Posts in Category: News
8/15/2025 What has Trump done in the past 14 days in a nutshell.
Here are the key actions taken by President Donald Trump in the past two weeks (August 1–15, 2025)
🇺🇸 Domestic Policy
1. Federal Control of Washington, D.C. Police
On August 11, President Trump issued a presidential memorandum titled “Restoring Law and Order in the District of Columbia,” directing the mobilization of the District of Columbia National Guard to active service. This move was justified as a response to what the administration described as an “epidemic of crime” in the nation’s capital. The deployment includes 800 National Guard troops and represents a significant assertion of federal authority over local law enforcement. The White House+1Reuters+2The Times of India+2
2. Executive Orders on Competition and Trade
On August 13, President Trump signed several executive orders aimed at enhancing U.S. competitiveness and addressing trade relations:The White House
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Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry: This executive order seeks to foster competition and substantially increase commercial space launch activities by 2030 through streamlined licensing and permitting processes. New York Post+9Holland & Knight+9Office of Space Commerce+9
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Ensuring American Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Resilience: This order directs federal agencies to fill the Strategic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Reserve, aiming to strengthen the nation’s pharmaceutical supply chain. The White House+2The White House+2
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Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates with China: In response to ongoing trade discussions with China, this executive order adjusts tariff rates to reflect the current state of negotiations. The White House
3. Executive Order on Fair Banking
On August 7, President Trump signed the “Guaranteeing Fair Banking for All Americans” executive order. This directive mandates federal agencies to address the issue of “debanking,” which involves the denial or termination of financial services based on political views, religious beliefs, or industry affiliation. The order aims to ensure that all Americans have access to fair banking services. Sidley Austin+1
🌐 Foreign Policy
4. Summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin
On August 15, President Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, for a summit focused on negotiating an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. President Trump expressed urgency for an immediate ceasefire and signaled severe economic sanctions if Russia fails to engage seriously. He also hinted at possible U.S. security guarantees to Ukraine in coordination with European allies, though not within the framework of NATO. The Guardian
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8/15/2025 Changes or Headlines for National Healthcare in the past two weeks
Here are the key updates on healthcare from the past two weeks:
🏛️ Major Federal Healthcare Legislation
1. Medicaid and ACA Changes Under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”
Signed into law on July 4, 2025, this sweeping legislation introduces:Grantmakers In Health+3The Guardian+3JH Bloomberg School of Public Health+3
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Medicaid Work Requirements: New eligibility criteria and work requirements for Medicaid recipients.JAMA Network+2The Guardian+2
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Affordable Care Act (ACA) Premium Subsidy Reductions: Declines in ACA premium subsidies, potentially increasing out-of-pocket costs for many.The Guardian
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Projected Coverage Losses: An estimated 11.8 million people could lose health insurance by 2034 due to these changes. Grantmakers In Health
Democrats have introduced the Protecting Healthcare and Lowering Costs Act, aiming to reverse these cuts and extend ACA premium tax credits. Senate Finance Committee
🏥 Medicare and Medicaid Updates
2. Medicare Payment Increases
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced:
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2.6% Increase: A net increase in Medicare inpatient payments, translating to approximately 1.9% after adjustments.DeBrunner & Associates
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$2 Billion Boost: Additional funding for Medicare Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) uncompensated care payments. DeBrunner & Associates
3. Medicaid Managed Care Rate Guide
CMS released the “2025–2026 Medicaid Managed Care Rate Development Guide,” providing states with updated standards for setting capitation rates in managed care programs. Alliance of Safety-Net Hospitals+1
🩺 Telehealth Policy Extensions
4. Medicare Telehealth Services Extended
Medicare beneficiaries can continue accessing:
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Non-Behavioral/Mental Telehealth: Services in the home through September 30, 2025, including audio-only options.telehealth.hhs.gov
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Behavioral/Mental Health Telehealth: Permanent access to services in the home, with no geographic restrictions. telehealth.hhs.gov
💊 Pharmaceutical Industry Shifts
5. Direct-to-Consumer Drug Sales
Pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are exploring direct-to-consumer sales for medications such as Zepbound and Wegovy. This approach aims to reduce costs and bypass intermediaries, though it may primarily benefit wealthier patients. Barron’s
🧪 FDA Approvals
6. New Drug Approvals
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Lung Cancer Treatment: The FDA approved a new antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) for treating lung cancer. Medscape+1
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Chronic Lung Disease: Insmed’s drug became the first approved treatment for a specific chronic lung disease. Reuters+1
These updates reflect significant changes in healthcare policy and access. If you need assistance understanding how these developments affect you or your family, feel free to ask.
Barron’s
The Guardian
Reuters
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8/15/2025 Veterans’ benefits and healthcare from the past two weeks:
Here are the key updates on veterans’ benefits and healthcare from the past two weeks:
💰 VA Disability Compensation – August 2025
Veterans receiving VA disability compensation will see a 2.5% increase in their monthly payments, effective August 29, 2025. This adjustment aligns with the 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). For example, a single veteran with a 100% disability rating and no dependents will receive approximately $3,357 per month, while those with dependents or Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) may receive up to $4,196 monthly .The Economic Times+1Sjnhmch.org
🏥 VA Healthcare – Staffing Challenges
A recent audit by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General revealed severe staffing shortages across all 139 VA medical centers in the U.S. 94% reported shortages in medical officer roles, and 79% in nursing roles. These shortages have worsened over the past year amid significant workforce reductions and fewer medical recruits .The Washington Post+2AP News+2AP News
Additionally, the VA has announced plans to reduce its total staff by nearly 30,000 employees by the end of fiscal year 2025, achieved through normal attrition, early retirements, and deferred resignations .AP News+3VA News+3The Washington Post+3
📚 Education Benefits – Fry Scholarship Expansion
The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship, which provides education benefits to the children and spouses of service members who died in the line of duty, has temporarily expanded eligibility. This expansion applies to terms with a start date on or after August 1, 2025, and before October 1, 2027 .Benefits
🧾 VALife Insurance Program – Over $2 Billion in Coverage
The VALife program, which provides up to $40,000 of whole life insurance coverage to veterans with service-connected disabilities, has already provided over $2 billion in total coverage to more than 60,000 veterans since its launch in 2023 .GovDelivery
⚖️ Supreme Court Ruling – “Benefit-of-the-Doubt” Standard
In the Supreme Court case Bufkin v. Collins, the Court held that the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims must apply clear error review when reviewing the VA’s application of the “benefit-of-the-doubt rule” regarding a veteran’s claim to a service-related disability .Wikipedia
🏥 VA Clinic Lease Renewal – Stamford, CT
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has renewed its lease for the Stamford Community Based Outpatient Clinic at 1275 Summer Street for one year. Despite ongoing rumors of potential closure, the lease renewal marks the 12th extension since the VA established the clinic’s location in 2005 .Stamford Advocate
