News Alert: During News Blackout it’s Business as Usual at CMS

It’s business as usual at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) this week in the wake of a White House order issued Wednesday creating a temporary ban on some federal agencies communicating directly with the public through news releases and social media.

On Wednesday morning, it was revealed that the Trump administration told the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the National Park Service to cease and desist any form of communication with the public and the media as it pertained to their research.

On the same day, however, Politico quoted an HHS official who said “contrary to erroneous media reports, HHS and its agencies continue to communicate fully about its work through all of its regular communication channels with the public, the media, and other relevant audiences.”

Indeed, Ronald Hirsch, MD, vice president of R1 Physician Advisory Services, told RACmonitor that he had not experienced any evidence of the blackout, nor was he aware of any cancellations of CMS outreach activities, such as the agency’s open door telephone forums. Hirsch went on to report that he even received a response from a CMS official within 10 minutes of sending a query.

“It’s business as usual at CMS,” former CMS official Stanley Sokolove told RACmonitor. “There is the usual hold on regulatory implementation until the new CMS administrator gets her feet wet, as is the case with any new president taking office and setting a global agenda.” 

Sokolove said that in talking with his former colleagues, he saw no sign of a morale issue at the department, adding that “morale was as usual during a changeover, similar to the change of administrations of former presidents Bush and Obama.”

Moreover, Sokolove does not see any major changes to the provider-based clinic program.

“CMS policy people are handling provider inquiries, but any major regulatory implementations are on hold for now,” he added.

Would President Trump’s blackout be considered unprecedented? No, according to former CMS official Stanley Nachimson, who was a federal employee at CMS during the during the presidential administrations of Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton.

“It’s not abnormal for a new administration to exert some control over the staff responses and websites at federal government departments,” Nachimson said. “It is reasonable to have the new (agency) websites reflect the policies of the new administration (and) to have consistency of the message coming out of the federal government.”

“While I was at CMS, we were required to get clearance to speak to the press, and were provided with guidance as to what we could and could not discuss by the CMS press office,” Nachimson added. “The concern is mostly around high-level policy statements rather than day-to-day operations. Staff is able to answer factual questions about operations and status.” 

Nonetheless, in response to the silencing of an official National Park Service Twitter account in the Badlands of South Dakota that was tweeting out neutral scientific facts about climate change, a group of “alternative” unofficial Twitter accounts sprang up with the intention of continuing to inform the public without fear of censorship or repercussion from the government.

“Although by definition unverifiable, these accounts claim to be run by scientists and employees of these government departments, members of a resistance tweeting in secret,” said Stephanie Thompson, an independent social media communication specialist. “One of the first ‘alt’ Twitter accounts to be created was @AltHHS, defining itself as ‘unofficial and unaffiliated resistance account by concerned scientists for humanity.’”

Thompson said its first tweet, posted at about 10:50 a.m. EST on Wednesday, said, “Don’t let the gov’t tell you what you can and can’t say, or who you can or can’t say it to. Solidarity in science, not oppressive regimes.” 

“Right now the new administration is getting control because they don’t federal officials speaking on issues that are contrary to the administration,” Nachimson said. “They are hoping to get consistency and have the government agencies speak with one voice.”

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Chuck Buck

Chuck Buck is the publisher of RACmonitor and is the program host and executive producer of Monitor Monday.

Related Stories

Transparency in Coverage Final Rule

Transparency in Coverage Final Rule

The healthcare industry’s landscape shifted dramatically with the implementation of the Transparency in Coverage (TiC) Final Rule. For compliance professionals navigating this regulatory terrain, understanding

Read More

Leave a Reply

Please log in to your account to comment on this article.

Featured Webcasts

2026 IPPS Masterclass 3: Master MS-DRG Shifts and NTAPs

2026 IPPS Masterclass Day 3: MS-DRG Shifts and NTAPs

This third session in our 2026 IPPS Masterclass will feature a review of FY26 changes to the MS-DRG methodology and new technology add-on payments (NTAPs), presented by nationally recognized ICD-10 coding expert Christine Geiger, MA, RHIA, CCS, CRC, with bonus insights and analysis from Dr. James Kennedy.

August 14, 2025
2026 IPPS Masterclass Day 2: Master ICD-10-PCS Changes

2026 IPPS Masterclass Day 2: Master ICD-10-PCS Changes

This second session in our 2026 IPPS Masterclass will feature a review the FY26 changes to ICD-10-PCS codes. This information will be presented by nationally recognized ICD-10 coding expert Christine Geiger, MA, RHIA, CCS, CRC, with bonus insights and analysis from Dr. James Kennedy.

August 13, 2025
2026 IPPS Masterclass 1: Master ICD-10-CM Changes

2026 IPPS Masterclass Day 1: Master ICD-10-CM Changes

This first session in our 2026 IPPS Masterclass will feature an in-depth explanation of FY26 changes to ICD-10-CM codes and guidelines, CCs/MCCs, and revisions to the MCE, presented by presented by nationally recognized ICD-10 coding expert Christine Geiger, MA, RHIA, CCS, CRC, with bonus insights and analysis from Dr. James Kennedy.

August 12, 2025

Trending News

Featured Webcasts

The Two-Midnight Rule: New Challenges, Proven Strategies

The Two-Midnight Rule: New Challenges, Proven Strategies

RACmonitor is proud to welcome back Dr. Ronald Hirsch, one of his most requested webcasts. In this highly anticipated session, Dr. Hirsch will break down the complex Two Midnight Rule Medicare regulations, translating them into clear, actionable guidance. He’ll walk you through the basics of the rule, offer expert interpretation, and apply the rule to real-world clinical scenarios—so you leave with greater clarity, confidence, and the tools to ensure compliance.

June 19, 2025
Open Door Forum Webcast Series

Open Door Forum Webcast Series

Bring your questions and join the conversation during this open forum series, live every Wednesday at 10 a.m. EST from June 11–July 30. Hosted by Chuck Buck, these fast-paced 30-minute sessions connect you directly with top healthcare experts tackling today’s most urgent compliance and policy issues.

June 11, 2025
Open Door Forum: The Changing Face of Addiction: Coding, Compliance & Care

Open Door Forum: The Changing Face of Addiction: Coding, Compliance & Care

Substance abuse is everywhere. It’s a complicated diagnosis with wide-ranging implications well beyond acute care. The face of addiction continues to change so it’s important to remember not just the addict but the spectrum of extended victims and the other social determinants and legal ramifications. Join John K. Hall, MD, JD, MBA, FCLM, FRCPC, for a critical Q&A on navigating substance abuse in 2025.  Register today and be a part of the conversation!

July 16, 2025

Trending News

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 →

CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 2 with code CYBER24