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