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Tech / Media / Telecom

Children’s Data Privacy/Online Safety

On a bipartisan voice vote, the Senate Commerce Committee passed the Children & Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (S. 836, also known as COPPA 2.0). The bill now moves to the full Senate for a vote.

Tech / Media / Telecom

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Moratorium

The Senate voted 99-1 to remove language from the Republicans’ reconciliation bill that would impose a moratorium on the enforcement of state-level laws and regulations relating to AI. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Guthrie (R-KY) said he plans to continue to pursue this issue.

Medicare FFS Prior Authorization (WISeR Model)

The CMS Innovation Center (CMMI) has announced the Trump administration’s first new model, known as the Wasteful & Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model. At a high-level, the model will test the expansion of prior authorization (PA) requirements in traditional fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare and the involvement of private sector tech...

Medicare DME Competitive Bidding (CBP)

The Trump administration continues to signal that a new round of the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, & Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) is in the offing. Earlier this year, a proposed rule aimed at improving the “fiscal sustainability of the CBP” appeared on the HHS unified agenda (release tentatively...

Medicare FFS Reimbursement (Home Health)

CMS has issued the CY26 Home Health Agency (HHA) proposed rule. Under the rule, CMS proposes decrease payments by -6.4% (-$1.135b) for CY26 relative to CY25. Comprising that net update is a 2.4% market basket update, a -0.5% outlier payment decrease, and an aggregate -3.7% prospective behavioral adjustment due to the continued implementation of...

Energy, Financials, Healthcare, Macro, Tech / Media / Telecom

Senate Republicans yesterday overcame the first procedural hurdle in passing the reconciliation bill and are planning for a Monday vote on final passage, though numerous of them continue to have reservations. House Majority Leader Scalise (R-LA) has indicated a House vote on the bill could take place by Tuesday or Wednesday, though a significant...