Luke Zarzecki

Colorado, Washington, D.C., United States

FDA and Drug Pricing Reporter at Inside Health Policy

FDA & drug pricing reporter for @InHealthPolicy , formerly @ColoradoNewsCCM

Articles

CMS In Contact With Stakeholders On AOM Coverage Models

3 weeks ago | insidehealthpolicy.com | Luke Zarzecki

CMS is still considering ways to cover anti-obesity medications after the Trump administration scrapped a Biden administration proposal for CMS to cover anti-obesity medications (AOMs) earlier this year, with a source close to the issue telling Inside Health Policy CMS is reaching out to stakeholders on possible coverage models.
Cassidy Wants FDA To Hasten Prescription-To-OTC Switches

3 weeks ago | insidehealthpolicy.com | Luke Zarzecki

Senate health committee Chair Bill Cassidy (LA) wants to help FDA speed up approvals for switching prescription drugs to over-the-counter (OTC) offerings, as Congress is set to reauthorize the Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Program (OMUFA).
Cassidy, Van Hollen Introduce Hep C Bill Saving $6 Billion

3 weeks ago | insidehealthpolicy.com | Luke Zarzecki

As Republicans search for cost offsets to decrease the $2.4 trillion their “One Big Beautiful Bill” is estimated to add to the deficit over 10 years, Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) formally introduced a long-anticipated bill to pay for hepatitis C treatment in Medicaid and other state programs via an HHS-run subscription-based model that would save over $6 billion.
House Oversight Dem Grills HHS On AI Role In MAHA Report Glitches

3 weeks ago | insidehealthpolicy.com | Luke Zarzecki

The lead Democrat on the House Oversight & Government Reform committee, Rep. Stephen Lynch (MA), wants to know what role artificial intelligence played in crafting HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s high-profile Make America Healthy Again report that surfaced with major glitches, positing HHS may have used AI to develop science in support of a political agenda.
Trump Admin Proposes $1.5 Billion In Cuts To HIV/AIDS Funding

3 weeks ago | insidehealthpolicy.com | Luke Zarzecki

As experts say 1 million more people need preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) based off 2023 statistics, the Trump administration seeks to eliminate $1.5 billion of HIV prevention and surveillance funding in its detailed fiscal 2026 budget request out Friday (May 30), but maintains funding for the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) imitative in an about-face after leaked documents previously showed the White House would ask for EHE to be eliminated.
Despite Citation Changes, MAHA Report Still Misrepresents Some Studies

3 weeks ago | insidehealthpolicy.com | Luke Zarzecki

After reports finding the Make America Healthy Again report cited studies that do not exist, the Trump administration made at least 18 changes to the report’s citations, but some of the cited studies’ findings are still described inaccurately.
HHS Budget Requests Proposes MAHA ‘Prevention Innovation Program’

4 weeks ago | insidehealthpolicy.com | Luke Zarzecki

In its fiscal 2026 proposed budget, the Trump administration is proposing funding a new Make America Health Again (MAHA) initiative with $260 million to address the chronic illness epidemic within the proposed Administration for a Healthy America (AHA), in addition to $240 million in funding for FDA to “carry out the MAHA agenda.”
Cotton Wants Study On Consolidating Food Safety Roles

1 month ago | insidehealthpolicy.com | Luke Zarzecki

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) wants the Department of Agriculture to study consolidating food oversight functions of multiple federal agencies, including FDA, into one agency, as the Trump administration has proposed moving food inspections to states.
MAHA Report Lists Overmedication As A Cause Of Childhood Chronic Diseases

1 month ago | insidehealthpolicy.com | Luke Zarzecki

In its call to action and north star for policy interventions, the Trump administration released its Make America Healthy Again report Thursday (May 22) explaining the potential drivers of childhood chronic disease as poor diet, environmental chemicals, lack of physical activity, chronic stress and overprescribing of medications to children, each exacerbated by perverse corporate incentives.
RFK Jr. Blames OMB For Lack Of Detail In HHS Budget Request

1 month ago | insidehealthpolicy.com | Luke Zarzecki |Maaisha Osman

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is calling the shots on HHS’ budget plans, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told the Senate Appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over his department Tuesday (May 20) when grilled on why the department has yet to unveil its detailed budget request.