Senate Democrats pulled off a surprise boycott of Tuesday’s meeting of the Senate Finance Committee, which was originally scheduled to finalize the nomination of Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), President Trump’s pick to helm the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who led the boycott, said in a statement that unanswered questions and misleading statements by Price led to the delay in what was to have been the scheduled confirmation of the nominee. Wyden said that the issue hinged on the fact that Price had earlier testified that he did not receive an exclusive discount on purchases of stock for an Australian biomedical company.
Today’s Committee meeting was expected to result in Price’s confirmation prior to it going to a full Senate vote. With the Democrats having boycotted the session, the meeting will be rescheduled. Ironically, the boycott came on the last day of 2017 open enrollment under Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
“Rep. Price has been critical of (the) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI),” Rhonda Taller said in an email to RACmonitor. “(Price) doesn’t like (the) mandatory bundles they (CMS) did for joint replacement and cardiac care.”
Taller also said that the Advancing Care Coordination (ACC) program, managed through episode payment models (EPMs) and the Cardiac Incentive Payment Model Rehab Incentive Payment Program, are among regulations that fall under regulatory freeze announced by President Trump on Monday. This pilot is due to start July 1.
“Most people think CMMI will survive, but may look different (and) have (a) different name and more Congressional oversight,” Taller said. “All the Advanced Alternative Payment Models (A-APM) under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015 come today from CMMI, so to get rid of CMMI equates to cutting off the A-APM track under MACRA’s Quality Payment Program (QPP) – or the other track, which is the Merit-based Incentive Program (MIPS).”
Taller says that there is consensus for keeping MACRA, noting that it did eliminate the flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula for reimbursing physicians under Medicare.
“MACRA passed in 2015 with (a) great deal of bipartisan, bicameral support, with Rep. Price voting for the program,” Taller said.
On the other hand, she noted, there is no consensus among Republicans for repealing and replacing the PPACA.
Taller said that different pieces of legislation can be expected to be introduced, noting that already there is a discussion draft authored by Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The Walden draft would maintain coverage for preexisting conditions.
“It’s unclear what the final Republican solution will look like,” Taller said.
And so far, there has been no rescheduling of the Senate Finance Committee on the confirmation vote for Price.
That’s how Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz announced the publication of the CMS Final Rule on the Adoption of Standards
We’ve spent the better part of the last decade talking about what artificial intelligence (AI) can do for patients – predicting sepsis, flagging deterioration, and
Please log in to your account to comment on this article.
Gain clarity and confidence in OB‑GYN coding with this expert‑led webcast featuring Stacey Shillito, CDIP, CPMA, CCS, CCS‑P, CPEDC, COPC. You’ll learn how to apply global maternity package rules accurately, select the right CPT codes for procedures and visits, and identify documentation gaps that lead to denials. With practical guidance and real examples, this session helps you strengthen compliance, reduce audit risk, and ensure accurate reimbursement for women’s health services.
Uncover essential coding insights with nationally recognized coding authority Kay Piper, RHIA, CDIP, CCS. Through ICD10monitor’s interactive, on‑demand webcast series, Kay walks you through the AHA’s 2026 ICD‑10‑CM/PCS Quarterly Coding Clinics, translating each update into practical, easy‑to‑apply guidance designed to sharpen precision, ensure compliance, and strengthen day‑to‑day decision‑making. Available shortly after each official release.
Uncover critical guidance on the ICD-10-CM/PCS code updates. Kay Piper reviews and explains ICD-10-CM/PCS coding guidelines in the AHA’s fourth quarter 2026 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic in an easy to access on-demand webcast.
Uncover critical guidance on the ICD-10-CM/PCS code updates. Kay Piper reviews and explains ICD-10-CM/PCS coding guidelines in the AHA’s third quarter 2026 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic in an easy to access on-demand webcast.
Federal auditors are intensifying their focus on inpatient psychiatric facilities, using advanced data analytics to spotlight outliers and pursue high‑dollar repayments. In this high‑impact webcast, Michael Calahan, PA, MBA, Compliance Officer and V.P., Hospital & Physician Compliance, breaks down what regulators are really targeting in IPF-PPS admissions, documentation, treatment and discharge planning. Attendees will learn practical steps to tighten processes, avoid common audit triggers and protect reimbursement and reduce the risk of multimillion-dollar repayment demands.
In this timely session, Stacey Shillito, CDIP, CPMA, CCS, CCS-P, CPEDC, COPC, breaks down the complexities of Medical Decision Making (MDM) documentation so providers can confidently capture the true complexity of their care. Attendees will learn practical, efficient strategies to ensure documentation aligns with current E/M guidelines, supports accurate coding, and reduces audit risk, all without adding to charting time.
Join Ronald Hirsch, MD, FACP, CHCQM for The PEPPER Returns – Risk and Opportunity at Your Fingertips, a practical webcast that demystifies the PEPPER and shows you how to turn complex claims data into actionable insights. Dr. Hirsch will explain how to interpret key measures, identify compliance risks, uncover missed revenue opportunities, and understand new updates in the PEPPER, all to help your organization stay ahead of audits and use this powerful data proactively.
Stay ahead of the 2026-2027 audit surge with “Top 10 Audit Targets for 2026-2027 for Hospitals & Physicians: Protect Your Revenue,” a high-impact webcast led by Michael Calahan, PA, MBA. This concise session gives hospitals and physicians clear insight into the most likely federal audit targets, such as E/M services, split/shared and critical care, observation and admissions, device credits, and Two-Midnight Rule changes, and shows how to tighten documentation, coding, and internal processes to reduce denials, recoupments, and penalties. Attendees walk away with practical best practices to protect revenue, strengthen compliance, and better prepare their teams for inevitable audits.
Happy National Doctor’s Day! Learn how to get a complimentary webcast on ‘Decoding Social Admissions’ as a token of our heartfelt appreciation! Click here to learn more →
BLOOM INTO SAVINGS! Get 25% OFF during our spring sale through March 27. Use code SPRING26 at checkout to claim this offer.
CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 1 with code CYBER25
CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 2 with code CYBER24
