Appropriations Update – The House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee advanced its fiscal year (FY) 2027 funding legislation on Friday in an 11-7 party line vote. The bill, which was released last week, includes a 4% cut to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The National Institutes of Health would receive a $100 million funding increase, with targeted increases directed toward research on cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, diabetes, women’s health, and rare diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would see a $1 billion cut under the legislation. There would be no direct appropriations changes for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). A summary of the bill is available here; bill text is available here. The package will be marked up by the full Appropriations Committee on Tuesday.
The FY 2027 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies appropriations bill was passed by the House of Representatives on Thursday in a 213-210 vote. The bill (H.R. 8646), which was previously advanced by the Appropriations Committee in April, would provide the FDA with $7.1 billion in topline funding. This total includes $3.36 billion in appropriations, with the remainder comprised of industry user fees. Senate appropriators have yet to release their own Agriculture-Rural Development-FDA spending bill, and postponed a markup of the measure, which was originally scheduled for last Thursday, to sometime later this month. Senate appropriators have reportedly not yet reached an agreement on the topline allocations for the bills the committee had planned to mark up.
Lawmakers Release Discussion Draft to Establish National AI Framework – Reps. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) and Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) have released a discussion draft of legislation to create a federal framework for how the United States governs artificial intelligence (AI). The bill would notably preempt state laws, including those in places like California, New York, and Illinois, which have already acted to establish AI safety regulations. The discussion draft, titled the Great American Artificial Intelligence Act, is intended to solicit feedback from stakeholders, experts, and the public before the bill is formally introduced. Under the legislation, large frontier AI developers would be required to publish and follow plans for managing catastrophic risks and reporting serious safety incidents. Third-party verification organizations would be responsible for auditing developers, who would face penalties for noncompliance. The legislation would also require improved federal data collection on the impact of AI on the labor market, invest in AI education and workforce development, and support American-led AI technical standards. The discussion draft text can be found here; a section-by-section summary of the discussion draft can be found here.
In related news, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday directing federal agencies to strengthen AI-enabled cybersecurity across government systems. Agencies are further instructed to issue guidance to facilitate access to cybersecurity tools and services for operators of critical infrastructure, including rural hospitals. The order also calls for the establishment of a voluntary framework under which certain AI developers could submit their frontier models for voluntary government review of cybersecurity threats up to 30 days before the products are released to the public.
CMS Issues Rulemaking on Medicaid Work Requirements – CMS has released an interim final rule implementing the Medicaid community engagement requirements established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The CMS regulation establishes a nationwide operational framework for ensuring that certain adult Medicaid applicants and enrollees meet an 80 hours per month work requirement through employment, education, work programs, or community service by January 1, 2027. Some Democrats and state officials have asserted that the regulation goes beyond what is mandated by the law, with Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) characterizing the rule as “the dark heart of the Republican plan to kick millions of working Americans and their children off their health insurance by placing a mountain of paperwork in front of them. These barriers are designed to prevent Americans from getting affordable healthcare, while providing a profit bonanza for the corporate consultants who get paid millions to build bureaucratic booby traps.” House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) praised the rulemaking, arguing that “Not only do these requirements protect taxpayers, but they actively help to lift Americans out of poverty and stay connected to their communities.”
Collins, Shaheen Encourage Expansion of Diabetes Self-Management Training – Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, have sent a letter requesting that CMS act to improve Medicare beneficiaries’ access to diabetes self-management services. The lawmakers specifically ask that the agency incorporate the Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act into the 2027 Medicare physician fee schedule proposed rule. The bill would eliminate the one-year limit on the period during which patients with diabetes can receive outpatient self-management training, and require CMS to test the efficacy of virtual diabetes training options.
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Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups
House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections hearing “On Call for America: Strengthening Access Through Locum Tenens Providers;” 10:15 a.m.; June 9
House Appropriations Committee markup of the fiscal year (FY) 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill; 11:00 a.m.; June 9
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing “Lowering Health Care Costs for All Americans: Examining Policies to Increase Health Care Transparency;” 10:15 a.m.; June 10
House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization Oversight field hearing “Delivering Quality and Modern Healthcare to Michigan’s Veterans and Servicemembers;” 10:00 a.m.; June 12
Recently Introduced Health Legislation
H.Con.Res.107 – Recognizing the importance of saving lives, reducing gun violence, and strengthening public safety as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary; Sponsor: Min, Dave [Rep.-D-CA-47]; Committees: House – Judiciary
H.Res.1325 – Expressing support for May 2026 as “American Stroke Month” and encouraging all to learn the warning signs of stroke, understand their personal risk factors, and take action to improve stroke prevention, response, and recovery in our communities; Sponsor: Beatty, Joyce [Rep.-D-OH-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.Res.1327 – Supporting the designation of May 2026 as “Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Escobar, Veronica [Rep.-D-TX-16]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform
H.Res.1329 – Expressing support for the designation of May 2026 as “Mental Health Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Salinas, Andrea [Rep.-D-OR-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.9048 – To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to include gluten-containing grain in the definition of a major food allergen; Sponsor: Cleaver, Emanuel [Rep.-D-MO-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.9054 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a demonstration program for international coverage under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Espaillat, Adriano [Rep.-D-NY-13]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.9058 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a grant program to promote access to automated external defibrillators and cardiopulmonary resuscitation in eligible federally assisted multifamily housing, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Goldman, Daniel S. [Rep.-D-NY-10]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.9061 – To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to States on which tests for the screening and early detection of preeclampsia may be covered under the Medicaid program and the Children’s Health Insurance Program; Sponsor: Kean, Thomas H. [Rep.-R-NJ-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.9065 – To provide research on, and services for, individuals with clinical mental health complications following a pregnancy loss, and for other purposes; Sponsor: McDowell, Addison P. [Rep.-R-NC-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.9077 – To direct the Director of the National Institutes of Health and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to evaluate hormone variability and hormone testing, respectively, in women with respect to perimenopause; Sponsor: Scholten, Hillary J. [Rep.-D-MI-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.9081 – To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to allow health marketplace pools to be deemed an employer under section 3(5) of such Act for purposes of offering a group health plan or group health insurance coverage, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Van Duyne, Beth [Rep.-R-TX-24]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce
S.Con.Res.34 — A concurrent resolution recognizing the importance of saving lives, reducing gun violence, and strengthening public safety as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary; Sponsor: Alsobrooks, Angela D. [Sen.-D-MD]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary
S.4647 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an income tax credit for eldercare expenses; Sponsor: Klobuchar, Amy [Sen.-D-MN]; Committees: Senate – Finance
S.4658 — A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to include Parkinson’s disease in the list of illnesses and diseases deemed to be proximately caused by employment in fire protection activities, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Banks, Jim [Sen.-R-IN]; Committees: Senate – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
H.Res.1331 — Expressing support for the designation of June 1, 2026, through June 7, 2026, as “Hidradenitis Suppurativa Awareness Week”; Sponsor: Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.9089 — To establish the Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bilirakis, Gus M. [Rep.-R-FL-12]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce
H.R.9090 — Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act; Sponsor: Clarke, Yvette D. [Rep.-D-NY-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.9103 — To prohibit Federal research agencies and recipients of Federal research grants from using a prohibited diversity, equity, or inclusion practice with respect to Federal research grants, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Norman, Ralph [Rep.-R-SC-5]; Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology
H.R.9107 — To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to provide that qualified health plans are not required to use a provider network; Sponsor: Rulli, Michael A. [Rep.-R-OH-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.9108 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to adjust the eligibility for the rural emergency hospital designation under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Schmidt, Derek [Rep.-R-KS-2]; Committees: House – Ways and Means
S.4675 — A bill to improve benefits for veterans who may have been exposed to toxic substances, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rosen, Jacky [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs
H.Res.1337 — Recognizing the contributions of academic medicine and observing Academic Medicine Week from June 8 through 12, 2026; Sponsor: Castor, Kathy [Rep.-D-FL-14]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.9117 — To promote the availability of certain health care information, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Langworthy, Nicholas A. [Rep.-R-NY-23]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and Workforce; Ways and Means
H.R.9126 — HCBS Anti-Fraud Reporting Act of 2026; Sponsor: Latta, Robert E. [Rep.-R-OH-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.9127 —To improve benefits for veterans who may have been exposed to toxic substances, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Lee, Susie [Rep.-D-NV-3]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs; Armed Services
H.Res.1341 — Expressing support for the recognition of June 7, 2026, as “Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Garbarino, Andrew R. [Rep.-R-NY-2]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform
H.Res.1342 — Expressing support for the designation of June 5, 2026, as “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” and June 2026 as “National Gun Violence Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Kelly, Robin L. [Rep.-D-IL-2]; Committees: House – Judiciary
H.R.9139 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to clarify the intent of Congress with regards to Medicaid financing policies; Sponsor: Cammack, Kat [Rep.-R-FL-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.9140 —To require the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security to improve the transition of medics into the civilian workforce in certain health care occupations and to modify the assistance provided to separated members of the Armed Forces seeking employment with health care providers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Dexter, Maxine [Rep.-D-OR-3]; Committees: House – Armed Services
H.R.9149 — To establish the National Diabetes Project, and for other purposes; Sponsor: James, John [Rep.-R-MI-10]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
H.R.9150 —To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide coverage for boxing-based exercise classes for veterans diagnosed with certain movement disorders, and for other purposes; Sponsor: LaHood, Darin [Rep.-R-IL-16]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs
H.R.9157 —To reform the H-1B process, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Roy, Chip [Rep.-R-TX-21]; Committees: House – Judiciary
H.R.9163 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure that facilities do not lose critical access hospital status as a result of a roadway or transportation infrastructure improvement; Sponsor: Thompson, Bennie G. [Rep.-D-MS-2]; Committees: House – Ways and Means
H.R.9169 — To support polycystic kidney disease research, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [Rep.-D-FL-25]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce