Podcast: Why Both Parties Suck on Healthcare

Last month I joined Dan Horowitz’s show to provide a plan and a vision on the most important economic and fiscal issue. I explain how Republicans continue to push a luke warm, ineffective plan by accepting the premise of Obamacare while assuming responsibility for it. Dan and I converse on what would develop the ideal … Read more

Rural Healthcare Still Struggling

Seven hundred fifty-six rural hospitals in the United States are at risk of closure due to financial instability, with over 40% classified as being at immediate risk. These figures are derived from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform’s latest analysis, which utilizes current cost reports submitted to CMS and verified through December 2025. … Read more

The ACA Subsidies: Where we Are, What’s Next

On December 11,2025, the Senate rejected competing bills addressing Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, resulting in the expiration of tax credits and the prospect of higher health insurance premiums for many Americans in 2026. Both a Democratic bill intended to extend these subsidies and a Republican proposal involving Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) failed to pass, … Read more

Shutdown is Over: The Pieces

The longest government shutdown in United States history concluded on November 12. Yesterday, I wrote a post summarizing the process until resolution – https://rhislop3.com/congress-medicaid-subsidies-whats-next/ Despite the cessation of the shutdown, pivotal issues—most notably the future of enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which remain a point of contention for Democratic policymakers—are … Read more

Congress, Medicaid Subsidies – What’s Next

The Senate has approved a spending bill to keep the federal government running through January 30, though any decisions about extending the ACA enhanced premium tax credits have been postponed until December. Here are the main highlights: The package, passed with a 60-40 vote, will fund the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, and … Read more

CMS Releases Strategy on MAHA

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center), formerly known as CMMI and part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) under the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), has released a White Paper (CMS Innovation Center Strategy to Make America Healthy Again | CMS ) outlining a strategic direction … Read more

Republican House Medicaid Reform Package

Overview On May 11, House Republicans introduced a 160-page (Subtitle D Health Ae3638d840 | PDF | Medicaid | Federal Government Of The United States)  bill aiming to implement nationwide Medicaid work requirements and stricter eligibility standards. The legislation, part of a broader budget reconciliation package, seeks to cut federal spending by hundreds of billions of … Read more

Podcast on Healthcare Spending and Reform

I had a chance today to visit with Daniel Horowitz on his podcast regarding healthcare spending, healthcare reform, health policy and economics.  We a had a great discussion. The podcast link is below. Feel free to share with others as you all see fit. Why Health Care Sucks and What Ought to Be Done If … Read more

Medicaid Spending Reductions, Part III

Policy Options and Alternatives to Reduce Medicaid Costs This is part three of a series I wrote on Medicaid spending reductions (proposed). Recent Republican budgets have targeted Medicaid for $800 plus billion in spending reductions. This final post in the series covers the likely choices available from a policy perspective, to achieve the savings target. … Read more

Medicaid Spending Reductions, Part II

Potential Impacts of Medicaid Cuts on Beneficiaries and Providers This is Part II of a series I researched and produced on Medicaid cuts. The third, which I will edit and post later in the week, will wrap it up. With healthcare spending a major economic issue, I hope these few posts provided context for readers … Read more