House Passes Three Health Bills – The House of Representatives passed three healthcare related bills last week.
- R. 3419 would reauthorize the Telehealth Network Grant Program and Telehealth Resource Centers. The bill was passed by voice vote.
- R. 2319, the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act, would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to conduct an interagency review to accelerate lung cancer research, prevention, and awareness with respect to women and underserved populations. The bill was passed by voice vote.
- R. 2493, the Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act,would reauthorize grant programs administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration that provide funding to health care service providers and related entities in rural areas. The bill was passed in a 406-4 vote.
Senate Adopts Budget Resolution – Senate Republicans adopted a budget resolution (S. Con. Res. 33) last week that will enable lawmakers to consider the next budget reconciliation package. During the vote-a-rama that lasted from Wednesday night into Thursday morning, lawmakers considered several healthcare related measures related to costs, drug pricing, and abortion. None of the healthcare amendments cleared the 60-vote threshold needed for passage. The House of Representatives is expected to consider the budget resolution this week. The forthcoming reconciliation bill will focus on ending the partial government shutdown currently impacting the Department of Homeland Security.
Appropriations Update – Appropriators in the House of Representatives released fiscal year (FY) 2027 funding levels – known as 302(b) allocations – for six of the 12 annual spending bills last week. These allocations for Agriculture-Rural Development-Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Commerce-Justice-Science; Financial Services-General Government; Legislative Branch; National Security-Department of State; and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs will be used in the development of each subcommittee’s respective appropriations legislation. Appropriators marked up the Agriculture-FDA bill in subcommittee on Thursday. The legislation provides $7.1 billion for the FDA, a small increase over FY 2026 funding levels. The bill was favorably reported in a 10-7 party line vote, and will be marked up by the full committee on Tuesday. The National Security-State Department Subcommittee also advanced its FY 2027 legislation in a party-line vote. The bill includes $8.9 billion in global health funding, $532 million below currently enacted levels. The full committee is scheduled to consider the bill on Tuesday. In the Senate, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies has released instructions for the submission of outside witness testimony due by May 22. The Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies’ set a deadline of May 20 to submit outside witness testimony.
Grassley, Hassan Request GAO Report on Pharmaceutical Coupons – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) have requested that the Government Accountability Office investigate brand pharmaceutical manufacturers’ use of coupons. The lawmakers express concern that coupons are being used with the intent of steering patients away from generic medications, and request information about the availability and characteristics of coupons for high-cost drugs on the commercial market. “While these coupons often lower or eliminate the patient’s copays in the short-term, in the long-term they could lead to the patient unnecessarily paying more for the brand-name drug,” the lawmakers write. “We are concerned that these coupons can enable drug manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers to maintain high list prices and drive-up costs for all patients through higher insurance premiums.”
Lawmakers Push for at Least $51.3 Billion in NIH Funding – A bipartisan group of more than 180 members of the House of Representatives have sent a Dear Colleague letter recommending $51.3 billion in base funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in fiscal year 2027. “For the entirety of human health, NIH supports research nationwide that has a real-world, positive impact on patients, families, and communities,” the letter led by Reps. André Carson (D-Ind.), Brian Fitzpatrick, (R-Pa.), and Suzan DelBene, (D-Wash.) states. “In a time of unprecedented scientific opportunity across all disease areas, it is critical that the United States make forward-thinking investments that promote medical breakthroughs, equip the next generation of students and scientists, and sustain our international leadership in medical research.”
New Jersey Democrat Mejia Sworn In – Rep. Analilia Mejia (D-N.J.) was sworn in to the House of Representatives last week. Rep. Mejia won the special election for the state’s 11th congressional district in February, running for the seat previously held by New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill (D). Mejia will run again for a full-term in office this November.
Congressional Resignations, Retirements – Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) resigned from the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The decision came shortly before the House Ethics Committee was scheduled to consider its response to allegations of financial misconduct by the three-term lawmaker. Cherfilus-McCormick has been charged with stealing $5 million in Covid relief funds. She was a member of the Veterans’ Affairs and Foreign Affairs committees.
Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) passed away at the age of 80 last week. The 12-term lawmaker was first elected to the House in 2002 following a career in the Georgia state Assembly. He was the first Black chair of the Agriculture Committee, and also served as a member of the Financial Services Committee.
The House Press Gallery Casualty List provides a catalog of members who are retiring or seeking other office, as well as those who have resigned or died.
Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer Resigns – The White House announced last week that Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer is leaving the administration for a job in the private sector. Her departure comes amidst allegations of misconduct. Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling will serve as acting secretary.
Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups
House Ways and Means Committee hearing with health system CEOs; 10:00 a.m.; April 28
House Appropriations Committee markup of FY27 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill; 10:00 a.m.; April 29
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing to discuss legislation that protects American food producers and improves FDA’s food safety review; 2:00 p.m.; April 29
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing “Unmasked: How Biden Health Officials Purposely Turned a Blind Eye Toward COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Signals;” 2:30 p.m.; April 29
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing to consider pending legislation; 4:00 p.m.; April 29
House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies markup of FY27 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill; 8:00 a.m.; June 5
House Appropriations Committee markup of FY27 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill; 11:00 a.m.; June 9
Recently Introduced Health Legislation
H.R.8358 — To amend title 39, United States Code, to extend the authority of the United States Postal Service to issue a semipostal to raise funds for breast cancer research; Sponsor: Van Duyne, Beth [Rep.-R-TX-24]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform; Energy and Commerce; Armed Services
H.R.8355 — To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to require the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test a model to reduce chronic diseases by using accountable produce is medicine; Sponsor: Smucker, Lloyd [Rep.-R-PA-11]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means
H.R.8339 — To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to enhance drug manufacturing amount information reporting, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Matsui, Doris O. [Rep.-D-CA-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.8335 — To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to reform the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program, with exceptions for certain vital professions, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kennedy, Mike [Rep.-R-UT-3]; Committees: House – Judiciary
H.R.8324 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the limitations on contributions to health savings accounts, to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for hospital and insurer price transparency, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Burlison, Eric [Rep.-R-MO-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Education and Workforce; Judiciary; Armed Services; Veterans’ Affairs; Foreign Affairs
H.R.8319 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand certain remote monitoring services furnished by physicians to individuals with end stage renal disease under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Yakym, Rudy [Rep.-R-IN-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means
H.Res.1187 — Supporting the designation of the week of August 24 through August 28, 2026, as the fourth annual “National Community Health Worker Awareness Week”; Sponsor: Ruiz, Raul [Rep.-D-CA-25]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.Res.1183 — Supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2026, as “Black Maternal Health Week”, founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA), to bring national attention to the maternal and reproductive health crisis in the United States and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing people; Sponsor: Adams, Alma S. [Rep.-D-NC-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
S.4339 — A bill to reform Federal firearms laws, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kaine, Tim [Sen.-D-VA]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary
S.4336 — A bill to amend the Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004 to repeal the antitrust exemption applicable to graduate medical resident matching programs; Sponsor: Lee, Mike [Sen.-R-UT]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary
S.4332 — A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make determinations of the exclusivity periods for which licensed biological products are eligible; Sponsor: Hassan, Margaret Wood [Sen.-D-NH]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
S.4329 — A bill to amend title X of the Public Health Service Act to prohibit family planning grants from being awarded to any entity that performs abortions, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Blackburn, Marsha [Sen.-R-TN]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
S.4327 — A bill to require regulatory review of pharmaceutical products from Chinese entities, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cotton, Tom [Sen.-R-AR]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
S.4323 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require PDP sponsors of a prescription drug plan and Medicare Advantage organizations offering an MA-PD plan under part D of the Medicare program that use a formulary to include certain generic drugs and biosimilar biological products on such formulary, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Lankford, James [Sen.-R-OK]; Committees: Senate – Finance
S.4318 — A bill to amend title 39, United States Code, to extend the authority of the United States Postal Service to issue a semipostal to raise funds for breast cancer research; Sponsor: Rosen, Jacky [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
S.Res.675 — A resolution supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2026, as “Black Maternal Health Week”, founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc., to bring national attention to the maternal and reproductive health crisis in the United States and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing people; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
S.Res.674 — A resolution designating the week of April 13 through April 19, 2026, as “National Osteopathic Medicine Week”; Sponsor: Wicker, Roger F. [Sen.-R-MS]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary
H.Res.1192 — Recognizing the roles and the contributions of care workers in the United States and expressing support for the designation of April 2026 as “Care Worker Recognition Month”; Sponsor: Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce; Energy and Commerce
H.Res.1195 — Supporting the designation of May as “National Myositis Awareness Month”; Sponsor: McCormick, Richard [Rep.-R-GA-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.Res.1196 — Recognizing April as Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month; Sponsor: Miller, Max L. [Rep.-R-OH-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.Res.1200 — Supporting the designation of March 2026 as Endometriosis Awareness Month; Sponsor: Scott, David [Rep.-D-GA-13]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.8366 — To protect the religious freedom of pharmacists choosing not to dispense or sell abortion-inducing drugs; Sponsor: Burchett, Tim [Rep.-R-TN-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.8367 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to enhance outreach to first responders in the implementation of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cammack, Kat [Rep.-R-FL-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.8370 —To improve transparency and the availability of information regarding dietary supplements by amending the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require manufacturers of dietary supplements to list dietary supplements with the Food and Drug Administration; Sponsor: Dexter, Maxine [Rep.-D-OR-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.8375 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for certain reforms under the Medicare Advantage program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Joyce, John [Rep.-R-PA-13]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce
H.R.8376 —To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to clarify the policy for coverage under the Medicare program for palliative dialysis services, and clarify separate payment for such palliative dialysis services, furnished by renal dialysis facilities and providers of services to certain individuals electing hospice care, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kelly, Mike [Rep.-R-PA-16]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce
H.R.8377 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to prohibit the use of prior authorization under Medicare Advantage plans, to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to limit the implementation of payment models testing prior authorization under traditional Medicare, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Khanna, Ro [Rep.-D-CA-17]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce
H.R.8386 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to eliminate the payment reduction for certain multiple therapy services under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Ross, Deborah K. [Rep.-D-NC-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means
H.R.8390 — National Food as Medicine Program Act of 2026; Sponsor: Ruiz, Raul [Rep.-D-CA-25]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Agriculture
H.R.8391 — To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to require coverage of certain food and nutrition services under the Medicare and Medicaid programs; Sponsor: Ruiz, Raul [Rep.-D-CA-25]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means
H.R.8394 — To streamline the process for institutions of higher education to research marijuana; Sponsor: Titus, Dina [Rep.-D-NV-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary; Agriculture; Education and Workforce
S.4353 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand eligibility for health savings accounts; Sponsor: Marshall, Roger [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate – Finance
S.4355 —A bill to require the Department of Health and Human Services to release documents, communications, and other information relating to most favored nation pricing agreements and other private or confidential drug pricing deals struck with manufacturers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Wyden, Ron [Sen.-D-OR]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
S.4357 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for emergency grants to safeguard essential health care workers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
S.4358 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of medically necessary home resiliency services under Medicare; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Finance
S.4359 — A bill to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to ensure services for home modifications under part B of title III of such Act may be used for certain purposes, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
S.4363 — A bill to extend the requirement for annual briefings on National Biodefense Strategy and to require analysis and recommendations relating to the risks of engineering biology, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kaine, Tim [Sen.-D-VA]; Committees: Senate – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
H.R.8412 — To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to revise certain regulations related to infant and toddler beverages, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Jacobs, Sara [Rep.-D-CA-51]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.8413 — To establish a national framework for consumer privacy rights and the protection of personal data, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Joyce, John [Rep.-R-PA-13]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary
H.R.8425 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to ensure access to immunizations under the Medicaid program and the Vaccines for Children program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schrier, Kim [Rep.-D-WA-8]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
S.Res.685 — A resolution designating April 22, 2026, as “National Assistive Technology Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
S.4370 — A bill to establish and support primary care team education centers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kaine, Tim [Sen.-D-VA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
H.R.8440 — To direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to seek congressional approval prior to dismissing lawsuits, or withdrawing referrals to the Department of Justice of claims, relating to the release of certain carcinogens, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Carter, Troy A. [Rep.-D-LA-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Transportation and Infrastructure; Agriculture; Science, Space, and Technology; Rules
H.R.8442 — To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to establish civil liability for health insurance issuers with high levels of claims denials; Sponsor: Craig, Angie [Rep.-D-MN-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.8447 — To protect against seasonal and pandemic influenza, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Larsen, Rick [Rep.-D-WA-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Budget
H.R.8473 — Veterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act; Sponsor: Begich, Nicholas J. [Rep.-R-AK-At Large]; Committees: House – Natural Resources; Energy and Commerce; Agriculture
H.R.8484 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for emergency grants to safeguard essential health care workers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Lee, Summer L. [Rep.-D-PA-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.8486 — To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a program to award grants for the development of predictive models to evaluate risk factors that contribute to the incidence of suicide among veterans, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Mackenzie, Ryan [Rep.-R-PA-7]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs
H.R.8487 — To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to adjust coverage and payment for certified community behavioral health clinic services under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Matsui, Doris O. [Rep.-D-CA-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means
H.R.8490 — To amend title II of the Social Security Act to credit individuals serving as caregivers of dependent relatives with deemed wages for up to five years of such service; Sponsor: Schneider, Bradley Scott [Rep.-D-IL-10]; Committees: House – Ways and Means
H.R.8493 — To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, to establish an interagency working group on peer-to-peer behavioral health programs for law enforcement officers and first responders, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Subramanyam, Suhas [Rep.-D-VA-10]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary; Transportation and Infrastructure