The Gist Healthcare Podcast Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Jun 25, 2025
The Trump Administration is tightening the rules for Affordable Care Act enrollment, making access more challenging. Shocking news reveals Medicare could face insolvency by 2033, several years earlier than expected. In major industry moves, Ascension plans to acquire AmSurg, significantly expanding its surgical network. Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk ends its partnership with Hims & Hers, stirring concerns about compounded medication sales. An upcoming report hints at a troubling trend in access to affordable healthcare for many Americans.
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ACA Enrollment Window Tightened
- CMS shortened federal exchange open enrollment to Nov 1–Dec 15 and tightened eligibility to curb alleged improper enrollments.
- The agency projects about a 5% premium drop and up to $12 billion taxpayer savings in 2026.
Verification And Eligibility Cuts Could Drop Coverage
- The rule adds income verification and ends a monthly special enrollment for people under 150% FPL, and excludes DACA recipients by redefining 'lawfully present.'
- CMS estimates 725,000–1.8 million people could lose coverage in 2026 due to these changes.
Medicare Trust Fund Timeline Accelerated
- Medicare's Hospital Insurance Trust Fund exhaustion moved forward to 2033, three years earlier than last year.
- After reserves deplete, Medicare could pay only about 89% of scheduled Part A benefits without legislative action.