Trump’s nominee to lead HHS was in the hot seat, answering questions about lowering drug prices, Medicare expansion, and his private-sector work.

Providers say the shift will saddle patients with hefty medical bills and leave hospitals to absorb more uncompensated care when patients can’t pay

In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria wrote that “the emergency relief sought by the states would be counterproductive.”

The agreement would guarantee payment of “cost-sharing reduction” subsidies for low-income policy holders. It would also restore $110 million in “outreach funding” cut by the Trump administration last week.

DACA’s end could have an impact, especially among medical students and home health aides.

The political debate highlights the role of this crew of wonk-ish administrators who sometimes preside over underfunded, understaffed offices and whose range of duties usually spans well beyond health care and its myriad complexities.

Health insurance premiums for silver plans would soar by an average of 20 percent next year and the federal deficit would rise by $194 billion over the next decade.

Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) cast the two other Republican “no” votes in a cliffhanger drama that ended just before 2:00 a.m. Friday.

The procedural vote Tuesday afternoon narrowly pushed through, 51-50, with the help of Vice President Mike Pence.