Wednesday was my last day at Fierce Healthcare. Deeply grateful to the team and everyone who helped me tell some important stories. I learned so much in this role. I’m off until after Labor Day, and then I will be back in healthcare journalism! More to come.

PBMs pressured as states shift Medicaid pharmacy models

Will Trump's tax bill cut Medicare by $490B? Not exactly Budgetary and policy analysts across the ideological spectrum told @FierceHealth's Noah Tong (@Tong_Thoughts) that while the CBO report is factually correct, it is unlikely to materially take effect https://t.co/IAIASRgRpc

FDA To Provide Novavax Update As ACIP Considers COVID Boosters

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NEW to Fierce Healthcare: Rollout of a text messaging platform designed to mass distribute reminders about Medicaid benefits and eligibility requirements to beneficiaries will be discontinued.

BREAKING: The Veterans Affairs Dept plans to lay off 10s of thousands of employees this year, per a memo sent Tuesday and obtained by @GovExec VA is targeting 2019 staffing levels. That was before it went on a hiring spree to accommodate millions of vets newly eligible for care

Don’t miss @Tong_Thoughts’s latest, on federal workers’ reactions to mass layoffs and whiplash: https://t.co/jGdGLb1ZkF

https://t.co/Xhy8f5Iz3N

Saturday morning scoop: The FDA called fired probationary workers Friday night urging them to return to their old roles.

New minute entry in N.H. Indonesian Community Support v. Trump (birthright EO I): Corrective Entry to 56 Memorandum in Support of Motion. Entry corrected by Adding BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE (jwb) Docket: https://t.co/9Lz6FQdhWV #CL69560542

Story will continue to be updated:

Huge healthcare story unfolding. Potential to impact millions upon millions of people. One lawsuit already from the American Public Health Association ⬇️

Looks like a big win against PBMs.

DOGE is promising big reform, but questions remain as to how critical federal programs will be managed. Noah Tong breaks down how the DOGE agenda could impact Medicaid and veterans' healthcare @Tong_Thoughts https://t.co/0hUUxtbjv1

LATEST: As some healthcare groups cheer Congress' proposed end-of-year health deal, some lobbyists fear the deal may be falling apart as Republicans voice concerns about the cost of the bill, @emmabeavins and @Tong_Thoughts report https://t.co/2vjS3JiBj6

The ASA president got the sense the policy was going to be tested in the initial three states before implemented nationwide.

I spoke to the American Society of Anesthesiologists this afternoon to get their thoughts on the plan. A few hours later, an Elevance Health spokesperson confirmed the policy is now withdrawn.

Story is here:

🧵Just one day after facing viral fallout over a new policy that would've restricted anesthesia care payments to providers in three states, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is no longer following through with the plan.