Insights | Meridian Research Group | Page 12

Medicaid Reimbursement

CMS has informed states it will not approve new or extend existing requests for federal dollars on designated state health programs (DSHPs) and designated state investment programs (DSIPs). DSHPs and DSIPs represent ~$2.7b in Medicaid spending in CY25.

Student Lending

Following the release of President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) directing the “dismantling” of the Department of Education (DoEd), key Republicans in Congress – including Senate HELP Chair Cassidy (R-LA) – indicated they would introduce legislation to effectuate the closure of the agency. Meanwhile, with the passage this week of the House/Senate...

Crypto (Stablecoins/Market Structure)

Senate Banking Committee (SBC) Chair Scott (R-SC) said this week that he foresees stablecoin legislation coming to the floor for a vote in May, and that he’s working on a compromise version of the bill with House Financial Services Committee (HFSC) Chair Hill (R-AR) before this occurs. The SBC passed stablecoin legislation (the GENIUS Act) by a...

Bank Capital/Liquidity

Secretary Bessent gave a speech this week in which he indicated Treasury plans to play a central role in re-shaping financial regulation. He outlined his views generally and signaled direction on a number of issues, including Basel III, SLR, and stress tests/SCB. Bessent’s speech builds on Trump’s comment that, “The Fed has done a terrible job...

House Republicans are this week attempting to adopt the version of the budget resolution passed by the Senate last week, which sets the basic deficit parameters of the subsequent “reconciliation” (tax/spending) bill they will enact on a partisan basis. Their attempts to do so have been delayed by objections from conservatives who have concerns...

Recent/upcoming developments… In recent weeks, HHS Secretary Kennedy has made a variety of statements pressuring states to consider banning the purchase of “soda” with SNAP benefits. Republican-led states appear to be heeding those calls, with WV Governor Morrisey indicating his state would seek USDA approval of such a ban and the ID legislature...