The Gist Healthcare Podcast Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Aug 20, 2025
Medicare faces a daunting risk of $500 billion in cuts over the next decade. Meanwhile, Texas has officially declared its measles outbreak over after a 42-day hiatus without new cases. In exciting health news, AstraZeneca introduces a new at-home nasal flu vaccine, expected to boost access and vaccination rates. The discussion also touches on the innovative Hy-Vee Health with Oscar health plan, designed to provide benefits for employers and potential savings.
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Medicare Faces Large Automatic Cuts
- The CBO warns Medicare could face nearly $500 billion in automatic cuts over the next decade tied to PAYGO after the new tax law.
- Unless Congress acts to offset the law's $3.4 trillion deficit impact, sequestration could trigger deep Medicare reductions.
PAYGO Could Force Sequestration
- PAYGO requires new tax or mandatory spending laws to be budget neutral and can trigger sequestration to offset excess costs.
- Historically Congress has passed laws to avoid sequestration, but intervention will be needed again to prevent Medicare cuts.
Texas Measles Outbreak Declared Over
- Texas declared its measles outbreak over after more than 42 days without a new case in affected counties and traced 762 confirmed cases since January.
- The outbreak hit children hardest, hospitalized 99 people, and caused two deaths among unvaccinated school-aged children.