In brief: CMS's scrutiny, F&P's strength, Resmed's recognition

WASHINGTON – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched an oversight initiative to ensure that enrollees in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or have a satisfactory immigration status.  

CMS will begin providing states with monthly enrollment reports identifying individuals whose citizenship or immigration status could not be confirmed through federal databases, including the Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program. 

“Medicaid is a lifeline for vulnerable Americans — and I will protect it from abuse,” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We are tightening oversight of enrollment to safeguard taxpayer dollars and guarantee that these vital programs serve only those who are truly eligible under the law.” 

States are responsible for reviewing cases, verifying the citizenship or immigration status of identified individuals, requesting additional documentation if needed, and taking appropriate actions when necessary, including adjusting coverage or enforcing non-citizen eligibility rules. CMS is sending the first set of reports to states today, with all states receiving a report over the course of a month.  

“Every dollar misspent is a dollar taken away from an eligible, vulnerable individual in need of Medicaid and CHIP,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “This action underscores our unwavering commitment to program integrity, safeguarding taxpayer dollars, and ensuring benefits are strictly reserved for those eligible under the law.” 

Individuals without satisfactory immigration status may only receive limited services in certain circumstances. 

F&P reports ‘strong’ first half 

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Fisher & Paykel Healthcare has provided guidance for the first half of the 2026 financial year, which ends September 2025. 
   
At July 31 exchange rates, guidance assumptions for the first half of the 2026 financial year include a continuation of the current trading environment and result in revenue of approximately $1.075 billion and net profit after tax of approximately $200 million. This would equate to approximately 13% growth in reported operating revenue and approximately 31% growth in reported net profit after tax, compared to the first half of the 2025 financial year. 
 
“We had a very strong first half last year across both Homecare and Hospital product groups, with 17% revenue growth in constant currency,” said Lewis Gradon, managing director and CEO. “Against that backdrop, an ongoing change in clinical practice to our Hospital therapies continues to contribute to our outlook for strong growth for the first half of this year.” 
 
Outlook for the 2026 financial year 
 
At 31 July exchange rates, the company’s outlook for the full year remains unchanged, with operating revenue in the range of approximately $2.15 billion to $2.25 billion and net profit after tax in the range of approximately $390 million to $440 million. 
 
This outlook now includes an estimated 75-basis point impact of US tariffs on hospital products sourced from New Zealand. It also assumes current global tariff rates, policies and applications for the duration of this financial year. 
 
Board director Pip Greenwood to retire 
 
Director Pip Greenwood has announced her intention to retire from the board of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, effective Sept. 1, 2025. Greenwood has served as an independent director of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare since June 2017. 

Study: COPD patients benefit from communication 

MIAMI – Prioritizing communications between patients and healthcare providers and increasing patient education about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could help improve patient care, according to a new study, published in the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal.  

 The study analyzed self-reported data using the Phreesia PatientInsights survey, which patients completed after check-in at their doctor’s office. Patients who indicated they had a diagnosis of or were receiving treatment for COPD were included in the study. The survey asked questions about the individual’s symptoms and the impact of those symptoms on their daily life. Questions also focused on education about COPD, communications with their healthcare provider, and their treatment journey.  

Of 1,615 patients who completed the survey, 39% had lived with COPD for more than seven years, and 25% said they experienced COPD-related symptoms every day in a typical month. While nearly two-thirds of respondents (64%) said COPD had a moderate or great impact on their daily lives, only 45% had spoken in detail to their health care providers about their COPD.  

“Continuous communication between people with COPD and their health care provider is essential to help improve their quality of life, particularly when discussing treatments and understanding COPD and its symptoms,” said David M. Mannino, M.D, lead author of the study and chief medical officer of the COPD Foundation. “Our study suggests that patients who communicate with their providers have better symptom and disease management, which can reduce future exacerbations and hospital visits. This highlights the need to expand conversations with patients about disease education, treatment instructions, and self-management strategies to help improve their quality of life.” 

Study: Weekend lifestyle may worsen OSA 

ADELAIDE, Australia – Late nights and alcohol consumption over the weekend can lead to an increase in severity of obstructive sleep apnea, a phenomenon researchers are calling “social apnea,” according to a new study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care. 

Researchers, led by Flinders University in Australia, analyzed data from more than 70,000 people who used a validated under-mattress sleep sensor and reported on their daily habits. 

The results showed OSA severity jumped by 18% on Saturdays compared to mid-week. Men, younger adults and people who drank alcohol were especially affected. 

Sleeping in for more than 45 minutes increased the risk by nearly 50%.  

Men were 21% more likely to be affected, compared to a 9% increase in women. 

People under the age of 60 had a 24% higher risk on weekends, compared to 7% in those age 60 and above. 

  “Sleep apnea is already a major public health issue, but our findings suggest its true impact may be underestimated,” stated Dr. Lucia Pinilla. “Most clinical diagnostic testing is done on a single night, typically a weeknight, missing the weekend effect we’re now calling social apnea.” 

Resmed’s AirTouch N30i recognized 
SAN DIEGO – Resmed has won two prestigious Red Dot Awards for its AirTouch N30i nasal cradle mask. The awards were in both the Innovative Products and Medical Design & Healthcare categories. The AirTouch N30i, launched in October 2024, features Resmed's first-ever nasal cushion made from fabric fused with silicone, designed to deliver both clinical performance and a therapy experience that feels more natural and comfortable making it easier for people to start and stick with CPAP therapy. “At Resmed, we design with the patient experience at the center—where clinical performance and human-centered design intersect,” said Justin Leong, chief product officer at Resmed. “This recognition reinforces our belief that patients shouldn’t have to compromise between therapy efficacy and comfort. When we create technology that patients love to use, we can help drive higher adherence, better outcomes, and ultimately, healthier lives.” 

OMRON launches BP monitoring campaign 

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – OMRON Healthcare has issued a national call-to-action for regular at-home blood pressure monitoring in response to new guidelines by the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC). The first new set of guidelines since 2017 emphasize earlier detection and treatment of high blood pressure for all Americans – making regular at-home blood pressure monitoring an essential daily health practice. High blood pressure and untreated conditions like atrial fibrillation can disrupt the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Routine at-home monitoring can help identify potential heart-brain health risks. "Half of all U.S. adults have high blood pressure, which is the number one preventable risk factor for heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and cognitive decline," said Jim Li, executive director, global medical affairs at OMRON Healthcare. "The 2025 guidelines make one thing clear: don't wait for your next doctor's visit. Regular blood pressure monitoring at home is an important practice for long-term good health." The new AHA/ACC guidelines incorporate a decade of research on blood pressure, from 2015 to 2024, and emphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle and early intervention of high blood pressure to reduce the risk of heart disease, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and dementia. "The first new guidelines in eight years bring major changes to how we should view blood pressure and the urgency to make routine monitoring a priority as a bridge to earlier treatment," said OMRON Healthcare U.S. Managing Director Alice Koehler. "The guidelines spotlight the heart-brain connection and higher dementia risks from uncontrolled blood pressure. There is more urgency to keep closer watch on blood pressure before, during and after pregnancy to prevent long-term health damage to moms and babies." 

Resmed names new board director 

SAN DIEGO – Resmed has announced the election of Nicole Mowad-Nassar to its board of directors, effective August 15. The company also announced that board member Rich Sulpizio is thanked for two decades of contributions to Resmed and will retire from the board. Mowad-Nassar currently serves as president of Specialty and U.S. Therapeutics Operations at AbbVie, where she leads a $6 billion commercial portfolio spanning more than 17 therapeutic areas and oversees a workforce of 6,000. Over her 30-year career, she has held senior executive roles across commercial strategy, marketing, digital innovation, patient services, and large-scale business transformation. Her leadership includes both U.S. and global responsibilities, with direct contributions to long-range strategic planning, digital health innovation, and enterprise integration. “Nicole’s track record with multiple strategic, commercial, and operational roles, in the US and globally, at one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies will add new dimensions of thought and broad healthcare delivery experience to our board,” said Mick Farrell, Resmed’s chairman and CEO. “Nicole brings a sharp commercial lens, a deep commitment to patient access, and a strong orientation toward digital patient engagement. I am impressed by Nicole’s personal life journey and her professional insight; she will be a great addition to our Resmed board of directors.” Mowad-Nassar will serve as an independent director and has been appointed to the Compensation and Leadership Development Committee. She will stand for reelection with the rest of Resmed’s board members at the company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.  

Medtronic appoints two to board, forms new committees 

GALWAY, Ireland – Medtronic has appointed John Groetelaars and Bill Jellison to its board as independent directors, effective immediately, and formed two board committees. The Growth Committee will be responsible for guiding the evaluation and execution of growth-accretive tuck-in M&A, organic R&D investments, and potential divestitures, including the continued execution of the recently announced plan to separate its diabetes business. The Operating Committee will align governance with the company's initiatives to optimize operational performance, deliver margin expansion, and drive sustained earnings acceleration, including actions company management is taking to improve efficiency in its global manufacturing, supply chain, and operations. "I am pleased to welcome John and Bill to the Medtronic Board of Directors – each of whom brings decades of relevant experience delivering growth as executives and directors of public companies in the medical technology industry,” said Geoff Martha, CEO and Chairman of the Board. “John's leadership managing global operations and Bill's deep financial expertise will also be valuable to the boardroom," said Geoff Martha, chairman and chief executive officer. "We are at an exciting inflection point and in a period of strong momentum, with multiple growth drivers already delivering and additional breakthrough therapies set to launch in the months ahead. With the addition of these new Board members and the formation of these two new committees, we are accelerating our strategic growth priorities and advancing the simplification and optimization of our operations. The separation of MiniMed is an example of the important steps we're taking to create a more focused and more profitable Medtronic. By sharpening our focus on high-margin growth opportunities, we are well-positioned to deliver stronger performance and greater value for patients, customers, and shareholders." 

CPAP supplier reports breach 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – CPAP Medical Supplies and Services, Inc., has reported a breach, in which an unauthorized their party accessed files from its network between Dec. 13, 2024, and Dec. 21, 2024. Compromised information may include names, Social Security numbers, and protected health information for just over 90,000 individuals, according to a notice posted on its website. “CPAP has no evidence that any personal information has been or will be misused as a direct result of this incident,” the notice states. “However, out of abundance of caution, commencing on August 15, 2025, CPAP notified individuals whose information may have been included in the files accessed by the unauthorized party, to the extent it had contact information. Notified individuals have been provided with best practices to protect their information, and individuals whose Social Security numbers were contained in the impacted files have been offered complimentary credit monitoring.” The company said that customers with any further questions regarding the incident, can call its toll-free response line at 1-855- 202-9062.