In this powerful episode of DC Download, we sit down with Chris Klomp, Chief Counselor at HHS and Director of the Center for Medicare, for a candid, forward-looking conversation about the future of American healthcare. From cutting drug prices and cracking down on fraud to rethinking reimbursement for AI and tackling chronic disease, Klomp lays out an ambitious agenda to make healthcare more affordable, more innovative, and more accountable. He shares what it’s like stepping into government from the private sector, why CMS may be the most powerful change agent in healthcare, and how the “power to convene” is reshaping policy faster than regulation alone. If you want to understand where CMS and HHS are headed and what it means for providers, innovators, and patients, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

From rapid-fire executive orders to the growing role of AI in agency enforcement, 2026 is already proving to be a consequential year in Washington. In this episode, we welcome Will Vail and explore what comes after the headlines, implementation challenges, litigation trends, appropriations dynamics, and practical strategies for businesses navigating an evolving regulatory landscape

A lot is happening as we look ahead to 2026 from 340B developments to FDA activity, vaccines, and more. There are big shifts under way, and with them come plenty of questions. Thank you for listening throughout 2025. We’re excited to tackle these issues together, and we look forward to bringing even more timely insights and questions to the DC Download in the new year.