Rob Blaser

@robertblaser.bsky.social

Health policy analyst focusing on kidney care delivery issues, competent home cook, DC area sports fan. He/him. #NephSky

Folks, I know a lot of people already know about this but the FY2026 appropriations bill included a health package with key provisions for nephrology. Among these provisions was a two-year extension of current telehealth flexibilities (until December 31, 2027 (1)

I realize folks have probably heard this elsewhere, but it looks like the shutdown will likely end very soon, if not tonight then tomorrow. The good health policy news is that the telehealth flexibilities will be extended until January 30 and made retroactive back to October 1. (1)

Folks, there is a lot of chatter among nephrology practices about whether the telehealth flexibilities and thus the ability to provide services via those means will end on September 30. (1)

NEPHROLOGY NURSES, YOU ROCK!!! Happy Nephrology Nurses Week to all of the heroes out there providing great care to persons with kidney disease, can't wait to spend time with our friends at the American Nephrology Nurses Association next week. Thanks for everything y'all do!

You know that scene in an action movie when the bad guy runs through the kitchen of a restaurant and pulls down all the pots and pans behind him to slow down his pursuers? We're in that part of the Trump presidency.

Folks, the proposed rule for the 2026 Medicare Fee Schedule came out on Monday, with two primary headlines. The first is that there are now two conversion factors (CFs--with the conversion factor being the multiplier expressed as a dollar figure through which physician (1)

The proposed rule for the 2026 ESRD prospective Payment System came out Monday evening, and it contained few surprises, highlights include: For CY 2026, CMS proposes to increase the PPS base rate to $281.06, which CMS expects would increase total payments to all ESRD facilities by 1.9%. (1)

So folks, the proposed rule for the 2026 Medicare Fee Schedule is still at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), so the usual pre-July 4th holiday release would seem to be in doubt (although it has happened late on July 3rd numerous times).

Inflation was not the fault of Biden policies, it was declining w/the economy better here than any other globally. Unemployment was low, wages for the lowest earning employees rising. Where was the “objective” media’s effort to set voters straight?

an executive order is not a law an executive order is not a law an executive order is not a law an executive order is not a law an executive order is not a law an executive order is not a law an executive order is not a law an executive order is not a law an executive order is not a law

Elon Musk's Cruella de Vil of a mother has encouraged him to sue a journalist who referenced his Nazi salute at Trump's inauguration. Threatening to sue journalists when they report your bad acts is designed to make them scared to criticize you. Musk is only for free speech when it serves him.

Bild