Month: September 2025

Appropriations Update – No progress was made last week to fund the federal government beyond the end of the fiscal year on September 30. The Senate is scheduled to return to session on Monday, September 29, while the House is not scheduled to reconvene until October 6, when a government shutdown could potentially be underway. President Donald Trump is expected to meet with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Monday. The President had scheduled, and subsequently canceled, a meeting with Democratic leadership last week.

 

The House of Representatives has passed a continuing resolution (H.R. 5371) that would extend government funding at current levels through November 21. It includes provisions to extend Covid-era telehealth flexibilities and hospital-at-home waivers in the short-term, along with a five-year reauthorization of the Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Program. Currently, the Senate does not have the votes necessary to advance the House-passed CR. Republicans will need at least seven Democratic votes in the Senate to pass government funding legislation.

 

Democrats are refusing to support any stopgap spending bill that does not include extension of enhanced advanced premium tax credits. The Affordable Care Act subsidies allowing families with incomes of more than 400% of the poverty line to cap their premiums at 8.5% of income are set to expire December 31. GOP leadership in both chambers have stated that the short-term CR will be free of any policy riders, and that negotiations on an extension should not be linked to the government funding deadline. Democrats are also pushing to roll back the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Medicaid cuts as a part of the CR.

 

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has instructed federal agencies to prepare plans for permanent reductions-in-force (RIF) should a government shutdown occur. These RIF notices would be in addition to any temporary furlough notices provided due to the lapse in appropriations. OMB told agencies to identify programs where discretionary funding will lapse on October 1 and no alternative funding source is available, and to eliminate those jobs that are not consistent with the President’s priorities and are not legally required to continue.

 

President Holds Press Conference on Acetaminophen and Autism – President Donald Trump held a press briefing last week in which he told pregnant women to avoid Tylenol because of a link between the medication’s active ingredient – acetaminophen – and autism.  The scientific evidence to support this recommendation was not cited. During the event, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also spoke about the risks of acetaminophen, asserting that it may also be associated with other neurological conditions such as ADHD. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reportedly start a public campaign about the drug and begin the process of updating its safety label.

 

The medical establishment pushed back, arguing that the President’s remarks were not backed by data and that there are serious risks of untreated maternal fever to both women and their babies. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, in a notice to physicians on the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy, acknowledged that the drug is “the safest over-the-counter alternative in pregnancy among all analgesics and antipyretics.” It also states that “while an association between acetaminophen and autism has been described in many studies, a causal relationship has not been established and there are contrary studies in the scientific literature.” Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Committee Chair Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La.) has called on HHS to release the data tying acetaminophen use during pregnancy to autism, stating in a post on X that “The preponderance of evidence shows that this is not the case.”

 

Secretary Kennedy touted the use of leucovorin during the briefing as a potential treatment for symptoms of autism. Administration officials have pointed to evidence that leucovorin, which is currently used to treat cancer and anemia, can also help some children with autism improve their verbal communication. Commissioner Makary has said that he has spoken with the manufacturer of leucovorin to increase production of the drug, and that he plans to fast-track approval of leucovorin as a treatment for children with symptoms of autism and cerebral folate deficiency.

 

During Monday’s event, the President also announced that the National Institutes of Health will be making 13 grant awards related to autism, asserted that vaccinations for measles, mumps, and rubella should be given separately, and expressed opposition to giving the Hepatitis B vaccine at birth. He expressed opposition to the inclusion of mercury and aluminum in vaccines, and made several unproven claims about the link between the childhood vaccine schedule and an increased risk of autism.

 

GAO Report on Consolidation of Physician Practices – The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report on the extent and effects of physician consolidation. GAO found that the percentage of physicians consolidated into health systems increased from 30% in 2012 to 48% in 2024. The studies reviewed by GAO found that physician consolidation with hospital systems can result in increased spending and prices for insurers, including the Medicare program. The report was conducted in response to language in the House of Representatives fiscal year 2023 appropriations report requesting GAO study “the extent health care consolidation is taking place across Medicare and Medicaid markets, and how private equity could be contributing.”

 

New York Lawmakers Respond to Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium Change – A bipartisan group of New York lawmakers have sent a letter to the administration expressing concern about the National Cancer Institute’s decision to terminate funding for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium (PBTC) and transition PBTC’s functions to the Pediatric Early Phase Clinical Trials Network. The letter argues that the change will result in the de-prioritization of pediatric brain cancer trials in favor of other pediatric cancer trials. “A specialized center focused solely on pediatric brain cancer is essential to the success of brain tumor research in the future,” the lawmakers state. “Additionally, we have concerns that some patients may be lost in the fold during this transition, and that crucial time will be lost as well. For patients on PBTC trials, every second counts.” The letter was signed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Reps. Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.) and Michael Lawler (R-N.Y.).

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

S.Res.416 — A resolution expressing support for the designation of September 2025 as “Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month” in order to educate communities across the United States about sickle cell disease and the need for research, early detection methods, effective treatments, and preventative care programs with respect to complications from sickle cell disease and conditions related to sickle cell disease; Sponsor: Scott, Tim [Sen.-R-SC]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.Res.417 — A resolution supporting the designation of the week of September 14 through September 20, 2025, as “Telehealth Awareness Week”; Sponsor: Schatz, Brian [Sen.-D-HI]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Voice Vote.

 

H.Res.752 — Expressing support for the designation of September 19, 2025, as “Black Autism Acceptance and Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Lawler, Michael [Rep.-R-NY-17]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.755 — Expressing support for the goals and ideas of “National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month” and “World Hydrocephalus Day”; Sponsor: Smith, Christopher H. [Rep.-R-NJ-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5509 —To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require a group health plan or health insurance coverage offered in connection with such a plan to provide an exceptions process for any medication step therapy protocol, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Allen, Rick W. [Rep.-R-GA-12]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.5526 —To improve the requirements for making a determination of interchangeability of a biological product and its reference product; Sponsor: Pfluger, August [Rep.-R-TX-11]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5536 —To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a National Headache Disorders Initiative, to establish an Advisory Council on Headache Disorders Research, Care, and Services, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Trahan, Lori [Rep.-D-MA-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5539 —To amend title 38, United States Code, to assign the highest priority status for hospital care and medical services provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans who are former prisoners of war; Sponsor: Walberg, Tim [Rep.-R-MI-5]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.Res.757 — Expressing support for the designation of September 22, 2025, as “National Hispanic Nurses Day” and recognizing the National Association of Hispanic Nurses as the leading organization representing and advocating for Hispanic nurses; Sponsor: Barragán, Nanette Diaz [Rep.-D-CA-44]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.759 — Expressing support for the recognition of September 2025 as “National Children’s Emotional Wellness Month” and for increased public awareness regarding children’s emotional health and wellness; Sponsor: Kim, Young [Rep.-R-CA-40]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.764 — Recognizing the continuing disparities in Black youth mental health access and treatment; Sponsor: Watson Coleman, Bonnie [Rep.-D-NJ-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5553 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to ensure area career and technical education schools are eligible for mental health and substance use disorder service grants; Sponsor: Langworthy, Nicholas A. [Rep.-R-NY-23]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5554 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for certain fall prevention items under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Magaziner, Seth [Rep.-D-RI-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Budget

 

H.R.5557 —To amend the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend projects relating to children and to provide access to school-based comprehensive mental health programs; Sponsor: Salinas, Andrea [Rep.-D-OR-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

Appropriations Update – The House Committee on Appropriations advanced its fiscal year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) spending bill in a 35-28 party line vote last week. The spending bill includes a total of $108 billion for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a 6% – or $7 billion – cut compared to FY 2025. The House Republican package falls between the $116.6 billion for HHS proposed by Senate appropriators and the President’s budget request of $94.7 billion. The House spending proposal would reduce funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to $48 billion – a decrease of $456 million, or 1%, compared to FY 2025. Funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would be reduced by $1.7 billion – or 19% – for a total of $7.4 billion. The Committee provided a total of $7.1 billion for the Health Resources and Services Administration, $866 million – or 11% – below FY 2025 levels. The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health would see a 37%, or $500 million, funding cut. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration would see a $298 million cut, to $7.1 billion.

 

During the 12-hour marathon markup, the panel adopted several health-related amendments. An en bloc amendment from Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) would curb studies for medical treatments that alter the human body to no longer correspond to its biological sex, and asks the CDC to investigate physician-assisted suicide. An amendment from Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.) would block funds for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services from being used to implement the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model. An amendment from Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nev.) would extend grants that support certain continuing medical education grant programs through 2028. The manager’s amendment approved by the committee expressed support for investigating the pharmacy benefit manager industry and restricting animal research at the NIH.

 

Prior to markup, the committee released its report to accompany the bill. The report language details the wide range of issues considered by lawmakers in drafting the spending measure, and includes a list of the programs retained that the White House had proposed to eliminate in the President’s budget. It also notes that “any large-scale [NIH] restructuring proposal remains under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The Committee recommendation for fiscal year 2026 reflects the NIH structure under current law. The Committee looks forward to Congress continuing to work with the Administration regarding innovative ideas at the National Institutes of Health.”

 

Lawmakers must pass funding legislation by September 30 to avoid a government shutdown. Congress is expected to rely on a continuing resolution (CR) to extend funding at current levels beyond the end of the fiscal year. Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) has stated that he hopes the House of Representatives will vote on a clean stopgap spending bill this week.

 

Democrats are threatening to block any stopgap spending bill that does not include extension of enhanced advanced premium tax credits. The COVID-era Affordable Care Act subsidies allow families with incomes of more than 400% of the poverty line to cap their premiums at 8.5% of income. While some Republicans support extending the subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of this year, GOP leadership in both chambers have stated that the CR will be free of any policy riders, and that negotiations on an extension should not be linked to the government funding deadline. Marketplace enrollees will begin receiving notifications of the premium increases that will result from expiration of the credits in November. Republicans will need at least seven Democratic votes in the Senate to pass government funding legislation.

 

House Passes Aviator Mental Health Legislation – The House of Representatives passed the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591) last week by voice vote. The legislation would require the Federal Aviation Administration to update regulations to encourage airline pilots and aviation workers to disclose and seek help for mental health conditions. It would also authorize $13.7 million annually from fiscal year 2026 through 2028 to recruit additional aviation medical examiners and to clear the Office of Aerospace Medicine’s case backlog, and $1.5 million for public awareness campaigns on mental health in the aviation industry.

 

E&C Subcommittee Advances Public Health Reauthorization Bills – The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health advanced a slate of public health reauthorization bills in a markup last week. All seven bills were favorably reported to the full committee by voice vote:

• R. 4262, To reauthorize programs related to health professions education
• R. 3593, Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act
• R. 2493, Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act
• R. 3419, To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the telehealth network and telehealth resource centers grant programs
• R. 3302, Healthy Start Reauthorization Act
• R. 2846, To amend title II of the Public Health Service Act to include as an additional right or privilege of commissioned officers of the Public Health Service (and their beneficiaries) certain leave provided under title 10, United States Code to commissioned officers of the Army (or their beneficiaries)
• R. 4709, Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act

 

Ways and Means Republicans Urge Full Implementation of NSA – Republicans on the House Committee on Ways and Means have sent a letter to the Trump administration urging full implementation and enforcement of the No Surprises Act (NSA). The letter highlights key provisions of the NSA that “were either not implemented at all or not implemented fairly due to convoluted rulemaking,” including measures to increase patient access to advanced explanation of benefits and cost estimates before scheduled medical procedures, and to ensure an efficient independent dispute resolution process.  The NSA, which was signed into law nearly five years ago, aimed to provide patient protections against surprise medical bills for certain out-of-network care. “We look to this administration to continue building on the work done by the committee to prioritize necessary regulatory and sub-regulatory improvements so patients can realize the full potential and benefits of the NSA,” the lawmakers state.

 

Spotlight on 340B Drug Pricing Program – A bipartisan group of lawmakers has sent a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urging him to abandon the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program or to put in place guardrails to protect the underlying 340B program. The pilot program would require covered entities to purchase drugs on the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Selected Drug List at the wholesale acquisition cost, which the letter points out will require 340B providers to “float significant amounts of cash to drug companies in hopes of a rebate being paid.” “We continue to believe that the rebate approach contravenes congressional intent in establishing the 340B program and over three decades of precedent set by the Health Resources and Services Administration that distinguishes rebates and retroactive discounts from upfront 340B discounts,” the lawmakers write. The letter was signed by 163 members of the House of Representatives.

 

In related news, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a new report examining growth in the 340B program. The report details how health care facilities participating in the Prime Vendor Program spent $43.9 billion on 340B drugs in 2021, up from $6.6 billion in 2010. Spending on cancer drugs accounted for 41% of purchases through the program, almost three times the amount spent on any other drug class. CBO estimates that one-third of the increase in spending in the program from 2010 to 2021 can be attributed to trends in market wide growth in drug spending and disproportionate growth among drug classes that account for more spending in the 340B program than in the overall market.  In CBO’s assessment, the 340B program encourages behaviors—like the prescription of more and higher-priced drugs, the expansion of services, and the integration of hospitals and off-site clinics—that tend to increase federal spending.

 

Reps. Buddy Carter, BSPharm (R-Ga.) and Dianna Harshbarger, PharmD (R-Tenn.) introduced legislation last week that aims to ensure 340B is reaching the patients the drug pricing program was intended to serve. The 340B Affording Care for Communities and Ensuring a Strong Safety-Net Act (340B ACCESS Act) would:

• Establish patient affordability requirements for medicines;
• Codify the definition of a covered entity patient;
• Recognize contract pharmacies in statute and subject them to rules to ensure their use of the program is consistent with congressional intent;
• Establish eligibility requirements for hospitals;
• Establish eligibility requirements for child sites;
• Place restrictions on pharmacy benefit managers, contract pharmacies, and third-party administrators from making excessive profits from the program; and
• Require that grantees report how they are using the 340B margin.

 

Cassidy Calls on Secretary to Support Whooping Cough Vaccine – Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chair Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La.) has sent a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asking that he express strong public support for the pertussis vaccine. The bacterial infection known as whooping cough has been on the rise in recent years, with more than 20,000 infections this year alone. These numbers are in line with 2012’s record outbreak, the largest since the vaccine was introduced in 1991. “Your strong public support for this vaccine will save lives. Your words are a powerful tool in protecting the health of the American people. Families responded to your decisive leadership when you clearly promoted the MMR vaccine to stop the outbreak in West Texas. They would respond again to your call that the DTaP vaccine is the best way to protect our babies,” Cassidy wrote.

 

Texas Republican Michael McCaul Will Not Seek Reelection – Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) announced that he will not seek reelection to Congress after serving 11 terms in the House of Representatives. McCaul was first elected in 2004. He currently sits on the Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security committees. During his time in Congress, he has been a champion of cancer research and founded the Childhood Cancer Caucus.

 

GAO Recommends Greater Transparency in NCD Process – Republican leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Ways and Means Committee are calling for greater transparency into national coverage determinations (NCDs) following the release of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) NCD process. While the GAO found that CMS met the specified time frames for making determinations 83% of the time, the agency does not systematically identify the causes of delays when specified time frames are not met. GAO recommends that CMS identify the causes of NCD delays to better ensure that analyses are finalized within specified time frames, and that CMS make available to the public the criteria it uses to prioritize its coverage analyses. “Seniors should never be left waiting without clear answers about whether Medicare will cover the treatments and services their doctors recommend,” said Chairmen Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) and Jason Smith (R-Mo.). “Greater openness in the NCD process is essential to ensure trust, timely access to care, and confidence that decisions are being made fairly and consistently.”

 

E&C Democrats Question CDC Director’s Termination – Democratic leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee have sent a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding the recent firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez. “Dr. Monarez’s abrupt termination and the additional losses of experienced leadership at CDC through resignations and reductions in force severely diminish the agency’s ability to serve its mission to protect the health and safety of the nation and respond to emerging public health threats,” the lawmakers wrote.  “You are using your position as Secretary to promote the ideological anti-vaccine agenda you have led for decades, and your attacks against the people and programs at CDC push vaccines farther out of reach for many families and put all Americans’ health at risk.” The letter poses a series of questions about the events that led to Dr. Monarez’s termination and requests a response by September 25.

 

Monarez and Dr. Debra Houry, former Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Director for Program and Science at CDC, are scheduled to appear before the Senate HELP Committee on Wednesday for a hearing entitled, “Restoring Trust Through Radical Transparency: Reviewing Recent Events at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Implications for Children’s Health.” The HELP Committee plans to hear from current HHS officials at a future hearing.

 

MAHA Commission Releases Strategy Report – The Presidential Commission to Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) released its strategy report on Tuesday. The Commission was established by an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February. The MAHA Commission’s first report, which was released in May, examined the root causes of chronic disease among children. The final report unveiled last week outlines strategies to respond to those root causes. It includes nearly 130 recommendations. The key focus areas of the strategy include:

• Restoring Science and Research: Expanding research into chronic disease prevention, nutrition and metabolic health, food quality, environmental exposures, autism, gut microbiome, precision agriculture, rural and tribal health, vaccine injury, and mental health.
• Historic Executive Actions:Reforming dietary guidelines; defining ultra-processed foods; improving food labeling; closing the GRAS loophole; raising infant formula standards; removing harmful chemicals from the food supply; increasing oversight and enforcement of direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising laws; improving food served in schools, hospitals, and to veterans; and reforming Medicaid quality metrics to measure health outcomes.
• Process Reform and Deregulation: Streamlining organic certification; easing barriers to farm-to-school programs and direct-to-consumer sales; restoring whole milk in schools; supporting mobile grocery and processing units; modernizing drug and device approval; and accelerating approvals for innovative agricultural products.
• Public Awareness and Education: Launching school-based nutrition and fitness campaigns, Surgeon General initiatives on screen time, prioritizing pediatric mental health, and expanding access to reliable nutrition and health information for parents.
• Private Sector Collaboration:Promoting awareness of healthier meals at restaurants, soil health and land stewardship, and community-led initiatives, and scaling innovative solutions to address root causes of chronic disease.

 

President Signs Memorandum on Direct-to-Consumer Prescription Drug Advertisements – President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on Tuesday aimed at providing greater transparency and accuracy in prescription drug advertisements. The memo directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to increase the amount of information regarding any risks associated with the use of prescription drugs. The Food and Drug Administration is also directed to take action to enforce legal requirements that advertisements for prescription drugs be truthful and not misleading. White House officials told reporters that the administration plans to send approximately 100 cease-and-desist enforcement letters and thousands of warning letters alerting companies of the government’s plans to enforce current regulations around direct-to-consumer advertising.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization Oversight hearing “Advancing VA Care Through Artificial Intelligence;” 3:00 p.m.; September 15

 

House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight hearing “Virtue Signaling vs. Vital Services: Where Tax-Exempt Hospitals are Spending Your Tax Dollars;” 2:00 p.m.; September 16

 

Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing “Examining the Harm of AI Chatbots;” 2:30 p.m.; September 16

 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing “Restoring Trust Through Radical Transparency: Reviewing Recent Events at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Implications for Children’s Health;” 10:00 a.m.; September 17

 

House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation hearing “Shaping Tomorrow: The Future of Artificial Intelligence;” 2:00 p.m.; September 17

 

Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing “Prescription for Trouble: Drug Safety, Supply Chains, and the Risk to Aging Americans;” 3:30 p.m.; September 17

 

Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing “Strengthening Services for Veterans with Spinal Cord Injury and Disorder;” 4:00 p.m.; September 17

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing “Examining Policies to Enhance Seniors’ Access to Breakthrough Medical Technologies;” 9:30 a.m.; September 18

 

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

S.Res.376 — A resolution recognizing suicide as a serious public health problem, expressing support for the designation of September 8, 2025, as “988 Day” and the role of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2730 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve access to innovative treatment options for end-stage renal disease under the Medicare program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Blackburn, Marsha [Sen.-R-TN]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.Res.680 — Recognizing suicide as a serious public health problem, expressing support for the designation of September 8, 2025, as ”988 Day” and the role of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bell, Wesley [Rep.-D-MO-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5178 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to enable State Medicaid programs to provide comprehensive, coordinated care through a health home to individuals with sickle cell disease; Sponsor: Dunn, Neal P. [Rep.-R-FL-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5197 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit cost sharing for drugs under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Malliotakis, Nicole [Rep.-R-NY-11]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.5198 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to maintain standards for qualification as a rural health clinic under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Mann, Tracey [Rep.-R-KS-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.5199 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to modernize physician, physician assistant, and nurse practitioner utilization requirements; Sponsor: Mann, Tracey [Rep.-R-KS-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.5202 — To address maternity care shortages and promote optimal maternity outcomes by expanding access to birth centers and exploring more effective payment models for birth center care, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Morrison, Kelly [Rep.-D-MN-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5217 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove certain limitations on the delivery of behavioral health services at rural health clinics under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Tokuda, Jill N. [Rep.-D-HI-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

S.Res.378 — A resolution supporting the designation of the week of September 8 through September 12, 2025, as “Malnutrition Awareness Week”; Sponsor: Murphy, Christopher [Sen.-D-CT]; Committees: Senate – Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

 

S.Res.380 — A resolution urging the protection of Medicare from the devastating cuts caused by H.R. 1; Sponsor: Whitehouse, Sheldon [Sen.-D-RI]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2737 — A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program to furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy to certain veterans through community care providers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Tuberville, Tommy [Sen.-R-AL]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.2739 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to promote healthy eating and physical activity among children; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2743 — A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to modify certain limitations on disproportionate share hospital payment adjustments under the Medicaid program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Banks, Jim [Sen.-R-IN]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2745 — A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to provide to firefighters of the Department of Defense medical testing and related services to detect and prevent certain cancers; Sponsor: Slotkin, Elissa [Sen.-D-MI]; Committees: Senate – Armed Services

 

S.2749 — A bill to exempt Medicare from any sequestration under Statutory PAYGO that is caused by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act; Sponsor: Whitehouse, Sheldon [Sen.-D-RI]; Committees: Senate – Budget

 

H.Res.686 — Supporting the designation of the week of September 14, 2025, through September 20, 2025, as “Telehealth Awareness Week”; Sponsor: Carter, Earl L. “Buddy” [Rep.-R-GA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.685 — Expressing support for testing for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) as a standard part of prenatal screening, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cammack, Kat [Rep.-R-FL-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.684 — Expressing support for the designation of September 9, 2025, as “National Firearm Suicide Prevention Day” to educate about the growing firearm suicide crisis in the United States and promote the importance of storing firearms safely and securely as an essential component of suicide prevention; Sponsor: Brownley, Julia [Rep.-D-CA-26]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.683 — Supporting the designation of the week of September 8 through September 12, 2025, as “Malnutrition Awareness Week”; Sponsor: Bonamici, Suzanne [Rep.-D-OR-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Agriculture; Ways and Means; Education and Workforce

 

H.R.5239 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to expand research and education with respect to endometrial cancer, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Scott, David [Rep.-D-GA-13]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5228 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to remove a limitation on payments for certain home or community-based services waivers under the Medicaid program; Sponsor: Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5224 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to promote healthy eating and physical activity among children; Sponsor: Cohen, Steve [Rep.-D-TN-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.2751 — A bill to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect registration fees from members of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Wyden, Ron [Sen.-D-OR]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2756 —A bill to amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to reduce patient cost-sharing for prescription drug inhaler products used to treat breathing disorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Alsobrooks, Angela D. [Sen.-D-MD]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2759 — A bill to enhance our Nation’s nurse and physician workforce by recapturing unused immigrant visas; Sponsor: Durbin, Richard J. [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.2760 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide hereditary cancer genetic testing for individuals with a history of a hereditary cancer gene mutation in a blood relative or a personal or ancestral history suspicious for hereditary cancer, and to provide coverage of certain cancer screenings or preventive surgeries that would reduce the risk for individuals with a germline (inherited) mutation associated with a high risk of developing a preventable cancer; Sponsor: Murkowski, Lisa [Sen.-R-AK]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2761 — Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services (RESULTS) Act – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide long-term stability for Medicare beneficiary access to clinical diagnostic laboratory tests by improving the accuracy of, and feasibility of data collection for, the private payor-based fee schedule payment rates applied under the Medicare program for such tests, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Tillis, Thomas [Sen.-R-NC]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2762 — A bill to establish a commission on long-term care; Sponsor: Rosen, Jacky [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.Res.693 — Expressing support for the designation of September 9 as “National African Immigrant and Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness Day” or “NAIRHHA Day”; Sponsor: Johnson, Henry C. “Hank” [Rep.-D-GA-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.694 — Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should halt the pilot program and should not jeopardize seniors’ access to critical health care by utilizing artificial intelligence to determine Medicare coverage; Sponsor: Landsman, Greg [Rep.-D-OH-1]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.697 — Recognizing suicide as a serious public health problem and expressing support for the designation of September as “National Suicide Prevention Month” as well as September 10, 2025, as “World Suicide Prevention Day”; Sponsor: Thanedar, Shri [Rep.-D-MI-13]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R. 5243 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage; Sponsor: McClellan, Jennifer L. [Rep.-D-VA-4]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5252 — To amend the 21st Century Cares Act to clarify that certain grants for State and Tribal response to opioid use disorders may be used for certain activities related to public access opioid overdose reversal kits, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Amo, Gabe [Rep.-D-RI-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5256 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to reform the 340B drug pricing program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Carter, Earl L. “Buddy” [Rep.-R-GA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.5259 — To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect registration fees from members of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Costa, Jim [Rep.-D-CA-21]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5261 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the limitation on reimbursement for emergency treatment of amounts owed to a third party or for which the veteran is responsible under a health-plan contract; Sponsor: Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.5269 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide long-term stability for Medicare beneficiary access to clinical diagnostic laboratory tests by improving the accuracy of, and feasibility of data collection for, the private payor-based fee schedule payment rates applied under the Medicare program for such tests, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hudson, Richard [Rep.-R-NC-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.5275 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to include blood contamination as a hospital acquired condition under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Kelly, Mike [Rep.-R-PA-16]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.5278 — To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to reduce patient cost-sharing for prescription drug inhaler products used to treat breathing disorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Mfume, Kweisi [Rep.-D-MD-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Education and Workforce

 

H.R.5281 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish provider directory requirements, and to provide accountability for provider directory accuracy, under Medicare Advantage; Sponsor: Panetta, Jimmy [Rep.-D-CA-19]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5283 —To enhance our Nation’s nurse and physician workforce by recapturing unused immigrant visas; Sponsor: Schneider, Bradley Scott [Rep.-D-IL-10]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

S.Res.385 — A resolution recognizing suicide as a serious public health problem and expressing support for the designation of September as “National Suicide Prevention Month”; Sponsor: Tillis, Thomas [Sen.-R-NC]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2770 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure appropriate cost-sharing for chronic care drugs under Medicare part D; Sponsor: Cornyn, John [Sen.-R-TX]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2793 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require Medicare Advantage plans to cover items and services furnished by certain essential community providers within a service area, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cassidy, Bill [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.Res.704 — Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction Model undermines beneficiary access to health care and should not be implemented; Sponsor: Pocan, Mark [Rep.-D-WI-2]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.699 — Expressing support for the designation of September 2025 as “National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Month”, and raising awareness and understanding of polycystic kidney disease; Sponsor: Cleaver, Emanuel [Rep.-D-MO-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5339 — To establish a presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with exposure to certain toxins at the Pentagon Reservation during certain period beginning on September 11, 2001; Sponsor: Subramanyam, Suhas [Rep.-D-VA-10]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.5319 — To prohibit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Department of Health and Human Services from disclosing Medicaid data for law enforcement purposes related to immigration, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [Rep.-D-CA-37]; Committees: House – Financial Services; Oversight and Government Reform

 

H.R.5316 — To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ensure patients have access to certain shortage and urgent-use compounded medications, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Harshbarger, Diana [Rep.-R-TN-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5314 — To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to require a skilled nursing facility to permit without restriction visitation by an individual designated by a resident of such facility under the Medicare and Medicaid programs; Sponsor: Grothman, Glenn [Rep.-R-WI-6]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5306 — To prohibit the sale of a firearm unless the firearm or the packaging of the firearm carries a label that provides the number of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Brownley, Julia [Rep.-D-CA-26]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R. 5304 — Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026; Sponsor: Aderholt, Robert B. [Rep.-R-AL-4]; Committees: House – Appropriations

House Appropriators Advance FY 2026 LHHS Spending Bill – The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) advanced its fiscal year (FY) 2026 spending bill in an 11-7 party line vote last week. The bill text and a summary were released by the committee prior to the markup. The spending bill includes a total of $108 billion for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a 6% – or $7 billion – cut compared to FY 2025. The House Republican package falls between the $116.6 billion for HHS proposed by Senate appropriators and the President’s budget request of $94.7 billion. The House spending proposal would keep funding for the National Institutes of Health at $48 billion – a decrease of $456 million, or 1%, compared to FY 2025. Funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would be reduced by $1.7 billion – or 19% – for a total of $7.4 billion. The Committee provided a total of $7.1 billion for the Health Resources and Services Administration, $866 million – or 11% – below FY 2025 levels. The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health would see a 37%, or $500 million, funding cut. The House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to mark up the bill on Tuesday. The committee report will be released around the time of the full committee markup and will provide additional details on program funding levels. Congress has yet to send any of its 12 annual appropriations bills to the President.  Lawmakers face a September 30 deadline for funding the federal government before the end of the fiscal year. The White House is reportedly pushing for a clean stopgap spending measure that extends into 2026, while lawmakers in Congress are considering a continuing resolution of a shorter duration.

 

HHS Secretary Testifies Before Senate Finance – Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared before the Senate Committee on Finance last week to testify about the President’s health care agenda for 2026. During the hearing he was pressed by members on both sides of the aisle about recent shakeups at HHS. The Secretary defended both his vaccine policy decisions and personnel changes, stating that he did not ask former CDC Director Susan Monarez to pre-approve recommendations from Kennedy’s reconstituted Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. This is in conflict with an op-ed written by Monarez in The Wall Street Journal last week, in which Monarez said she was fired for refusing to compromise science. In his own op-ed, the Secretary explained that the recent overhaul of the CDC was necessary to eliminate “conflicts of interest and bureaucratic complacency.” He argued that the CDC should return its focus to tracking infectious diseases and pandemic response.

 

All six Democratic-physician members of Congress called on Kennedy to resign on Thursday. Their letter, signed by Reps. Ami Bera (D-Calif.), Herb Conaway (D-N.J.), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.), Kelly Morrison(D-Minn.), Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) and Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), characterizes the Secretary’s recent decisions as reckless and a threat to American lives and public trust. “We are deeply concerned that your tenure at HHS undermines the core mission of the Department: to protect and promote the health of the American people. Your actions have not only eroded public trust but have actively endangered lives,” the lawmakers state.

 

Lawmakers Consider Impact of ACA Tax Credit Expiration – Senate Democrats led by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.) have released a new analysis of the expected impact of the loss of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of this year. The report indicates that marketplace enrollment will decline significantly if the subsidies are allowed to expire. Expiration of the credits, in conjunction with rising health care costs, are expected to drive premium increases. Last week, Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) and Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) introduced the Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act (H.R. 5145). The legislation would extend, for one year, the Inflation Reduction Act’s health care premium tax credits until January 1, 2027.

 

Senate Finance Approves HHS Nominees – The Senate Committee on Finance approved the nominations of Michael Stuart for HHS General Counsel and Gustav Chiarello to serve as Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources on Thursday. Both nominees were advanced in 14-13 party line votes. Stuart is Republican state senator from West Virginia, while Chiarello most recently served as senior special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee. The nominees now await floor consideration and a full Senate vote.

 

House Oversight to Probe Possible HIPAA Violations by CVS Health – The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has opened an investigation into reports that CVS Health used confidential patient information to lobby the Louisiana State Legislature. According to the committee, patient information was used to influence legislators related to a state bill that would prohibit Louisiana providers from operating both pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and individual pharmacies. The letter to CVS Health President and CEO David Joyner raises the ethical and potential legal issues if CVS used confidential patient information to lobby against House Bill 358 in violation of the HIPAA privacy rule. “Given the wide breadth of CVS Health and its subsidiaries operations across the U.S.,” the panel expresses concern that “CVS Health could easily misuse confidential patient information in the future when similar legislative measures to Louisiana H.B. 358 are considered in other states or Congress.” According to a press release from the Committee, the investigation is a part of the ongoing effort to hold PBMs accountable for “their lack of transparency toward American consumers, engagement in anticompetitive behavior, and inflation of drug costs.” The letter requests a response from CVS Health by September 18.

 

Former President Biden Undergoes Mohs Surgery – A spokesperson for Joe Biden has confirmed that the former president recently underwent Mohs surgery to remove skin cancer from his forehead. President Biden has previously had non melanoma skin cancers removed prior to his presidency, and also had a cancerous lesion removed during his time in the White House. Biden has made few public appearances since announcing his prostate cancer diagnosis in May.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

House Appropriations Committee markup of fiscal year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill; 11:00 a.m.; September 9

 

House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services hearing “Better Meals, Fewer Pills: Making Our Children Healthy Again;” 2:00 p.m.; September 9

 

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing to examine how the corruption of science has impacted public perception and policies regarding vaccines; 2:00 p.m.; September 9

 

Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Subcommittee on Science, Manufacturing, and Competitiveness hearing “AI’ve Got a Plan: America’s AI Action Plan;” 10:00 a.m.; September 10

 

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.R.5075 —To prohibit the award of Federal education funds to educational institutions and agencies that do not allow for religious exemptions to vaccination requirements, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Steube, W. Gregory [Rep.-R-FL-17]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.5074 — To amend title V of the Public Health Service Act to direct the Center for Mental Health Services to develop and disseminate a strategy to address the effects of new technologies on children’s mental health; Sponsor: Steil, Bryan [Rep.-R-WI-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5068 —To decriminalize and deschedule cannabis, to provide for reinvestment in certain persons adversely impacted by the War on Drugs, to provide for expungement of certain cannabis offenses, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Nadler, Jerrold [Rep.-D-NY-12]; Committees: House – Judiciary; Energy and Commerce; Agriculture; Education and Workforce; Ways and Means; Small Business; Natural Resources; Oversight and Government Reform; Transportation and Infrastructure

 

H.R.5067 — To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act with respect to the disbursement of certain reimbursements provided under such Act, and for other purposes; Sponsor: McDonald Rivet, Kristen [Rep.-D-MI-8]; Committees: House – Transportation and Infrastructure

 

H.R.5066 —To repeal the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 and amendments to that Act; Sponsor: Massie, Thomas [Rep.-R-KY-4]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.5064 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to modify certain limitations on disproportionate share hospital payment adjustments under the Medicaid program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: LaLota, Nick [Rep.-R-NY-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.666 — Supporting the goals of Overdose Awareness Day and strengthening efforts to combat the opioid crisis in the United States; Sponsor: Trahan, Lori [Rep.-D-MA-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.670 — Expressing support for the designation of September 22 as “National Military and Veterans Suicide Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Self, Keith [Rep.-R-TX-3]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform

 

H.Res.671 — Prioritizing mental health to the same degree as physical health to address the epidemics of suicide and drug overdose in the United States; Sponsor: Thanedar, Shri [Rep.-D-MI-13]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5081 —To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend certain telehealth flexibilities under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Carter, Earl L. “Buddy” [Rep.-R-GA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.5094 — To repeal changes to Medicaid cost sharing requirements and the exclusion for orphan drugs under the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program; Sponsor: Pappas, Chris [Rep.-D-NH-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

S.2696 — A bill to establish a Foundation for Enabling Biotechnology Innovation; Sponsor: Padilla, Alex [Sen.-D-CA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2697 – A bill to authorize the National Science Foundation to conduct research for biotechnology risk assessment, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Young, Todd [Sen.-R-IN]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2699 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize certain education and training programs relating to geriatrics, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Collins, Susan M. [Sen.-R-ME]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.Res.675 — Expressing support for the designation of September 2025 as “National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Carter, Troy A. [Rep.-D-LA-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5104 — To reduce the health risks of heat by establishing the National Integrated Heat Health Information System within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Integrated Heat Health Information System Interagency Committee to improve extreme heat preparedness, planning, and response, requiring a study, and establishing financial assistance programs to address heat effects, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bonamici, Suzanne [Rep.-D-OR-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Science, Space, and Technology

 

H.R.5120 — To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act and title 10, United States Code, to provide no-cost coverage for the preventive distribution of opioid overdose reversal drugs; Sponsor: Pettersen, Brittany [Rep.-D-CO-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Armed Services

 

H.R.5123 —To authorize a national program to reduce the threat to human health posed by exposure to indoor air contaminants, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Tonko, Paul [Rep.-D-NY-20]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.Res.374 — A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr. does not have the confidence of the Senate or of the American people to faithfully carry out the duties of his office and should be removed from his position; Sponsor: Alsobrooks, Angela D. [Sen.-D-MD]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2709 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend certain telehealth flexibilities under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Scott, Tim [Sen.-R-SC]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2710 — A bill to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to require pharmaceutical and device manufacturers to publicly disclose covered payments made to patient advocacy organizations; Sponsor: Grassley, Chuck [Sen.-R-IA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2715 —A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require hospitals with approved medical residency training programs to submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services certain information regarding osteopathic and allopathic candidates for such programs; Sponsor: Daines, Steve [Sen.-R-MT]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.Res.679 — Honoring Paul Kawata for his unwavering commitment to communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and work to end the HIV epidemic; Sponsor: Waters, Maxine [Rep.-D-CA-43]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform

 

H.R.5126 —To provide funding for programs and activities of the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Waters, Maxine [Rep.-D-CA-43]; Committees: House – Appropriations

 

H.R.5127 —To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Social Security Act, and title 5, United States Code, to require no-cost coverage of certain HIV prevention services; Sponsor: Waters, Maxine [Rep.-D-CA-43]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Oversight and Government Reform

 

H.R.5133 —To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act regarding the patient medication information required to be included in the labeling of prescription drugs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bentz, Cliff [Rep.-R-OR-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5139 —To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish requirements with respect to cost sharing for epinephrine delivery systems under group health plans and group and individual health insurance coverage; Sponsor: Frost, Maxwell [Rep.-D-FL-10]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and Workforce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.5142 —To amend title VIII of the Social Security Act to ensure stability in payments to home health agencies under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Hern, Kevin [Rep.-R-OK-1]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5145 —To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the enhanced premium tax credit, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kiggans, Jennifer A. [Rep.-R-VA-2]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.5158 — To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act regarding the approval of combination products consisting of a generic drug and a device, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Scholten, Hillary J. [Rep.-D-MI-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5160 — To reauthorize the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Smith, Christopher H. [Rep.-R-NJ-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5162 — To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to make grants to States to increase awareness and education for colorectal cancer and improve early detection of colorectal cancer in young individuals, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Stevens, Haley M. [Rep.-D-MI-11]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

CDC Director Susan Monarez Fired by Trump Administration – Susan Monarez was fired as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday, less than one month into her tenure as the first Senate-confirmed leader of the U.S. national public health agency. “Susan Monarez is not aligned with the President’s agenda of Making America Healthy Again,” a White House spokesperson said Wednesday night. According to reports, Monarez refused to fire top CDC officials and endorse vaccine policy changes pushed by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. When asked to resign by the White House, Monarez refused. She is now challenging her dismissal, arguing that the termination was not valid because it did not come directly from the President. Several top leaders at the agency resigned immediately following the news of Monarez’s ousting, including Dr. Debra Houry, CDC chief medical officer; Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; Dr. Dan Jernigan, director of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases; and Dr. Jennifer Layden, director of the Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La.) stated in a post on X that “these high-profile departures will require oversight by the HELP Committee.” HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill has been named the acting director of the CDC. O’Neill served at HHS during the George W. Bush administration and is the former CEO of the Thiel Foundation.

 

FDA Rescinds EUAs for Covid-19 Vaccines – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked the remaining emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for Covid-19 vaccines on Wednesday. While individuals between the ages of six months and 65 years at higher risk of severe disease from Covid-19 will still be able to obtain immunization, the shots will no longer be as easily accessible for all Americans.  Younger people without a pre-existing condition who wish to be vaccinated against Covid-19 will need to first consult with their doctors to determine whether the vaccine’s off-label use is medically appropriate. For those at higher risk of severe disease, the FDA has issued marketing authorization for Moderna’s vaccine for those six months and older, Pfizer’s vaccine for those five years and older, and Novavax’s vaccine for those 12 years and older.

 

ACIP to Meet September 18-19 – The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has scheduled its next meeting for September 18 and 19. The agenda includes discussions of Covid-19 vaccines; the Hepatitis B vaccine; the measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (MMRV) vaccine; and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).  Senate HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La.) has called for the meeting to be indefinitely postponed following the recent shakeup to CDC leadership and changes to the nation’s vaccine policies. CDC Director Susan Monarez was fired on Wednesday, the same day the FDA acted to limit approval of Covid shots to a smaller population of people. “Serious allegations have been made about the meeting agenda, membership, and lack of scientific process being followed for the now announced September ACIP meeting,” Cassidy said in a statement. “These decisions directly impact children’s health, and the meeting should not occur until significant oversight has been conducted. If the meeting proceeds, any recommendations made should be rejected as lacking legitimacy given the seriousness of the allegations and the current turmoil in CDC leadership.”

 

RFK Jr. to Testify Before Senate Finance on Thursday – HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will testify before the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday. The HHS Secretary’s appearance before the panel, which was planned before last week’s changes to CDC leadership, will focus on the President’s 2026 health care agenda. It will be lawmakers’ first opportunity to question Kennedy face to face since May, when he testified before appropriators about the department’s fiscal year 2026 budget request. Sen. Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La.), who has expressed concerns about recent moves at HHS, is a member of the Finance Committee.

 

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

House Appropriations Subcommittee markup of Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill; 5:00 p.m.; September 2

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing “Examining Opportunities to Advance American Health Care through the Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies;” 10:15 a.m.; September 3

 

Senate Finance Committee open executive session to consider favorably reporting the nomination of Gustav Chiarello III, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Honorable Michael Stuart, of West Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Department of Health and Human Services; 9:30 a.m.; September 4

 

Senate Finance Committee hearing “The President’s 2026 Health Care Agenda;” 10:00 a.m.; September 4

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.Res.662 — Expressing support for the designation of the week of August 25 through August 31, 2025, as “Black Breastfeeding Week”; Sponsor: Adams, Alma S. [Rep.-D-NC-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5023 —To amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to attempted murder and the trafficking of fentanyl; Sponsor: Lawler, Michael [Rep.-R-NY-17]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.5027 —To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem adulterated food containing certain color additives, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Meng, Grace [Rep.-D-NY-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5031 —To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to temporarily provide for long-term care pharmacy supply fees in connection with the dispensing of certain drugs; Sponsor: Van Duyne, Beth [Rep.-R-TX-24]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.5032 —To amend the Controlled Substances Act to permanently schedule the class of benzimidazole-opioids known as nitazenes, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Vindman, Eugene Simon [Rep.-D-VA-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.5039 — To amend title 17, United States Code, to provide an exception for circumvention for the diagnosis, maintenance, or repair of a powered mobility assistance device, to require original equipment manufacturers of powered mobility assistance devices to make available certain documentation, diagnostic, and repair information to independent repair providers and consumers, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Frost, Maxwell [Rep.-D-FL-10]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.5040 – To direct each Secretary of a military department to conduct a review and update of any online information relating to suicide prevention or behavioral health. Sponsor: Hayes, Jahana [Rep.-D-CT-5]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.5043 — To repeal certain portions of An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14; Sponsor: Krishnamoorthi, Raja [Rep.-D-IL-8]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce; Agriculture

 

H.R.5045 — To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a grant program to facilitate research regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence in health care, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Lieu, Ted [Rep.-D-CA-36]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5052 — To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Labor to conduct a study and issue a report on grant programs to support the nursing workforce; Sponsor: Nunn, Zachary [Rep.-R-IA-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and Workforce