Robert King

Washington, D.C.

Reporter for @politico covering CMS. Formerly @dcexaminer and @fiercehealth. Send tips to [email protected]. DM for Signal

Articles

RFK Jr. drops plan to have Medicare, Medicaid cover weight loss drugs

2 weeks ago | politico.com | Robert King

The health secretary says better diet and exercise will keep Americans trim. The Biden administration proposal would have cost Medicare $25 billion and Medicaid $10 billion over 10 years. | David J. Phillip/AP Medicare and Medicaid will not cover blockbuster drugs such as Ozempic to treat obesity, the Trump administration announced on Friday.
Senate confirms Dr. Oz to lead Medicare and Medicaid

3 weeks ago | politico.com | Robert King

He will oversee how physicians are paid through Medicare. Dr. Mehmet Oz, the heart surgeon turned daytime television star, has a new job – overseeing the nation’s largest health insurance programs. The chamber voted Thursday 53 to 45 along party lines to confirm Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Hassan defends her votes for Trump nominees

3 weeks ago | politico.com | Robert King

The New Hampshire senator has backed as many Trump Cabinet picks as anyone in the Democratic caucus. Sen. Maggie Hassan has condemned President Donald Trump, but backed most of his Cabinet picks. | Rod Lamkey/POLITICO Sen. Maggie Hassan, a vociferous critic of President Donald Trump and his push to slash federal agencies, defended her votes in favor of Trump nominees and a controversial Republican funding bill at POLITICO’s Health Care Summit on Wednesday.
Very few people ‘know what’s happening’: RFK Jr. cuts surprise and alarm

4 weeks ago | politico.com | Adam Cancryn |Chelsea Cirruzzo |Ruth Reader |David Lim |Sophie Gardner |Robert King

“There’s very few people who actually know what’s happening,” said one health official granted anonymity to describe the internal reaction. House Energy and Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) also said he learned of the cuts from news reports. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), chair of the committee that oversees the health department, found out from Kennedy during a breakfast Thursday just before the news broke.
Hawley wants Dr. Oz to disavow prior views on trans care, abortion

1 month ago | politico.com | Robert King

The Missouri Republican, alone, isn’t enough to block Oz’s nomination to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, even if Democrats join him. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) wrote to CMS nominee Mehmet Oz with pointed questions about Oz's prior statements on abortion and transgender youth care. | Francis Chung/POLITICO Missouri Republican Sen.
Dr. Oz, with a TV host’s flair, promises simple solutions for America’s health care ills

1 month ago | politico.com | Robert King |Chelsea Cirruzzo

At his confirmation hearing to run Medicaid, Oz brushed off Democrats’ concerns about cuts Republicans are planning. Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, testifies at his confirmation hearing Friday.
Oz may have underpaid Medicare, Social Security taxes, Democrats say

1 month ago | politico.com | Robert King

Former TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, may have “significantly underpaid” his Medicare and Social Security taxes from 2021 to 2023, according to a memo obtained by POLITICO.
Funding bill skips measure to avert physician pay cuts, a blow to GOP Doctors Caucus

1 month ago | politico.com | Ben Leonard |Robert King |Daniel Payne

A key Republican said inclusion of the language would be a “line in the sand” necessary for his support. Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) said in recent months that Republican leadership was open to including the policy in the bill to keep the government funded through September, and that Trump administration officials had assured it would be addressed.
Republicans say states are pulling a fast one on Medicaid

1 month ago | politico.com | Robert King

Republican leaders, who are under pressure from some of their rank and file to protect Medicaid, say getting rid of the taxes would not be a funding cut, but elimination of a loophole. They argue that states are inflating Medicaid costs because they kick back the taxes to providers and insurers through higher payment rates — and also sometimes spend the money on items unrelated to Medicaid.
Republicans’ rosy Medicaid savings plan sees waste galore

1 month ago | politico.com | Robert King

Even if every improper payment were caught, it wouldn’t provide a third of the savings the GOP needs.