Ken Alltucker

Virginia

Health reporter @usatoday, formerly @azcentral. Father of two girls, bassist, SF Bay Area native. Contact: [email protected], 703-854-5402

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Articles

Dr. Oz: Medicaid won't pay for gender-affirming care

1 week ago | ca.news.yahoo.com | Ken Alltucker

The federal agency that oversees Medicare and Medicaid has told states not to use Medicaid funding to pay for gender-affirming care for minors. Dr. Mehmet Oz, the newly confirmed administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said the federal agency will stop paying for gender reassignment operations or hormone treatments for those under 18. In a a statement, Oz said his "top priority is protecting children" and upholding the law.
Judge rejects Biden mandate for nursing homes to bolster staffing

2 weeks ago | usatoday.com | Ken Alltucker

A federal judge in Texas rejected a Biden administration rule that would have required most U.S. nursing homes to add workers to meet a minimum staffing threshold. U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk on Monday sided with nursing homes who argued the staffing rule was too onerous. Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee, said any staffing rule must comply with Congressional legislation governing nursing homes.
Trump administration drops Biden plan for Medicare to cover weight-loss drugs

2 weeks ago | usatoday.com | Ken Alltucker

The Centers forÂ MedicareÂ & Medicaid Services on Friday rejected a Biden administration proposal to expandÂ MedicareÂ coverage of weight-loss drugs such as Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Novo Nordisk's Wegovy. Medicare, the federal health program for adults 65 and older, has beenÂ prohibited by lawÂ from covering weight loss drugs for older Americans who are obese but do not have diabetes or heart disease.
Will drug prices stay steady after Trump tariffs exempt pharma?

2 weeks ago | usatoday.com | Ken Alltucker

Analysts said tariffs would send prescription drug prices higher. Generic drugs and ingredients that are largely made overseas are most vulnerable.
Mehmet Oz wins Senate confirmation to lead Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

3 weeks ago | usatoday.com | Riley Beggin |Ken Alltucker

WASHINGTON – Television host and surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz was confirmed on Thursday to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on a 53-45 vote that split the U.S. Senate along party lines with Republicans in support and Democrats in opposition. During his confirmation hearing last month, Oz vowed to empower patients to take charge of their health care and crack down on fraud, waste and abuse to safeguard federal health programs.
Prescription drugs dodge Trump's worldwide tariff for now. What to know.

3 weeks ago | ca.finance.yahoo.com | Ken Alltucker

Drugmakers appeared to dodge President Donald Trump's across-the-board 10% tariff on most imported goods and higher charges for some nations. In announcing his broad tariff plan, Trump said U.S. drugmakers will come "roaring back" with new domestic manufacturing or they will "have a big tax to pay" on imports. But the White House released an executive order Wednesday following Trump's speech that said pharmaceuticals would be exempt from reciprocal tariffs.
Prescription drugs dodge Trump's worldwide tariff for now. What to know.

3 weeks ago | azcentral.com | Ken Alltucker

Drugmakers appeared to dodge President Donald Trump's across-the-board 10% tariff on most imported goods and higher charges for some nations. In announcing his broad tariff plan, Trump said U.S. drugmakers will come "roaring back" with new domestic manufacturing or they will "have a big tax to pay" on imports. But the White House released an executive order Wednesday following Trump's speech that said pharmaceuticals would be exempt from reciprocal tariffs.
Mass layoffs at HHS: Latest news on the moves at CDC, NIH and FDA; live updates

3 weeks ago | beaconjournal.com | Josh Meyer |Bart Jansen |Ken Alltucker |Cybele Mayes-Osterman |Eduardo Cuevas |Sudiksha Kochi | +1 more

Sarah D. Wire Josh Meyer Bart Jansen Ken Alltucker Cybele Mayes-Osterman Eduardo Cuevas Sudiksha Kochi Adrianna RodriguezUSA TODAYMass layoffs began Tuesday at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and at the Food and Drug Administration, the first steps in a plan to cut 10,000 jobs at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Justice Department cuts some disability guidelines for US companies

1 month ago | usatoday.com | Ken Alltucker

Advocacy groups said the Justice Department's rollback of some disability guidelines could erode protections for people under federal law.
Citing Trump order, Justice Department cuts disability guidance for businesses

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Ken Alltucker

The Department of Justice this week announced the removal of 11 guidelines for businesses seeking to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Justice Department said removing the "unnecessary and outdated guidance" will help businesses comply with the federal disability law and eliminate unnecessary review. The agency cited a Jan. 20 executive order signed by President Donald Trump that called on federal agencies to take action to lower the cost of living.