Medical Economics Pulse, March 28, 2025: Major HHS restructuring, FDA Device Approval Delays, Medicare and Weight-Loss Medications

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced plans to cut 10,000 jobs as part of a major reorganization aimed at streamlining operations and reducing costs. While the department claims the move will increase efficiency, it raises concerns about potential disruptions in health care services, regulatory oversight, and public health programs. For physicians, this could translate to longer processing times for Medicare reimbursements, slower policy updates, and administrative inefficiencies. Experts warn that fewer personnel could lead to gaps in regulatory enforcement and delayed responses to emerging health threats. For clinicians, this means staying vigilant about billing issues, policy changes, and patient access challenges that may result from the restructuring.