf20250425 Expanded Medicare Telehealth Benefits Extended Through September 2025: https://ritterim.com/blog/expanded-medicare-telehealth-benefits-extended-through-september-2025/  Recent ACA Coverage Changes Reversed with 2025 Marketplace Proposed Rule: https://ritterim.com/blog/recent-aca-changes-reversed-with-2026-marketplace-proposed-rule/   References: “CMS Finalizes 2026 Payment Policy Updates for Medicare Advantage and Part D Programs.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-finalizes-2026-payment-policy-updates-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-programs. “Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (CMS-4208-F).” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 4 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/contract-year-2026-policy-and-technical-changes-medicare-advantage-program-medicare-prescription-final. “Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.” Federalregister.Gov, Federal Register, 15 Apr. 2025, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/15/2025-06008/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-contract-year-2026-policy-and-technical-changes-to-the-medicare.     Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Lots of chat about Dr. Oz and his plans for the future of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Unfortunately, the articles I prepared fell into what might be a bottomless pit.  In the Medicare Advantage Minute, Democrats sent a nasty letter to Dr. Oz questioning his support for Medicare Advantage and criticizing his substantial holdings in the biggest MA slut: United HealthCare. From the pages of "Your Medicare Benefits 2024" we learn the short story of how Medicare covers flu shots. CMS (the Federal Government) in a magnificent return to sanity ordered that questions catering to Binary, non-Binary and other confused individuals be stricken from Medicare Advantage applications. Finally, a listener whose wife must have badgered him mercilessly, asked whether gym memberships were an included freebie with their Medicare supplement plan. My answer was that a competing product had the benefit they seek but there would be an endless amount of paperwork and insurance foolishness to deal with. He decided to shine it on and hope that his wife forgets the whole thing. We'll see! Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Most severe critic: A+)                   Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG Inspired by: "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!" on Amazon.com. Return to leave a short customer review & help future readers. Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.

In this episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, HeHe dives into what's happening in women's health and healthcare access, focusing on the postpartum landscape and recent budget cuts impacting Medicaid. Special guest Natalie Davis, founder of United States of Care, joins to discuss pivotal healthcare legislation, Medicaid's role in maternal and infant health, and the importance of universal access to quality healthcare. The discussion also touches on the power of virtual care and current legislative threats to preventive health services. We hope this episode will equip and inspire you to engage in local healthcare advocacy. 01:34 Current State of Women's Health in the US 02:23 Introducing Natalie Davis 05:51 Challenges in Postpartum Care 10:04 Impact of Budget Cuts on Medicaid 16:16 Supreme Court Case on Preventive Services 22:38 Advocacy for Better Healthcare 27:44 Universal Healthcare Debate 28:38 Debating Healthcare Access and Affordability 31:05 The 100 Weeks Project: Supporting Postpartum Women 32:57 Personalized and Comprehensive Postpartum Care 34:53 Navigating the Postpartum System 40:38 Resources for NICU Families and Mental Health Support 42:07 Legislation Impacting Women's Health 43:30 The Rise of Virtual Care 50:53 Getting Involved in Local Legislation 53:33 Final Thoughts and Encouragement   Guest Bio: For nearly two decades, Natalie Davis has worked shaping and implementing American health care policies to improve the lives of all people. In 2018, she and fellow national health care leaders, such as Andy Slavitt, launched United States of Care to ensure that everyone in the country has access to quality, affordable health care through a community-driven policy change. She is relentless in her person-centered approach to building health care solutions and has a history of building partnerships that work to create positive change in our country's health care system. From 2010-2016, Natalie served at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services implementing the Affordable Care Act, with the final two years as Senior Advisor to former CMS Administrator, Andy Slavitt. A social entrepreneur, Natalie also helped found Town Hall Ventures which focuses on bringing the best of innovation and care delivery to diverse communities. Natalie also served as the Director of Strategic Engagement at the Bipartisan Policy Center. Natalie holds an M.A. in Philosophy from George Washington University and is an alumna of Salisbury University schools of Sociology and Art History. Natalie lives in Washington, DC with her amazing husband and four children. INSTAGRAM: Connect with HeHe on IG  Connect with HeHe on YouTube   Connect with United States of Care on IG    BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!   Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!   LINKS MENTIONED: State of Postpartum Care (State Maps) Journey Map Preventive Services Resource Hub https://www.marchofdimes.org/our-work/nicu-family-support   https://postpartum.net/

In this case, the court considered this issue: Does the phrase “entitled… to benefits” include all who meet basic program eligibility criteria, whether or not benefits are actually received?The case was decided on April 29, 2025.In this case, a group of over 200 hospitals claimed that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) miscalculated their Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) adjustments, which provide additional funding to hospitals treating a high percentage of low-income patients. The dispute centered on the interpretation of the phrase "entitled to supplementary security income (SSI) benefits" under subchapter XVI. The hospitals argued that this phrase should include all patients enrolled in the SSI system at the time of hospitalization, even if they were not entitled to an SSI payment during that month. HHS, however, interpreted it to mean patients who were eligible to receive an SSI payment during the month of hospitalization.The Provider Reimbursement Review Board denied the hospitals' request for additional reimbursement on procedural grounds, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services denied relief on the merits. The District Court rejected the hospitals' claims and granted summary judgment to HHS. The D-C Circuit affirmed, concluding that SSI benefits are about cash payments for needy individuals and that it makes little sense to say individuals are entitled to the benefit in months when they are not eligible for a payment.The Supreme Court of the United States held that an individual is "entitled to SSI benefits" for purposes of the Medicare fraction when she is eligible to receive an SSI cash payment during the month of her hospitalization. The Court reasoned that SSI benefits are cash benefits determined on a monthly basis, and eligibility for such benefits is also determined monthly. The Court affirmed the judgment of the D-C Circuit, respecting the specific formula that Congress prescribed for calculating the Medicare fraction.The opinion is presented here in its entirety, but with citations omitted. If you appreciate this episode, please subscribe. Thank you. 

In March, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) withdrew the Richardson Waiver, a policy under which HHS voluntarily undertook notice-and-comment rulemaking in circumstances where it wouldn't otherwise need to. HHS also issued a new Statement of Organization for the Office of the General Counsel (HHS-OGC), which, among other things, may signal an effort to consolidate and expand HHS-OGC's authority. Jaime Jones, Partner, Sidley Austin LLP, and Brenna Jenny, Partner, Sidley Austin LLP, discuss HHS' potential rationale for these changes and the implications for the health care industry. During the first Trump Administration, Brenna Jenny served as the Principal Deputy General Counsel at HHS and the Chief Legal Officer at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.AHLA's Health Law Daily Podcast Is Here! AHLA's popular Health Law Daily email newsletter is now a daily podcast, exclusively for AHLA Premium members. Get all your health law news from the major media outlets on this new podcast! To subscribe and add this private podcast feed to your podcast app, go to americanhealthlaw.org/dailypodcast.

Discover the steps to get ready-to-sell in the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. We're talking certifications, client authorization, and more!   Read the text version   Register with Ritter   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   ACA Forms: ACA Consumer Authorization Live Call Script: https://ritterim.com/documents/aca-consumer-authorization-live-call-script.pdf Eligibility Application Attestation: https://ritterim.com/documents/aca-eligibility-application-attestation.pdf Eligibility Application Attestation Live Call Script: https://ritterim.com/documents/aca-consumer-eligibility-application-attestation-live-call-script.pdf Marketplace Consent Form: https://ritterim.com/documents/aca-consumer-marketplace-authorization-form.pdf   Resources: 2025 ACA Exchange & FFM Certification Info: https://lnk.to/ZvnhS8 Contract & Get Appointment to Sell with Health Insurance Companies: https://ritterim.com/blog/contract-get-appointed-to-sell-with-health-insurance-companies/ Everything Agents Need to Know About Selling in State-Based Marketplaces: https://ritterim.com/blog/everything-agents-need-to-know-about-selling-in-state-based-marketplaces/ (check podcast) Free eBooks & Guides: https://ritterim.com/guides/ How Agents Can Protect Clients from Unauthorized ACA Plan Switching: https://ritterim.com/blog/how-agents-can-protect-clients-from-unauthorized-aca-plan-switching/ How to Become Certified for Aca Marketplace Sales with Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) Training) https://ritterim.com/blog/how-to-become-certified-for-aca-marketplace-sales-with-federally-facilitated-marketplace-ffm-training/ (check podcast version) How to Help Clients Navigate ACA Marketplace Subsidies & Taxes: https://lnk.to/qzlRwV Meet Your Sales Team: https://ritterim.com/meet-your-sales-team/ New Required Documents Agents Need for ACA Sales: https://ritterim.com/blog/new-required-documents-agents-need-for-aca-sales/ OEP Ready-to-Sell Checklist for New Agents: https://ritterim.com/documents/oep-ready-to-sell-checklist.pdf Recent ACA Coverage Changes Reversed with 2025 Marketplace Proposed Rule: https://ritterim.com/blog/recent-aca-changes-reversed-with-2026-marketplace-proposed-rule/ The Ritter Blog: https://ritterim.com/blog/ The Ritter Platform: https://ritterim.com/the-ritter-platform/ Under-65 Health: https://ritterim.com/products/under-65/   References: “CMS Update on Actions to Prevent Unauthorized Agent and Broker Marketplace Activity.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-update-actions-prevent-unauthorized-agent-and-broker-marketplace-activity. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025. “Returning Agents' and Brokers' Guide to Plan Year 2025 ...” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/returning-agents-and-brokers-guide-marketplace-registration-and-training.pdf. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025. “The Marketplace in Your State.” HealthCare.Gov, https://www.healthcare.gov/marketplace-in-your-state/. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

  The Friday Five for April 25, 2025: Dr. Oz shares MAHA vision as CMS admin CY 2026 Part D Coverage Cost Breakdown CY 2026 Selected Drug Subsidy Cost Breakdown Provisions Not Finalized in 2026 MA and Part D Final Rule Impact of Non-Finalized Provisions on Agents   Dr. Oz shares MAHA vision as CMS admin: Simmons-Duffin, Selena. “5 Things to Know as Dr. Oz Prepares to Lead Medicare and Medicaid.” NPR.Org, NPR, 3 Apr. 2025, www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/03/25/g-s1-55766/dr-mehmet-oz-medicare-medicaid-cms-trump. “Dr. Mehmet Oz Shares Vision for CMS.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 25 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/dr-mehmet-oz-shares-vision-cms. Olsen, Emily. “Dr. Oz Sworn in as CMS Administrator.” Healthcaredive.Com, Healthcare Dive, 21 Apr. 2025, www.healthcaredive.com/news/dr-mehmet-oz-sworn-in-cms-administrator/745880/.   CY 2026 Part D Coverage Cost Breakdown: “Final CY 2026 Part D Redesign Program Instructions.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/final-cy-2026-part-d-redesign-program-instructions. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025. “Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.” Federalregister.Gov, Federal Register, 15 Apr. 2025, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/15/2025-06008/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-contract-year-2026-policy-and-technical-changes-to-the-medicare.   CY 2026 Selected Drug Subsidy Cost Breakdown: John, Stephnie A., and Abdie Santiago. “The IRA in 2025: The Future of Medicare Part D.” Mintz.Com, Mintz, 13 Feb. 2025, www.mintz.com/insights-center/viewpoints/2146/2025-02-13-ira-2025-future-medicare-part-d. “Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Manual – Chapter 5.” Cms.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov/files/document/chapter-5-benefits-and-beneficiary-protection-v92011.pdf. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025. “Factsheet: Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program.” Cms.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov/files/document/fact-sheet-medicare-selected-drug-negotiation-list-ipay-2026.pdf. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.   Provisions Not Finalized in 2026 MA and Part D Final Rule: “Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (CMS-4208-F).” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/contract-year-2026-policy-and-technical-changes-medicare-advantage-program-medicare-prescription-final. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025. Tong, Noah. “Medicare Advantage Final Rule Excludes Anti-Obesity Drug Coverage under Medicare, Medicaid.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 4 Apr. 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/medicare-advantage-final-rule-excludes-anti-obesity-drug-coverage-under-medicare-medicaid. “Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.” Federalregister.Gov, Federal Register, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/15/2025-06008/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-contract-year-2026-policy-and-technical-changes-to-the-medicare. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025. “Medicare Coverage of Anti-Obesity Medications.” Aspe.Hhs.Gov, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, 26 Nov. 2024, aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/127bd5b3347b34be31ac5c6b5ed30e6a/medicare-coverage-anti-obesity-meds.pdf.   Resources: 2025 Maximum Broker Commissions for Medicare Advantage & Medicare Part D: https://ritterim.com/blog/2025-maximum-broker-commissions-for-medicare-advantage-and-medicare-part-d/ 3 Additional Effective Techniques for Closing Insurance Sales: https://lnk.to/asg656 4 Effective Techniques for Closing Insurance Sales: https://lnk.to/asg655 5 Things About the 2026 CMS MA and Part D Rate Announcement: https://lnk.to/asgf20250411 CMS Updates, Content Library, & More! https://lnk.to/asgf20250328 Recent ACA Coverage Changes Reversed with 2025 Marketplace Proposed Rule: https://ritterim.com/blog/recent-aca-changes-reversed-with-2026-marketplace-proposed-rule/ Subscribe to the Ritter Blog: https://ritterim.com/blog/ The Best Appointment Schedulers for Insurance Agents: https://lnk.to/asg657   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency. Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.

Working past 65 with health benefits - and delaying Medicare - is the topic for today. CMS is the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Toni explains the 63 day filing period - and how to avoid a Late Enrollment Penalty (LEP). Do you have a creditable prescription plan? Do you need an inexpensive Medicare Part D prescription plan? All of this and so much more on today's podcast. Toni's new Medicare Survival Guide Advanced Edition book is available now - pick up your copy at www.tonisays.com Want more information? Take advantage of Toni's brand new video series now a available at https://tonisays.com Remember - with Medicare it's what you don't know that will hurt you! There's so much good information in this podcast, please be sure to share this podcast with your friends! Recognized by feedspot.com as one of the best Medicare Podcasts in the nation! Write Toni - info@tonisays.com. Toni's book is available at www.seniorresource.com and https://tonisays.com You can call Toni at 832-519-8664 Toni welcomes all Medicare questions. Toni now offers informative Medicare Webinars for all of your Medicare needs at https://tonisays.com You can find Medicare Moments wherever you find your favorite podcasts, such as: Apple: https://apple.co/44MoguG Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7c82BS4hb145GiVYfnIRsoAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/884c1f46-9905-4b29-a97a-1a164c97546b/medicare-moments?refMarker=null You can find Medicare Moments at: https://podcasts.seniorresource.com/medicare-moments/ Toni's new book: Maze of Medicare is now available at www.tonisays.com Combining Scripture with Medicare, it is the only book of its kind. Toni's columns appear weekly in about 100 newspapers across America. If you would like Toni's column to appear in your local paper, or if you would like Toni to speak at an event - contact Toni King at 832-519-8664 Thank you for listening and be sure to tell your friends about Medicare Moments! Blessings! Toni KingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don't let fear hold you back from expanding your business! The under-65 market is brimming with opportunities. That's why we're debunking 5 common myths about the ACA market to help you get started.    Read the text version   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Resources: 6 Reasons Insurance Agencies Selling Medicare Products Should Sell ACA: https://ritterim.com/blog/6-reasons-insurance-agencies-selling-medicare-products-should-sell-aca/ 8 Reasons Why Insurance Agents Should Sell ACA Plans: https://lnk.to/SNNOSG ACA 101 Selling Under-65 Health Insurance: https://lnk.to/chQNkw FAQs About ACA Certification and Training: https://ritterim.com/blog/faqs-about-aca-certification-and-training/ FAQs About Selling On-Exchange & Off-Exchange Under-65 Plans: https://ritterim.com/blog/faqs-about-selling-on-exchange-off-exchange-under-65-plans/ How to Become Certified for ACA Marketplace Sales with Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) Training: https://ritterim.com/blog/how-to-become-certified-for-aca-marketplace-sales-with-federally-facilitated-marketplace-ffm-training/ How Much Can Agents Make Selling Under-65 Insurance?: https://lnk.to/TlGBGH Key Changes for ACA Open Enrollment 2025 ft. Ross Baker from HealthSherpa: https://lnk.to/UXgO5Q Lawsuit Changes DACA Recipients' Affordable Care Act Eligibility: https://ritterim.com/blog/lawsuit-changes-daca-recipients-affordable-care-act-eligibility/ Meet Your Sales Team: https://ritterim.com/meet-your-sales-team/ Ritter Docs Site: https://docs.ritterim.com/ Simplify Marketplace Enrollments with HealthSherpa: https://lnk.to/2chDBN   References: “Eligibility for the Premium Tax Credit.” IRS, Internal Revenue Service, https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/individuals-and-families/eligibility-for-the-premium-tax-credit/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025 FAQs for Marketplace Agents and Brokers, CMS,  https://www.agentbrokerfaq.cms.gov/s/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025. “Find out What Immigration Statuses Qualify for Coverage in the Marketplace.” HealthCare.Gov, https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/immigration-status/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025. “General Resources.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/agents-brokers/general-resources. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025. “Learn What to Do If You Already Have Medicare Health Coverage.” HealthCare.Gov, https://www.healthcare.gov/medicare/medicare-and-the-marketplace/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025. “The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.” Democrats.Senate.Gov, https://www.dpc.senate.gov/healthreformbill/healthbill04.pdf. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025. “Welcome to the Health Insurance Marketplace®.” HealthCare.Gov, https://www.healthcare.gov/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Medicare proposes a 2.4% pay increase for inpatient hospitals next year. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will end some federal Medicaid spending for state programs. And, the ongoing merger between UnitedHealth Group and home health company Amedisys heads to mediation with the Department of Justice. Those stories and more coming up on today's episode of the Gist Healthcare podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

VALUE FOR VALUE Thank you to the Bowl After Bowl Episode Producers: SircussMedia, harvhat, ChadF, HeyCitizen, Sharpie, makeheroism, Boolysteed, RevCyberTrucker, ericpp, Control Room, bitpunk.fm, Permanerd Intro/Outro: Waiting for the Bus - Stevia Sphere GET YOU SOME BOWL AFTER BOWL STICKERS! Send a self-addressed stamp to: PO BOX 410514 Kansas City, MO 64141 Look out for HyperSpaceOut games  Abs n a 6-pack Shroomba ft. Morgan Rockwell KC Bitcoiners' Block Party April 26th 4/20 BOWLS WITH BUDS FT MARYKATE-ULTRA & MAKEHEROISM FIRST TIME I EVER… Bowlers called in to discuss the First Time THEY Ever played with tarot cards. Next week, we want to hear about the First Time YOU Ever hunted Easter eggs. TOP THREE 33 South Korea unveils 33 trillion won support package for chips amid US tariff uncertainty (The Business Times) "They can be saved": Ukraine urges OSCE action as Russia holds 33 journalists in captivity (Euromaidan Press) Rapper 'Fat Flow' gets 33 years for kidnapping migrants (Border Report) Canada's employment falls by 33k, down from expected gain of 10k (Yahoo) BEHIND THE CURTAIN Woman, 33, allegedly hid drugs in rectum, vagina, CBP says (Border Report) Poll shows half of US weed consumers say Trump administration will lead them to consume more weed (The Harris Poll via Royal Queen Seeds / Journo Google Doc) The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized rules to clarify pot products aren't eligible for coverage (Federal Register)  Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a bill to require testing of certain medical weed products (AR Legislature) Hawaii Gov. Josh Green signed bill to speed up expungements (HI.gov) Maryland lawmakers sent Gov. Wes Moore a bill clarifying rules for consumption lounges (MD Legislation) and he signed legislation authorizing regulators to take enforcement action against businesses that sell weed products that don't comply with state rules (Governor.MD) Missouri cannabis regulators add another 6K products to list of recalled items (MO Independent) New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill to create a cannabis enforcement division (NM Legislature) and a bill creating a therapeutic psilocybin program (NMLegis.gov) METAL MOMENT Follow along with his shenanigans on the Fediverse at SirRevCyberTrucker@noauthority.social ON CHAIN, OFF CHAIN, COCAINE, SHITSTAIN Cypherbox Mayan Bitcoin Conference Former Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith released (Atlas21) Ross Ulbricht to speak at Bitcoin 2025 (Bitcoin Magazine) KC Bitcoiners Meetup THURSDAY 6:30 @ Keystone Innovation District KC BLOCKPARTY APRIL 26th @ RJ's Bob-be-que FUCK IT, DUDE. LET'S GO BOWLING One dead, 33 hikers rescued from Arizona trail amid extreme heat (SFGATE) Want to join Disneyland's exclusive Club 33? New details for membership are online (Los Angeles Times) Pennsylvania man charged with 33 felonies for AI-generated child porn images (FOX 43) Crosswalk buttons hacked to play hoax Musk, Zuckerberg recordings (YouTube) A beloved pet tortoise is reunited with its family weeks after disappearing in a Mississippi tornado (The Associated Press) Australian woman unknowingly gives birth to a stranger's baby after IVF clinic error (AP) South Carolina woman saves her husband after an alligator attacked him in their retirement community (Not the Bee) Mystery creature caught on Colorado camera (YouTube) Stranger has sex with corpse on subway (NY Daily News) Missing Utah dog found 1,000 miles away from home in Texas (YouTube) 4/20 BOWLS WITH BUDS SUNDAY FT MARYKATE-ULTRA & MAKEHEROISM

CMS just released the 2026 MA and Part D Rate Announcement! Listen to learn more about what this means for the upcoming coverage year.   Resources: 3 Additional Effective Techniques for Closing Insurance Sales: https://lnk.to/asg656 4 Effective Techniques for Closing Insurance Sales: https://lnk.to/asg655 CMS Updates, Content Library, & More! https://lnk.to/asgf20250328 Introducing a Content Marketing Solution for Insurance Agents: https://lnk.to/contentlibrary  The Best Appointment Schedulers for Insurance Agents: https://lnk.to/asg657   References: “2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D Advance Notice Fact Sheet.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 10 Jan. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-advance-notice-fact-sheet. “2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D Rate Announcement.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2026-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-rate-announcement. “Announcement of Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/files/document/2026-announcement.pdf. Tong, Noah. “CMS Finalizes 5.06% Medicare Advantage Benchmark Increase.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 8 Apr. 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/cms-finalizes-506-medicare-advantage-benchmark-increase. “CMS Finalizes 2026 Payment Policy Updates for Medicare Advantage and Part D Programs.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-finalizes-2026-payment-policy-updates-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-programs. “Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (CMS-4208-F).” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/contract-year-2026-policy-and-technical-changes-medicare-advantage-program-medicare-prescription-final. “Final CY 2026 Part D Redesign Program Instructions.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/final-cy-2026-part-d-redesign-program-instructions.   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Here are 3 big things you need to know—   One — Ford Motor Company has announced that it would allow car shoppers to buy its 2024-25 vehicles at the discounted price the automaker offers to its employees. Called "From America, For America," the promotion was unveiled on the same day a new 25% U.S. tariff on foreign vehicles took effect.   Two ----  Former heart surgeon and TV star Dr. Mehmet Oz was confirmed Thursday to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The 64-year-old will manage health insurance programs for roughly half the country, with oversight of Medicare, Medicaid or Affordable Care Act coverage.   And number three —   The TSA's deadline to have a REAL ID license is just over a month away.  Starting May 7th, Americans will need to have a REAL-ID compliant driver's license to take domestic and international flights.  If you don't have one, you'll need a passport or secondary ID to travel through security checkpoints. Unless, of course, they postpone this deadline yet again.

In our news wrap Thursday, President Trump will fire several members of his National Security Council after he met in the Oval Office with conservative activist and conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, the Senate confirmed Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and a string of violent storms across the Midwest and South killed at least six people. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Subscribe to UnitedHealthcare's Community & State newsletter.Health Affairs' Senior Deputy Editor Rob Lott interviews Dr. Meena Seshamani, the incoming Maryland Secretary of Health, to discuss her time as the director of Medicare at the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services and what the future holds in her new role. Currently, more than 70 percent of our content is freely available - and we'd like to keep it that way. With your support, we can continue to keep our digital publication Forefront and podcasts free for everyone. Subscribe to UnitedHealthcare's Community & State newsletter.

For this episode, we're going back to a familiar villain from podcast-past because  unfortunately, healthcare villains have a habit of staying relevant. This is a guy who made his fame by cozying up to Oprah while schilling diet pills, supplements, and medical conspiracy theories – it's Doctor Oz, who is now Trump's nominee for Director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. That's right, the man who has previously claimed that there are deadly levels of arsenic in apple juice, that most olive oil is fake, that “Reparative Therapy” can cure homosexuality, and that hydroxychloroquine cures COVID, is pretty close to running our largest public health systems. Today I'm talking with Dr. Diljeet Singh of Physicians for a National Health program about what that means for you and the country at large, and how we can do something about it!  NOTE: At the Medicare for All Podcast, we've had a brief, unplanned hiatus due to pesky technical issues – and the fact that Trump is keeping us busy in our organizing work – but we are very excited to be back! I'm flying solo right now while my regular cohost Ben is saving the environment at his 9 to 5 organizing job, but that feels like important work as well, so we're going to give him a pass and send him our love! https://www.youtube.com/live/3ZUE4sOTI_g?si=WGg97KnP-UxktIsu Our guest for this episode was the brilliant Dr. Diljeet Singh! She's a women's health advocate, an integrative gynecologic oncologist, and the President of Physicians for a National Health Program. Dr. Singh received her medical degree from Northwestern University and her master's degree from the Harvard School of Public Health. She completed an obstetrics and gynecology residency at Johns Hopkins and a gynecologic oncology fellowship at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. She completed her doctoral degree in public health on cost analysis at the University of Texas School of Public Health and an associate fellowship in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona. Dr. Singh and our friends at Physicians for a National Health Program are going all out to let folks know about the serious danger Dr. Oz poses to our national health! Check out the videos from their Dr. Oz Shadow Hearing below: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO8yDO3B42TdHs6GC-PcLez2ZHfZ4CfTN&si=Q3YMJR1IEvr9uHX1 Even though it is likely that the Senate will make it official later this month, as of April 1st, Dr. Oz still hasn't been confirmed, so if you're listening to this in the next couple weeks, you may still be able to call your Senators to ask them to come to their senses! Reach their offices through the Capitol Hill switchboard: (202) 224-3121. Follow & Support the Pod! Don't forget to like this episode and subscribe to The Medicare for All Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform! This show is a project of the Healthcare NOW Education Fund! This show is a project of the Healthcare-NOW Education Fund! If you want to support our work, you can donate at our website, healthcare-now.org.

  The Friday Five for March 28, 2025: CMS Medicare $2 Drug List Model Cancelled Oz Confirmed by Senate Finance Committee CMS Withdraws Changes to MA and Part D FEMA SEP Sarah Appears on The Seven Figures or Bust Podcast Content Library for Insurance Agents Launches   CMS Medicare $2 Drug List Model Cancelled: “CMS Innovation Center Announces Model Portfolio Changes to Better Protect Taxpayers and Help Americans Live Healthier Lives.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 12 Mar. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/cms-innovation-center-announces-model-portfolio-changes-better-protect-taxpayers-and-help-americans. Bell, Allison. “Trump Administration Ends Medicare's $2 Drug Project.” Thinkadvisor.Com, ThinkAdvisor, 14 Mar. 2025, www.thinkadvisor.com/2025/03/14/trump-administration-ends-medicares-2-drug-project/.   Dr. Oz Confirmed by Senate Finance Committee: Simmons-Duffin, Selena. “5 Things to Know as Dr. Oz Gets One Step Closer to Leading Medicare and Medicaid.” Npr.Org, NPR, 25 Mar. 2025, www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/03/25/g-s1-55766/dr-mehmet-oz-medicare-medicaid-cms-trump. Tong, Noah. “Oz Confirmation Vote Advances out of Senate Finance Committee.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 25 Mar. 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/oz-confirmation-vote-advances-out-senate-finance-committee. Hubbard, Kaia. “Senate Committee Advances Dr. Mehmet Oz's Nomination to Head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.” Cbsnews.Com, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2025, www.cbsnews.com/news/dr-oz-centers-for-medicare-and-medicaid-senate-finance-committee-vote/. Olsen, Emily. “Senate Committee Advances Dr. Oz to Lead CMS.” Healthcaredive.Com, Healthcare Dive, 26 Mar. 2025, www.healthcaredive.com/news/dr-oz-nomination-cms-clears-senate-finance-committee/743570/.   CMS Withdraws Changes to MA and Part D FEMA SEP: CMS Withdraws Changes to Disaster SEP Availability for Medicare Beneficiaries: https://ritterim.com/blog/cms-withdraws-changes-to-disaster-sep-availability-for-medicare-beneficiaries/ Medicare Advantage Emergency-Related SEPs: https://ritterim.com/blog/medicare-advantage-emergency-related-seps/    Sarah Appears on The Seven Figures or Bust Podcast: Episode 79 – What Is CMS Doing? w/ Special Guest Sarah Rueppel! https://lnk.to/qzTwIw  The Seven Figures or Bust Podcast: https://sevenfigure.com/seven-figures-podcast/ The Seven Figure Medicare Agent Summit: https://sevenfiguremedicareagentsummit.com/   Content Library for Insurance Agents Launches: Check Out the Content Library: https://library.ritterim.com/ Introducing a Content Marketing Solution for Insurance Agents: https://lnk.to/contentlibrary Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing: https://app.ritterim.com/public/registration/   Resources: 5 Insurance Marketing Tips to Help Agents Stand Out in a Crowd: https://lnk.to/asgf20250321 Apps for Content Creation: https://lnk.to/ASGA81 CMS 2025 Marketplace Integrity & Affordability Proposed Rule: https://lnk.to/asgf20250314 Get Access to Exclusive Leads When You Become a PlanEnroll Network Agent: https://lnk.to/3pKJsF   Follow Us on Social!  Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency. Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.

The Senate Finance Committee just advanced the nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), bringing his confirmation one step closer to reality. In this bonus episode, Jen Taylor-Skinner is joined by Nourbese Flint, president of All* Above All, for a critical conversation about what's at stake. CMS oversees vital programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act—making its leadership role one of the most powerful in shaping national healthcare policy. Dr. Oz, widely known for promoting unscientific treatments and holding controversial views, raises serious concerns—particularly for reproductive justice and the health of marginalized communities. Nourbese shares her perspective on the qualifications this role demands and reflects on the legacy of past CMS leaders, such as Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. We discuss the broader implications of Dr. Oz's potential confirmation, including its impact on maternal health and the risks posed to vulnerable populations. Our conversation also explores the importance of grassroots resistance and political engagement in holding policymakers accountable. Nourbese offers strategies for community action and underscores why staying informed and involved is more important than ever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amid controversy over a reported Signal chat, some intelligence leaders appear at a previously scheduled Senate hearing. The Senate Finance Committee weighs in on the nomination of Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. A House Appropriations subcommittee holds a hearing about Capitol complex security. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

It's Friday, March 21st, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus 1,300 people killed in Syria last week More than 1,300 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the past week in Syria, reports Open Doors. The BBC reported that a UK-based monitor has identified that “830 civilians were killed in ‘massacres' targeting Alawites on the west coast on Friday and Saturday.” Based in the Middle East, the Alawites are a sect of Islam that venerates a Muslim imam known as Ali. Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, known for his brutal dictatorship, is an Alawite himself, as was his father. The recent violence began with pro-Assad forces who attacked soldiers associated with the new government of Syria. Isaiah 59:7 says, “Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways.” Although the violence doesn't seem to be targeting Syrian Christians, followers of Jesus are scared in the midst of the violence. That's why on Sunday, March 9, many churches did not hold their Sunday services. Trump dismantles Department of Education President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to start dismantling the Department of Education. TRUMP: “Today we take a very historic action that was 45 years in the making. In a few moments, I will sign an Executive Order to begin eliminating the Federal Department of Education once and for all. (applause) Everybody knows it's right.” Immediately after the signing, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, the chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said in a post on X that he will “submit legislation” to accomplish Trump's goal of shutting down the Department of Education “as soon as possible.” Attorney General Pam Bondi investigating Tesla attacks as terrorism On Tuesday morning, five Tesla vehicles were set on fire in Las Vegas with Molotov cocktails and shot with a gun at a Tesla Collision Center.  That was the tenth such attack on Teslas since Trump's inauguration on January 20th, reports Fox News.  The Left has also violently targeted Teslas or Tesla dealerships in Salem, Oregon, Loveland, Colorado, Owings Mills, Maryland, Littleton, Massachusetts, Tigard, Oregon, North Charlston, South Carolina, Seattle, Washington, Dedham, Massachusetts, and Kansas City, Missouri. Attorney General Pam Bondi called the recent spate of arson attacks and vandalism against Tesla vehicles "nothing short of domestic terrorism" and promised harsh punishments for perpetrators if they are caught, reports ABC News. There's been a clear uptick in attacks on Teslas and Tesla dealerships since President Donald Trump took office and empowered Elon Musk to oversee a new Department of Government Efficiency that's slashing government spending. Appearing on Fox News, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was direct. LEAVITT: “President Trump condemns this violence. He is determined to restore law and order in our country, and he will ensure that the harshest penalties are pursued for those who are engaging in this vicious violence that we have seen targeted at this American company, Tesla, dealerships, Tesla employees and also innocent Americans who have chosen to drive these vehicles, many of them, ironically, are likely Democrats. “There is a major double standard here. The Democrats used to be the greatest cheerleaders for electric vehicles and for Tesla, the company, until Elon Musk decided to support and vote for Donald Trump. “So, the Trump Derangement Syndrome from the Left is on true display with these attacks. It is getting dangerous, and the White House wholeheartedly condemns it, and we applaud Attorney General Pam Bondi for investigating these acts as domestic terrorism, because that is what they are.” Will Dr. Oz support abortion and transgenderism now? Senate confirmation proceedings are underway for Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Donald Trump's choice for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator. Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri is seeking answers about the TV personality's past liberal stances on abortion and transgender issues, reports LifeSiteNews.com. As recently as 2019, Oz had attacked abortion bans because he disputed that the heartbeat begins at six weeks gestation despite scientific proof. Appearing on The Breakfast Club radio show, Oz also indicated that fetal viability was the only reasonable benchmark for gestational protection. OZ: “If the child was viable outside the womb, then you don't want to kill that child. If the child was not going to be able to survive outside the mom, then the mom runs the show. This is a hard issue for everybody. I get it. But just being logical about it, if you think that the moment of conception, you've got a life, then why would you even wait six weeks?” Later, Dr. Oz made this remark. OZ: “If someone, deep in their heart, feels that the moment of conception is a human life, and they just can't deal with that life being harmed, they got to be heard. They can't get ignored. But that doesn't mean that's what the rule of the land is.” Plus, in 2010, Oz emerged as a critical, early backer of “transitioning” gender-confused minors, running an hour-long special about “transgender children” that promoted a 15-year-old girl who had undergone a double mastectomy at age 14 and an eight-year-old boy being raised as a girl named “Josie.” Over the course of his 2022 Senatorial campaign, Oz backtracked on both issues, declaring himself “100% Pro-Life” and denying that he supported transitioning minors, claiming that his hosting of the opposite position did not constitute endorsement. Steve Lawson: “I have sinned grievously.” And finally, former Pastor Steven Lawson, age 73, a prominent figure in the Reformed/Calvinist movement, has acknowledged that he has “sinned grievously,” speaking out for the first time about the September 20th scandal that removed him from ministry, reports The Christian Post.  Once a teaching fellow at Ligonier Ministries and the dean of Doctor of Ministry Studies at The Master's Seminary, Lawson, a married man, allegedly had a 5-year affair with a woman in her late 20s. In a series of now-deleted X posts, Phil Johnson, Director of Grace to You with John MacArthur, said last September that Lawson only informed the elders at Trinity Bible Church after "the girl's father had confronted Steve and threatened exposure. This was not a noble confession.” In an X post this past Wednesday, Lawson wrote: “I have sinned grievously against the Lord, against my wife, my family, and against countless numbers of you by having a sinful relationship with a woman not my wife. I am deeply broken that I have betrayed and deceived my wife, devastated my children, brought shame to the name of Christ, reproach upon His church, and harm to many ministries.” Lawson added, “I have been undergoing extensive counseling for the last five months to face the hard questions I need to address. I have dealt with sin issues that have been painfully exposed in my heart. I have submitted myself in weekly accountability to two pastors and to the elders of a local congregation, who have shepherded my soul.” 1 Timothy 3:1-2 says, “Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, March 21st, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

The Senate confirmation hearing for Dr. Mehmet Oz, the nominee for Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-highwire-with-del-bigtree--3620606/support.

Last year, Alice Valder Curran, a partner at Hogan Lovells and a healthcare policy expert in Washington, D.C. joined host Jonah Comstock on the pharmaphorum podcast to talk about the intended and unintended consequences of the drug pricing negotiation provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act. On today's episode, Curran joins us once again for an update on the IRA, looking at the second batch of drugs announced in January, recent messaging from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and what it might communicate about their thinking, and more analysis of IRA's consequences, including a recent study on the impact of the IRA on early stage investment. She also talks about the possibility that, because of perverse incentives for pharmacy benefit managers, patient access to medications negotiated under the IRA could actually get worse. And she looks ahead to the third round of negotiations, which will see Part D drugs, including Keytruda, become eligible. While the IRA was the main focus of discussion, Curran and Comstock discuss a lot more about the current chaotic environment in DC, including the potential impact of layoffs on the functioning of agencies like CMS and FDA, the outlook for the possibility of IRA reform under the Trump administration, and the recent dispatch from Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy indicating a change in policy around notice and comment rulemaking.  Things are happening fast in the United States government and the ripples could have big effects for the pharma industry. Tune in for the low-down from an expert insider. 

The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Episode (03/14/2025): 3:05pm- Earlier this week, the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through September. The Senate will consider the CR Friday afternoon. After initially telling reporters that Democrats would not help Republicans overcome the 60-vote filibuster threshold, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said he will vote in favor of cloture to prevent the government from shutting down at midnight on Friday. House Democrats are decrying Sen. Schumer's decision—with rumors swirling that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez may be considering a primary challenge. Sen. Schumer is up for re-election in 2028. 3:10pm- Will the Senate vote in favor of funding the government through September? According to Politico, a government shutdown may be in the Trump Administration's best interest—as the Attorney General and Office of Management of Budget will determine what federal activities are essential based on guidance that dates back to the Carter Administration. This would allow for DOGE to slash the size of government with even greater ease. 3:30pm- Speaking from the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump condemned the DOJ's past weaponization—which he noted targeted him and other individuals deemed to be political rivals by the law enforcement agency. Trump stated, “we must be honest about the lies and abuses that have occurred within these walls. Unfortunately, in recent years, a corrupt group of hacks and radicals within the ranks of the American government obliterated the trust and goodwill built up over generations.” 4:00pm- This week, several conservative commentators were “swatted”—which occurs when someone purposefully deceives an emergency response operator, reporting a serious crime and ultimately causing police units to storm another person's address. Relatedly, Supreme Court Justice Amy Cooney Barrett's sister was recently the victim of a bomb threat—with the suspect explicitly citing his disdain for the Justice's judicial philosophy. 4:10pm- Speaking from the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump condemned the DOJ's past weaponization—which he noted targeted him and other individuals deemed to be political rivals by the law enforcement agency. Trump stated, “we must be honest about the lies and abuses that have occurred within these walls. Unfortunately, in recent years, a corrupt group of hacks and radicals within the ranks of the American government obliterated the trust and goodwill built up over generations.” 4:40pm- While speaking with Jake Tapper on CNN, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-NY) expressed frustration with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's (D-NY) decision to break the filibuster and allow for the Republican continuing resolution bill to pass, averting a government shutdown. Does AOC plan to primary Schumer in 2028? 5:05pm- Dr. Victoria Coates— Former Deputy National Security Advisor & the Vice President of the Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss the Trump Administration's continued efforts to end the war in Ukraine. She's the author of the book: “The Battle for the Jewish State: How Israel—and America—Can Win” which features a forward from Senator Ted Cruz. 5:20pm- The Senate voted 62-38 to end the filibuster and proceed to amendment votes on the House's continuing resolution bill. None of the amendments are expected to pass and the Senate is expected to pass the bill as is later today. 5:25pm- While appearing on The Breakfast Club with Charlamagne tha God, comedian Bill Burr compared billionaire Elon Musk to Adolf Hitler—accusing Musk of doing a Nazi salute and wondering why progressives aren't doing more to try to stop him. 5:40pm During his confirmation hearing, President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as Administrator of Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services ...

The Senate Finance Committee got its chance March 14 to question Mehmet Oz, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the vast Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the largest agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. Oz, with his long history in television, was as polished as one would expect, brushing off even some more controversial parts of his past with apparent ease. In this special bonus episode of “What the Health?,” KFF Health News' Rachana Pradhan and Stephanie Armour join Julie Rovner to recap the Oz hearing. They also provide an update on the progress of nominees to lead the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Donald Trump will deliver remarks at the Department of Justice Friday afternoon to rally support for his administration's tough-on-crime agenda. “President Trump will visit the Department of Justice to give remarks on restoring law and order, removing violent criminals from our communities, and ending the weaponization of justice against Americans for their political leanings,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.Dr. Mehmet Oz, Trump's pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, testifies before the Senate Finance Committee.Hamas said on Friday it had agreed to free an American-Israeli dual national if Israel begins the next phase of ceasefire talks towards a permanent end to the war, an offer Israel dismissed as "psychological warfare".

  The Friday Five for March 14, 2025: Design Overhaul Coming to Apple OS? Google, Chrome & uBlock Origin Content Marketing Gamification Ritter Roadshows are Back for 2025! CMS 2025 Marketplace Integrity & Affordability Proposed Rule   Design Overhaul Coming to Apple OS? Clark, Adam. “Apple Plans Major Software Overhaul, Says Report. Why the iPhone Maker Needs a Change.” Barrons.Com, Barron's, 11 Mar. 2025, www.barrons.com/articles/apple-price-stock-iphone-ios-update-10249921. Mehta, Ivan. “Apple's next Major OS Updates Will Bring the Biggest Design Overhaul in Years.” Techcrunch.Com, TechCrunch, 11 Mar. 2025, techcrunch.com/2025/03/11/apples-next-major-os-updates-will-bring-the-biggest-design-overhaul-in-years/. Jackson, Fiona. “iPhone 17 Leaks Show Off Groundbreaking Designs.” Techrepublic.Com, TechRepublic, 10 Mar. 2025, www.techrepublic.com/article/apple-iphone-17-leaks/. Barr, Kyle. “Your iPhone Home Screen Could Look Entirely Different Very Soon.” Gizmodo.Com, Gizmodo, 11 Mar. 2025, gizmodo.com/your-iphone-home-screen-could-look-entirely-different-really-soon-2000574330.   Google, Chrome & uBlock Origin: Weatherbed, Jess. “Google's Chrome Extension Cull Hits More uBlock Origin Users.” Theverge.Com, The Verge, 3 Mar. 2025, www.theverge.com/news/622953/google-chrome-extensions-ublock-origin-disabled-manifest-v3. Maxwell, Thomas. “Google Is Hobbling Popular Ad Blocker uBlock Origin on Chrome.” Gizmodo.Com, Gizmodo, 4 Mar. 2025, gizmodo.com/google-is-hobbling-popular-ad-blocker-ublock-origin-on-chrome-2000570878. Wallen, Jack. “Once uBlock Origin Stops Working on Chrome, You Have 2 Options.” Zdnet.Com, ZDNET, 4 Mar. 2025, www.zdnet.com/article/once-ublock-origin-stops-working-on-chrome-you-have-2-options/. Yee, Alaina. “Ublock Origin Is Officially Dead for Chrome, but Ad Blockers Live On.” Pcworld.Com, PCWorld, 25 Feb. 2025, www.pcworld.com/article/2595287/ublock-origin-is-officially-dead-for-chrome-but-ad-blockers-live-on.html.   Content Marketing Gamification: Sadick, Barbara. “6 Most Expensive Medical Procedures, Ranked.” Health.Usnews.Com, U.S. News & World Report, 3 Mar. 2025, health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/most-expensive-medical-procedures-ranked.   Ritter Roadshows are Back for 2025: Learn More About the 2025 Season of Ritter Roadshows: https://ritterim.com/roadshows/   CMS 2025 Marketplace Integrity & Affordability Proposed Rule: “2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Proposed Rule.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 10 Mar. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2025-marketplace-integrity-and-affordability-proposed-rule. “CMS Takes Aim to Reduce Improper Enrollments and Promote More Affordable Health Insurance Marketplaces for Millions of Consumers.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 10 Mar. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-takes-aim-reduce-improper-enrollments-and-promote-more-affordable-health-insurance-marketplaces. “Enhanced Premium Tax Credits for ACA Health Plans: Who They Help, and Who Gets Hurt If They're Not Extended.” Commonwealthfund.Org, Commonwealth Fund, 18 Feb. 2025, www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/explainer/2025/feb/enhanced-premium-tax-credits-aca-health-plans. “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability .” Cms.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 10 Mar. 2025, www.cms.gov/files/document/MarketplacePIRule2025.pdf.   Resources: Clarification on HHS Proposed Rule Comment Periods: https://lnk.to/asgf20250307 CMS Finalizes Improvements to Marketplace Plan Selection with 2026 Final Rule: https://lnk.to/asg652 Diversify Your Insurance Portfolio & Reap Real Rewards: https://lnk.to/asg651 On the Road with Damon Logan: https://lnk.to/FCJ7Mg On the Road with Jason Meyers: https://lnk.to/j6QzBq   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Mehmet Oz is President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a massive agency that oversees health coverage for more than 100 million Americans, including older adults, those with low incomes and children. Oz is a cardiothoracic surgeon and former professor at Columbia University who became a household name when he started appearing on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in 2004 and then hosted his own show, “The Dr. Oz Show,” from 2009 to 2022. On Friday, Oz will face federal lawmakers in a Senate hearing as he seeks confirmation to run CMS, an agency that has a more than trillion-dollar budget and could face spending cuts in the budget year ahead. Today on “Post Reports,” health accountability reporter Lauren Weber explains why he may face questions about his past, his investments and possible conflicts of interest.Today's show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was edited by Peter Bresnan with help from Maggie Penman and Lynh Bui. It was mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The Trump administration's efforts to downsize the federal government continue, with both personnel and programs being cut at the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration. Meanwhile, the fight over cuts to the Medicaid program for those with low incomes heats up, as Republicans worry that more of their voters than ever before are Medicaid beneficiaries. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Jeff Grant, who recently retired from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services after 41 years in government service. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: NBC News' “‘You Lose All Hope': Federal Workers Gripped by Mental Health Distress Amid Trump Cuts,” by Natasha Korecki. Shefali Luthra: The New York Times' “15 Lessons Scientists Learned About Us When the World Stood Still,” by Claire Cain Miller and Irineo Cabreros. Alice Miranda Ollstein: The Atlantic's “His Daughter Was America's First Measles Death in a Decade,” by Tom Bartlett. Anna Edney: Bloomberg News' “India Trade Group Blasts Study Linking Drugs to Safety Risks,” by Satviki Sanjay. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mayor Wu joined for the first hour to discuss testifying in front of Congress and answer listener questions. ACLU of MA's Carol Rose discusses hiring freezes at local educational institutions like MIT and Harvard.Donald Berwick, former administrator of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, currently a lecturer of healthcare policy at Harvard Medical School, discusses Republican-backed cuts to Medicaid under their current budget proposal.Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discusses the progressives trying to ditch big brands like Amazon and Target

  The Friday Five for March 7, 2025: Starbucks and Dunkin' Spring 2025 Menus Amazon Announces Alexa+ Changes to MA and Part D Disaster/Emergency SEP Effects of ACA Subsidy Expiration by Demographic Clarification on HHS Proposed Rule Comment Periods   Starbucks and Dunkin' Spring 2025 Menus: Beams, Sophia. “Dunkin' Brings Back Two Fan-Favorite Drinks Just in Time for Spring.” Bhg.Com, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025, www.bhg.com/dunkin-spring-menu-2025-11690288. Tyko, Kelly. “Dunkin' Spring Menu Launches, Nondairy Surcharge Removed.” Axios.Com, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025, www.axios.com/2025/03/05/dunkin-spring-menu-2025-dunkalatte-pistachio-coffee. “New Iced Cherry Chai Joins Lavender Drinks on Starbucks Spring Menu.” About.Starbucks.Com, Starbucks, 3 Mar. 2025, about.starbucks.com/stories/2025/new-iced-cherry-chai-joins-lavender-drinks-on-starbucks-spring-menu/. Palan, Michael. “We Tried Starbucks' New Spring Menu Items, and These 2 Drinks Stole the Show.” Tastingtable.Com, Tasting Table, 3 Mar. 2025, www.tastingtable.com/1801587/starbucks-reserve-new-spring-menu-2025-drinks-food/.   Amazon Announces Alexa+: “50 Things to Try with Alexa+.” Aboutamazon.Comt, Amazon, 26 Feb. 2025, www.aboutamazon.com/news/devices/new-alexa-top-features. Haselton, Todd, et al. “Amazon Alexa Event Live Blog: All the News from the Keynote.” Theverge.Com, The Verge, 26 Feb. 2025, www.theverge.com/news/618261/amazon-alexa-event-live-blog-2025. Panay, Panos. “Introducing Alexa+, the next Generation of Alexa.” Aboutamazon.Com, Amazon, 26 Feb. 2025, www.aboutamazon.com/news/devices/new-alexa-generative-artificial-intelligence. Diaz, Maria. “Not All Echo Devices Will Get Alexa+ Initially - See If Yours Made the List.” Zdnet.Com, ZDNET, 28 Feb. 2025, www.zdnet.com/article/alexa-plus-will-run-on-select-echo-devices-see-if-yours-is-on-the-list/. Ellis, Cat. “Want to Try Alexa+? Here Are the Echo Devices It'll Work On.” Techradar.Com, TechRadar, 27 Feb. 2025, www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/want-to-try-alexa-plus-here-are-the-echo-devices-itll-work-on. Aten, Jason. “With Its AI-Powered Alexa+, Amazon Just Put Apple on Notice.” Inc.Com, Inc, 26 Feb. 2025, www.inc.com/jason-aten/with-its-ai-powered-alexa-plus-amazon-just-put-apple-on-notice/91153371. Stanley, Alyse. “You Can Get Alexa+ Early — Here's How to Sign up.” Tomsguide.Com, Tom's Guide, 1 Mar. 2025, www.tomsguide.com/ai/you-can-get-alexa-early-heres-how-to-sign-up.   Changes to MA and Part D Disaster/Emergency SEP: Crowe, Edward. “New Medicare FEMA SEP Rules.” Pfsinsurance.Com, Pinnacle Financial Services, 29 Jan. 2025, pfsinsurance.com/blog/new-medicare-fema-sep-rules-crowe-associates. “Change to Beneficiary Use of the SEP for Individuals Affected by a Government Entity-Declared Disaster or Other Emergency.” Cms.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 3 Dec. 2024, 20178637.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20178637/42%20ea%20-%20Product%20Profile.pdf.   Effects of ACA Subsidy Expiration by Demographic: Lambrew, Jeanne. “Enhanced ACA Marketplace Tax Credits Worked—And Shouldn't Be Eliminated.” Tcf.Org, The Century Foundation, 7 Aug. 2024, tcf.org/content/commentary/enhanced-aca-marketplace-tax-credits-worked-and-shouldnt-be-eliminated/. Richards, Carson, and Sara  R. Collins. “Enhanced Premium Tax Credits for ACA Health Plans: Who They Help, and Who Gets Hurt If They're Not Extended.” Commonwealthfund.Org, Commonwealth Fund, 18 Feb. 2025, www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/explainer/2025/feb/enhanced-premium-tax-credits-aca-health-plans. Sullivan, Jennifer. “Enhanced Tax Credits Keep ACA Marketplace Coverage Affordable for 2025.” Cbpp.Org, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 18 Nov. 2024, www.cbpp.org/blog/enhanced-tax-credits-keep-aca-marketplace-coverage-affordable-for-2025. “How Much More Would People Pay in Premiums If the ACA's Enhanced Subsidies Expired?” Kff.Org, KFF, 18 Dec. 2024, https://www.kff.org/interactive/how-much-more-would-people-pay-in-premiums-if-the-acas-enhanced-subsidies-expired/ Ortaliza, Jared, et al. “Inflation Reduction Act Health Insurance Subsidies: What Is Their Impact and What Would Happen If They Expire?” Kff.Org, KFF, 26 July 2024, www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/issue-brief/inflation-reduction-act-health-insurance-subsidies-what-is-their-impact-and-what-would-happen-if-they-expire/. Banthin, Jessica, et al. “Who Benefits from Enhanced Premium Tax Credits in the Marketplace?” Urban.Org, Urban Institute, June 2024, www.urban.org/sites/default/files/2024-06/Who_Benefits_from_Enhanced_Premium_Tax_Credits_in_the_Marketplace.pdf. Lo, Justin, and Cynthia Cox. “Who Might Lose Eligibility for Affordable Care Act Marketplace Subsidies If Enhanced Tax Credits Are Not Extended?” Kff.Com, KFF, 28 Feb. 2025, www.kff.org/policy-watch/who-might-lose-eligibility-for-affordable-care-act-marketplace-subsidies-if-enhanced-tax-credits-are-not-extended/.   Clarification on HHS Proposed Rule Comment Periods: “Compilation of the Social Security Laws.” Ssa.Gov, Social Security Administration, www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title18/1871.htm. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025. “HHS Rescinds Policy Regarding Notice-and-Comment Rulemaking – Implications for Health Care Industry.” Www.Hoganlovells.Com, Hogan Lovells, 3 Mar. 2025, www.hoganlovells.com/en/publications/hhs-rescinds-policy-regarding-noticeandcomment-rulemaking-implications-for-health-care-industry. “Policy on Adhering to the Text of the Administrative Procedure Act.” Federalregister.Gov, Federal Register, 3 Mar. 2025, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/03/03/2025-03300/policy-on-adhering-to-the-text-of-the-administrative-procedure-act. Goldman, Maya. “RFK Jr. Move to Kill Public Comment Roils Providers.” Axios.Com, Axios, 3 Mar. 2025, www.axios.com/2025/03/03/rfk-transparency-rule-elimination-fallout. Cueto, Isabella. “RFK Jr. Moves to Eliminate Public Comment on HHS Decisions.” Statnews.Com, STAT, 28 Feb. 2025, www.statnews.com/2025/02/28/rfk-jr-eliminating-public-comment-hhs-decisions-richardson-waiver/. Muoio, Dave. “RFK Jr. Orders HHS to End ‘extra-Statutory' Notice, Public Comment Process in Rulemaking.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 3 Mar. 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/rfk-jr-orders-hhs-end-notice-public-comment-process-rulemaking. Howe, Amy. “Supreme Court Strikes down Chevron, Curtailing Power of Federal Agencies.” Scotusblog.Com, SCOTUSblog, 26 July 2024, www.scotusblog.com/2024/06/supreme-court-strikes-down-chevron-curtailing-power-of-federal-agencies/.   Resources: Diversify Your Insurance Portfolio & Reap Real Rewards: https://lnk.to/asg651 FAQs About Registering with Ritter Insurance Marketing: https://ritterim.com/blog/faqs-about-registering-with-ritter-insurance-marketing/   How To Better Market Yourself: https://ritterim.com/blog/how-to-better-market-yourself/   Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Do's and Don'ts: https://lnk.to/oRft1p SNP Summit Registration is Live: https://lnk.to/asgf20250228   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency. Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.

Cleveland City Council and Mayor Justin Bibb are tussling over the city budget, specifically over how much money is earmarked for neighborhoods. Council members wanted an allocation so they can control how $600,000 can be spent in each of their wards. In Akron, the budget season is marked by belt tightening. The $798 million budget proposed by Mayor Shammas Malik represents a two percent decrease over the last budget due to concerns of uncertainty around federal funding the expiration of federal COVID-related funding. Visits to food banks in Ohio are up 10% in each of the last three years, which is why anti-hunger advocates are concerned about a possible cut in state funding. Governor Mike DeWine's budget proposes a $15 million cut because money in the last budget was considered one-time funding. DeWine also wants some Medicaid recipients to get a job. He submitted his proposal to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicaid covers about 3 million people in Ohio. Two Republican lawmakers want Ohio's school kids to spend more time in the classroom, proposing a bill that would add 53 hours of instructional time to the school year. We will discuss these stories and more on the "Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable."

  You might have heard some misconceptions about Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans. In this episode we're busting those myths and highlighting D-SNPs' potential!   Read the text version   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Resources: Agent's Guide to Digital Marketing Resources: https://lnk.to/D18qeY Building Client Loyalty: More than Just a Plan: https://ritterim.com/blog/building-client-loyalty-more-than-just-a-plan/ Changes to Medicare in 2025 Affect Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans: https://lnk.to/tj8oG1 Diversify Your Insurance Portfolio & Reap Real Rewards: https://ritterim.com/blog/diversify-your-insurance-portfolio-and-reap-real-rewards/ Get Your Insurance Portfolio Reviewed for FREE: https://ritterim.com/portfolio/ How Relationship Marketing Can Make the Difference in Your Agency: https://lnk.to/asg642 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing: https://app.ritterim.com/public/registration/ The Beginner's Guide to D-SNPs: https://lnk.to/asg648   References: Freed, Salama, et al. “10 Things to Know about Medicare Advantage Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-Snps).” KFF, KFF, https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/10-things-to-know-about-medicare-advantage-dual-eligible-special-needs-plans-d-snps/. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. Pena, Maria T., et al. “A Profile of Medicare-Medicaid Enrollees (Dual Eligibles).” KFF, KFF, 17 Feb. 2023, https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/a-profile-of-medicare-medicaid-enrollees-dual-eligibles/. “Beneficiaries Dually Eligible for Medicare & Medicaid.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, https://www.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/medicare-learning-network-mln/mlnproducts/downloads/medicare_beneficiaries_dual_eligibles_at_a_glance.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. Biniek, Jeannie Fuglesten, et al. “Medicare Advantage in 2024: Enrollment Update and Key Trends.” KFF, KFF, 8 Aug. 2024, https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-advantage-in-2024-enrollment-update-and-key-trends/. Johnston, Kenton J., et al. “Nationwide Availability of and Enrollment in Medicare and Medicaid Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans With Exclusively Aligned Enrollment.” Jama Network, Jama Health Forum, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2824902. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. “New Special Enrollment Periods (Seps) for Dually Eligible ...” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/duals-lissepsjobaid01012025.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025. “Seniors & Medicare and Medicaid Enrollees.” Medicaid.Gov, https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/eligibility/seniors-medicare-and-medicaid-enrollees/index.html. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X (fka) Twitter, https://twitter.com/RitterIM and Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance    Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

  The Friday Five for February 21, 2025: Golden Birthday Cake Oreos Return Amazon Kindle Update RFK Jr. Confirmed as HHS Secretary ACA Navigator Program Funding Cut Nursing Home Demand Projections   Golden Birthday Cake Oreos Return: Fink, Bailey. “Oreo Is Releasing 2 New Flavors—and Making One Permanent.” Allrecipes.Com, Allrecipes, 18 Feb. 2025, www.allrecipes.com/oreo-new-cookies-february-2025-11680020. Bivins, Kenn. “Oreo Just Brought Back a ‘GOAT' Flavor That Has Fans ‘Beyond Excited.'” Parade.Com, Parade, 19 Feb. 2025, parade.com/food/oreo-golden-birthday-cake-returns-2025. Robledo, Anthony. “Oreo Reveals New Flavors: Double Chocolate Cakesters and Golden Birthday Cake.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 19 Feb. 2025, www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2025/02/18/oreo-new-flavors/79126601007/.   Amazon Kindle Update: Liszewski, Andrew. “Amazon's Killing a Feature That Let You Download and Backup Kindle Books.” Theverge.Com, The Verge, 14 Feb. 2025, www.theverge.com/news/612898/amazon-removing-kindle-book-download-transfer-usb. “Download Your Kindle Books ASAP - before Amazon Kills This Feature next Week.” Zdnet.Com, ZDNET, 18 Feb. 2025, www.zdnet.com/article/download-your-kindle-books-asap-before-amazon-kills-this-feature-next-week/. Younker, Scott. “Hurry! Download Your Kindle eBooks before Amazon Won't Let You Anymore.” Tomsguide.Com, Tom's Guide, 19 Feb. 2025, www.tomsguide.com/tablets/e-readers/hurry-download-your-kindle-ebooks-before-amazon-wont-let-you-anymore. Heinzman, Andrew. “Kindle Is Making It Harder to Switch to Rival eReader Brands.” Howtogeek.Com, How-To Geek, 14 Feb. 2025, www.howtogeek.com/kindle-discontinues-download-transfer-via-usb/.   RFK Jr. Confirmed as HHS Secretary: Simmons-Duffin, Selena. “RFK Jr. Confirmed as Trump's Health Secretary, over Democrats' Loud Objections.” Npr.Org, NPR, 13 Feb. 2025, www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/02/13/nx-s1-5294591/rfk-jr-trump-health-human-services-hhs-vaccines. Weber, Lauren, and Rachel Roubein. “RFK Jr. Confirmed, Elevating Anti-Vaccine Activist to Nation's Top Health Post.” Washingtonpost.Com, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2025, www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/02/13/robert-kennedy-hhs-secretary-confirmation-vote/. Beavins, Emma, and Dave Muoio. “RFK Jr. Sworn in as Head of HHS Following 52-48 Senate Vote.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 13 Feb. 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/senate-confirms-rfk-jr-head-hhs-52-48-vote. Cueto, Isabella. “Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Confirmed by Senate as U.S. Health Secretary.” Statnews.Com, STAT, 13 Feb. 2025, www.statnews.com/2025/02/13/rfk-jr-confirmed-hhs-secretary-vote-vaccine-critic-to-top-trump-health-official/.   ACA Navigator Program Funding Cut: Pestaina, Kaye. “A 90% Cut to the ACA Navigator Program.” KFF.Org, KFF, 18 Feb. 2025, www.kff.org/quick-take/a-90-cut-to-the-aca-navigator-program/. “Biden-Harris Administration Awards $100 Million to Navigators Who Will Help Millions of Americans — Especially in Underserved Communities — Sign Up for Health Coverage.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 26 Aug. 2024, www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-awards-100-million-navigators-who-will-help-millions-americans. “CMS Announcement on Federal Navigator Program Funding.” CMS.Gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 14 Feb. 2025, www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-announcement-federal-navigator-program-funding. Tong, Noah. “CMS Slashes ACA Navigator Program Funding 90% to $10M.” Fiercehealthcare.Com, Fierce Healthcare, 14 Feb. 2025, www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/cms-slashes-aca-navigator-program-funding-10-million.   Nursing Home Demand Projections: “CDC WONDER Database.” Wonder.Cdc.Gov, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://wonder.cdc.gov/. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025. Shuman, Taylor. “How Will America's ‘Silver Tsunami' Impact Demand for Nursing Homes?” SeniorLiving.Org, SeniorLiving.org, 23 Jan. 2025, www.seniorliving.org/nursing-homes/nursing-home-demand-projections/. Berger, Chloe. “The Boomer Housing Crisis Is Pacing to Get Even Worse: ‘We've Never Had a Population Pyramid That Looks like This.'” Msn.Com, MSN, 12 Feb. 2025, www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/the-boomer-housing-crisis-is-pacing-to-get-even-worse-we-ve-never-had-a-population-pyramid-that-looks-like-this/ar-AA1yUKUG. “The US Population Is Aging.” Urban.Org, Urban Institute, www.urban.org/policy-centers/cross-center-initiatives/program-retirement-policy/projects/data-warehouse/what-future-holds/us-population-aging. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025. “State Health Facts: Average Number of Certified Nursing Facility Beds.” KFF.Org, KFF, 5 Dec. 2024, https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/average-number-of-certified-nursing-facility-beds/. “State Health Facts: Total Number of Certified Nursing Facilities.” KFF.Org, KFF, 5 Dec. 2024, https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/number-of-nursing-facilities/.   Resources: 5 Types of Content to Share on Social Media: https://lnk.to/asgf20250131  Best eBook & Audiobook Apps: https://lnk.to/WsIGZ5 Guidelines for Sharing Personal Beneficiary Data with Other TPMOs: https://lnk.to/asg647 MedicareCENTER FAQs: https://lnk.to/asg645 PlanEnroll FAQs: https://lnk.to/asg646  The Postseason Game Plan for Agents: https://lnk.to/asgf20250214   Follow Us on Social!  Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Republicans are looking to cut as much as $880 billion from Medicaid, a federal program that provides healthcare for 72 million Americans. Distinct from Medicare, which covers seniors, Medicaid includes coverage for low income people, the disabled, substance abuse programs, nursing home care, and the Affordable Care Act, among other kinds of care. Nearly half of all births in the U.S. are covered by Medicaid, and polls show enormous support for the program across political parties. Donald Trump has said that cuts to Medicaid are off the table, but congressional Republicans' proposed budget to pay for the president's signature $4.5 trillion dollar tax cut relies on massive cuts to the program. We'll talk to experts about the future of Medicaid. Guests: Larry Levitt, executive vice president, Kaiser Family Foundation Joanne Kenen, journalist In-residence, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health Kristof Stremikis, director of market analysis and insight, California Health Care Foundation, independent nonprofit focused on improving healthcare for Californians Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, former administrator, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services; served as administrator during the Biden administration from 2021-2025

It hasn’t even been a month since President Donald Trump was sworn into office, but the sudden and drastic changes he – and Elon Musk – have ordered are being felt at every level of the federal government. Thousands of federal workers got notice over the weekend that they were being terminated – in departments ranging from the U.S. Forest Service to the CDC and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The judiciary has slowed some of the biggest Trump moves, like ending birthright citizenship or withholding billions in federal funding. But the President’s nominees have been largely confirmed and Musk personnel mostly continue to have access to critical government systems. So what can the Democratic Party do to put guardrails around this administration? Guest: US Representative Rick Larsen (Washington State’s 2nd Congressional District since 2001) Links: Rep. Larsen's website Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since its inception, the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program has been contentiously debated. For example, several pharmaceutical manufacturers filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) challenging the program’s constitutionality. This webinar will discuss whether the Biden Administration’s implementation and interpretation of the IRA go beyond Congress’s intent or constitutional boundaries. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently issued a statement that the Trump Administration is committed to “incorporating lessons learned to date from the program and considering opportunities to bring greater transparency in the Negotiation Program. CMS intends to provide opportunities for stakeholders to provide specific ideas to improve the Negotiation Program, consistent with the goals of achieving greater value for beneficiaries and taxpayers while continuing to foster innovation.” Accordingly, this webinar discusses whether the Trump Administration may pause the program and whether Congress should repeal the program. Featuring: (Moderator) John Shu, Attorney and Legal Commentator Jeff Stier, Senior Fellow, Conumer Choice Center and Taxpayers Protection Alliance Dan Troy, Managing Director, Berkeley Research Group

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency is quickly expanding its reach through the federal government.It recently accessed systems at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Musk and his team now are looking at key payment and contracting systems for Medicare and Medicaid.That was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.On X, Musk said he believes quote "big money fraud is happening." Medicare insures older people. Medicaid offers insurance to low income people and those with disabilities.These two health insurance programs serve tens of millions of people, and they consume a huge part of federal and state budgets. So how could DOGE impact these services? For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.orgEmail us at considerthis@npr.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

How well is the U.S. health care system working, and what is being done to address its biggest challenges? In this episode, Dr. Liz Fowler, former Deputy Administrator and Director of the Innovation Center at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, discusses the progress and challenges of U.S. healthcare reform, emphasizing the impact of the ACA, the shift to value-based care, and the need for systemic innovation to improve access, affordability, and quality. While the ACA has expanded coverage and improved access for individuals with pre-existing conditions, high out-of-pocket costs, care denials, and inefficiencies persist. Dr. Fowler emphasizes the need for mandatory value-based payment models to drive systemic change, focusing on team-based care, predictive analytics, and home-based interventions. She notes that while CMS has the scale to implement reforms, Medicaid innovation remains complex due to state-by-state variations. Driven by real patient experiences, Dr. Fowler remains committed to improving health care access, affordability, and quality through government-led innovation. Tune in as Dr. Liz Fowler shares firsthand insights on the evolution of health care reform, the shift to value-based care, and the ongoing innovations shaping the future of Medicare and Medicaid! About CareQuest: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating an oral health care system that is accessible, equitable, and integrated. Learn more about how their advocacy, philanthropy, research, and education are creating a better oral health system at carequest.org/turnonthelights Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Feb. 5. Representatives from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency have been reviewing data at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. WSJ reporter Anna Wilde Mathews tells us what we know about the kind of data they're looking at, and why. Plus, President Trump signs an executive order banning transgender girls and women from participating in school and college sports. We hear from WSJ White House correspondent Natalie Andrews about the impact of the order. And Google announces a rollback of its diversity hiring targets. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices