The Gist Healthcare Podcast Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Aug 6, 2025
Discover the Trump Administration’s new inpatient payment increase and its implications for hospitals. Delve into Medicare and Medicaid's consideration of GLP-1 drug coverage for obesity. Explore alarming trends as childhood vaccination exemptions soar to record highs, raising concerns about public health. The podcast also highlights striking data on pediatric vaccination rates and the resurgence of measles outbreaks in the U.S. Additionally, it examines ongoing disparities in physician pay across gender and specialties.
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Medicare Inpatient Rates Rise Modestly
- CMS finalized a 2.6% inpatient payment increase for FY2026, larger than the proposed 2.4% and worth about $5 billion total.
- The raise includes roughly $2 billion for uncompensated care to DISH hospitals but hospital groups say it's still insufficient.
Advocate For Rural And DISH Hospital Needs
- Hospital leaders should highlight rural and underserved facility needs when engaging policymakers about payment adequacy.
- Emphasize uncompensated care shortfalls and operating pressures to argue for stronger updates.
GLP-1 Coverage Under Active Consideration
- HHS is exploring voluntary coverage pathways for GLP-1s to treat obesity via Medicaid and Medicare programs through a CMS Innovation Center test.
- The plan would allow state Medicaid programs and Part D plans to opt in and start in 2026–2027 if implemented.