Category: Weekly Policy Briefing

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

HHS to Establish New Healthcare Advisory Committee/Seeks Applicants – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the establishment of the new Healthcare Advisory Committee last week. The Committee will be charged with making recommendations directly to the HHS Secretary on improving how care is financed and delivered across Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Health Insurance Marketplace. “This is a moment for action,” said Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz, MD. “This committee will help us cut waste, reduce paperwork, expand preventive care, and modernize CMS programs with real-time data and accountability, all while keeping patients at the center. We are calling on experts across the country to join us in this effort to help us Make America Healthy Again.” The administration is inviting individuals with expertise in chronic disease prevention and management, federally administered health care financing, and delivery system reform to apply to serve on the committee by September 22. According to HHS, the new panel will focus on:

• Actionable policy initiatives to promote chronic disease prevention and management;
• Opportunities for a regulatory framework of accountability for safety and outcomes that reduces unnecessary red tape and allows providers to focus on improving patient health;
• Levers to advance a real-time data system, enabling a new standard of excellence in care, rapid claims processing, rapid quality measurement, and rewards;
• Structural opportunities to improve quality for the most vulnerable in the Medicaid program; and
• Sustainability of the Medicare Advantage program, identifying opportunities to modernize risk adjustment and quality measures to assess and improve health outcomes.

 

Texas’ Doggett, Roy Announce Retirements from Congress – Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) announced last week that he will not seek reelection in 2026 if Republicans in the Texas state legislature proceed with their plans to redistrict. Doggett would face Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) in the race for the state’s 35^th Congressional District under the redrawn map.  Doggett, 78, has served in the House of Representatives since 1995 and currently serves as Ways and Means Health Subcommittee ranking member. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) has launched a bid for Texas attorney general. Roy, a prominent member of the House Freedom Caucus, has served in Congress since 2019. He is a member of the Judiciary, Rules, and Budget committees.

 

New Analysis Details HHS Reductions in Force – A new analysis from ProPublica examining cuts to federal health agencies found that over 20,500 HHS employees or 18% of the HHS workforce – have been lost since January. This includes 15% of staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 16% of staff at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and 21% of staff at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The report further details cuts to FDA regulators, vaccine regulators, CDC scientists, chronic disease experts, NIH research staff, and infectious diseases researchers.

 

Ranking Member of the House Education and Workforce Committee Bobby Scott (D-Va.) sent a letter to Chair Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) on Wednesday to follow up on a previous request for an oversight hearing on the administration’s proposed HHS reorganization and related layoffs at the Department.  “We have not yet received comprehensive information from HHS regarding the impacts of the proposed reorganization and the reductions in force undertaken by the Department,” Rep. Scott wrote. “These actions threaten the core functions of essential programs.”

 

HHS Launches New MAHA Website – HHS has launched a new webpage to track the Trump administration’s progress on the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda. The online tool specifically highlights actions taken by HHS related to the first MAHA report, petroleum-based food dyes, Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) standards, Operation Stork Speed, the cause of autism, trust in vaccine safety, dietary guidelines, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) reform, and efforts to bring radical transparency to the department. The website also includes an interactive map of new MAHA aligned state policies along with details on Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s tour across the nation.

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.Res.656 — Condemning the tragic act of gun violence on July 28, 2025, in New York City that led to one of the deadliest mass shootings in the city’s history, and calling for stronger, comprehensive Federal action to prevent gun violence nationwide; Sponsor: Goldman, Daniel S. [Rep.-D-NY-10]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform

 

H.Res.657 — Affirming the President’s promise not to raise the Social Security and Medicare retirement age; Sponsor: Kaptur, Marcy [Rep.-D-OH-9]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4977 —To identify and address barriers to coverage of remote physiologic devices under State Medicaid programs to improve maternal and child health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women. Sponsor: Frankel, Lois [Rep.-D-FL-22]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4979 — To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to award grants to States to implement a tick identification pilot program; Sponsor: Gottheimer, Josh [Rep.-D-NJ-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4980 — To establish a comprehensive national vector-borne disease prevention system; Sponsor: Gottheimer, Josh [Rep.-D-NJ-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4981 — To provide for the issuance of a Lyme Disease Research Semipostal Stamp; Sponsor: Gottheimer, Josh [Rep.-D-NJ-5]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4991 — To prohibit the disposition of a firearm to, and the possession of a firearm by, an adult who, while a juvenile who had attained 15 years of age but not 18 years of age, committed an offense that would have been a felony if committed by an adult; Sponsor: Van Duyne, Beth [Rep.-R-TX-24]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.4993 — Joe Fiandra Access to Home Infusion Act of 2025; Sponsor: Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [Rep.-R-PA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.5003 — Equal Treatment of the District of Columbia Under the Rural Health Transformation Program Act of 2025; Sponsor: Norton, Eleanor Holmes [Del.-D-DC-At Large]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

Doc Caucus Recommends USPSTF Reforms – Members of the GOP Doctors Caucus have sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) calling for a complete overhaul of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The letter, led by Rep. Diana Harshbarger, Pharm.D. (R-Tenn.) and Doc Caucus co-chair Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-N.C.), argues that the USPSTF has “allocated substantial attention to divisive social issues,” such as race and gender identity, “that extend beyond traditional clinical parameters.” The lawmakers also raise concerns related to USPSTF’s structure, including the lack of a mandate for the Task Force to be comprised of any specialty, resulting in the task force making recommendations in medical fields in which they have no practical knowledge. The Caucus recommends the creation of such a mandate, full transparency in how USPSTF’s decisions are made, and a renewed focus on public health outcomes rather than social issues.

 

House Democrats Raise Concerns with WISeR Model – A group of 17 Democrats in the House of Representatives have sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting more information about the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model. The model will allow for expanded use of prior authorization in the traditional Medicare program. The letter, led by Reps. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) and Ami Bera, MD (D-Calif.), expresses concerns that WISeR will “likely limit beneficiaries’ access to care, increase burden on our already overburdened health care work force, and create perverse incentives to put profit over patients.” The model is set to begin on January 1, 2026, and run for six performance periods. It will apply to a list of outpatient procedures identified as vulnerable to fraud, waste and abuse, or inappropriate use for providers and patients in New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and Washington. The letter highlights how the Trump administration has publicly recognized the problems with prior authorization and secured pledges from health insurers to curtail abuses of the practice. The lawmakers request a response from CMS with details about the model’s scope, implementation, and beneficiary safeguards by September 1.

 

President Signs Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Resiliency Order – President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that aims to ensure a resilient domestic supply chain for essential medicines by filling the Strategic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Reserve (SAPIR) with critical drug components. The order directs the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to develop a list of approximately 26 “critical drugs vital to national health and security” and to then fill the reserve with a six-month supply of the active pharmaceutical ingredients necessary to produce those medications. President Trump established the SAPIR during his first term amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week’s executive order also instructs ASPR to develop a proposal for opening a second SAPIR repository to further enhance pharmaceutical supply chain resilience.

 

RFK Jr. Revives Vaccine Safety Task Force – HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the reinstatement of the Task Force on Safer Childhood Vaccines last week. The task force was first established in 1986. It was charged with promoting the development of effective immunizations that produce fewer serious adverse events and providing a related report to Congress every two years. The task force was disbanded in 1998 after issuing a report containing vaccine safety recommendations. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya, MD will lead the revived task force, which will also include participation by leadership from the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “By reinstating this task force, we are reaffirming our commitment to rigorous science, continuous improvement and the trust of American families,” Dr. Bhattacharya said in a statement. “NIH is proud to lead this effort to advance vaccine safety and support innovation that protects children without compromise.” HHS has not provided further information about the membership of the task force, which will collaborate with the Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines in the development of its recommendations.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups  

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee field hearing “Separating Fact from Fiction: Exploring Alternative Therapies for Veterans’ Mental Health;” Montevallo, AL; 12:00 p.m.; August 22

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation      

H.Res.641 — Expressing support for community health centers during National Health Center Week, August 3 through August 9, 2025, and encouraging all Americans to take part in this week by visiting their local community health center and celebrating the important partnership between America’s community health centers and the communities they serve; Sponsor: Davis, Donald G. [Rep.-D-NC-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4918 — To authorize the Attorney General to carry out a pilot program to make grants to entities to develop gun safety technology, and for other purposes; Sponsor: DeSaulnier, Mark [Rep.-D-CA-10]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.4953 — To authorize a civil right of action for individuals on whom gender-related medical treatment was performed while such individual was a minor, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Mace, Nancy [Rep.-R-SC-1]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.4958 — To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require notification to the Food and Drug Administration prior to use of substances as generally recognized as safe, reassessment of the safety of certain substances marketed as generally recognized as safe, provide resources for reviews and reassessments, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Pallone, Frank [Rep.-D-NJ-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4960 — BENES 2.0 Act – Sponsor: Ruiz, Raul [Rep.-D-CA-25]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4963 — To provide for the rescheduling of marijuana into schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act; Sponsor: Steube, W. Gregory [Rep.-R-FL-17]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

Cassidy, Hassan Raise Concerns about UHG’s Failure to Protect Against Cyberattacks – Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chair Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La.) and Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) have sent a letter to UnitedHealth Group (UHG) regarding the February breach of Episource, a UnitedHealth subsidiary. The data breach impacted at least 5.4 million individuals, and occurred less than a year after the breach of United’s Change Healthcare – the largest breach of health data in U.S. history.  The lawmakers request information about how UHG has responded to the Episource and Change attacks and how it plans to prevent future incidents. “The hack on Episource…raises questions about the company’s commitment to securing protected health information, given the repeated security failures at the company,” the letter states. “The failure to properly secure internal systems is particularly troubling given the wide impact that the Change Healthcare attack had on the health care system.” The senators request a response from the company by August 18.

 

Democrats Urge Pause on WISeR Model – A group of 42 Democrats in the House of Representatives have sent a letter to the administration regarding a new initiative within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center to test the expansion of prior authorization in the traditional Medicare program. The letter, led by Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) raises concerns about the potential impact of the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) model on quality of coverage in Medicare and urges the Innovation Center to immediately pause implementation of the model, which is set to begin on January 1, 2026. “We understand that CMMI has intentionally selected health care services that are reported to have limited clinical value and may be vulnerable to abuse in the Medicare program, and we support efforts to ensure Medicare remains a good steward of taxpayer dollars,” the lawmakers state. “However, the expansion of AI-fueled prior authorization will not improve program integrity in traditional Medicare.”

 

President Signs Order Aimed at Grantmaking Oversight – President Donald Trump signed an executive order (E.O.) on Thursday aimed at improving oversight of federal grantmaking. The E.O. directs federal agencies to designate a senior appointee responsible for creating a process to review new funding opportunity announcements and to review discretionary grants to ensure that they are consistent with the administration’s priorities. The order specifies that awards shall not be used to fund, promote, encourage, subsidize, or facilitate (1) racial preferences or other forms of racial discrimination by the grant recipient; (2) denial by the grant recipient of the sex binary in humans or the notion that sex is a chosen or mutable characteristic; (3) illegal immigration; or (4) any other initiatives that compromise public safety or promote anti-American values. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is the federal government’s largest grantmaking agency; the National Institutes of Health, for example, has historically relied on a peer-review process to determine which research proposals receive funding.

 

FDA Announces End of IV Saline Solutions Shortage – Commissioner of Food and Drugs Marty Makary, MD announced last week that the nationwide shortage of certain IV saline solutions (sodium chloride 0.9% injection products) has officially ended. The products have been in shortage in recent years in the aftermath of Hurricanes Maria and Helene, which impacted manufacturing facilities. “For other IV fluids still in shortage, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working closely with manufacturers and will continue to monitor the supply to help ensure patients have access to the medicines they need,” Dr. Makary stated. “The FDA remains focused on doing all we can to help mitigate shortages and prevent them from occurring. We will continue working diligently to monitor supply levels, anticipate potential disruptions, and support a robust, secure, and transparent supply chain for medical products.”

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.R.4871 — To provide remedies to members of the uniformed services discharged for not complying with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate. Sponsor: Zinke, Ryan K. [Rep.-R-MT-1]; Committees: House – Judiciary; Armed Services

 

H.R.4858 — 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.4855 —To improve the reproductive assistance provided by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to certain members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their spouses or partners, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Larsen, Rick [Rep.-D-WA-2]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs; Armed Services

 

H.R.4849 — To repeal health-related portions of An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Gray, Adam [Rep.-D-CA-13]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4844 — To establish an occupational safety and health standard to protect farmworkers from wildfire smoke and excessive heat, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Dexter, Maxine [Rep.-D-OR-3]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.4841 — Stomach Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Act – To require the Director of the National Cancer Institute to conduct a review of the current state of stomach cancer incidence, prevention, screening, awareness, and future public health importance, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Chu, Judy [Rep.-D-CA-28]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Armed Services; Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.4837 —To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to expand a directive of the Veterans Health Administration regarding informed consent to apply to certain types of medications. Sponsor: Bilirakis, Gus M. [Rep.-R-FL-12]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.Res.630 — Recognizing July 28, 2025, as “World Hepatitis Day”. Sponsor: Velázquez, Nydia M. [Rep.-D-NY-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.629 — Honoring the life of Dr. Paul Farmer by recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to adopt a 21st-century global health solidarity strategy and take actions to address past and ongoing harms that undermine the health and well-being of people around the world. Sponsor: Schakowsky, Janice D. [Rep.-D-IL-9]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs; Judiciary

 

S.2673 — A bill 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: Kelly, Mark [Sen.-D-AZ]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.2665 — A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for notification by manufacturers of critical drugs of increased demand, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Klobuchar, Amy [Sen.-D-MN]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2658 — A bill to require sponsors of drug applications and holders of approved applications to provide certain submissions and communications to the Food and Drug Administration and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Sponsor: Hassan, Margaret Wood [Sen.-D-NH]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2650 — A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the reallocation of unused waivers of the foreign residency requirement for certain J-visa holders. Sponsor: Ernst, Joni [Sen.-R-IA]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.2649 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to release accreditation surveys related to hospitals and psychiatric hospitals and certain information related to such surveys for psychiatric hospitals, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Grassley, Chuck [Sen.-R-IA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2645 — A bill to establish the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Program, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Peters, Gary C. [Sen.-D-MI]; Committees: Senate – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

 

H.Res.639 — Expressing support for the designation of the week beginning August 3, 2025, as “National Health Center Week”, and encouraging all Americans to take part in the week by visiting their local health center and celebrating the important partnership between America’s community health centers and the communities they serve; Sponsor: Valadao, David G. [Rep.-R-CA-22]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform

 

H.R.4876 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide abortion care, counseling, and related services and medication to certain individuals who receive health care furnished by the Secretary, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Brownley, Julia [Rep.-D-CA-26]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.4882 — To establish a Gun Safety Board, and for other purposes; Sponsor: DeSaulnier, Mark [Rep.-D-CA-10]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4883 — To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and maintain a local gun violence prevention laws database, and for other purposes; Sponsor: DeSaulnier, Mark [Rep.-D-CA-10]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4886 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for consideration of certain factors under the Veterans Community Care Program, to provide for expedited approval of certain requests for Veterans Care Agreements, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Houchin, Erin [Rep.-R-IN-9]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.4901 — To award a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the brave women who served in World War II as members of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and U.S. Navy Nurse Corps; Sponsor: Stefanik, Elise M. [Rep.-R-NY-21]; Committees: House – Financial Services; House Administration

 

H.R.4903 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to carry out, expand, and coordinate programs relating to plastic exposure health research, to authorize grants, contracts, and agreements with respect to such research, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Stevens, Haley M. [Rep.-D-MI-11]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

Appropriations Update – The Senate passed the fiscal year (FY) 2026 Agriculture-Food and Drug Administration (FDA) spending bill on Friday in an 87-9 vote as a part of a minibus package with the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs spending bill for FY 2026. Under the legislation, the FDA would receive $7.1 billion in funding, roughly in line with FY 2025 spending levels. The FY 2026 Labor-Health and Human Services (LHHS) spending bill was advanced by the Senate Appropriations Committee last week in a bipartisan 26-3 vote. The legislation totals $116.6 billion, a $446 million increase in discretionary funding over the current fiscal year. The bill increases funding for the National Institutes of Health by $400 million and maintains funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at current levels. The panel also advanced the FY 2026 Defense spending bill. Together, Defense and LHHS account for approximately two-thirds of federal discretionary spending. The LHHS bill text can be found here, a bill summary here, and the committee- report here.

 

The House of Representatives adjourned for August recess before releasing its FY 2026 LHHS appropriations proposal. House appropriators are currently expected to consider the LHHS bill the first week after reconvening on September 2. Lawmakers will return from their August recess next month with about four weeks to pass legislation to avoid a government shutdown. Without a broader government funding deal, there is a strong likelihood that Congress passes a short-term continuing resolution to extend funding for the federal government beyond September 30.

 

Susan Monarez Confirmed as CDC Director – The Senate confirmed Susan Monarez as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday in a 51-47 vote.  Monarez has worked in the federal government for two decades, most recently serving as the acting director of the CDC after working as the deputy director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health. During the first Trump administration, she served as deputy assistant secretary for strategy and analysis at the Department of Homeland Security. Monarez, who has a PhD in microbiology, is the first person without a medical degree to lead the CDC since 1953. She is also the first Senate-confirmed CDC director, following a statutory change made in 2022 requiring approval of the CDC director by the upper chamber.

 

HELP Marks Up Health, Reauthorization Bills – The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a markup of several health-related bills on Wednesday. The panel advanced the following bills unanimously via an en bloc vote:

• The Over-the-Counter (OTC) Monograph Drug User Fee Amendments (S. 2292), to reauthorize the Food and Drug Administration’s authority to collect industry fees and review OTC drugs through October 1, 2030.
• The Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act (S. 2301), to reauthorize three grant programs for preventive screenings, telehealth services, and chronic disease management for underserved populations through 2030.
• The Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act (S. 2398), to reauthorize programs to combat tick- and vector-borne diseases.
• The Uniformed Services Leave Parity Act (S. 1440), to expand leave for U.S. Public Health Service Commission Corps to be on par with other uniformed services.

 

HSGAC Advances Gain of Function Research Oversight Bill – The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) advanced legislation last week to establish a Life Sciences Research Security Board to provide oversight of gain-of-function research. The bipartisan Risky Research Review Act (S. 854) was approved in an 11-2 vote, with Democratic Sens. Andy Kim (N.J.) and Ruben Gallego (Ariz.) voting no. The oversight panel established by the bill would include nine members appointed by the president who serve terms up to eight years in duration. It would be responsible for reviewing research proposals involving enhanced pathogens with pandemic potential. The legislation, which was reintroduced by committee chair Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and ranking member Gary Peters (D-Mich.), was previously advanced by HSGAC last Congress but did not receive a Senate floor vote.

 

Administration Launches Health Tech Ecosystem Initiative – Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) hosted a “Make Health Tech Great Again” event during which the Trump administration announced commitments by private sector health care and information technology firms – including Amazon, Anthropic, Apple, Google, and OpenAI – to support the creation of a patient-centric health care ecosystem through interoperability and user-friendly apps. The effort will focus on the promotion of a CMS Interoperability Framework to enable information sharing between patients and providers and increasing the availability of personalized health tools for patients.  The event featured the unveiling of voluntary criteria for trusted, patient-centered, and practical data exchange for all network types. CMS also announced plans to add an app library to Medicare.gov to spotlight trusted, personalized digital health tools. A full list of companies who have currently pledged their support for the initiative can be found here. The event followed a May 2025 request for information from CMS and the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy on ways to modernize the nation’s digital health ecosystem which received nearly 1,400 stakeholder responses. It also coincided with the 60th anniversary of the July 30, 1965, establishment of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Further information on CMS’ Health Technology Ecosystem initiative can be found here.

 

President Urges Implementation of Most Favored Nation Pricing – President Donald Trump has sent letters to the CEOs of 17 pharmaceutical companies urging them to lower drug prices and work with him to implement his executive order related to a most favored nation (MFN) drug pricing policy. The President requests the selected pharmaceutical companies to “bring down the prices of prescription drugs in the United States to match the lowest price offered in other developed nations” within the next 60 days through the following steps:

• Extending MFN pricing to Medicaid for all drugs;
• Guaranteeing MFN pricing for newly launched drugs for Medicare, Medicaid and commercial payers;
• Utilizing U.S. trade policy to raise prices internationally for all “foreign freeloading nations” and reinvesting revenues directly into lowering prices for American patients; and
• Participating in direct-to-consumer and/or direct-to-business distribution models for high-volume, high-rebate prescription drugs to ensure MFN pricing.

The letters warn that if companies “refuse to step up” within this time frame, the administration “will deploy every tool in our arsenal to protect American families from continued abusive drug pricing practices.” Merck, Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Gilead Sciences, EMD Serono, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Amgen, Genentech, Johnson & Johnson, GSK, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and Sanofi received letters from the President.

 

External Experts Cut from ACIP Working Groups – The CDC has informed outside experts that they will no longer be invited to help review vaccine data and develop recommendations for consideration by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). As a result, liaison organizations will not be allowed participate in the private deliberations of the ACIP working group process, though they will still be able to participate in the panel’s open public meetings. Bloomberg Government has reported that the email informing the liaisons of the change characterized the outside groups as biased “based on their constituency and/or population that they represent.”

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.R.4773 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a SNF-at-home program under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Smith, Adrian [Rep.-R-NE-3]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4770 — To amend chapter 6 of title 5, United States Code, to provide additional requirements for the periodic review of rules, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schweikert, David [Rep.-R-AZ-1]; Committees: House – Judiciary; Small Business

 

H.R.4768 — To amend title 10, United States Code, to improve dependent coverage under the TRICARE Young Adult Program; Sponsor: Ryan, Patrick [Rep.-D-NY-18]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.4762 — To prohibit the export of drugs and prosthetics to the Russian Federation; Sponsor: Luttrell, Morgan [Rep.-R-TX-8]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs

 

H.Res.612 — Sponsor: Mast, Brian J. [Rep.-R-FL-21]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.Res.611 — Expressing the importance of accurate information for medical professionals treating pregnant women and their unborn children in the emergency department, and for informing the general public, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cammack, Kat [Rep.-R-FL-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.2483 — A bill to provide that members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices may not be terminated except for cause and to require the immediate reinstatement of the members of such advisory committee; Sponsor: Blunt Rochester, Lisa [Sen.-D-DE]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2482 —A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to reduce the distance required for the Secretary of Defense to reimburse travel expenses relating to specialty care, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Heinrich, Martin [Sen.-D-NM]; Committees: Senate – Armed Services

 

S.Res.343 — A resolution recognizing the important work of the United States Preventive Services Task Force; Sponsor: King, Angus S., Jr. [Sen.-I-ME]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2524 — A bill to amend Public Law 119-21 to repeal the prohibition on making payments under the Medicaid program to certain entities; Sponsor: Smith, Tina [Sen.-D-MN]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2521 — A bill to allow participants in the National Health Service Corps to defer their obligated service in order to receive training in palliative care services; Sponsor: Rosen, Jacky [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2519 — A bill to amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit the inclusion of medical debt on a consumer report, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Merkley, Jeff [Sen.-D-OR]; Committees: Senate – Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

 

S.2518 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to revise payment for air ambulance services under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Bennet, Michael F. [Sen.-D-CO]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2514 — A bill to authorize appropriation of funds to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for conducting or supporting research on firearms safety or gun violence prevention; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2513 — A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to transparency and reporting regarding over-the-counter drug monograph activities, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kaine, Tim [Sen.-D-VA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2497 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require a separate identification number and an attestation for each off-campus outpatient department of a provider; Sponsor: Hassan, Margaret Wood [Sen.-D-NH]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2496 — A bill to amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to provide for continuous eligibility for certain children under the Medicaid program and the Children’s Health Insurance Program; Sponsor: Bennet, Michael F. [Sen.-D-CO]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2493 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve matters relating to medical examinations for veterans disability compensation, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Blumenthal, Richard [Sen.-D-CT]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.2491 — A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to improve the regulatory review process to determine the safety and effectiveness of nonprescription drugs intended for topical administration, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hassan, Margaret Wood [Sen.-D-NH]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2490 — A bill to improve the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program; Sponsor: Kaine, Tim [Sen.-D-VA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.Res.620 — Celebrating the 60th anniversary of Medicaid; Sponsor: Evans, Gabe [Rep.-R-CO-8]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.619 — Supporting the goals and ideals of “Minority Mental Health Awareness Month” and recognizing the disproportionate impacts of mental health conditions and struggles on minority populations and communities; Sponsor: Crockett, Jasmine [Rep.-D-TX-30]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.617 — Supporting the goals and ideals of Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day; Sponsor: Carter, Earl L. “Buddy” [Rep.-R-GA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4827 — To amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit the inclusion of medical debt on a consumer report, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Williams, Nikema [Rep.-D-GA-5]; Committees: House – Financial Services

 

H.R.4821 — To authorize the appropriation of funds to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for conducting or supporting research on firearms safety or gun violence prevention; Sponsor: Strickland, Marilyn [Rep.-D-WA-10]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4807 — To amend Public Law 119-21 to repeal certain changes to provider taxes under the Medicaid program; Sponsor: Landsman, Greg [Rep.-D-OH-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4805 — To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on the long-term physiological and psychological effects of military aviation veterans who served as aviators in the Armed Forces, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kiggans, Jennifer A. [Rep.-R-VA-2]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.4796 — To amend Public Law 119-21 to repeal the prohibition on making payments under the Medicaid program to certain entities; Sponsor: Friedman, Laura [Rep.-D-CA-30]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4792 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to revise payment for air ambulance services under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Estes, Ron [Rep.-R-KS-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

S.2556 — A bill to repeal the changes made by the health subtitle of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schumer, Charles E. [Sen.-D-NY]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2546 — A bill to provide for an extension of the legislative authority of the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its environs; Sponsor: Coons, Christopher A. [Sen.-D-DE]; Committees: Senate – Energy and Natural Resources

 

S.2540 — A bill to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to reauthorize the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant Program of the Department of Justice; Sponsor: Whitehouse, Sheldon [Sen.-D-RI]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.2534 — A bill to improve the reproductive assistance provided by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to certain members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their spouses or partners, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Murray, Patty [Sen.-D-WA]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.2531 — A bill to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to increase early detection of and intervention for uterine fibroids, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Alsobrooks, Angela D. [Sen.-D-MD]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2529 — A bill to increase the clarity and predictability of the process for developing applications for Rx-to-nonprescription switches; Sponsor: Husted, Jon [Sen.-R-OH]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.Res.358 — A resolution honoring the life of Dr. Paul Farmer by recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to adopt a 21st century global health solidarity strategy and take actions to address past and ongoing harms that undermine the health and well-being of people around the world; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Foreign Relations

 

S.2628 – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish new payment rules for certain catastrophic specialty hospitals under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Warnock, Raphael G. [Sen.-D-GA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2625 — A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out certain activities relating to the regulation of independent agents and brokers and third-party marketing organizations under parts C and D of the Medicare program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rounds, Mike [Sen.-R-SD]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2621 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize support for State-based maternal mortality review committees, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to disseminate best practices on maternal mortality prevention to hospitals, State-based professional societies, and perinatal quality collaboratives, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Capito, Shelley Moore [Sen.-R-WV]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2620 — A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to approval of abbreviated new drug applications; Sponsor: Durbin, Richard J. [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2617 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require that coinsurance for drugs under Medicare part D be based on the drug’s net price and not the drug’s list price; Sponsor: Rosen, Jacky [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2612 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to include physical therapists and occupational therapists as health professionals for purposes of the annual wellness visit under the Medicare program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Justice, James C. [Sen.-R-WV]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2587 — An original bill making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Capito, Shelley Moore [Sen.-R-WV]; Committees: Senate – Appropriations

 

S.2575 — A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to eliminate certain health care charges for members of the Selected Reserve eligible for TRICARE Reserve Select, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Baldwin, Tammy [Sen.-D-WI]; Committees: Senate – Armed Services

 

S.2561 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reform the payment rules regarding skin substitute products; Sponsor: Cassidy, Bill [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

Appropriations Update – The House Appropriations Committee advanced the fiscal year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs spending bill last week. The measure contains $46.2 billion in total funding, a 22% cut to current spending. House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) has started floating the idea of enacting a full-year continuing resolution to fund the government for the next fiscal year. This plan would freeze funding at current levels for federal agencies, with Chairman Arrington suggesting that Republicans could then proceed to pass rescission packages throughout the year to claw back money previously approved by Congress. While the most conservative members of Congress have historically been opposed to the long-term use of stopgap spending bills, some are now expressing openness to this idea as a means to cut spending. The House of Representatives is not scheduled to reconvene until September 2 due to the August recess. The Senate remains in session this week before recessing until September.

 

E&C Advances OMUFA Reauthorization – The House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously advanced H.R. 4273, the Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Amendments, during a markup on Wednesday. The bill would reauthorize the Food and Drug Administration’s over-the-counter monograph drug user fee program for the first time since its creation in 2020. The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee plans to markup S. 2292, the Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Amendments on July 30. The program is currently set to expire on September 30.

 

Executive Nominations Update– The Senate confirmed Terry Cole to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in a 50-47 party-line vote on Tuesday. Cole has spent more than two decades of his career at the DEA in various roles, but he most recently served as the state of Virginia’s Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security. The Senate HELP Committee advanced the nomination of Dr. Brian Christine to serve as Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday. Dr. Christine is a urologist who has pledged support for the administration’s Make America Healthy Again agenda and expressed opposition to gender-affirming care. If confirmed, he would be responsible for helping implement Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s plans to create a new office within HHS, the Administration for a Healthy America, and also oversee the 6,000 member U.S. Public Health Service. Cloture was filed in the Senate for the nomination of Susan Monarez to serve as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A confirmation vote on her nomination is expected on the Senate floor before the chamber’s August recess.

 

GOP Doc Caucus Hosts NIH Director – Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Jay Bhattacharya, MD met with the GOP Doctors Caucus on July 17 to discuss the agency’s priorities for improving medical research and the health of America. The group considered how the NIH is working to restore scientific integrity, revitalize biomedical innovation, and improve the health of Americans through gold standard science. In a press release following the meeting, Doc Caucus co-chairs Greg Murphy, MD (N.C.) and John Joyce, MD (Pa.) expressed their support for the NIH Director’s “efforts to increase collaboration across government to ensure the United States is driving progress in the new frontiers of medical science.”

 

Senate Republicans Raise Concerns With Slow Disbursement of NIH Funding – Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) is urging the Trump administration to release delayed funding at the NIH. In a letter signed by 13 other Senate Republicans, the lawmakers express concern that the slow disbursement of funds appropriated by Congress “risks undermining critical research and the thousands of American jobs it supports.”  The letter urges the White House Office of Management and Budget to fully implement the government funding package enacted in March. “Our shared goal is to restore public trust in the NIH precisely because its work is focused on results, accountability, and real-world impact,” the letter states. “Withholding or suspending these funds would jeopardize that trust and hinder progress on critical health challenges facing our nation.”

 

Cassidy, Hassan, Marshall Urge Full Implementation of No Surprises Act – Senate HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La.) sent a letter to the administration highlighting the need to fully implement the No Surprises Act, which was signed into law by President Trump in 2020.  Cassidy, joined by Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Roger Marshall, MD (R-Kan.), request rules to implement provisions in the law to give covered patients clear cost estimates before scheduled medical care. While the good-faith estimate provision has already been implemented for uninsured and self-pay patients, additional rulemaking is required to implement the good-faith estimate and the advanced explanation of benefits for covered patients. “Full implementation of both the good faith estimate and advanced explanation of benefits are critical to providing patients with the entirety of protections enacted under the No Surprises Act,” the letter states. “We commend President Trump’s commitment to price transparency and stand ready to assist to ensure a successful and complete implementation of the No Surprises Act.”

 

Senate Democrats Probe New Rural Health Fund – Sixteen Senate Democrats sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requesting information on how the Trump administration plans to use the $50 billion rural health fund created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The letter, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), characterizes the provision as “wholly insufficient to plug the massive hole created by the Big, Ugly Betrayal.” The lawmakers express concern about reports suggesting that funds “are already promised to Republican members of Congress in exchange for their votes in support of the Big, Ugly Betrayal,” and that vague legislative language will result in the fund being distributed according to “political whims.”

 

CBO Releases Final Score of Reconciliation Bill – The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has released its score of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as signed into law earlier this month. CBO estimates that the law will cut approximately $1 trillion in federal health care spending, with most of the cuts coming from Medicaid, while still increasing the federal deficit by $3.4 trillion over the next decade. CBO also estimates that changes in the law will increase the uninsurance rate by 10 million people over 10 years.

 

WSJ Reports on Planned Changes to USPSTF – The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to dismiss all members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The 16-person Task Force was established in 1984 to advise the federal government on issues related to preventive health. In 2010, the Affordable Care Act made USPSTF responsible for determining which preventive services must be covered by health insurers without patient cost sharing. A Supreme Court decision issued in June upheld the constitutionality of the Task Force given the HHS Secretary’s authority to appoint and remove panel members at will. According to the Wall Street Journal, the HHS Secretary considers the current Task Force members too “woke.” The July meeting of USPSTF was recently postponed by the Secretary’s office. An HHS spokesperson stated that Secretary Kennedy has not yet made a decision regarding USPSTF members in response to the article published on Friday.

 

DOGE Builds AI Tool to Target Regulations for Deletion – The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is deploying the use of a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool aimed at slashing federal regulations, according to a report from The Washington Post on Saturday. The DOGE AI Deregulation Decision Tool is being used by administration officials to analyze approximately 200,000 federal regulations to determine which can be eliminated, with the goal of abolishing half of all regulations by the end of the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term in office. According to an internal administration PowerPoint obtained by the Post, DOGE plans to start training agency staff on how to use the AI this month. The next five months will then be spent working to identify regulations to eliminate, responding to public comments about the proposed deletions, and submitting formal deregulation proposals.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

Senate HELP Committee executive session to consider legislation including S. 2292, Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Amendments, S.2398, Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act, and S. 2301, Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025; 10:00 a.m.; July 30

 

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs business meeting to consider S.854, Risky Research Review Act; and the nominations of Pedro Allende, of Florida, to be Under Secretary for Science and Technology, and Sean Plankey, of Pennsylvania, to be Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, both of the Department of Homeland Security; 10:00 a.m.; July 30

 

Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Border Management, Federal Workforce and Regulatory Affairs hearing “The Future is Loper Bright: Congress’s Role in the Regulatory Landscape;” 2:00 p.m.; July 30

 

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee business meeting to consider pending legislation; 4:00 p.m.; July 30

 

Senate Appropriations Committee markup of the “Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026” and “Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026;” 9:30 a.m.; July 31

 

Senate HELP Committee hearing “Making Health Care Affordable: Solutions to Lower Costs and Empower Patients;” 10:00 a.m.; July 31

 

Senate Finance Committee hearing to consider the nominations of Bryan Switzer, of Virginia, to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative (Asia, Textiles, Investment, Services, and Intellectual Property), with the rank of Ambassador; Gustav Chiarello III, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services; The Honorable Michael Stuart, of West Virginia, to be General Counsel of the Department of Health and Human Services; and Derek Theurer, of Virginia, to be a Deputy Under Secretary of the Treasury; 10:00 a.m.; July 31

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.R.4573 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a credit to small businesses for research activities related to the mitigation of certain drug threats; Sponsor: Neguse, Joe [Rep.-D-CO-2]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.4570 — To amend title 35, United States Code, to establish an interagency task force between the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the Food and Drug Administration for purposes of sharing information and providing technical assistance with respect to patents, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Neguse, Joe [Rep.-D-CO-2]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.4569 — To amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act and title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to require no-cost coverage of human milk fortifier; Sponsor: McGarvey, Morgan [Rep.-D-KY-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4564 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to create a special rule for treating trained individuals as trained personnel of a school for purposes of giving preference to States for children’s asthma treatment grant programs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Grothman, Glenn [Rep.-R-WI-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4559 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish payment parity between Medicare Advantage and fee-for-service Medicare, and to establish prompt payment requirements under Medicare Advantage; Sponsor: Doggett, Lloyd [Rep.-D-TX-37]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4556 — To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to carry out a rapid response evidence review of proposed rules relating to fluoride, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cleaver, Emanuel [Rep.-D-MO-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.2377 — A bill to ensure affordable abortion coverage and care for every person, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Duckworth, Tammy [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2373 — A bill to amend section 485 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require certain institutions of higher education to develop and implement a venue-specific heat-related illnesses emergency action plan, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Alsobrooks, Angela D. [Sen.-D-MD]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2372 — A bill to ensure accessibility of drugs furnished through the drug discount program under section 340B of the Public Health Service Act; Sponsor: Welch, Peter [Sen.-D-VT]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2371 —A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on the impacts of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead in infant formula on infant health and establish standards for regulating the content of such substances in infant formula; Sponsor: Cotton, Tom [Sen.-R-AR]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.R.4581 – A bill to ensure the accessibility of drugs furnished through the drug discount program under section 340B of the Public Health Service Act; Sponsor: Matsui [D-CA-07]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce.

 

H.R.4582 – A bill to amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and title 5, United States Code, to clarify that organ donation surgery qualifies as a serious health condition; Sponsor: Bacon [R-NE-02]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce, Oversight and Government Reform, and House Administration.

 

H.R. 4583 – A bill to promote and protect from discrimination living organ donors; Sponsor: Bacon [R-NE-02]; Committees: House Energy and Commerce, Financial Services.

 

H.R. 4595 – A bill to provide authority for small cultivators of cannabis and small manufacturers of cannabis products to ship cannabis and cannabis products using the mail, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Huffman [D-CA-02]; Committees: House Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Oversight and Government Reform, and Judiciary.

 

H.R. 4605 – A bill to ban drug manufacturers from using direct-to-consumer advertising, including social media, to promote their products; Sponsor: Nadler [D-NY-12]; Committees: House Energy and Commerce.

 

H.R. 4606 – A bill to amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require coverage of hearing devices and systems in certain private health insurance plans, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Neguse [D-CO-02]; Committees: House Energy and Commerce, Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means.

 

H.R. 4607 – A bill to provide protections from prosecution for drug possession to individuals who seek medical assistance when witnessing or experiencing an overdose, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Neguse [D-CO-02]; Committees: House Judiciary, Energy and Commerce.

 

H.R. 4611 – A bill to ensure affordable abortion coverage and care for every person, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Pressley [D-MA-07]; Committees: House Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, Natural Resources, Armed Services, Veterans’ Affairs, Judiciary, Oversight and Government Reform, and Foreign Affairs.

 

H.R. 4618 – A bill to establish a Federal tort against pediatric gender clinics and other entities pushing gender-transition procedures that cause bodily injury to children or harm the mental health of children; Sponsor: Steube [R-FL-17]; Committees: House Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Workforce.

 

H.R. 4619 – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to eliminate the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital services under the Medicare Program; Sponsor: Tonko [D-NY-20]; Committees: House Ways and Means.

 

H.R. 4623 – A bill to require direct-to-consumer advertisements for prescription drugs and biological products to include truthful and not misleading pricing information; Sponsor: Williams [D-GA-05]; Committees: House Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means.

 

S.Res.334 — A resolution supporting the designation of the week of August 25 through August 29, 2025, as the third annual “National Community Health Worker Awareness Week”; Sponsor: Wyden, Ron [Sen.-D-OR]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2420 — A bill 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 increase penalties for group health plans, health insurance issuers, and nonparticipating providers or facilities for practices that violate balance billing requirements, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Marshall, Roger [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2418 — A bill to amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to provide leave for the spontaneous loss of an unborn child, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cotton, Tom [Sen.-R-AR]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2410 — A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide a higher Federal matching rate for increased expenditures under Medicaid for behavioral health services (including those related to mental health and substance use), and for other purposes; Sponsor: Smith, Tina [Sen.-D-MN]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2408 — A bill to require health insurance plans to provide coverage for fertility treatment, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2398 — A bill to reauthorize the Kay Hagan Tick Act, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Collins, Susan M. [Sen.-R-ME]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2397 — A bill to require implementation by the Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs of certain recommendations relating to the provision of health care through community care providers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Ricketts, Pete [Sen.-R-NE]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.Res.607 — Supporting the designation of the week of August 25 through August 29, 2025, as the third annual “National Community Health Worker Awareness Week”; Sponsor: Ruiz, Raul [Rep.-D-CA-25]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.601 — Recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to lead the world in biomedical research; Sponsor: DeGette, Diana [Rep.-D-CO-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4752 — 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: Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [Rep.-D-FL-25]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.4745 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide a higher Federal matching rate for increased expenditures under Medicaid for behavioral health services (including those related to mental health and substance use), and for other purposes; Sponsor: Tonko, Paul [Rep.-D-NY-20]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4744 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promote mental wellness and resilience and prevent and heal mental health, behavioral health, and psychosocial conditions through developmentally and culturally appropriate community programs, and award grants for the purpose of establishing, operating, or expanding community-based mental wellness and resilience programs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Tonko, Paul [Rep.-D-NY-20]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4731 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the distribution of additional residency positions, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Sewell, Terri A. [Rep.-D-AL-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.4729 — To codify Executive Order 14292 relating to improving the safety and security of biological research; Sponsor: Self, Keith [Rep.-R-TX-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Science, Space, and Technology

 

H.R.4723 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for a behavioral and mental health outreach and education strategy to reduce stigma associated with mental health among the Hispanic and Latino population, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Salinas, Andrea [Rep.-D-OR-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4722 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require a Federal medical assistance percentage of 100 percent for urban Indian organizations, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Ruiz, Raul [Rep.-D-CA-25]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4710 — 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 increase penalties for group health plans and health insurance issuers for practices that violate balance billing requirements, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Murphy, Gregory F. [Rep.-R-NC-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and Workforce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.4709 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize certain programs under part A of title XI of such Act relating to genetic diseases, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Morrison, Kelly [Rep.-D-MN-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4705 — To place a moratorium on the issuance and renewal of certain Federal authorizations for mountaintop removal coal mining until a health study is conducted, and for other purposes; Sponsor: McGarvey, Morgan [Rep.-D-KY-3]; Committees: House – Natural Resources; Energy and Commerce; Transportation and Infrastructure

 

H.R.4704 — To direct the Director of the Defense Health Agency to conduct a study on the prevalence and mortality of cancer among military rotary wing pilots and aviation support personnel, and for other purposes; Sponsor: McCormick, Richard [Rep.-R-GA-7]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.4698 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the Director of the National Institutes of Health from conducting or funding research that causes significant pain or distress to a dog or cat, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Mace, Nancy [Rep.-R-SC-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4681 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize a loan repayment program to encourage specialty medicine physicians to serve in rural communities experiencing a shortage of specialty medicine physicians, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Joyce, John [Rep.-R-PA-13]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4668 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to end the liability shield for vaccine manufacturers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Gosar, Paul A. [Rep.-R-AZ-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4655 — To direct the Secretary of Defense to carry out a grant program to increase cooperation on post-traumatic stress disorder research between the United States and Israel; Sponsor: Fine, Randy [Rep.-R-FL-6]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.4648 —To require health insurance plans to provide coverage for fertility treatment, and for other purposes; Sponsor: DeLauro, Rosa L. [Rep.-D-CT-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Education and Workforce; Oversight and Government Reform; Armed Services; Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.4641 — To amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to provide for continuous eligibility for certain children under the Medicaid program and the Children’s Health Insurance Program; Sponsor: Castor, Kathy [Rep.-D-FL-14]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4639 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an income tax credit for the costs of infertility treatments; Sponsor: Carey, Mike [Rep.-R-OH-15]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.4627 — To amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to modify treatment activities for assistance to combat HIV/AIDS; Sponsor: Ansari, Yassamin [Rep.-D-AZ-3]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs

 

S.Res.338 — A resolution recognizing the importance of independent living and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities made possible by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and calling for further action to strengthen and expand health care for individuals with disabilities to work and live in the community; Sponsor: Duckworth, Tammy [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2448 — A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to improve dependent coverage under the TRICARE Young Adult Program; Sponsor: Kelly, Mark [Sen.-D-AZ]; Committees: Senate – Armed Services

 

S.2447 — A bill to repeal changes to Medicaid cost sharing requirements and the exclusion for orphan drugs under the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program; Sponsor: Welch, Peter [Sen.-D-VT]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2446 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for a behavioral and mental health outreach and education strategy to reduce stigma associated with mental health among the Hispanic and Latino population, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Padilla, Alex [Sen.-D-CA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2445 — A bill to promote mental wellness and resilience and prevent and heal mental health, behavioral health, and psychosocial conditions through developmentally and culturally appropriate community programs, and award grants for the purpose of establishing, operating, or expanding community-based mental wellness and resilience programs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2439 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the distribution of additional residency positions, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Boozman, John [Sen.-R-AR]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2433 — A bill to require providers to disclose policies regarding the minimum gestational age at which life-saving care will be provided to an infant in the case of a premature birth; Sponsor: Cotton, Tom [Sen.-R-AR]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2426 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide pharmacy payment of certain services; Sponsor: Thune, John [Sen.-R-SD]; Committees: Senate – Finance

Appropriations Update – The House Appropriations Committee approved updated interim subcommittee allocations for fiscal year (FY) 2026 last week. The topline allocations provide for $705.6 billion in nondefense discretionary funding, 27% higher than that proposed by the President’s budget. The National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee also advanced its FY 2026 spending bill last week, forwarding the legislation to the full Appropriations Committee in a party-line vote. The measure contains $46.2 billion in total funding, a 22% cut to current spending. It prohibits support for the World Health Organization and would decrease appropriations for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) by $150 million. Full committee markup of the package is scheduled for Wednesday.

 

House appropriators have delayed plans to markup the FY 2026 Labor-Health and Human Services-Education spending bill until September. The panel had originally been scheduled to consider the HHS funding plan this week. Appropriators blamed the delay on the unplanned House recess following the One Big Beautiful Bill Act being signed into law. The delay further increases the likelihood of Congress opting to use a continuing resolution to fund the federal government beyond the end of the fiscal year on September 30. Fewer than 20 legislative days remain between now and the deadline to prevent a government shutdown.

 

Congress Approves President’s Rescissions Request – Congress voted to approve the Trump administration’s funding clawback proposal (H.R. 4) last week. The rescissions package would cancel approximately $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funds, including $500 million for family planning, reproductive health, and LGBTQ+ programs. The Senate removed a $400 million cut to PEPFAR before passing the package in a 51-48 vote on Thursday. It was the first time in decades that the Senate has passed a partisan discretionary spending cuts package. Two Republicans — Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowksi (Alaska) — voted no, while Democrat Tina Smith (D-Minn.) missed the vote. The revised bill was then passed by the House of Representatives in a 216-213 vote and sent to the President’s desk ahead of the deadline for congressional action on the proposed rescissions. Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, has indicated that the Trump administration plans to send additional rescissions packages to Congress to codify cuts identified as wasteful by the Department of Government Efficiency. Vought has declined to specify which agencies would be targeted.

 

President Trump Signs Fentanyl Legislation – President Donald Trump signed the HALT Fentanyl Act into law on Wednesday. The legislation permanently designates all fentanyl-related substances as schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act. Fentanyl derivatives have been on schedule I since 2018 on a provisional basis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 78,000 people have died of an overdose between February 2024 and February 2025.

 

Blackburn Calls for Investigation into Online Marketing of GLP-1s – Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) has sent a letter calling on the Federal Trade Committee (FTC) to investigate the online marketing of alternatives to Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved GLP-1 medications.  The letter states that “many sellers of these drugs advertise directly to consumers on social media, claiming that their products are an easier and more affordable way to obtain GLP-1 drugs,” while often failing to disclose precautions, warnings, contraindications, or adverse events. “What we are seeing is a growing commercial ecosystem that relies on the façade of legitimacy, all while sidestepping appropriate regulatory oversight,” Sen. Blackburn asserts. She urges the FTC to initiate a formal investigation to the advertising practices of companies marketing GLP-1 drugs –and to consider enforcement actions where warranted.

 

Bipartisan PBM Reform Package Introduced – Rep. Buddy Carter, BSPharm (R-Ga.) led the introduction of bipartisan legislation to reform the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) industry.  The PBM Reform Act (H.R. 4317) aims to protect patients and pharmacies from anticompetitive PBM business practices. The package would ban spread pricing in the Medicaid program; establish new requirements for PBMs under Medicare Part D, including the delinking of PBM compensation from the cost of medications; require semi-annual reporting on drug spending, rebates, and formulary determinations; and require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to define and enforce “reasonable and relevant” contract terms in Medicare Part D pharmacy contracts and enforce oversight on reported violations. The legislation has 15 cosponsors, including original cosponsors Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Greg Murphy, MD (R-N.C.), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), Diana Harshbarger, PharmD (R-Tenn.), Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), Rick Allen (R-Ga.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), John Rose (R-Tenn.), Derek Tran (D-Calif.), and Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.).

 

Democrats Urge Insurers to Protect Vaccine Coverage – Democratic leadership of the Senate Finance Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee, Ways and Means Committee, and Education and Workforce Committee wrote to the nation’s top insurers on Thursday, urging them to maintain uninterrupted vaccine coverage for enrollees. The letters follow changes made by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and a decision to sidestep ACIP with regard to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for pregnant women and children. “Secretary Kennedy’s actions threaten the stability of our nation’s immunization infrastructure, and threaten Americans’ access to all vaccines,” the Democratic lawmakers write. They request information on whether the health insurance companies have a plan in place to continue coverage of evidence-based vaccines if the newly constituted ACIP rescinds recommendations for currently recommended vaccines.  The lawmakers request a response to their letter by July 23.

 

CBO Examines New Drug Development Scenarios – The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has issued a new report exploring how changes in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and changes in the FDA’s review times would affect the development of new drugs. CBO specifically assesses two hypothetical scenarios: a permanent 10% reduction in the amount of funding that the government provides to the NIH, and a nine-month increase in the time it takes the FDA to review new drug applications. The agency determined that the NIH funding cut would prevent approximately 30 additional drugs from making it out of the research and development phase over the 30 years. Under the FDA hypothetical, the increase in review times would both reduce the number of FDA-approved drugs and raise the cost to develop new drugs. The report was requested by Democratic congressional committee leaders seeking to assess the potential impact of changes proposed by the Trump administration.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing “Ensuring Patient Safety: Oversight of the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplant System;” 10:15 a.m.; July 22

 

House Ways and Means joint Health and Oversight Subcommittee hearing “Medicare Advantage: Past Lessons, Present Insights, Future Opportunities;” 2:00 p.m.; July 22

 

House Appropriations Committee markup of Fiscal Year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Bill; 10:00 a.m.; July 23

 

House Veterans’ Affairs Committee markup of legislation, including H.R. 740, Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers Act; H. R. 3400, the Territorial  Response and Access to Veterans’ Essential Lifecare Act; H. R. 3726, Fisher House Availability Act; H. R. 3767, Health Professionals Scholarship Program Improvement Act of 2025; H.R. 3482, Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement  Act; H. R. 3494, VA Hospital Inventory Management System Authorization Act; H.R. 3863, VA  Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act; Major Medical Lease Committee Resolution FY25;  and Major Medical Lease Committee Resolution PACT Act; 10:15 a.m.; July 23

 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee executive session to consider Labor and Health nominees including the nomination or Brian Christine to serve as Assistant Secretary for Health; time TBD; July 24

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.Res.579 — Supporting the designation of July as Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month; Sponsor: Scott, David [Rep.-D-GA-13]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4381 —To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program regarding treating pregnancy as a qualifying event for enrollment in TRICARE Select; Sponsor: Sewell, Terri A. [Rep.-D-AL-7]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.4384 — To require immediate changes to Medicaid relating to alien eligibility and payments to Medicaid expansion States that furnish health care to certain aliens; Sponsor: Steube, W. Gregory [Rep.-R-FL-17]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.Res.322 — A resolution expressing support for the designation of the month of June 2025 as “National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month” and June 27, 2025, as “National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Sullivan, Dan [Sen.-R-AK]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.2294 — A bill to reauthorize the Kay Hagan Tick Act, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Collins, Susan M. [Sen.-R-ME]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2292 — A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise and extend the user fee program for over-the-counter monograph drugs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Banks, Jim [Sen.-R-IN]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2289 — A bill to amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to improve maternal health coverage under Medicaid and CHIP, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Grassley, Chuck [Sen.-R-IA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2287 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to increase the number of permanent faculty in palliative care at accredited allopathic and osteopathic medical schools, nursing schools, and other programs, including social work, physician assistant, and chaplaincy education programs, to promote education and research in palliative care and hospice, and to support the development of faculty careers in academic palliative and hospice care; Sponsor: Baldwin, Tammy [Sen.-D-WI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2286 — A bill to amend title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to authorize the establishment of, and provide support for, State-based universal health care systems that provide comprehensive health benefits to State residents, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2285 — A bill to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report on the relationship between hair straighteners and uterine cancer, particularly among women of color; Sponsor: Blunt Rochester, Lisa [Sen.-D-DE]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2279 — A bill to repeal the changes to Medicaid State provider tax authority and State directed payments made by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and provide increased funding for the rural health transformation program; Sponsor: Hawley, Josh [Sen.-R-MO]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2276 — A bill to address patent thickets; Sponsor: Welch, Peter [Sen.-D-VT]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.2275 — A bill to provide for research and education with respect to uterine fibroids, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.R.4417 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements for supporting new mobile cancer screening units to expand patient access to essential screening services in rural and underserved communities, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Ruiz, Raul [Rep.-D-CA-25]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4409 — To prohibit the common ownership pharmacy benefit managers and pharmacies that provide services under contracts with Federal health plans for Federal employees; Sponsor: Krishnamoorthi, Raja [Rep.-D-IL-8]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform

 

H.R.4407 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to support and stabilize the existing nursing workforce, establish programs to increase the number of nurses, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kim, Young [Rep.-R-CA-40]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4406 — To amend title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to authorize the establishment of, and provide support for, State-based universal health care systems that provide comprehensive health benefits to State residents, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Khanna, Ro [Rep.-D-CA-17]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Armed Services; Ways and Means; Oversight and Government Reform; Education and Workforce

 

H.R.4398 — To direct a physician or nurse practitioner employed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to certify the death of a veteran not later than 48 hours after such physician or nurse practitioner learns of such death, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Emmer, Tom [Rep.-R-MN-6]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.4396 — To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report on the relationship between hair straighteners and uterine cancer, particularly among women of color; Sponsor: Clarke, Yvette D. [Rep.-D-NY-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4395 — To provide for research and education with respect to uterine fibroids, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Clarke, Yvette D. [Rep.-D-NY-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4392 — To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to increase early detection of and intervention for uterine fibroids, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Brown, Shontel M. [Rep.-D-OH-11]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4388 — To repeal sections 319F-3 and 319F-4 of the Public Health Service Act, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Massie, Thomas [Rep.-R-KY-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.2309 — A bill to direct a physician or nurse practitioner employed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to certify the death of a veteran not later than 48 hours after such physician or nurse practitioner learns of such death, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Boozman, John [Sen.-R-AR]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.2303 — A bill to provide for the publication by the Secretary of Health and Human Services of physical activity recommendations for Americans; Sponsor: Wicker, Roger F. [Sen.-R-MS]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2302 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish certain duties for pharmacies to ensure provision of Food and Drug Administration-approved contraception and medication related to contraception, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2301 — A bill to reauthorize certain programs regarding rural health care; Sponsor: Scott, Tim [Sen.-R-SC]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2298 — A bill to direct the Secretary of Labor to promulgate an occupational safety and health standard to protect workers from heat-related injuries and illnesses; Sponsor: Padilla, Alex [Sen.-D-CA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.Res.585 — Recognizing the threat of extreme weather to children’s health and well-being, and expressing the sense of Congress that solutions must be rapidly and equitably developed and deployed to address the unique vulnerabilities and needs of children; Sponsor: McClellan, Jennifer L. [Rep.-D-VA-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4473 — To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a bilateral research and innovation program to facilitate and coordinate efforts between the United States and Israel in certain health-related areas, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Weber, Randy K. Sr. [Rep.-R-TX-14]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4470 — To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to require hospitals participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs to establish certain notification procedures with respect to organ procurement agencies; Sponsor: Van Duyne, Beth [Rep.-R-TX-24]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4464 — To amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 respecting the scoring of preventive health savings; Sponsor: Obernolte, Jay [Rep.-R-CA-23]; Committees: House – Budget

 

H.R.4453 — 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: Hoyle, Val T. [Rep.-D-OR-4]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.4445 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize a public health and bio-preparedness workforce loan repayment program; Sponsor: Crow, Jason [Rep.-D-CO-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4443 — To direct the Secretary of Labor to promulgate an occupational safety and health standard to protect workers from heat-related injuries and illnesses; Sponsor: Chu, Judy [Rep.-D-CA-28]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.4441 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve Medicare beneficiary access to new medical technologies that improve health care quality and outcomes by ensuring that breakthrough devices are eligible for conditional approval under the Medicare New Technology Add-On Payment (NTAP) Program, enabling these medical breakthroughs to be provided to Medicare beneficiaries without unnecessary delay; Sponsor: Carey, Mike [Rep.-R-OH-15]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4436 — To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to cosmetic safety, with an emphasis on communities of color and professional salon workers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schakowsky, Janice D. [Rep.-D-IL-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and Workforce

 

H.R.4435 — To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to increase transparency with respect to cosmetic ingredients, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schakowsky, Janice D. [Rep.-D-IL-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4434 — To amend title VI of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ensure the supply chain transparency needed for companies to make safe cosmetics, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schakowsky, Janice D. [Rep.-D-IL-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4433 — To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ban certain substances in cosmetic products, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schakowsky, Janice D. [Rep.-D-IL-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4425 —To amend the Public Health Service Act to increase the number of permanent faculty in palliative care at accredited allopathic and osteopathic medical schools, nursing schools and other programs, including social work, physician assistant, and chaplaincy education programs, to promote education and research in palliative care and hospice, and to support the development of faculty careers in academic palliative and hospice care; Sponsor: Carter, Earl L. “Buddy” [Rep.-R-GA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.2356 — A bill to expand psychological mental and behavioral health services to Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP beneficiaries by permitting reimbursement of psychological services provided by certain supervised psychology trainees, and facilitating the reimbursement of those services; Sponsor: Barrasso, John [Sen.-R-WY]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2355 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for hospital and insurer price transparency; Sponsor: Marshall, Roger [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2353 — A bill to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to conduct a study, and submit to Congress a report, on the human health impacts of exposure to microplastics in food and water; Sponsor: Merkley, Jeff [Sen.-D-OR]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2348 — A bill to amend the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to authorize grants to strengthen relationships between health and wellness providers or systems (including for behavioral health) and community-based sexual assault programs to support survivors of sexual assault across the lifespan of the survivor, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Murkowski, Lisa [Sen.-R-AK]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2347 — A bill to prohibit discrimination in health care and require the provision of equitable health care, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Padilla, Alex [Sen.-D-CA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2345 — A bill to allow for expedited approval of generic prescription drugs and temporary importation of prescription drugs in the case of marginally competitive drug markets and drug shortages; Sponsor: Klobuchar, Amy [Sen.-D-MN]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2340 — A bill to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and implement a program and national strategic action plan to prepare and empower the health care sector to protect the health and well-being of our workers, our communities, and our planet in the face of the climate crisis, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2339 — A bill to reauthorize the Young Women’s Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009; Sponsor: Klobuchar, Amy [Sen.-D-MN]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2336 — A bill to ensure references to opioid overdose reversal agents in certain grant programs of the Department of Health and Human Services are not limited to naloxone; Sponsor: Cornyn, John [Sen.-R-TX]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2332 — A bill to require research with respect to fentanyl and xylazine test strips, to authorize the use of grant funds for such test strips, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hassan, Margaret Wood [Sen.-D-NH]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2329 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to protect beneficiaries with limb loss and other orthopedic conditions by providing access to appropriate, safe, effective, patient-centered orthotic and prosthetic care, to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse with respect to orthotics and prosthetics, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Warner, Mark R. [Sen.-D-VA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.Res.593 — Congratulating the Oncology Nursing Society on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kiggans, Jennifer A. [Rep.-R-VA-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4545 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require the provision of certain information with respect to breast reconstruction surgery under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Waters, Maxine [Rep.-D-CA-43]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.4543 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require coverage for certain individual with breast or cervical cancer under the Medicaid program; Sponsor: Waters, Maxine [Rep.-D-CA-43]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4541 — To reauthorize the Young Women’s Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009; Sponsor: Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [Rep.-D-FL-25]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4525 — To protect an individual’s ability to access medicines approved by the Food and Drug Administration to protect a health care providers ability to provide such medicines, and information related to such medicines; Sponsor: Ross, Deborah K. [Rep.-D-NC-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4518 — To amend the Controlled Substances Act to require electronic communication service providers and remote computing services to report to the Attorney General certain controlled substances violations; Sponsor: Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [Rep.-R-IA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.4517 — To amend section 485 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require certain institutions of higher education to develop and implement a venue-specific heat-related illnesses emergency action plan, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Mfume, Kweisi [Rep.-D-MD-7]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.4515 — To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and implement a program and national strategic action plan to prepare and empower the health care sector to protect the health and well-being of our workers, our communities, and our planet in the face of the climate crisis, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Matsui, Doris O. [Rep.-D-CA-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4510 — To amend the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to authorize grants to strengthen relationships between health and wellness providers or systems (including for behavioral health) and community-based sexual assault programs to support survivors of sexual assault across the lifespan of the survivor, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Leger Fernandez, Teresa [Rep.-D-NM-3]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.4509 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs furnishes certain non-opioid pain medications to veterans, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Landsman, Greg [Rep.-D-OH-1]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.4493 — To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to declare a public health emergency in connection with health risks associated with climate change, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Dexter, Maxine [Rep.-D-OR-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4492 — To amend title 11, United States Code, to account for the protection of genetic information in bankruptcy; Sponsor: Cline, Ben [Rep.-R-VA-6]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.4486 — To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to conduct a study, and submit to Congress a report, on the human health impacts of exposure to microplastics in food and water; Sponsor: Bynum, Janelle S. [Rep.-D-OR-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4484 — To expand psychological mental and behavioral health services to Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP beneficiaries by permitting reimbursement of psychological services provided by certain supervised psychology trainees, and facilitating the reimbursement of those services; Sponsor: Balderson, Troy [Rep.-R-OH-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.4475 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to protect beneficiaries with limb loss and other orthopedic conditions by providing access to appropriate, safe, effective, patient-centered orthotic and prosthetic care, to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse with respect to orthotics and prosthetics, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Thompson, Glenn [Rep.-R-PA-15]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

Appropriations Update – The Senate began its work on fiscal year (FY) 2026 spending last week, with the Appropriations Committee completing consideration of the Legislative Branch spending measure and advancing a $7 billion Agriculture-Food and Drug Administration (FDA) measure in a unanimous, bipartisan vote. The bill includes $3.6 billion in taxpayer funding and $3.4 billion in user fee revenue, approximately even with 2025 enacted levels. The bill was considered by the full committee without first going through the subcommittee markup process. House Republicans’ FDA funding bill that was advanced out of committee last month provided a total of $6.8 billion for the agency, in line with the President’s budget request. The Senate’s higher funding level reflects the chamber’s 60-vote threshold and the Democratic support that would be required for passage.

 

While the House of Representatives was in recess last week, the chamber has already successfully cleared the FY 2026 Military-Construction-Veterans Affairs spending measure, as well as the Agriculture-FDA, Defense, Homeland Security, and Legislative Branch bills. Lawmakers are nevertheless expected to rely on a continuing resolution to avoid a federal government shutdown at the end of the fiscal year on September 30 in the absence of a broader government funding agreement. Such stopgap spending measures often serve as a vehicle for health extenders.

 

Senate Panel Advances CDC Nominee  – The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee advanced the nomination of Susan Monarez to serve as the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a 12-11 party line vote on Wednesday. Monarez has worked in the federal government for two decades, most recently serving as the acting director of the CDC after working as the deputy director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health. Opposition to her nomination from panel Democrats appeared to be a referendum on recent actions by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and in particular changes made to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. If confirmed by the full Senate, Monarez would be the first person without a medical degree to lead the CDC since 1953. She would also become the first Senate-confirmed CDC director, following a statutory change made in 2022 requiring approval of the CDC director by the upper chamber. A final vote on her nomination on the Senate floor has not yet been scheduled.

 

Senate Approaches Deadline on President’s Rescissions Request – The Senate currently faces a July 18 deadline to pass the White House’s proposed rescissions package, or the President’s request to claw back $9.4 billion in funding will expire and the administration will be required to spend the money as Congress originally intended. Several Senate Republicans, however, have expressed concerns in recent days about the impact of the proposed cuts on global health; the package would rescind $900 million in funding for global AIDS and other international health efforts. Some GOP members have suggested that the proposal will need to be modified in order to garner the support necessary for passage. If the request is revised, it will need to be sent back to the House of Representatives for a final vote. Senate Republicans can afford to lose three GOP votes and still achieve passage with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie.

 

New GAO Report on Assisted Outpatient Treatment – The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a new report on HHS’s management of assisted outpatient treatment programs that receive grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). GAO found that HHS has struggled to assess the results from assisted outpatient treatment programs, under which adults with serious mental illnesses can be ordered by a judge to adhere to community-based treatment.  The report describes the department’s efforts to assess the effects of the grant program on participants’ health and social outcomes, and what the assessments have revealed. Topics studied by HHS include treatment adherence, psychiatric emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and arrests. SAMHSA has awarded approximately $146 million in grants for the program to more than 60 organizations since 2016.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health hearing “Right Time, Right Place, Right Treatment with VA Community Care;” 2:15 p.m.; July 15

 

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing “Voices of the Vaccine Injured;” 3:00 p.m.; July 15

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing “Legislative Proposals to Maintain and Improve the Public Health Workforce, Rural Health, and Over-the-Counter Medicines;” 10:00 a.m.; July 16

 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee nomination hearing to consider Dr. Brian Christine to be Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services; 10:00 a.m.; July 16

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.R.4272 — To prioritize health care facilities and mental or behavioral health facilities in the Community Facilities program for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, and allow loans and grants under the program to be used for medical supplies, increasing telehealth capabilities, supporting staffing needs, or renovating and remodeling closed facilities; Sponsor: Underwood, Lauren [Rep.-D-IL-14]; Committees: House – Agriculture

 

H.R.4273 — To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise and extend the user fee program for over-the-counter monograph drugs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Latta, Robert E. [Rep.-R-OH-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4277 — To amend Title XIX of the Social Security Act to clarify that rural emergency hospitals are treated as outpatient hospitals for purposes of Medicaid payment, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Davis, Donald G. [Rep.-D-NC-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4282 — To amend the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act to modernize verification of contact lens prescriptions, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Griffith, H. Morgan [Rep.-R-VA-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4289 — To amend title 10, United States Code, to reduce the distance required for the Secretary of Defense to reimburse travel expenses relating to specialty care, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Vasquez, Gabe [Rep.-D-NM-2]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.4299 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a rebate by manufacturers for selected drugs and biological products subject to maximum fair price negotiation; Sponsor: Murphy, Gregory F. [Rep.-R-NC-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

S.2211 — A bill to reauthorize the Special Diabetes Program for Type 1 Diabetes and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians; Sponsor: Collins, Susan M. [Sen.-R-ME]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2220 — A bill to expand presumptions of exposure by members of the Armed Forces to toxic substances, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rosen, Jacky [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.2225 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to add physical therapists to the list of providers allowed to utilize locum tenens arrangements under Medicare; Sponsor: Luján, Ben Ray [Sen.-D-NM]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.Res.318 — A resolution recognizing that climate change poses a growing threat to public health and necessitates coordinated action to mitigate its impacts and safeguard the health and well-being of all people in the United States; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2256 — An original bill making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hoeven, John [Sen.-R-ND]; Committees: Senate – Appropriations

 

S.2244 — A bill to require immediate changes to Medicaid relating to alien eligibility and payments to Medicaid expansion States that furnish health care to certain aliens; Sponsor: Paul, Rand [Sen.-R-KY]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2237 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend acute hospital care at home waiver flexibilities, and to require an additional study and report on such flexibilities; Sponsor: Scott, Tim [Sen.-R-SC]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.Res.568 — Recognizing that climate change poses a growing threat to public health and necessitates coordinated action to mitigate its impacts and safeguard the health and well-being of all people in the United States; Sponsor: Barragán, Nanette Diaz [Rep.-D-CA-44]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Natural Resources; Education and Workforce

 

H.Res.573 — Recognizing World Misophonia Awareness Day; Sponsor: Kim, Young [Rep.-R-CA-40]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4309 — To direct the establishment and maintenance of a National Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury Clearinghouse, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bacon, Don [Rep.-R-NE-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4313 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend acute hospital care at home waiver flexibilities, and to require an additional study and report on such flexibilities; Sponsor: Buchanan, Vern [Rep.-R-FL-16]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.4317 — To assure pharmacy access and choice for Medicare beneficiaries, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Carter, Earl L. “Buddy” [Rep.-R-GA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and Workforce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.4321 — To direct the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy for treating traumatic brain injuries through digital health technologies; Sponsor: Crow, Jason [Rep.-D-CO-6]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.4331 — To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a process to expand access to claims data under certain Federal health plans in order to facilitate research and quality improvement; Sponsor: Joyce, John [Rep.-R-PA-13]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.4340 — To require hospitals, medical examiner offices, and coroner offices to report to the Consumer Product Safety Commission with respect to certain incidents involving the death or serious injury of a child, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Mace, Nancy [Rep.-R-SC-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.4342 — To amend the 21st Century Cures Act to improve the administration, oversight, and impact of opioid use disorder grants, and for other purposes; Sponsor: McDowell, Addison P. [Rep.-R-NC-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4345 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the definition of critical access hospital under the Medicare program to include certain hospitals on Indian reservations; Sponsor: Newhouse, Dan [Rep.-R-WA-4]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.4350 — To establish a loan program to expand capabilities to manufacture critical materials to secure the United States supply chain, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide credits for qualified investments into critical material facilities and production credits for manufacturing critical materials, and to authorize cross-cutting research, development, and demonstration activities relating to critical material supply chains, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Stevens, Haley M. [Rep.-D-MI-11]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce; Natural Resources; Education and Workforce; Science, Space, and Technology

 

H.R.4353 — To direct the Secretary of Labor to conduct a study on the effectiveness of spending by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to provide technical assistance and compliance assistance in relation to heat-related illness; Sponsor: Tenney, Claudia [Rep.-R-NY-24]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

President Signs One Big Beautiful Bill Act into Law – President Donald Trump signed the budget reconciliation package known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) into law on Friday during a military family picnic at the White House for the Fourth of July. The ceremony marked a significant victory for congressional Republicans and the Trump administration in finalizing the $3.4 trillion tax and spending package containing the President’s domestic policy agenda.

 

The Senate passed the bill on Tuesday after a marathon voting session known as a vote-a-rama during which Democrats attempted to put Republicans on the record through amendments to the package, many of which related to cuts to social-safety net programs. The final Senate vote was 51-50, with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie and Republican Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Rand Paul (Ky.), and Thom Tillis (N.C.) joining Democrats in opposition to the legislation.

 

The House of Representatives followed suit, passing the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 1 on Thursday, after nearly 24 hours of deliberation, in a 218-214 final vote. Republican Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) and Thomas Massie (Ky.) joined Democrats in opposition to the bill. Prior to the final vote, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) delivered a record breaking, nine-hour floor speech attacking the package. House Republican leadership successfully overcame intraparty discord related to the changes made by the Senate to the bill. Concerns from moderate Republicans related to deeper cuts to the Medicaid program, while fiscal hawks objected to additional tax cuts added by the upper chamber. The President and Republican leadership made assurances to GOP holdouts behind closed doors but did not entertain changes to the bill text. Had the House made any further revisions to the package, the Senate would have been forced to vote again, delaying passage of the measure and potentially risking Republicans’ self-imposed Independence Day deadline.

 

The final bill text includes a one-year Medicare physician payment fix to increase provider reimbursements by 2.5% in 2026. It establishes new Medicaid work requirements and would phase in a 3.5% limit on provider taxes in Medicaid-expansion states. The new law also includes a $50 billion fund to support rural hospitals in response to concerns about the impact of the bill’s Medicaid cuts – which total approximately $1 trillion – on financially vulnerable hospitals. The budget reconciliation bill will also expand the orphan drug exemption under the Medicare drug price negotiation program.

 

Federal Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction Against HHS Staff Cuts and Restructuring – On July 1, 2025, U.S. District Judge Melissa Dubose of the District Court of Rhode Island issued a preliminary injunction against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in response to mass staff cuts at the agency. The plaintiffs—a group of 19 state attorneys general—had originally argued that the layoffs by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had been an overstep of constitutional authority. They further claimed that the HHS restructuring and dismantling of several sub-agencies (including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and Center for Tobacco Products (CTP)) had effectively eliminated public health programs on which their states rely.  In issuing the preliminary injunction, the court found that (i) the Secretary’s actions were arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedures Act; (ii) the cuts and reorganization of HHS would cause irreparable harm to the states if allowed to continue; and (iii) the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in proving their case on the merits. The federal government is therefore barred from further executing any existing reduction in force (RIF) notices or sub-agency restructuring and cannot issue any more termination or administrative leave notices until the case has been fully decided on the merits. HHS has requested that the injunction be paused pending an appeal.

 

New GAO Report on U.S. Health Care Spending and Value – The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has published a report on its October 2024 forum on U.S. health care spending. During the forum, participants identified approaches in the following five areas that could help reduce health care spending or increase the value for that spending: (1) supporting a high-functioning primary care system; (2) expanding  the health care workforce; (3) reforming health care pricing and promoting high-value care; (4) reforming Medicare physician payments; and (5) mitigating anticompetitive incentives and practices. Participants agreed that legislative action, federal investment, or both would be needed to implement most of the approaches discussed.

 

Carter Relinquishes Health Subcommittee Chair – Rep. Buddy Carter, BSPharm (R-Ga.) announced last week that he is stepping down as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. Carter, who launched a campaign for the Senate earlier this year, stated that he will continue to be an active member of the subcommittee and work to advance the President’s Make America Healthy Again agenda. Shortly following Carter’s announcement, Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) appointed Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) as the new Health Subcommittee chairman. The full extent of the resulting subcommittee leadership and member subcommittee assignment changes can be found here.

 

Recently Announced Congressional Retirements – Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Pa.) has announced his plans to retire at the end of the 119^th Congress. Evans is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and has served in the House of Representatives since 2016. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) also officially announced his decision to not seek reelection in 2026. He was first elected to the House in 2016. Bacon, who has a reputation as a centrist, cited the current “political dysfunction” as a reason behind his decision to retire.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health markup of H.R.2605, Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act, H.R.3400, the Territorial Response and Access to Veterans’ Essential Lifecare Act; H.R.3643, VA Data Transparency  and Trust Act; H.R.3726, Fisher House Availability Act of 2025; H.R.3767, HPSP Improvement Act of 2025; H.R.3855, To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit smoking on the premises of any facility of the Veterans Health Administration, and for other purposes; H.R.3863, VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act; and H.R.2148, Veteran Caregiver Re-education, Reemployment, and Retirement Act; 10:15 a.m.; July 8 (may be postponed due to no votes in the House)

 

Senate HELP Committee executive session to consider the nomination of Susan Monarez to be Director of the CDC; 9:45 a.m.; July 9

 

Senate HELP Committee hearing “Securing the Future of Health Care: Enhancing Cybersecurity and Protecting Americans’ Privacy;” 10:00 a.m.; July 9

 

Senate Appropriations Committee hearing “A Future Without Type 1 Diabetes: Accelerating Breakthroughs and Creating Hope;” 10:00 a.m.; July 9

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing “Legislative Proposals to Maintain and Improve the Public Health Workforce, Rural Health, and Over-the-Counter Medicines;” 10:15 a.m.; July 9 (may be postponed due to no votes in the House)

 

Senate Appropriations Committee markup of Commerce, Justice, Science, Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Acts;” 9:30 a.m.; July 10

 

House Appropriations subcommittee markup of Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill; 5:00 p.m.; July 21

 

House Appropriations full committee markup of Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill; 10:00 a.m.; July 24

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.R.4244 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to prohibit payments under the Medicaid program for conversion therapy, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Thanedar, Shri [Rep.-D-MI-13]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4243 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow qualified distributions from health savings accounts for certain home care expenses; Sponsor: Smith, Adrian [Rep.-R-NE-3]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.4242 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modernize the National Firearms Act to account for advancements in technology and less-than-lethal weapons, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schweikert, David [Rep.-R-AZ-1]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.4231 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the coordination of programs to prevent and treat obesity, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kelly, Mike [Rep.-R-PA-16]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.4227 — To amend title 18, United States Code, to prevent bulk sales of ammunition, promote recordkeeping and reporting about ammunition, end ammunition straw purchasing, and require a background check before the transfer of ammunition by certain Federal firearms licensees to non-licensees; Sponsor: Garcia, Robert [Rep.-D-CA-42]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.4225 — To amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to require adequate supervision before a juvenile can possess a firearm, to require the safe storage of firearms, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Dean, Madeleine [Rep.-D-PA-4]; Committees: House – Judiciary; Education and Workforce

 

H.R.4224 — To establish a grant program through the Department of Justice to incentivize States to establish point-of-contact systems for firearm sales subject to a background check, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Dean, Madeleine [Rep.-D-PA-4]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.4223 — To repeal certain impediments to the administration of the firearms laws; Sponsor: Dean, Madeleine [Rep.-D-PA-4]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.4222 — To amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to restrict the ability to transfer business inventory firearms, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Dean, Madeleine [Rep.-D-PA-4]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.4221 — To modernize the Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988; Sponsor: Dean, Madeleine [Rep.-D-PA-4]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.4220 — To require the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to issue an advisory about how homegrown violent extremists and other perpetrators of domestic terrorism procure firearms and firearm accessories, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Dean, Madeleine [Rep.-D-PA-4]; Committees: House – Financial Services

 

H.R.4218 — To amend the Clean Air Act to facilitate State implementation of national ambient air quality standards, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Carter, Earl L. “Buddy” [Rep.-R-GA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.555 — Expressing support for the designation of June 28, 2025, as “Community is Stronger than Cancer Day”; Sponsor: Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.562 — Supporting the goals and ideals of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month; Sponsor: Barragán, Nanette Diaz [Rep.-D-CA-44]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4250 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a floor on payments to sole community hospitals located in Alaska and Hawaii under the hospital outpatient prospective payment system; Sponsor: Begich, Nicholas J. [Rep.-R-AK-At Large]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.4258 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the definition of critical access hospital under the Medicare program to include certain hospitals on Indian reservations; Sponsor: Newhouse, Dan [Rep.-R-WA-4]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.4262 — To reauthorize programs related to health professions education, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schakowsky, Janice D. [Rep.-D-IL-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4269 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the application of a cost-of-living adjustment to the non-labor related portion for hospital outpatient department services furnished in Alaska and Hawaii; Sponsor: Tokuda, Jill N. [Rep.-D-HI-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

Reconciliation Update – Senate Republicans expect to pass the budget reconciliation package containing President Donald Trump’s domestic policy agenda sometime on Monday. The chamber voted 51-49 on Saturday to start debate on the legislation. Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) joined Democrats in opposition to advancing the bill. Following the vote, Democrats requested Senate clerks to read the 940-page bill out loud. The chamber then began the process of offering amendments with a maximum of 20 hours of debate. After debate concludes, the Senate will begin a marathon voting process known as ‘vote-a-rama’ in which votes will take place on filed amendments. Under the Senate reconciliation process, senators are allowed to offer an unlimited number of amendments and there is no limit on time for completing the votes. Hundreds of amendments are expected to be filed by both Democrats and Republicans.

 

Republicans adjusted the legislative text to comply with the chamber’s rules for reconciliation. The latest version of the Senate’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act was released early Saturday morning. The bill includes a one-year Medicare physician payment fix to increase provider reimbursements by 2.5% in 2026. The bill would lower the state provider tax safe harbor from 6% to 3.5%, delaying implementation of the phasedown until 2028, while providing for the creation of a $25 billion stabilization fund in response to concerns about the impact of Medicaid cuts on financially vulnerable hospitals. The package restores a House-passed provision to expand the Medicare drug price negotiation program’s exemption for orphan drugs to include treatments for multiple rare diseases. The bill does not fund Affordable Care Act cost-sharing reduction payments, which Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled ineligible for the budget reconciliation process.

 

Republicans can only lose three votes in either chamber and still pass the bill along party lines. Assuming Senate passage, the House of Representatives is expected to return to session early this week to vote on the revised bill. Congressional Republicans and the White House aim to have the package signed into law by July 4.

 

Tillis Announces Decision to Not Run for Reelection – Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) announced on Sunday that he will not seek reelection in 2026. “The choice is between spending another six years navigating the political theatre and partisan gridlock in Washington or spending that time with the love of my life Susan, our two children, three beautiful grandchildren, and the rest of our extended family back home,” Tillis said in a statement. “It’s not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking re-election.” The two-term senator currently serves on the Finance, Veterans’ Affairs, and Judiciary committees.

 

ACIP Convenes First Meeting Since RFK Jr. Overhaul – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) convened a two-day meeting last week. It was ACIP’s first meeting since U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired all 17 members of the vaccine advisory panel and named a group of replacement members earlier this month. ACIP voted 5-2 to recommend Clesrovimab, a new monoclonal antibody for newborns and infants to protect against RSV, and voted 5-1 to recommend against flu vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal.

 

During the meeting, new ACIP Chair Martin Kulldorff announced plans for the committee to investigate the cumulative childhood and adolescent vaccine schedules. “In addition to studying and evaluating individual vaccines, it is important to evaluate the cumulative effect of the recommended vaccine schedule,” Kulldorff said. “This includes interaction effects between different vaccines, the total number of vaccines, cumulative amounts of vaccine ingredients and the relative timing of different vaccines.” ACIP will also establish a work group to examine immunizations that have not been studied in more than seven years.

 

The ACIP meeting proceeded as planned, despite a call from Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chair Bill Cassidy, MD for a delay. “Although the appointees to ACIP have scientific credentials, many do not have significant experience studying microbiology, epidemiology or immunology,” Sen. Cassidy posted on the social media platform X. He stated that the meeting should not proceed until ACIP is fully staffed with “more robust and balanced representation – as required by law – including those with more direct relevant expertise.”

 

House Appropriators Advance FDA Spending Bill – The House Appropriations Committee voted to advance its fiscal year (FY) 2026 Agriculture-Rural Development-Food and Drug Administration (FDA) spending bill last week in a 35-27 party line vote. The appropriations measure would provide $6.8 billion in total funding for the FDA, including $3.2 billion in taxpayer funds and $3.6 billion in user fees paid by drug and device makers. This funding level is 4.2% lower than currently enacted levels and mirrors the President’s budget request. During the markup, the panel adopted an amendment by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) directing the FDA to continue to fund the youth anti-tobacco “The Real Cost” campaign at current levels. The bill now awaits a vote on the House floor.

 

The House of Representatives passed its first FY 2026 spending bill on Wednesday. The chamber voted 218-206 to adopt the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs appropriations measure. Congress faces an October 1 deadline to pass the 12 annual appropriations bills or extend federal funding via a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown at the end of the current fiscal year.

 

Ed Workforce Committee Advances Association Health Plan Legislation – The House Committee on Education and the Workforce advanced the Association Health Plans Act (H.R. 2528) last week in a party line vote. The bill would codify a first-term Trump administration standard that was rescinded by the Biden administration which expanded the availability of association health plans. Association health plans are made up of small businesses that coalesce under a single plan, and are not required to adhere to the Affordable Care Act’s essential health benefit requirements.

 

Supreme Court Limits Nationwide Injunctions, Potentially Impacting Federal Health Policy Challenges – On June 27, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled in Trump v. CASA, Inc. to limit the ability of lower courts to issue nationwide injunctions (orders that block federal policies across the entire country). The decision comes as several states and advocacy groups are challenging NIH and HHS actions on scientific integrity policies, reproductive health access, and grant funding. In many of these cases, district courts had issued nationwide injunctions to block enforcement while legal challenges proceed. While the decision will not retroactively affect these injunctions, it is expected to affect future litigation outcomes against federal health agencies. Writing for the majority, Justice Amy Coney Barrett emphasized that federal courts may only grant relief to the actual parties before them in a given suit.

 

Supreme Court Rejects Constitutional Challenge to Preventive Services Task Force – In the case of Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, Inc., the Supreme Court upheld the structure of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), ruling that its members do not require presidential nomination or Senate confirmation. The plaintiffs had (i) argued that the task force was unconstitutional because its members were not appointed in accordance with the Appointments Clause and (ii) sought to invalidate the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) preventive services mandate. Writing for the majority, Justice Brett Kavanaugh emphasized that USPSTF members are “inferior officers” who operate under the supervision and control of the HHS Secretary, maintaining a constitutionally sufficient chain of accountability. The ruling aligns with arguments advanced by both the Biden and Trump administrations, which had defended the Secretary’s supervisory authority over the task force. It also effectively preserves the ACA’s requirement for insurers to cover preventive services—such as HIV prevention drugs like PrEP—at no cost to patients. Justice Clarence Thomas dissented, arguing that Congress had not clearly authorized the Secretary to appoint such influential officials without Senate approval.

 

Supreme Court Blocks Medicaid Patients from Suing Over Provider Bans – On June 26, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic that Medicaid recipients do not have a right to sue when states exclude providers like Planned Parenthood from the program. The case was brought as a result of South Carolina’s 2018 decision to remove Planned Parenthood from its Medicaid program due to its provision of abortion services. The decision is expected to limit patients’ ability to challenge state efforts to restrict access to reproductive and other preventive healthcare services under Medicaid. In dissent, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson noted that the ruling undermines legal protections for low-income patients.

 

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 pm.; July 21

 

House Appropriations full committee markup of Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill; 10:00 am.; July 24

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.R.4063 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that veterans in each of the 48 contiguous States are able to receive services in at least one full-service hospital of the Veterans Health Administration in the State or receive comparable services provided by contract in the State; Sponsor: Pappas, Chris [Rep.-D-NH-1]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.4056 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit a private cause of action for damages in the case of a group health plan which fails to provide for primary payment or appropriate reimbursement; Sponsor: Bilirakis, Gus M. [Rep.-R-FL-12]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4055 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage and payment under such title for certain treatments for dialysis-related amyloidosis, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Babin, Brian [Rep.-R-TX-36]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.Res.524 — Expressing support for the designation of June 19, 2025, as “World Sickle Cell Awareness Day” in order to increase public awareness across the United States and global community about sickle cell disease and the continued need for empirical research, early detection screenings, novel effective treatments leading to a cure, and preventative care programs with respect to complications from sickle cell anemia and conditions relating to sickle cell disease; Sponsor: Davis, Danny K. [Rep.-D-IL-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.523 — Expressing support for the designation of June 21, 2025, as National ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Day to promote children’s health and secure storage of guns in the home; Sponsor: Crow, Jason [Rep.-D-CO-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.2145 —A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, and the Social Security Act to permit recovery from the Department of Veterans Affairs of costs from Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plans and to modify the authority for recovery by the United States of reasonable charges for certain care or services furnished to veterans for non-service-connected disabilities, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Warren, Elizabeth [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.Res.531 — Recognizing the contributions of academic medicine and observing Academic Medicine Week from June 23 through 27, 2025; Sponsor: Castor, Kathy [Rep.-D-FL-14]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.532 — Supporting the designation of “Brain and Spine Metastasis Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Foushee, Valerie P. [Rep.-D-NC-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4074 — To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on coverage under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act of certain pelvic health services furnished during the postpartum period, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bacon, Don [Rep.-R-NE-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4077 —To amend title 38, United States Code, and the Social Security Act to permit recovery from the Department of Veterans Affairs of costs from Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plans and to modify the authority for recovery by the United States of reasonable charges for certain care or services furnished to veterans for non-service-connected disabilities, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Doggett, Lloyd [Rep.-D-TX-37]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs; Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4084 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish certain duties for pharmacies to ensure provision of Food and Drug Administration-approved contraception and medication related to contraception, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kelly, Robin L. [Rep.-D-IL-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4086 — To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants for providing evidence-based caregiver skills training to family caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities or delays, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Min, Dave [Rep.-D-CA-47]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.Res.299 — A resolution expressing support for the designation of July 2025 as “National Sarcoma Awareness Month;” Sponsor: Johnson, Ron [Sen.-R-WI]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.Res.300 — A resolution designating June 15, 2025, as “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day” and the month of June 2025 as “Elder Abuse Awareness Month;” Sponsor: Grassley, Chuck [Sen.-R-IA]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.2149 – A bill to expand access to health insurance coverage for immigrants and their families by removing legal and policy barriers to health insurance coverage, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2150 — A bill to protect a person’s ability to determine whether to continue or end a pregnancy, and to protect a health care provider’s ability to provide abortion services; Sponsor: Baldwin, Tammy [Sen.-D-WI]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

H.Res.542 — Expressing support for the designation of the month of June 2025 as “National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month” and June 27, 2025, as “National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Peters, Scott H. [Rep.-D-CA-50]; Committees: House – Armed Services; Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.4093 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to publish information on expenditures under the Medicare program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bean, Aaron [Rep.-R-FL-4]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4101 — 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 for cost-sharing for oral anticancer drugs on terms no less favorable than the cost-sharing provided for anticancer medications administered by a health care provider; Sponsor: Grothman, Glenn [Rep.-R-WI-6]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.4104 — To expand access to health insurance coverage for immigrants and their families by removing legal and policy barriers to health insurance coverage, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Jayapal, Pramila [Rep.-D-WA-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.4114 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to automatically enroll eligible veterans in the patient enrollment system of Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Takano, Mark [Rep.-D-CA-39]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.Res.544 — Supporting the designation of the month of June 2025, as “National Men’s Health Month”; Sponsor: Carter, Troy A. [Rep.-D-LA-2]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform

 

H.R.4121 — Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026; Sponsor: Harris, Andy [Rep.-R-MD-1]; Committees: House – Appropriations

 

H.R.4122 —To permit nurse practitioners and physician assistants to furnish necessary services, appliances, and supplies to individuals receiving medical benefits for illnesses; Sponsor: Allen, Rick W. [Rep.-R-GA-12]; Committees: House – Judiciary; Education and Workforce

 

H.R.4132 — To provide for digital communication of prescribing information for drugs (including biological products), and for other purposes; Sponsor: Harshbarger, Diana [Rep.-R-TN-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4139 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for adjustments to the Medicare part D cost-sharing reductions for low-income individuals; Sponsor: McGarvey, Morgan [Rep.-D-KY-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.4150 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide a higher Federal matching rate for increased expenditures under Medicaid for maternal health care services; Sponsor: Williams, Nikema [Rep.-D-GA-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.2171 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit smoking on the premises of any facility of the Veterans Health Administration, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Durbin, Richard J. [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.2169 — A bill to require the development of a comprehensive rural hospital cybersecurity workforce development strategy, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hawley, Josh [Sen.-R-MO]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2167 —A bill to permit nurse practitioners and physician assistants to furnish necessary services, appliances, and supplies to individuals receiving medical benefits for illnesses; Sponsor: Hickenlooper, John W. [Sen.-D-CO]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2165 — A bill to amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the distribution of 3D printer plans for the printing of firearms, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.Res.303 — A resolution expressing support for the designation of May 17, 2025, as “DIPG Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day” to raise awareness of, and encourage research on, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma tumors and pediatric cancers in general; Sponsor: Reed, Jack [Sen.-D-RI]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.2189 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to treat certain assisted reproduction expenses as medical expenses of the taxpayer; Sponsor: Schiff, Adam B. [Sen.-D-CA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.R.4165 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the inclusion of a biological attribution strategy, and an early warning strategy and implementation plan, in the National Health Security Strategy, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Crenshaw, Dan [Rep.-R-TX-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4184 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross income certain compensation to clinical trial participants, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kelly, Mike [Rep.-R-PA-16]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.4185 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to revise the definition of the term clinical social worker services; Sponsor: Kiggans, Jennifer A. [Rep.-R-VA-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.4186 — To authorize the Secretary of Education, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to award grants to eligible entities to support the mental and behavioral health of elementary and secondary school students, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Krishnamoorthi, Raja [Rep.-D-IL-8]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4191 — To improve coordination of Federal efforts to identify and mitigate health and national security risks through maintaining a list of essential medicines, conducting a risk assessment of essential medicine supply chains, and creating a monitoring system to map essential medicine supply chains using data analytics; Sponsor: Matsui, Doris O. [Rep.-D-CA-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4203 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow certain wearable devices to be purchased using health savings accounts and other spending arrangements and reimbursement accounts; Sponsor: Schweikert, David [Rep.-R-AZ-1]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.4204 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to allow Medicare beneficiaries to choose their physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and chiropractors; Sponsor: Smucker, Lloyd [Rep.-R-PA-11]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4206 —To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand access to telehealth services, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Thompson, Mike [Rep.-D-CA-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.4207 — To require any convention, agreement, or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response reached by the World Health Assembly to be subject to Senate ratification; Sponsor: Tiffany, Thomas P. [Rep.-R-WI-7]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs

 

H.R.4209– To amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to prohibit Federal financial participation under Medicaid and CHIP for individuals without verified citizenship, nationality, or satisfactory immigration status; Sponsor: Van Drew, Jefferson [Rep.-R-NJ-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

Reconciliation Update – The Senate Finance Committee unveiled its portion of the GOP’s budget reconciliation bill last week. Release of the bill language follows lengthy, closed-door negotiations amongst Senate Republicans about what revisions to make to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) passed by the House of Representatives on May 22. House leadership had urged senators to limit changes to the legislation given the narrow margin by which the bill was passed in a 215-214 vote.

 

The Senate package goes further than the House bill in limiting states’ ability to use medical provider taxes to help fund their share of the Medicaid program. The House proposed to set a moratorium on new or increased provider taxes, while the Senate’s version would gradually reduce the amount that Medicaid expansion states can tax their health care providers from the current 6% of net patient revenues to 3.5% in fiscal year 2031. The tax rates of non-expansion states would be frozen at their current level. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), amongst others, has been outspoken in his concerns about the impact of these provisions on rural hospitals. Senate Republicans are reportedly working to draft language that would create a special relief fund for rural hospitals in response to such concerns.  The Senate bill’s provisions around Medicaid work requirements also diverge from the House-passed version. The Senate would subject parents with children aged 15 and older to work or community service requirements, while the House plan would exempt all people with dependents from proposed work requirements.

 

The Senate bill omits most of the House-passed policies related to pharmacy benefit manager industry reform as well as the Medicare physician reimbursement provision. It also drops a proposal to expand the Medicare drug price negotiation program’s exemption for orphan drugs to include treatments for multiple rare diseases. The package does not include reforms to the Medicare or Medicare Advantage program, an idea which was under discussion by Senate Republicans earlier this month.

 

The Senate reconciliation package would raise the debt ceiling by $5 trillion, compared to the $4 trillion contained in the House-passed measure. The Treasury Department has projected that the nation could hit its borrowing limit as early as mid-August, posing the risk of a U.S. default on its payment obligations at that time.

 

In addition to the ongoing negotiations around the impact of the bill on financially vulnerable hospitals, Republicans also still lack agreement on several other issues in the broader legislation, including the debt ceiling, SALT cap, and clean energy tax breaks. The reconciliation provisions are also being reviewed by the Senate parliamentarian to ensure they meet the chamber’s budgetary rules, with the Finance Committee provisions being adjudicated on Sunday. The Senate GOP aims to pass the reconciliation package this week and send it back to the House for final approval before the Fourth of July. Republicans can only lose three votes in either chamber and still pass the bill along party lines.

 

Democrats Call for Investigations into Impact of HHS Secretary on Vaccine Access – House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) is requesting that Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) open an investigation into recent changes made to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The Secretary fired all 17 members of ACIP earlier this month, after making a unilateral decision to change COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for pregnant women and children. “Not only do these actions break promises he made under oath during his Senate confirmation, but they appear to be further proof that he intends to use his position as HHS Secretary to continue to advance his dangerous pseudo-science agenda,” Rep. Pallone writes. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sent a similar letter to HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La.) earlier this month, arguing that RFK Jr.’s “reckless” decision to fire ACIP members and “replace them with ideologues with limited expertise and a history of undermining vaccines will not only endanger the lives of Americans of all ages, it directly contradicts a commitment he made to you before he was confirmed that he would not make any significant changes to this important Committee.” ACIP is next scheduled to meet on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. The Secretary is scheduled to appear before the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee to testify about the proposed HHS budget for fiscal year 2026 on Tuesday.

 

2025 Medicare Trustees Report – The Department of the Treasury released the annual Social Security and Medicare Trustees Reports on Wednesday. As in prior years, the Trustees found that the Medicare program continues to face significant financing issues. This year’s report projects that the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund will be able to pay 100% of total scheduled benefits until 2033, three years earlier than reported last year. At that point, that fund’s reserves will become depleted and continuing program income will be sufficient to pay 89% of total scheduled benefits. While the Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) Trust Fund is adequately financed into the indefinite future because its main financing sources (beneficiary premiums and federal contributions) are automatically adjusted each year, the Trustees note that SMI costs are rapidly rising and place increasing demands on beneficiaries and general taxpayers.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing “The Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Health and Human Services Budget;” 10:00 a.m.; June 24

 

House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health hearing “Health at Your Fingertips: Harnessing the Power of Digital Health Data;” 9:00 a.m.; June 25

 

Senate HELP Committee hearing on the nomination of Susan Monarez to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services; 10:00 a.m.; June 25

 

House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services hearing “Sacrificing Excellence for Ideology: The Real Cost of DEI;” 10:00 a.m.; June 25

 

Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing “Lessons from the Field: How Sports Medicine Can Improve Health Outcomes for Seniors;” 3:30 p.m.; June 25

 

House Appropriations subcommittee markup of Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill; 5:00 pm.; July 21

 

House Appropriations full committee markup of Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill; 10:00 am.; July 24

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.R.4011 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities to support community paramedicine programs carried out in rural areas, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cleaver, Emanuel [Rep.-D-MO-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.2085 — Postpartum Lifeline Act – A bill to require 12-month continuous, full benefit coverage for pregnant individuals under Medicaid and CHIP, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Gallego, Ruben [Sen.-D-AZ]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.Res.285 — A resolution designating July 16, 2025, as “Glioblastoma Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Graham, Lindsey [Sen.-R-SC]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.2086 — A bill 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: Paul, Rand [Sen.-R-KY]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.Res.522 — Recognizing that Adriana Smith and her family’s prolonged ordeal without their consent is the direct result of the Black maternal health crisis, the danger of laws that give rights to fetuses and take them away from pregnant people, and anti-abortion laws that continue to harm people who can become pregnant; Sponsor: Williams, Nikema [Rep.-D-GA-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.4019 — To amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to establish a grant program for provide access to, and training on the administration of, epinephrine products for law enforcement officers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Gillen, Laura [Rep.-D-NY-4]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.4022 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to remove the exclusion from medical assistance under the Medicaid Program of items and services for patients in an institution for mental diseases, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Carbajal, Salud O. [Rep.-D-CA-24]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4028 — To amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to provide for 12-month continuous enrollment of individuals under the Medicaid program and Children’s Health Insurance Program; Sponsor: Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4029 — To provide for an emergency increase in Federal funding to State Medicaid programs for expenditures on home and community-based services; Sponsor: Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4030 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to address priority substance use disorder and serious mental illness treatment needs through long-acting injectable medications, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Dunn, Neal P. [Rep.-R-FL-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.4037 —To clarify coverage of occupational therapy under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Kennedy, Timothy M. [Rep.-D-NY-26]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

S.Res.292 — A resolution expressing support for the designation of June 19, 2025, as “World Sickle Cell Awareness Day” in order to increase public awareness across the United States and global community about sickle cell disease and the continued need for empirical research, early detection screenings, novel effective treatments leading to a cure, and preventative care programs with respect to complications from sickle cell anemia and conditions relating to sickle cell disease; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Foreign Relations

 

S.2112 — A bill to amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to modify the definition of hemp, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Paul, Rand [Sen.-R-KY]; Committees: Senate – Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

 

S.2121 — A bill to reauthorize certain programs that provide for opioid use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cassidy, Bill [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2131 — A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a public awareness campaign to increase awareness of the importance of father inclusion and engagement in improving overall health outcomes during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Warnock, Raphael G. [Sen.-D-GA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2134 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that veterans in each of the 48 contiguous States are able to receive services in at least one full-service hospital of the Veterans Health Administration in the State or receive comparable services provided by contract in the State; Sponsor: Shaheen, Jeanne [Sen.-D-NH]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

Reconciliation Update – The Senate continued its consideration of the GOP’s budget reconciliation package last week. The Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released its portion of the legislative text on Tuesday, which primarily focused on student loans but also included a few health proposals related to Affordable Care Act subsidies and health plan abortion coverage. Legislative text from the Finance Committee has not yet been released but will contain the bill’s remaining health-related provisions, including any proposed changes to the version of the bill passed by the House of Representatives last month. Efforts are ongoing to ensure the One Big Beautiful Bill Act has enough support for passage and complies with the Byrd rule and the chamber’s requirements for budget reconciliation. Floor consideration is expected to begin the week of June 23, with the goal of enacting the bill before July 4.

 

It was reported last week that HELP Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La.) is circulating a measure that would codify a most-favored-nation adjacent policy for inclusion in the budget reconciliation package. Cassidy’s proposal would allow the Medicare program to claw back money from pharmaceutical manufacturers that sell their products to other wealthy nations at a price lower than is available in the U.S. The policy would apply to the 50 drugs that cost Medicare the most money, to be evaluated every three years. The amount of money recouped would be based on the gross domestic product (GDP) of the other countries – those with a nominal GDP that is not less than 3% of the U.S. It remains unclear how much support Cassidy has garnered for his bill.

 

Thirty-eight House Republicans led by Budget Committee Vice Chair Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) on Tuesday stating that any additional tax cuts added to the reconciliation bill by the Senate “must be matched dollar-for-dollar by real, enforceable spending reductions.” The letter warns against the use of “budget gimmicks” and accounting tactics like timing shifts to reduce the cost of the package. Republicans can only lose three votes in either chamber and still pass the bill along party lines.

 

House Republicans finalized and adopted revisions to H.R. 1 last week to keep the legislation in compliance with the Senate’s rules for budget reconciliation.  The changes were passed in a mostly party line 213-207 vote on Wednesday. They do not impact the health-related provisions of the measure.

 

House Passes Trump Administration’s Proposed Funding Rescissions – The House of Representatives cleared the White House’s $9.4 billion rescissions request last week in a 214-212 vote. Republicans Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Mark Amodei (Nev.), Mike Turner (Ohio), and Nicole Malliotakis (N.Y.) voted against the bill. The rescissions package includes $900 million in previously approved congressional funding for global health programs. The bill would reduce funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), in addition to cuts to other HIV/AIDS, family planning, and reproductive health initiatives. The legislation will now be sent to the Senate for consideration, where it will only require a simple majority vote for passage. Several Republican senators have raised concerns about the cut to PEPFAR, prompting conversations on Capitol Hill about the complicated process for amending the rescissions request. Congress must act on the request within 45 days before the administration would be required to spend the funds.

 

RFK Jr. Fires Entire Vaccine Advisory Panel – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) last week. ACIP is an independent panel responsible for advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccines and making recommendations that determine insurance coverage of the shots. It is generally regarded as the most influential of the four external government bodies that advise federal agencies on vaccine policy.

 

“A clean sweep is needed to reestablish public confidence in vaccine science,” Kennedy said in an opinion piece published in the Wall Street Journal. The HHS Secretary has long accused ACIP members of having conflicts of interest and being too influenced by industry, but he pledged to maintain the panel without changes during his confirmation process to secure the vote of Sen. Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La.). “Of course, now the fear is that the ACIP will be filled up with people who know nothing about vaccines except suspicion,” Cassidy wrote in a post on X, stating that he would continue to talk with Secretary Kennedy to ensure this is not the case. Cassidy later clarified that the previous assurance he received from Kennedy was related to the ACIP process rather than who sits on the panel.

 

ACIP members, who are appointed to four-year terms, meet three times a year to review data on vaccines and vote on updates to the CDC’s vaccine schedule. While the CDC director has the authority to overrule ACIP recommendations, such occurrence is rare. ACIP is next scheduled to meet June 25-27; an HHS spokesperson stated that the meeting will continue as scheduled with new membership.  Kennedy has pledged to bring in “highly credentialed physicians” and “not anti-vaxxers” to fill the committee. He has so far announced the names of eight new ACIP members:

• Joseph R. Hibbeln, MD, psychiatrist and neuroscientist
• Martin Kulldorff, MD, PhD, biostatistician and epidemiologist
• Retsef Levi, PhD, Professor of Operations Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management
• Robert W. Malone, MD, physician-scientist and biochemist
• Cody Meissner, MD, Professor of Pediatrics at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
• James Pagano, MD, emergency medicine physician
• Vicky Pebsworth, OP, PhD, RN, who holds a doctorate in public health and nursing
• Michael A. Ross, MD, Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at George Washington University and Virginia Commonwealth University

Concerns have been raised that the reconstituted panel already includes several vaccine critics, including people who have specifically questioned the safety of mRNA vaccines and the childhood vaccine schedule more broadly.

 

Grassley, Wyden Release Report on OPO Oversight – Senate Finance Committee member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) released a report titled Operation Transplant: Examining the Need for Oversight in the Organ Donation System last week. The report addresses two issues of long-standing concern to the committee related to the recovery of pancreata for research, which is counted toward an organ procurement organization’s (OPO) recertification, and the amount of oversight and transparency over conflicts of interest among OPO leaders and governing board members. The report details an 850% increase in the total number of pancreata recovered for research without reports of a clear corresponding research benefit, and recommends that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) further clarify the requirements and expectations of OPOs reporting pancreata to be counted toward certification or recertification. Regarding CMS’s conflicts of interest policy, the lawmakers suggest that the agency further clarify the requirements and expectations of OPOs to make clear that OPO governing boards and medical advisory boards, as well as CMS surveyors, should monitor actual and potential conflicts of interest.

 

GOP Rep. Mark Green, Emergency Physician, to Retire from Congress – Rep. Mark Green, MD (R-Tenn.), chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, plans to resign from Congress. He announced last week that he has accepted a position in the private sector. Green notified GOP leadership that he would vacate his seat after the next vote on the budget reconciliation package in the House of Representatives. Upon Green’s resignation, the chamber will have 219 Republicans and 212 Democrats. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (R) is required to order a special election within 10 days of Green’s resignation, set a date for primary elections to occur within 55 to 60 days, and schedule a general election to take place within 100 to 107 days.

 

HHS No. 2 Sworn In – Jim O’Neill was sworn in as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) last week. O’Neill served at HHS during the George W. Bush administration and is the former CEO of the Thiel Foundation. As the second-in-command at HHS, O’Neill will be responsible for managing the department’s day to day operations. The Senate is scheduled to vote on the nomination of Gary Andres to serve as Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services on Monday.

 

MACPAC Releases June Report to Congress – The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Committee released its June Report to Congress last week. MACPAC’s latest report makes recommendations on transitions from pediatric to adult care for Medicaid-covered children and youth with special health care needs, considers appropriate access to residential behavioral health treatment services for children, describes findings from the Commission’s analytic work on access to medications for opioid use disorder in Medicaid, provides an overview on the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, and looks at self-direction for Medicaid home- and community-based services. The full report can be found here.

 

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 pm.; July 21

 

House Appropriations full committee markup of Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill; 10:00 a.m.; July 24

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.R.3826 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve access to diabetes outpatient self-management training services, to require the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test the provision of virtual diabetes outpatient self-management training services, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schrier, Kim [Rep.-D-WA-8]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3823 — To prevent the illegal sale of firearms, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Quigley, Mike [Rep.-D-IL-5]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.3821 — To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the label of a drug intended for human use to identify each ingredient in such drug that is, or is derived directly or indirectly from, a major food allergen or a gluten-containing grain, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Morrison, Kelly [Rep.-D-MN-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3812 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the collection of a health care copayment by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from a veteran under certain conditions attributable to a failure of the Department of Veterans Affairs to process certain information within applicable timeliness standards, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Gray, Adam [Rep.-D-CA-13]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3808 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve access to mental health services under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [Rep.-R-PA-1]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3807 — To authorize the Secretary of Defense to procure software and data as a service to support the development of artificial intelligence systems, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Fallon, Pat [Rep.-R-TX-4]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.Res.484 — Expressing support for the recognition of “Hidradenitis Suppurativa Awareness Week”; Sponsor: Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.1989 — A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to increase transparency and expand coverage options with respect to home and community-based services, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schmitt, Eric [Sen.-R-MO]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1996 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve coverage of audiology services under the Medicare program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Warren, Elizabeth [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.R.3833 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to the program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide comprehensive assistance for family caregivers of eligible veterans, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Barrett, Tom [Rep.-R-MI-7]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3839 — To codify Executive Order 14155 (relating to withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization); Sponsor: Burchett, Tim [Rep.-R-TN-2]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs; Armed Services; Intelligence (Permanent Select); Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3841 — To enhance the cybersecurity of the Healthcare and Public Health Sector; Sponsor: Crow, Jason [Rep.-D-CO-6]; Committees: House – Homeland Security; Energy and Commerce

 

S.Res.270 — A resolution designating June 6, 2025, as National Naloxone Awareness Day; Sponsor: Scott, Rick [Sen.-R-FL]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.2004 — A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on best practices for screening and treatment of congenital syphilis under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Heinrich, Martin [Sen.-D-NM]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2005 — A bill to improve the Institutional Development Award program of the National Institutes of Health; Sponsor: Hyde-Smith, Cindy [Sen.-R-MS]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2008 — A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to prohibit Medicaid and CHIP funding for gender transition procedures; Sponsor: Cornyn, John [Sen.-R-TX]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2011 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure coverage of mental and behavioral health services furnished through telehealth; Sponsor: Cassidy, Bill [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.Res.495 — Supporting the designation of the week of June 9 through June 15, 2025, as “National Men’s Health Week”; Sponsor: Carter, Troy A. [Rep.-D-LA-2]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform

 

H.R.3855 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit smoking on the premises of any facility of the Veterans Health Administration, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Dunn, Neal P. [Rep.-R-FL-2]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3863 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish annual mental health consultations to certain veterans, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Budzinski, Nikki [Rep.-D-IL-13]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3864 — To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to prohibit the use of quality-adjusted life years and similar measures in coverage and payment determinations under Federal health care programs; Sponsor: Cammack, Kat [Rep.-R-FL-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3866 — To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on best practices for screening and treatment of congenital syphilis under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Ciscomani, Juan [Rep.-R-AZ-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Natural Resources

 

H.R.3873 — To increase funding for cancer research by the National Cancer Institute to be more in proportion to the mortality rates of cancer; Sponsor: Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [Rep.-R-PA-1]; Committees: House – Appropriations; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3878 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure adequate coverage of annual wellness visits at rural health clinics under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Hinson, Ashley [Rep.-R-IA-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3884 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure coverage of mental and behavioral health services furnished through telehealth; Sponsor: Matsui, Doris O. [Rep.-D-CA-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3885 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide community-based training opportunities for medical students in rural areas and medically underserved communities, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Miller, Carol D. [Rep.-R-WV-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3886 — To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study to determine whether RNA sequencing can be used to effectively diagnose PTSD in veterans; Sponsor: Murphy, Gregory F. [Rep.-R-NC-3]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3890 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the distribution of additional residency positions, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Sewell, Terri A. [Rep.-D-AL-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

S.2024 — A bill to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to provide for additional requirements with respect to the navigator program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Baldwin, Tammy [Sen.-D-WI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2027 — A bill to provide for digital communication of prescribing information for drugs (including biological products), and for other purposes; Sponsor: Mullin, Markwayne [Sen.-R-OK]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2029 — A bill to protect the privacy of personal reproductive or sexual health information, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hirono, Mazie K. [Sen.-D-HI]; Committees: Senate – Commerce, Science, and Transportation

 

S.2031 — A bill to prohibit certain noncompete agreements, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Murphy, Christopher [Sen.-D-CT]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2032 — A bill to provide for the establishment of Medicare part E public health plans, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Merkley, Jeff [Sen.-D-OR]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2035 — A bill to establish statutory rights to choose to receive, provide, and cover fertility treatments, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Duckworth, Tammy [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.Res.502 — Of inquiry requesting the President and directing the Secretaries of the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services to transmit, respectively, certain documents to the House of Representatives relating to the development of a centralized database by the Federal government and Palantir Technologies Inc. that compiles American citizens’ personal information across Federal agencies and departments, including confidential taxpayer, identity, wage, child support, bank account, student loan, health, medical, financial, or other information; Sponsor: Doggett, Lloyd [Rep.-D-TX-37]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform

 

H.R.3906 — To amend the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to restore amounts available for Defense Health Agency research, development, test, and evaluation, including Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs; Sponsor: Carson, André [Rep.-D-IN-7]; Committees: House – Appropriations

 

H.R.3907 — To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to provide for additional requirements with respect to the navigator program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Castor, Kathy [Rep.-D-FL-14]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3910 — 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 allow parental choice in the selection of primary health insurance coverage or primary coverage under a group health plan for certain dependent children; Sponsor: Davids, Sharice [Rep.-D-KS-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Education and Workforce

 

H.R.3911 — To provide for the establishment of Medicare part E public health plans, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Gomez, Jimmy [Rep.-D-CA-34]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Education and Workforce

 

H.R.3916 — To protect the privacy of personal reproductive or sexual health information, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Jacobs, Sara [Rep.-D-CA-51]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.2050 — A bill to amend the Social Security Act to provide for an increased Federal medical assistance percentage for State expenditures on certain behavioral health services furnished under the Medicaid program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Warnock, Raphael G. [Sen.-D-GA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2055 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to the program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide comprehensive assistance for family caregivers of eligible veterans, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Banks, Jim [Sen.-R-IN]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.2057 — A bill to streamline enrollment in health insurance affordability programs and minimum essential coverage, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Van Hollen, Chris [Sen.-D-MD]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2059 — A bill to amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to enhance financial support for rural and safety net hospitals providing maternity, labor, and delivery services to vulnerable populations, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Wyden, Ron [Sen.-D-OR]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2061 — A bill to require the Interagency Working Group on Toxic Exposure to conduct research on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of descendants of individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Blumenthal, Richard [Sen.-D-CT]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.2062 — A bill to improve supply chain resiliency for critical drug products with vulnerable supply chains and ensure that reserves of critical drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients are maintained to prevent supply disruptions in the event of drug shortages or public health emergencies; Sponsor: Peters, Gary C. [Sen.-D-MI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2064 — A bill to amend title XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of comprehensive tobacco cessation services under such titles, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Blunt Rochester, Lisa [Sen.-D-DE]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2066 — A bill to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to establish a pilot program for testing the use of a predictive risk-scoring algorithm to provide oversight of payments for durable medical equipment and clinical diagnostic laboratory tests under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Sheehy, Tim [Sen.-R-MT]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2068 — A bill to ban drug manufacturers from using direct-to-consumer advertising, including social media, to promote their products; Sponsor: Sanders, Bernard [Sen.-I-VT]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2069 — A bill to amend title XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to provide for 12-month continuous enrollment of individuals under the Medicaid program and Children’s Health Insurance Program; Sponsor: Whitehouse, Sheldon [Sen.-D-RI]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2072 — A bill to promote affordable access to evidence-based opioid treatments under the Medicare program and require coverage of medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorders, opioid overdose reversal medications, and recovery support services by health plans without cost-sharing requirements; Sponsor: Blumenthal, Richard [Sen.-D-CT]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2073 — A bill to establish a State public option through Medicaid to provide Americans with the choice of a high-quality, low-cost health insurance plan; Sponsor: Schatz, Brian [Sen.-D-HI]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2076 — A bill to provide for an emergency increase in Federal funding to State Medicaid programs for expenditures on home and community-based services; Sponsor: Luján, Ben Ray [Sen.-D-NM]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2077 — A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to ensure health insurance coverage continuity for former foster youth; Sponsor: Welch, Peter [Sen.-D-VT]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2084 — A bill to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of dental and oral health services, vision services, and hearing services under the Medicare and Medicaid programs; Sponsor: Alsobrooks, Angela D. [Sen.-D-MD]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.Res.507 — Expressing support for the designation of June 10 as “FSGS Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Bilirakis, Gus M. [Rep.-R-FL-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.510 — Recognizing the 20th anniversary of the Children’s Hospital Association’s Family Advocacy Day and honoring the contributions of children’s hospitals and their patients and families; Sponsor: Castor, Kathy [Rep.-D-FL-14]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3942 — To amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to enhance financial support for rural and safety net hospitals providing maternity, labor, and delivery services to vulnerable populations, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bonamici, Suzanne [Rep.-D-OR-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3947 — To streamline enrollment in health insurance affordability programs and minimum essential coverage, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bera, Ami [Rep.-D-CA-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3951 — To amend the Veterans’ Benefits Improvements Act of 1996 and the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 to improve the temporary licensure requirements for contract health care professionals who perform medical disability examinations for the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Ciscomani, Juan [Rep.-R-AZ-6]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3954 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to count a period of receipt of outpatient observation services in a hospital toward satisfying the 3-day inpatient hospital stay requirement for coverage of skilled nursing facility services under Medicare, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Courtney, Joe [Rep.-D-CT-2]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3955 — To improve supply chain resiliency for critical drug products with vulnerable supply chains and ensure that reserves of critical drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients are maintained to prevent supply disruptions in the event of drug shortages or public health emergencies; Sponsor: Craig, Angie [Rep.-D-MN-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3980 — To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants for expanding, modernizing, or streamlining emergency department operations; Sponsor: Lawler, Michael [Rep.-R-NY-17]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3990 — To provide Medicaid assistance to individuals and families affected by a disaster or emergency, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Panetta, Jimmy [Rep.-D-CA-19]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3995 — To establish a State public option through Medicaid to provide Americans with the choice of a high-quality, low-cost health insurance plan; Sponsor: Schrier, Kim [Rep.-D-WA-8]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3996 — To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to establish a pilot program for testing the use of a predictive risk-scoring algorithm to provide oversight of payments for durable medical equipment and clinical diagnostic laboratory tests under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Schweikert, David [Rep.-R-AZ-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.4002 — To repeal changes made by health care reform laws to the Medicare exception to the prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals; Sponsor: Van Duyne, Beth [Rep.-R-TX-24]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.4007 — To unfreeze and release funding for grant agreements of the National Institutes of Health, prohibit termination of such agreements for active and ongoing research, require the inclusion of termination clauses in such agreements, and prohibit termination of such agreements for no longer effectuating program goals or agency priorities; Sponsor: Watson Coleman, Bonnie [Rep.-D-NJ-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

Reconciliation Update – Congress returned to session last week, and work is ongoing in the Senate to advance the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), the GOP’s House-passed budget reconciliation package containing President Donald Trump’s domestic policy priorities.  Republicans have convened multiple closed-door strategy sessions to address issues raised by a number of internal factions who have expressed an interest in making changes to the legislation. The GOP can only afford to lose three Republican senators on the expected party-line vote, with Vice President JD Vance available to serve as the tiebreaker if needed.  Several Republicans, including Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), have raised concerns about the bill’s Medicaid-related provisions. The lawmakers have expressed an openness to the Medicaid work requirements proposed by the House of Representatives, but the bill’s freeze on provider taxes appears to be of significant concern. Additionally, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) recently stated that he will not vote to pass the reconciliation package if it includes an increase to the cap on the federal government’s borrowing authority. The President has also weighed in on this issue, saying the debt limit should be “entirely scrapped.”

 

Democrats remain unified in opposition to the bill, but being in the minority do not have the votes to stop the bill from advancing. They are nevertheless working to challenge aspects of the measure with the Senate parliamentarian – Elizabeth MacDonough – as H.R. 1 undergoes the “Byrd bath” process. The Byrd Rule requires that only policies that affect federal spending, revenue, or the debt limit can be passed via reconciliation. The nonpartisan Senate parliamentarian determines whether the requirements governing the Senate’s budget reconciliation process are being followed, and it is rare for the majority party to ignore or overrule the parliamentarian’s decisions.

 

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its full score of the House-passed reconciliation package on Wednesday. The CBO estimates that the measure will increase the federal deficit by $2.4 trillion over the next decade, while the number of uninsured individuals would increase by 10.9 million.  House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) rejected the CBO’s estimate, simply stating that the budget agency’s claims are wrong. Assuming the Senate makes changes to the package, the CBO will eventually need to complete a score of the new version of the bill as well.

 

It was reported last week that Senate Republicans are considering possible Medicare provisions to offset the cost of the reconciliation package. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) confirmed that any proposals aimed at waste, fraud, and abuse are on the table for consideration. One potential option under consideration is billing reforms to address up-coding by insurers in the Medicare Advantage program such as the No UPCODE Act (S. 1105) introduced by Sens. Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).  If the Senate amends the reconciliation legislation, the House will need to vote on the amended legislation, or the package would need to be reconciled via the conference committee process. Republicans are aiming to send the reconciliation package to President Donald Trump for his signature before the July 4 recess.

 

House Passes SUPPORT Act Reauthorization – The House of Representatives passed the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 2483) last week in a 366-57 bipartisan vote. The bill would reauthorize billions of dollars in funding for substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery programs created by the landmark SUPPORT Act, which was passed with widespread bipartisan support in 2018. H.R. 2483 would extend until 2030 initiatives that support first responder access to naloxone, enhanced substance use disorder treatment options for pregnant and postpartum women, state prescription drug monitoring programs, workforce participation by individuals in recovery, and Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers. Thirty Democrats were joined by 27 Republicans in voting against the legislation. Several Democrats, including House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), cited concerns about the Trump administration’s undermining of SUPPORT and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) more broadly as their reason for voting against the bill. The White House proposed eliminating certain SUPPORT Act initiatives in the President’s fiscal year 2026 budget. Energy and Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) has countered that recent staffing cuts and reorganization efforts at SAMHSA have not impacted the SUPPORT Act’s implementation. H.R. 2483 will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.

 

Senate Passes Military Aviator Cancer Bill – The Senate passed the Aviator Cancer Examination Study (ACES) Act (S. 201) last week by unanimous consent. The legislation directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to work with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study the prevalence and mortality of cancer among individuals who served as active-duty aircrew of a fixed-wing aircraft in the U.S. Armed Forces. Companion legislation was previously passed by the House of Representatives. The Senate-passed bill will now return to the House for final passage.

 

FY 2026 Ag-FDA Appropriations Bill Advances – The appropriations process is underway in the House of Representatives, where the fiscal year (FY) 2026 Agriculture-Rural Development-Food and Drug Administration (FDA) annual appropriations bill was advanced out of subcommittee on Thursday in a 9-7 party line vote. The spending measure would provide $6.8 billion in total funding for the FDA – in line with the President’s proposed budget and $271 million, or 3.9%, lower than currently enacted levels. This includes $3.5 billion in discretionary spending – $409 million, or 11.4%, lower than FY 2025. The bill would prohibit covered agencies from using funding to create new programs, eliminate existing activities, reorganize offices, or contract out functions unless approved by congressional appropriators. It would also require the FDA to spend at least $200 million on e-cigarette enforcement, and restrict funds from being spent on communications related to mis-, dis-, or mal-information or to censor constitutionally protected speech. The full Appropriations panel is scheduled to markup the bill on June 11. The Appropriations Committee plans to complete committee work on its bills by the end of July, with the potential for floor votes on bills before August recess. On the other side of the Capitol, Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has stated his plans to “consider as many appropriations bills as possible under regular order.” Lawmakers have until September 30 to pass the 12 annual appropriations measures or clear a stopgap government funding bill to avoid a federal government shutdown at the end of the fiscal year.

 

White House Proposes Global Health Funding Rescissions – The Trump administration submitted a $9.4 billion rescissions request to Congress last week that proposes to claw back $900 million in previously approved congressional funding for global health programs. In addition to cuts to HIV/AIDS, family planning, and reproductive health initiatives, the White House proposes to reduce funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) by $400 million. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) has stated that she will not support the proposed cut to PEPFAR, which she characterized as a program “that has saved literally millions of lives and has been extremely effective and well run.” The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the rescissions package this week before it is considered by the Senate, where it will only require a simple majority vote for passage.  Congress must act on the recessions request within 45 days before the administration would be required to spend the funds.

 

Senate Confirms HHS Deputy Secretary – The Senate confirmed Jim O’Neill to serve as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in a 52-43 vote on Thursday. O’Neill served at HHS during the George W. Bush administration and is the former CEO of the Thiel Foundation. As the second-in-command at HHS, O’Neill will be responsible for managing the department’s day to day operations.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies hearing “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the National Institutes of Health;” 10:00 a.m.; June 10

 

House Appropriations full committee markup of Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Bill, Subcommittee Allocations; 2:00 p.m.; June 10

 

House Appropriations full committee markup of Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill; 10:00 a.m.; June 11

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing “Made in America: Strengthening Domestic Manufacturing and Our Health Care Supply Chain;” 10:15 a.m.; June 11

 

House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations legislative hearing including H.R. 3482, Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act; H.R. 3494, VA Hospital Inventory Management System Authorization Act; Discussion Draft, To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a program to modernize the electronic health record system of the Department of Veterans Affairs; Discussion Draft, To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the collection of a health care copayment by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from a veteran after a two-year period if the delay in collection is attributable to a failure of an employee, official, or information system of the Department of Veterans Affairs to process certain information within applicable timeliness standards established by the Secretary; 2:15 p.m.; June 11

 

House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health legislative hearing including H.R. 785, The Representing Our Seniors at VA Act; H.R. 2068, The Veterans Patient Advocacy Act; H.R. 2605, The Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act; H.R. 3400, The Territorial Response and Access to Veterans’ Essential Lifecare (TRAVEL) Act; Discussion Draft: To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit smoking on the premises of any facility of the Veterans Health Administration; H.R. 3643, The VA Data Transparency and Trust Act; Discussion Draft: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study to determine whether RNA sequencing can be used to effectively diagnose PTSD in veterans; Discussion Draft: The Health Professionals Scholarship Program Improvement Act; H.R. 3726, The Fisher House Availability Act; H.R. 1404, The CHAMPVA Children’s Care Protection Act; H.R. 2148, The Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act; Discussion Draft: The VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act; 2:15 p.m.; June 12

 

House Appropriations subcommittee markup of Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill; 5:00 pm.; July 21

 

House Appropriations full committee markup of Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill; 10:00 a.m.; July 24

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

S.Res.260 — A resolution expressing support for the designation of June 6, 2025, as “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” and June 2025 as “National Gun Violence Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Durbin, Richard J. [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.1924 — A bill to add suicide prevention resources to school identification cards; Sponsor: Kennedy, John [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1925 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve access to diabetes outpatient self-management training services, to require the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test the provision of virtual diabetes outpatient self-management training services, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Shaheen, Jeanne [Sen.-D-NH]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.Res.457 — Expressing support for the designation of June 6, 2025, as “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” and June 2025 as “National Gun Violence Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Kelly, Robin L. [Rep.-D-IL-2]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.3670 — To amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to establish within the Indian Health Service an Office of Graduate Medical Education Programs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Stansbury, Melanie A. [Rep.-D-NM-1]; Committees: House – Natural Resources; Energy and Commerce

 

S.1928 — A bill to require the Comptroller General of the United States to submit to Congress a report on esophageal cancer with respect to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Warner, Mark R. [Sen.-D-VA]; Committees: Senate – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

 

S.1929 — A bill to establish programs to reduce rates of sepsis; Sponsor: Schumer, Charles E. [Sen.-D-NY]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1930 — A bill to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to establish a research and development-intensive small biotech manufacturer exemption the Medicare drug price negotiation program; Sponsor: Cassidy, Bill [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1935 —A bill to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to provide for the testing of a community-based palliative care model; Sponsor: Rosen, Jacky [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1936 — A bill to require the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test allowing blood transfusions to be paid separately from the Medicare hospice all-inclusive per diem payment; Sponsor: Rosen, Jacky [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.Res.465 — Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress should enact the Older Americans Bill of Rights to establish that older Americans should have the right to live with dignity and with independence; Sponsor: Schakowsky, Janice D. [Rep.-D-IL-9]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce; Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.Res.466 — Expressing support for the designation of the first Tuesday in June as “National Cancer Survivor Beauty and Support Day”; Sponsor: Schneider, Bradley Scott [Rep.-D-IL-10]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform

 

H.R.3674 — To authorize United States participation in the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative; Sponsor: Bera, Ami [Rep.-D-CA-6]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs

 

H.R.3676 — To codify Executive Order 14293, relating to regulatory relief to promote domestic production of critical medicines; Sponsor: Burchett, Tim [Rep.-R-TN-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Transportation and Infrastructure

 

H.R.3677 — To codify Executive Order 14292 relating to Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research; Sponsor: Burchett, Tim [Rep.-R-TN-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Science, Space, and Technology

 

H.R.3684 —To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for enhanced payments to rural health care providers under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Graves, Sam [Rep.-R-MO-6]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce; Budget

 

H.R.3686 — To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to improve the regulatory review process to determine the safety and effectiveness of nonprescription sunscreen active ingredients, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Joyce, John [Rep.-R-PA-13]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3688 — To amend chapter 110 of title 18, United States Code, to prohibit gender transition procedures on minors, and for other purposes; Sponsor: LaMalfa, Doug [Rep.-R-CA-1]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.3689 — To amend the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act to reauthorize a youth prevention and recovery initiative; Sponsor: Lee, Susie [Rep.-D-NV-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and Workforce

 

H.R.3698 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a refundable credit to individuals who donate certain life-saving organs; Sponsor: Wilson, Joe [Rep.-R-SC-2]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

S.1941 — A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out activities to eliminate hepatitis C virus in the United States; Sponsor: Cassidy, Bill [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1944 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify that individuals who have access to certain healthcare services through a worksite health clinic are eligible to make pre-tax contributions to a health savings account; Sponsor: Scott, Tim [Sen.-R-SC]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1951 — A bill to ensure the preservation and operational integrity of the aeromedical evacuation capabilities of the Department of the Army within the Medical Service Corps and to maintain the role of the Medical Service Corps as the primary joint service provider for intra-theater aeromedical evacuation, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cruz, Ted [Sen.-R-TX]; Committees: Senate – Armed Services

 

S.1954 —A bill to improve the requirements for making a determination of interchangeability of a biological product and its reference product; Sponsor: Lee, Mike [Sen.-R-UT]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.R.3701 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to codify the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Pallone, Frank [Rep.-D-NJ-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3704 —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, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Ansari, Yassamin [Rep.-D-AZ-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Science, Space, and Technology

 

H.R.3731 —To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to establish a research and development-intensive small biotech manufacturer exception from the Medicare drug price negotiation program; Sponsor: Pfluger, August [Rep.-R-TX-11]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3743 —To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to support women, infants, and children impacted by substance use disorder, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Vindman, Eugene Simon [Rep.-D-VA-7]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

S.Res.266 — A resolution designating May 2025 as “ALS Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Murkowski, Lisa [Sen.-R-AK]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.1960 —A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the continued designation of hospitals that met mountainous terrain or secondary roads distance requirement as critical access hospitals and to modify distance requirements for ambulance services furnished by critical access hospitals; Sponsor: Capito, Shelley Moore [Sen.-R-WV]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1971 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of medical nutrition therapy services for individuals with eating disorders under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Hassan, Margaret Wood [Sen.-D-NH]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1973 —A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the coordination of programs to prevent and treat obesity, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cassidy, Bill [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1974 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to allow certain public health data modernization grants to be used to track hospital bed capacity, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Coons, Christopher A. [Sen.-D-DE]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1983 — A bill to require any convention, agreement, or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response reached by the World Health Assembly to be subject to Senate ratification; Sponsor: Johnson, Ron [Sen.-R-WI]; Committees: Senate – Foreign Relations

 

S.1984 — A bill to prohibit an employer from terminating the coverage of an employee under a group health plan while the employer is engaged in a lock-out or while the employee is engaged in a lawful strike, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Baldwin, Tammy [Sen.-D-WI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.R.3747 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the Project ECHO Grant Program, to establish grants under such program to disseminate knowledge and build capacity to address Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Balderson, Troy [Rep.-R-OH-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3749 —To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for research, investigation, and awareness of the effect of personal care products containing endocrine-disrupting chemicals on the female reproductive system, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Brown, Shontel M. [Rep.-D-OH-11]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3750 — To direct the Secretary of Defense to carry out a pilot program to provide certain members of the Armed Forces with continuous glucose monitoring technology; Sponsor: Buchanan, Vern [Rep.-R-FL-16]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.3752 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a presumption of service connection for glioblastoma multiforme for veterans who served in certain locations during the Vietnam era; Sponsor: Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [Rep.-D-FL-20]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3757 — To amend title V of the Public Health Service Act to ensure protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth and their families; Sponsor: Davids, Sharice [Rep.-D-KS-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3758 — To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to establish parity in the treatment of behavioral health and physical health conditions under disability benefit plans; Sponsor: DeSaulnier, Mark [Rep.-D-CA-10]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.3762 —To prevent cost-sharing requirements for prenatal, childbirth, neonatal, perinatal, or postpartum health care; Sponsor: Golden, Jared F. [Rep.-D-ME-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Education and Workforce

 

H.R.3767 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a time frame for the employment in the Department of Veterans Affairs of participants in the Health Professionals Scholarship Program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hamadeh, Abraham J. [Rep.-R-AZ-8]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3778 —To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to update the fee schedule for ambulance services provided by critical access hospitals; Sponsor: Miller, Carol D. [Rep.-R-WV-1]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3789 —To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to require that direct-to-consumer advertisements for prescription drugs and biological products include an appropriate disclosure of pricing information; Sponsor: Taylor, David J. [Rep.-R-OH-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3791 — To require the Secretary of Labor to revise the Standard Occupational Classification System to accurately count the number of emergency medical services practitioners in the United States; Sponsor: Thompson, Glenn [Rep.-R-PA-15]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.3792 — To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to prohibit providers participating in the Medicare program and State health care programs from requesting on intake forms information regarding the gender identity or sexual preference of minors; Sponsor: Van Drew, Jefferson [Rep.-R-NJ-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

New HHS Budget Details – Executive agencies began sending their “budget in brief” documents to Congress on Friday, expanding on the skinny budget released by the Trump administration last month. The White House is seeking non-defense budget cuts of more than 22%, along with a flat military budget, in the coming fiscal year. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would receive $94.7 billion in discretionary funding under the President’s proposal. The budget would consolidate the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from 27 to 8 institutes, while reducing NIH funding by nearly 40% – from $48.5 billion to $27.5 billion. Funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would be reduced from more than $9 billion to just over $4 billion. Funding for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would be reduced from $7 billion to approximately $6.5 billion. The newly established Administration for Healthy America, under which several existing agencies would be consolidated – including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Health Resources and Services Administration – would receive $14 billion in funding. Further details on the HHS FY 2026 budget in brief can be found here. Appropriators in the House of Representatives will begin marking up their own fiscal year 2026 funding bills this week, starting with the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs and Agriculture-FDA bills. The panel aims to consider all 12 annual appropriations measures by the end of July.

 

Senate Begins Work on House-Passed Reconciliation Bill – Congress returns to session this week with the Senate preparing to take up the GOP’s budget reconciliation package. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has urged the chamber to not make significant changes to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), citing the narrow margin by which the bill was passed by the House of Representatives on May 22. Several Republican senators, however, have expressed concerns with the Medicaid-related provisions of the House package, making it likely that the health portions of the bill will be revised before final passage. The legislation must also still undergo the “Byrd Bath” to ensure compliance with the rules of reconciliation in the Senate. Republicans are aiming to send the reconciliation package to President Donald Trump for his signature before the July 4 recess.

 

Ways and Means Republicans Write Administration on Pharmaceutical Tariffs – Twenty Republican members of the House Ways and Means Committee have written to the Department of Commerce on the issue of pharmaceutical tariffs. The lawmakers warn that instituting broad tariffs could lead to drug shortages and price increases that create a barrier to access for American patients. The letter, which was led by Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) and Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-N.C.), urges the administration to “concentrate on the most significant threat to America’s health and national security — namely, the People’s Republic of China and its efforts to dominate the supply chain for critical drugs.” The only GOP members of the committee who did not sign the letter were Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) and Reps. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), David Kustoff (R-Tenn.), Greg Steube (R-Fla.), and Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas). While the administration has not indicated what specific size or target of pharmaceutical tariffs it is considering, the President has stated that duties could be anywhere from 25% to 200%.

 

GAO Recommends Increased Oversight of NIH External Research – The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a new report recommending that the NIH strengthen its oversight of ongoing research grants awarded to outside entities. The GAO found that NIH staff responsible for reviewing grantees’ financial and progress reports did not consistently take action when such reports were late, nor are unused funds consistently tracked by the agency. Recipients are required to file final reports within a year of a project’s end. As of August 2024, nearly 1,000 final reports – 0.2% of awards made from fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2024 – were missing. GAO recommends that the agency identify the cause of the missing reports, analyze how to manage unused balances for projects at the end of the funding period, and require tracking of unused balances across NIH  institutes, centers, and offices.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

House Rules Committee markup of H.R. 2483 – SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025; 4:00 p.m.; June 3

 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing “Reauthorization of the Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Program;” 10:00 a.m.; June 4

 

House Appropriations subcommittee markup of Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Bill; 10:00 a.m.; June 5

 

House Appropriations subcommittee markup of Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill; 10:30 a.m.; June 5

 

House Appropriations full committee markup of Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Bill, Subcommittee Allocations; 2:00 p.m.; June 10

 

House Appropriations full committee markup of Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill; 10:00 a.m.; June 11

 

House Appropriations subcommittee markup of Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill; 5:00 pm.; July 21

 

House Appropriations full committee markup of Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill; 10:00 am.; July 24

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.R.3580 — Oversight of Medicare Billing Code Cost Act – To increase oversight and transparency with respect to Medicare billing codes; Sponsor: Ciscomani, Juan [Rep.-R-AZ-6]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3581 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to delay certain disproportionate share hospital payment reductions under the Medicaid program; Sponsor: Crenshaw, Dan [Rep.-R-TX-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3589 — To expand and promote research and data collection on reproductive health conditions, to provide training opportunities for medical professionals to learn how to diagnose and treat reproductive health conditions, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Harshbarger, Diana [Rep.-R-TN-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3593 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize certain nursing workforce development programs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Joyce, David P. [Rep.-R-OH-14]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3594 — To amend title 10, United States Code, to expand the health care benefits available for Gold Star surviving spouses; Sponsor: Kaptur, Marcy [Rep.-D-OH-9]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.3595 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the disclosure of certain records relating to substance use disorder medications to State prescription drug monitoring programs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kennedy, Mike [Rep.-R-UT-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.449 — Supports the designation of “ALS Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Crow, Jason [Rep.-D-CO-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.456 — Expressing support for the designation of the month of May 2025 as “Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Subramanyam, Suhas [Rep.-D-VA-10]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3627 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report that contains data and information on the causes of deaths among veterans, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Edwards, Chuck [Rep.-R-NC-11]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3631 — To criminalize fraudulent statements made with respect to clinical vaccine trials; Sponsor: Green, Mark E. [Rep.-R-TN-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.3636 — To amend title 10, United States Code, to improve the process by which the Secretary of Defense verifies that health care professionals of the military departments are appropriately licensed; Sponsor: Kiggans, Jennifer A. [Rep.-R-VA-2]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.3639 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to furnish hospital care and medical services to veterans and dependents who were stationed at military installations at which the veterans and dependents were exposed to perfluorooctanoic acid or other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, to provide for a presumption of service connection for certain veterans who were stationed at military installations at which the veterans were exposed to such substances, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Lawler, Michael [Rep.-R-NY-17]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3643 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the annual reports submitted to Congress with respect to the Veterans Benefits Administration and the Veterans Health Administration, and for other purposes; Sponsor: McGuire, John J. [Rep.-R-VA-5]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3655 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Behavioral and Mental Health Workforce Scholarship Program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Salinas, Andrea [Rep.-D-OR-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3658 — To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, to award grants to States, territories, political subdivisions of States and territories, Tribal Governments, and consortia of Tribal Governments to establish an unarmed mobile crisis response program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Smith, Adam [Rep.-D-WA-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3665 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit the penalty for late enrollment under part B of the Medicare Program to 15 percent and twice the period of no enrollment, and to exclude periods of COBRA, retiree, and VA coverage from such late enrollment penalty; Sponsor: Williams, Nikema [Rep.-D-GA-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

House Passes Reconciliation Package – The House of Representatives passed the GOP’s budget reconciliation package last week, achieving Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) goal of completing work on the bill before the chamber’s Memorial Day recess. The legislation narrowly passed the House in a 215-214 vote early Thursday morning after an all-night debate. Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) joined Democrats in voting against the package; Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) voted present; Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) and David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) did not vote. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) stems from the fiscal year 2025 budget resolution approved by Congress in early April and is central to Republican’s broader effort to implement key parts of President Donald Trump’s domestic policy agenda – including tax reform, energy development, and stronger border enforcement.

 

Prior to passage of the more than 1,000-page bill, several fiscal hardliners secured an agreement with GOP leadership to make a number of modifications to the legislation. The bill was revised to speed up the start date of work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries from January 1, 2029, to no later than December 31, 2026. The revised bill also broadens the ban on Medicaid funding for gender affirming care from minors to all individuals. The package includes a series of changes to the Medicaid program beyond these provisions, including new limits on provider taxes, penalties for states who allow Medicaid coverage of undocumented immigrants, cost-sharing requirements for Medicaid enrollees, and more frequent enrollee eligibility checks. The legislation does not address the 2.83% Medicare physician cut that went into effect on January 1, but it does include a mechanism to link the Medicare physician fee schedule conversion factor to an annual inflationary update: in 2026, physicians would receive an update of 75% of the Medicare Economic Index (MEI); in 2027 and each subsequent year, physicians would receive 10% of MEI. It would also eliminate the current Merit-based Incentive Payment System and alternative payment model differential payment updates.

 

According to a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate of an earlier iteration of the bill released on Tuesday, prior to House passage of the bill, H.R. 1 would lead to 8.6 million people losing their health insurance. Approximately 7.6 million people would lose their Medicaid benefits, while 1 million would lose access to plans purchased through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. CBO’s estimates of coverage losses are expected to be higher under the version of the bill passed by the House last week.

 

The package remains subject to consideration by the Senate, where it is expected to undergo significant changes. Several Republican senators have already expressed concerns with the Medicaid-related provisions of the House package, making it likely that the health portions of the bill will be revised before final passage. Republicans aim to have the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law by July 4. This goal is informed by debt ceiling considerations. The reconciliation package includes an increase to the statutory debt limit, with the nation projected to reach its borrowing limit as early as August. If the Senate amends the reconciliation legislation, the House will need to vote on the amended legislation, or the package would need to be reconciled via the conference committee process.

 

Bipartisan, Bicameral Prior Authorization Legislation Reintroduced – The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (S. 1816/H.R. 3514) was reintroduced in Congress last week. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation aims to simplify the prior authorization (PA) process within the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. It would establish an electronic PA process for MA plans, increase transparency around MA prior authorization requirements, provide a pathway for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to institute real-time decisions for routinely approved items and services and clarify CMS’ authority to establish timeframes for e-PA requests, expand beneficiary protections to improve enrollee experiences and outcomes, and require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to report to Congress on program integrity efforts and ways to further improve the e-PA process. The bill is sponsored by Sens. Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) and by Reps. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Ami Bera, M.D. (D-Calif.), and John Joyce, M.D. (R-Pa.). It currently has 47 cosponsors in the Senate, 77 cosponsors in the House of Representatives, and is supported by more than 150 stakeholder organizations.

 

FY 2026 House Appropriations Committee Markup Schedule – House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) released his panel’s markup schedule for fiscal year (FY) 2026 appropriations bills. The committee currently plans to mark up all 12 FY 2026 government-funding bills over the next 10 weeks. Chairman Cole told appropriators that they should expect to see bill-by-bill funding allocations shortly after coming back from this week’s Memorial Day recess. While the schedule is subject to change, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill is scheduled for subcommittee markup on June 5 and consideration by the full committee on June 11.The Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill is currently slated to be marked up in subcommittee on July 21, and considered by the full committee on July 24. The full schedule can be found here.

 

MAHA Commission Releases Assessment of Childhood Chronic Disease – The Presidential Commission to Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) released an assessment last week of the drivers behind the rise in childhood chronic disease. The Commission was established by an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February and is led by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The 69-page report identifies four potential causes of childhood chronic disease that the Commission believes present the clearest opportunities for progress: poor diet, aggregation of environmental chemicals, lack of physical activity and chronic stress, and overmedicalization. The report also recommends 10 research initiatives to close current knowledge gaps and guide future work on childhood chronic disease. Secretary Kennedy has stated that the report will serve as a blueprint for the administration’s health efforts. The MAHA Commission’s strategy report containing policy recommendations is due in August 2025.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing “Reauthorization of the Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Program;” 10:00 a.m.; June 4

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

S.1799 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for certain cognitive impairment detection in the Medicare annual wellness visit and initial preventative physical examination; Sponsor: Capito, Shelley Moore [Sen.-R-WV]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1800 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to modify the criteria for designation of rural emergency hospitals; Sponsor: Hyde-Smith, Cindy [Sen.-R-MS]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1802 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the National Institutes of Health from awarding any support for an activity or program that uses live animals in research unless the research occurs in the United States, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Scott, Rick [Sen.-R-FL]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1805 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit nurse practitioners and physician assistants to satisfy the documentation requirement under the Medicare program for coverage of certain shoes for individuals with diabetes; Sponsor: Collins, Susan M. [Sen.-R-ME]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.Res.429 — Expressing support for the designation of May 17, 2025, as “Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Thompson, Mike [Rep.-D-CA-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3480 — To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to include fertility treatment and care as an essential health benefit; Sponsor: Underwood, Lauren [Rep.-D-IL-14]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3482 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an online program through which an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs may schedule an appointment for a covered veteran with a non-Department health care provider under the Veterans Community Care Program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Barrett, Tom [Rep.-R-MI-7]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3483 — To amend title 38, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to use an information technology system to detect fraud, waste, and abuse regarding claims for payment submitted to the Secretary under the Veterans Community Care Program; Sponsor: Barrett, Tom [Rep.-R-MI-7]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3489 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to codify the requirements for appointment, qualifications, and pay for therapeutic and diagnostic medical physicists of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [Rep.-D-FL-20]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3490 — To require the Government Accountability Office to produce a report on esophageal cancer, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Connolly, Gerald E. [Rep.-D-VA-11]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform

 

H.R.3491 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a program of research, training, and investigation related to Down syndrome, and for other purposes; Sponsor: DeGette, Diana [Rep.-D-CO-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3493 — To reduce prescription drug prices by aligning U.S. prices with international benchmarks; Sponsor: Khanna, Ro [Rep.-D-CA-17]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Judiciary

 

H.R.3494 — To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out an information technology system and prioritize certain requirements to manage supply chains for medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs; Sponsor: Kiggans, Jennifer A. [Rep.-R-VA-2]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3501 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for certain cognitive impairment detection in the Medicare annual wellness visit and initial preventive physical examination; Sponsor: Sánchez, Linda T. [Rep.-D-CA-38]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3503 — To prohibit life insurance providers from discriminating based on a person’s status as a living kidney donor, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Van Drew, Jefferson [Rep.-R-NJ-2]; Committees: House – Financial Services

 

S.1811 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit graduate medical schools from receiving Federal financial assistance if such schools adopt certain policies and requirements relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion; Sponsor: Kennedy, John [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1815 — A bill to provide targeted funding for States and other eligible entities through the Social Services Block Grant program to address the increased burden that maintaining the health and hygiene of infants and toddlers, medically complex children, and low-income adults or adults with disabilities who rely on adult incontinence materials and supplies place on families in need, the resultant adverse health effects on children and families, and the limited child care options available for infants and toddlers who lack sufficient diapers and diapering supplies, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Duckworth, Tammy [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1816 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish requirements with respect to the use of prior authorization under Medicare Advantage plans; Sponsor: Marshall, Roger [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1818 — A bill to significantly lower prescription drug prices for patients in the United States by ending government-granted monopolies for manufacturers who charge drug prices that are higher than the median prices at which the drugs are available in other countries; Sponsor: Sanders, Bernard [Sen.-I-VT]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.R.3508 — To provide targeted funding for States and other eligible entities through the Social Services Block Grant program to address the increased burden that maintaining the health and hygiene of infants and toddlers, medically complex children, and low-income adults or adults with disabilities who rely on adult incontinence materials and supplies place on families in need, the resultant adverse health effects on children and families, and the limited child care options available for infants and toddlers who lack sufficient diapers and diapering supplies, and for other purposes; Sponsor: DeLauro, Rosa L. [Rep.-D-CT-3]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Budget

 

H.R.3511 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use to establish a grant program for certain undergraduate or graduate students who agree to work as school psychologists, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Gottheimer, Josh [Rep.-D-NJ-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3514 —To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish requirements with respect to the use of prior authorization under Medicare Advantage plans; Sponsor: Kelly, Mike [Rep.-R-PA-16]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3518 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit graduate medical schools from receiving Federal financial assistance if such schools adopt certain policies and requirements relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion; Sponsor: Murphy, Gregory F. [Rep.-R-NC-3]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.3520 — To amend the Controlled Substances Act to provide for the scheduling of tianeptine as a schedule III substance, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Panetta, Jimmy [Rep.-D-CA-19]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.3521 — To modernize clinical trials and remove barriers for participation in clinical trials, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Ruiz, Raul [Rep.-D-CA-25]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

S.Res.249 — A resolution expressing support for the designation of May 2025 as “Mental Health Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Lujan, Ben Ray [Sen.-D-NM]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.Res.251 — A resolution supporting the designation of May 4 through May 10, 2025, as “Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week”; Sponsor: Husted, Jon [Sen.-R-OH]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.Res.252 — A resolution designating May 2025 as “Older Americans Month”; Sponsor: Scott, Rick [Sen.-R-FL]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.Res.256 — A resolution designating May 2025 as “American Stroke Month”; Sponsor: Lujan, Ben Ray [Sen.-D-NM]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.1862 — A bill to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to expand and clarify the exclusion for orphan drugs under the Drug Price Negotiation Program; Sponsor: Barrasso, John [Sen.-R-WY]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1865 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on indoor tanning services; Sponsor: Paul, Rand [Sen.-R-KY]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1866 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize and improve the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Baldwin, Tammy [Sen.-D-WI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1868 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand access by veterans to critical access hospitals and affiliated clinics under the Veterans Community Care Program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cramer, Kevin [Sen.-R-ND]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.1874 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize certain nursing workforce development programs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Merkley, Jeff [Sen.-D-OR]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1878 — A bill to establish an interactive online dashboard to improve public access to information about grant funding related to mental health and substance use disorder programs; Sponsor: Fischer, Deb [Sen.-R-NE]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1882 — A bill to expand and promote research and data collection on reproductive health conditions, to provide training opportunities for medical professionals to learn how to diagnose and treat reproductive health conditions, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hyde-Smith, Cindy [Sen.-R-MS]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1885 — A bill to require the Federal Trade Commission, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Health and Human Services acting through the Surgeon General, to implement a mental health warning label on covered platforms, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Britt, Katie Boyd [Sen.-R-AL]; Committees: Senate – Commerce, Science, and Transportation

 

S.1891 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish the generic drugs and biosimilars production credit, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cotton, Tom [Sen.-R-AR]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1893 — A bill to award posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal to Henrietta Lacks, in recognition of her immortal cells which have made invaluable contributions to global health, scientific research, our quality of life, and patients’ rights; Sponsor: Van Hollen, Chris [Sen.-D-MD]; Committees: Senate – Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

 

S.1895 — A bill to establish the Mental Health Excellence in Schools Program to increase the recruitment and retention of school-based mental health service providers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Young, Todd [Sen.-R-IN]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1903 — A bill to prohibit changes to Medicare and Medicaid in reconciliation; Sponsor: Reed, Jack [Sen.-D-RI]; Committees: Senate – Budget

 

S.1910 — A bill to provide for the overall health and well-being of young people, including the promotion and attainment of lifelong sexual health and healthy relationships, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1911 — A bill to amend the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to codify the Panel of Health Advisors within the Congressional Budget Office, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Ricketts, Pete [Sen.-R-NE]; Committees: Senate – Budget

 

S.1912 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand access to the Veterans Community Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to include certain veterans seeking mental health or substance-use services, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Daines, Steve [Sen.-R-MT]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.1914 — A bill to require Federal law enforcement and prison officials to obtain or provide immediate medical attention to individuals in custody who display medical distress; Sponsor: Warren, Elizabeth [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.1916 — A bill to amend title 11, United States Code, to account for the protection of genetic information in bankruptcy; Sponsor: Cornyn, John [Sen.-R-TX]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.1918 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a refundable tax credit against income tax for the purchase of qualified access technology for the blind; Sponsor: Boozman, John [Sen.-R-AR]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1920 — A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to develop national quality standards for continuous skilled nursing services provided through Medicaid, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Tillis, Thomas [Sen.-R-NC]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1830 — A bill to clarify that agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services do not have the authority to regulate the practice of medicine; Sponsor: Johnson, Ron [Sen.-R-WI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1834 — A bill to prevent cost-sharing requirements for prenatal, childbirth, neonatal, perinatal, or postpartum health care; Sponsor: Hyde-Smith, Cindy [Sen.-R-MS]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1836 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to strengthen the drug pricing reforms in the Inflation Reduction Act; Sponsor: Klobuchar, Amy [Sen.-D-MN]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1838 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a program of research, training, and investigation related to Down syndrome, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hickenlooper, John W. [Sen.-D-CO]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pension

 

S.1851 — A bill to enhance the cybersecurity of the Healthcare and Public Health Sector; Sponsor: Rosen, Jacky [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

 

S.1853 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the provision of direct housing loans and medical care from the Department of Veterans Affairs for Native Hawaiians; Sponsor: Hirono, Mazie K. [Sen.-D-HI]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.Res.441 — Expressing support for the designation of May 2025 as “Mental Health Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Salinas, Andrea [Rep.-D-OR-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3527 — To provide for the overall health and well-being of young people, including the promotion and attainment of lifelong sexual health and healthy relationships, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Adams, Alma S. [Rep.-D-NC-12]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3532 — To prohibit an employer from terminating the coverage of an employee under a group health plan while the employer is engaged in a lock-out or while the employee is engaged in a lawful strike, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Deluzio, Christopher R. [Rep.-D-PA-17]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.3534 — To establish the Mental Health in Schools Excellence Program to increase the recruitment and retention of school-based mental health services providers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [Rep.-R-PA-1]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.3541 — To provide for a grant program to support access to free eye care services for students attending public elementary schools and secondary schools; Sponsor: Hayes, Jahana [Rep.-D-CT-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and Workforce

 

H.R.3546 — To significantly lower prescription drug prices for patients in the United States by ending government-granted monopolies for manufacturers who charge drug prices that are higher than the median prices at which the drugs are available in other countries; Sponsor: Khanna, Ro [Rep.-D-CA-17]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

Reconciliation Update – The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted to advance its portion of the GOP budget reconciliation package in a 30-24 party line vote last week. During the marathon markup, which began on Tuesday and did not conclude until Wednesday afternoon, Republicans voted down dozens of amendments from Democrats to block individual provisions of the measure containing the spending and savings directives from the fiscal year 2025 budget resolution adopted by Congress in early April. Democrats warned that the legislation will result in millions of vulnerable Americans losing their health insurance coverage, citing a May 7 estimate from the Congressional Budget Office that the number of uninsured people will increase by 8.6 million if the bill becomes law. while Republicans defended the measure as a means to address Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse and support the overall solvency of the program.

 

Energy and Commerce’s legislative text proposes work requirements for certain Medicaid beneficiaries, new limits on provider taxes, penalties for states who allow Medicaid coverage of undocumented immigrants, cost-sharing requirements for Medicaid enrollees, and more frequent enrollee eligibility checks. It would also repeal regulations from the Biden administration on Medicaid enrollment and nursing home staffing. The legislation does not address the 2.83% Medicare physician cut that went into effect on January 1, but includes a mechanism to link the Medicare physician fee schedule conversion factor to an annual inflationary update: in 2026, physicians would receive an update of 75% of the Medicare Economic Index (MEI); in 2027 and each subsequent year, physicians would receive 10% of MEI. It would also eliminate the current Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and alternative payment model (APM) differential payment updates.

 

The House Ways and Means Committee also advanced its portion of the reconciliation package last week. The health provisions in the package include provisions to limit Medicare coverage to citizens and aliens meeting specific conditions, expand health savings accounts to additional individuals, as well as  repeal the excise tax on indoor tanning services. The measure was advanced in a 26-19 party line vote.

 

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) remains in negotiations with several fiscal hardliners who stalled House Budget Committee consideration of the reconciliation bill on Friday. Five conservative Republicans on the panel – Chip Roy (Texas), Ralph Norman (S.C.), Josh Brecheen (Okla.), Andrew Clyde (Ga.), and Lloyd Smucker (Pa.). – raised concerns that the package does not make deep enough cuts to government spending or significant enough reforms to how Medicaid is funded. Reports indicate that the lawmakers have specifically taken issue with the fact that proposed Medicaid work requirements would not go into effect until 2029, and that states are not required to immediately remove undocumented immigrants from accessing Medicaid. The Budget Committee must piece together the individual portions of the reconciliation bill advanced by each congressional committee before sending the full package to the House floor for consideration. The Budget Committee is currently scheduled to reconvene at 10 p.m. on Sunday.

 

The GOP aims to use the reconciliation package to advance President Donald Trump’s domestic policy agenda, including tax cuts, energy policy, and border security, while trimming the budget deficit by at least $1.5 trillion. Republican leadership had targeted this week for a vote on the full package on the House floor. The bill remains subject to consideration by the Senate, which is likely to make changes to the House bill before passing the measure. A number of GOP senators have already raised concerns about the Medicaid related aspects of the House package, with Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) characterizing the proposed Medicaid cuts as “both morally wrong and politically suicidal” in an op-ed last week.

 

Senate Finance Advances HHS Nominees – The Senate Finance Committee voted to advance the nominations of James O’Neill to be Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by a vote of 14-13 and Gary Andres to be an Assistant Secretary of HHS by a vote of 19-8. Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) cited the nominees’ endorsements of the current Republican effort to overhaul the Medicaid program via the budget reconciliation process as the reason for his opposition. The nominations now await a confirmation vote on the Senate floor.

 

Democrats Warn Against Cuts to Scientific Agencies – Eleven Democrats in the House of Representatives have sent a letter to the Trump administration raising concerns about proposed funding cuts to the nation’s scientific agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The President’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget includes steep cuts to each of these agencies. The letter, which was led by Rep. George Whitesides (D-Calif.), highlights the importance of research for medical innovation and underscores the importance of maintaining investments in scientific research to maintain the nation’s competitiveness with China. “We urge your administration to follow the longstanding principle of bipartisan support for the scientific community and national leaders who have made science a national priority, embracing it as a driver of economic growth, public health, and environmental safety,” the letter states.

 

President Signs Most-Favored-Nation Executive Order – President Donald Trump signed an executive order (E.O.) on Monday that aims to ensure that Americans pay no more for prescription drugs than the lowest price paid by other developed nations. The ‘Most Favored Nation’ (MFN) E.O. instructs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary to facilitate direct-to-consumer purchasing at these prices, and to communicate target prices to pharmaceutical manufacturers within 30 days. If manufacturers do not comply, further regulatory actions may be taken. Additionally, the Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative are tasked with addressing foreign practices that contribute to higher drug costs for American patients. The President attempted to institute an MFN policy in 2020 during his first administration, but the effort was struck down by a federal judge for failing to adhere to congressionally mandated rulemaking procedures. A fact sheet on the E.O. can be found here.

 

Former President Biden Diagnosed With Aggressive Cancer – On Sunday, former President Biden’s office announced that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer which metastasized to the bone. Although he was given a Gleason score of 9 (on a scale of 1-10), demonstrating how aggressive the cancer is, his office said that “the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies hearing “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Department of Health and Human Services;” 10:00 a.m.; May 20

 

House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs hearing “Mandates, Meddling, and Mismanagement: The IRA’s Threat to Energy and Medicine;” 10:00 a.m.; May 20

 

House Foreign Relations Committee review of the FY26 State Department Budget Request; 10:00 a.m.; May 20

 

Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs hearing “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of State;” 2:00 p.m.; May 20

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade hearing “AI Regulation and the Future of US Leadership;” 10:15 a.m.; May 21

 

House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development hearing “Restoring Excellence: The Case Against DEI;” 10:15 a.m.; May 21

 

House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Oversight hearing “Pushing VA Forward: Review of VA’s Adaptive Programs for Disabled Veterans;” 10:30 a.m.; May 21

 

House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of States, and Related Programs Budget Hearing – Department of State and Related Programs; 2:00 p.m.; May 21

 

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing “The Corruption of Science and Federal Health Agencies: How Health Officials Downplayed and Hid Myocarditis and Other Adverse Events Associated with the COVID-19 Vaccines;” 2:00 p.m.; May 21

 

Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs hearing “Securing America: Key Authorities Under the Defense Production Act;” 10:00 a.m.; May 22

 

Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies hearing “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Food and Drug Administration;” 10:30 a.m.; May 22

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.R.3316 —To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for a national outreach and education strategy and research to improve behavioral health among the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander population, while addressing stigma against behavioral health treatment among such population. Sponsor: Chu, Judy [Rep.-D-CA-28]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3320 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to increase Federal Medicaid funding for States that provide intensive community-based services for adults with serious mental illness, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Goldman, Daniel S. [Rep.-D-NY-10]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3321 —To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to phase out the enhanced Federal match applicable to medical assistance provided to low-income adults. Sponsor: Roy, Chip [Rep.-R-TX-21]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.Res.215 — A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of May 12, 2025, through May 16, 2025 as “Veterans Affairs Research Week” to celebrate the research, innovation, and significant contributions of the Department of Veterans Affairs to improving the lives of countless veterans, people in the United States, and individuals around the world; Sponsor: Duckworth, Tammy [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.Res.217 — 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; Sponsor: Alsobrooks, Angela D. [Sen.-D-MD]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1709 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish direct care registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Padilla, Alex [Sen.-D-CA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1716 — A bill to amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to improve health care coverage under vision plans, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cramer, Kevin [Sen.-R-ND]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1717 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure prompt coverage of breakthrough devices under the Medicare program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Young, Todd [Sen.-R-IN]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1719 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the treatment of direct primary care service arrangements as medical care, to provide that such arrangements do not disqualify deductible health savings account contributions, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cassidy, Bill [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1720 — A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to remove the Medicaid coverage exclusion for inmates in custody pending disposition of charges, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cassidy, Bill [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1726 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify that the Department of Veterans Affairs definition of “medical services” includes medically necessary automobile adaptations, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Tuberville, Tommy [Sen.-R-AL]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.Res.407 — Supporting the designation of May 10, 2025, as “National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day”; Sponsor: Chu, Judy [Rep.-D-CA-28]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3327 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the amount excluded from gross income by reason of distributions from governmental retirement plans for health and long-term care insurance for public safety officers; Sponsor: Bacon, Don [Rep.-R-NE-2]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.3333 — To require the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice to examine and report on the growing nursing shortage across the United States, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Costa, Jim [Rep.-D-CA-21]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3365 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide States with the option to provide coordinated care through a pregnancy medical home for high-risk pregnant women, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Nunn, Zachary [Rep.-R-IA-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3375 — To require that the retail list price for certain prescription drugs and biological products may not exceed the average retail list price for the drug or biological product among certain nations; Sponsor: Van Drew, Jefferson [Rep.-R-NJ-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.Res.230 — A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Hospital Week, to be observed from May 11 through May 17, 2025; Sponsor: Barrasso, John [Sen.-R-WY]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.1753 — A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish reference prices for prescription drugs for purposes of Federal health programs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Merkley, Jeff [Sen.-D-OR]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1756 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit discrimination against health care entities that do not participate in abortion, and to strengthen implementation and enforcement of Federal conscience laws; Sponsor: Lankford, James [Sen.-R-OK]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1767 — A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue regulations to ensure due process rights for physicians before any termination, restriction, or reduction of the professional activity of such physicians or staff privileges of such physicians; Sponsor: Marshall, Roger [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.R.3389 — To direct the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services of the Department of Justice to establish a training course relating to Alzheimer’s disease and similar forms of dementia; Sponsor: Buchanan, Vern [Rep.-R-FL-16]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.3391 — To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish reference prices for prescription drugs for purposes of Federal health programs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Armed Services; Veterans’ Affairs; Oversight and Government Reform; Natural Resources

 

H.R.3400 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assign physicians of the Department of Veterans Affairs to temporarily serve as traveling physicians in the territories and possessions of the United States, and for other purposes; Sponsor: King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [Del.-R-MP-At Large]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3409 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to expand and improve health care services by health centers and the National Health Service Corps for individuals with a developmental disability, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Moulton, Seth [Rep.-D-MA-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3411 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit discrimination against health care entities that do not participate in abortion, and to strengthen implementation and enforcement of Federal conscience laws; Sponsor: Pfluger, August [Rep.-R-TX-11]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3413 — To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue regulations to ensure due process rights for physicians before any termination, restriction, or reduction of the professional activity of such physicians or staff privileges of such physicians; Sponsor: Ruiz, Raul [Rep.-D-CA-25]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3415 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish direct care registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schakowsky, Janice D. [Rep.-D-IL-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3419 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the telehealth network and telehealth resource centers grant programs; Sponsor: Valadao, David G. [Rep.-R-CA-22]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.Res.232 — A resolution designating May 2025 as “National Brain Tumor Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Daines, Steve [Sen.-R-MT]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.1774 — A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that certain treatments may not be covered under the health insurance program carried out under chapter 89 of that title, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Risch, James E. [Sen.-R-ID]; Committees: Senate – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

 

S.1776 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit the coinsurance amount for certain services furnished in an ambulatory surgical center; Sponsor: Cassidy, Bill [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1782 — A bill to prohibit discrimination on the basis of mental or physical disability in cases of organ transplants; Sponsor: Moody, Ashley [Sen.-R-FL]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1784 — A bill to improve coordination of Federal efforts to identify and mitigate health and national security risks through maintaining a list of essential medicines, conducting a risk assessment of essential medicine supply chains, and creating a monitoring system to map essential medicine supply chains using data analytics; Sponsor: Peters, Gary C. [Sen.-D-MI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1785 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to deny the deduction for advertising and promotional expenses for certain drugs; Sponsor: Hawley, Josh [Sen.-R-MO]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1797 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve access to mental health services under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Barrasso, John [Sen.-R-WY]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.Res.416 — Expressing support for the goals and ideals of “National Hypertension Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Beatty, Joyce [Rep.-D-OH-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.419 — Expressing support for the designation of May 17, 2025, as “DIPG Awareness Day” to raise awareness and encourage research into cures for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and pediatric cancers in general; Sponsor: Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3441 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish additional presumptions of service connection for certain diseases that occur in veterans who suffered toxic exposure while serving at Karshi Khanabad Air Base, Uzbekistan; Sponsor: Green, Mark E. [Rep.-R-TN-7]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3443 — To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to create a model, and to direct the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to carry out a study and report with respect to Medicare payment for emergency medical services; Sponsor: Hudson, Richard [Rep.-R-NC-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3467 — To amend title XVIII to reform the Medicare Advantage program; Sponsor: Schweikert, David [Rep.-R-AZ-1]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3468 — To require the Commissioner of Social Security, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to certify to Congress that any planned staffing cuts or regional field office closures will not impact the provision of Congressionally-authorized services, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Sherrill, Mikie [Rep.-D-NJ-11]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce; Veterans’ Affairs; Financial Services

 

H.R.3471 — To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to adjust certain training requirements for certified nursing assistants in nursing facilities and skilled nursing facilities; Sponsor: Van Orden, Derrick [Rep.-R-WI-3]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

Reconciliation Update – Republicans on Capitol Hill continue to work to advance a budget reconciliation package containing the spending and savings directives from the fiscal year 2025 budget resolution adopted in early April. The House Ways and Means Committee, and the House Energy and Commerce Committee are scheduled to mark up their portions of the bill beginning on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. The Ways and Means legislative proposal released in advance of the markup includes a provision to limit Medicare coverage to citizens and aliens meeting specific conditions.  Additional changes may be made to the text through the markup process. The Energy and Commerce Committee markup is expected to run continuously through the night and into Wednesday with no breaks. The panel has been instructed to produce approximately $880 billion in savings over the next decade, which is expected to necessitate cuts to the Medicaid program. In an op-ed published on Sunday, Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) noted that the package will include a reduction in federal aid to states that allow illegal immigrants to enroll in Medicaid, Medicaid work requirements for capable adults, and a prohibition on Medicaid funding for ‘gender reassignment’ surgery for children.

 

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released new estimates last week related to the impact of several policies under consideration by the GOP. The projections, which were requested by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), indicate that reducing Medicaid expansion states’ enhanced federal match rate could lead to 5.5 million people losing health care coverage. Capping federal spending in expansion states could lead to 3.3 million people losing coverage, according to CBO’s estimates. The agency’s letter also considers the potential impact of limiting state taxes on health care providers, establishing caps on federal spending for the entire Medicaid population, and repealing Medicaid’s eligibility and enrollment rule.

 

President Signs Biological Research, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Orders – President Donald Trump signed an executive order (E.O.) last week to limit federal funding for gain of function research. The order halts U.S. funding of such research in countries deemed to have “insufficient research oversight” and empowers federal research entities to end funding of “other biological research that could pose a threat to American public health, public safety, or national security.”

 

The second E.O. issued by the White House last week aims to restore a domestic manufacturing base for prescription drugs, in part by reducing the regulatory barriers to construction. The order directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce the amount of time it takes to approve domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, and directs the Environmental Protection Agency to accelerate the construction of facilities designed to manufacture prescription drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and other necessary raw materials. Federal agencies issuing permits for a domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing facility are instructed to designate a single point-of-contact to coordinate permit applications. The FDA is further charged with increasing the frequency of inspections on overseas manufacturers.

 

The President has indicated that further executive actions related to drug pricing and the pharmaceutical industry should be anticipated in the coming days. These are expected to include a decision on tariffs for pharmaceuticals made overseas, as well as an E.O. to be signed Monday morning directing agencies to pursue a most-favored-nation initiative linking the price paid by the U.S. government for certain pharmaceuticals to the lower prices paid abroad. The White House had recently been in talks with lawmakers to include such a policy in the reconciliation package, but the provision drew opposition from congressional Republicans.

 

Casey Means Tapped as New Nominee for Surgeon General – The Trump administration announced its decision last week to withdraw the nomination of Janette Nesheiwat to serve as U.S. Surgeon General last week, tapping Dr. Casey Means as the new nominee. Nesheiwat, a Fox News contributor, had faced scrutiny about both her medical education credentials and her support of the COVID-19 vaccine. President Trump stated that Nesheiwat will instead serve in another capacity at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Casey Means is a medical doctor, wellness influencer, and co-founder of the bio wearables and health-tracking company Levels. Means graduated medical school but dropped out of her surgical residency in her fifth year, opting to open a functional medicine practice. She has written in support of reforms to allow lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers for vaccine related injuries, and has called for investigating the current vaccine schedule. She is also a vocal critic of direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising. She is the sister to Calley Means, who currently serves as a White House adviser.

 

Carter, Auchincloss Lead Bipartisan Letter on Impact of IRA on Pharmacies – Reps. Buddy Carter, BSPharm (R-Ga.) and Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) have sent a letter to HHS requesting that the administration examine the implementation of the Medicare drug price negotiation program and its impact on pharmacies. The lawmakers detail how the requirement that Part D plans pay pharmacies at no more than the Inflation Reduction Act’s maximum fair price is unsustainable for pharmacies, as it requires the pharmacies to purchase medications subject to price negotiations at a high price and wait for reimbursement. “We have an opportunity to reduce Americans’ out-of-pocket costs, and preserve health care access in rural America by preventing the pharmacy benefit managers’ (PBM) current unfair treatment of pharmacies,” the letter states. “The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services can help the PBM reform effort by using its existing statutory authority to ensure that reimbursement rates and other Part D contractual terms offered to all pharmacies are adequate to allow reasonable patient access to prescription drugs and pharmacy services.” The letter was signed by a bipartisan group of 24 other lawmakers.

 

Carter, Kelly Launch Campaigns for Senate – Rep. Buddy Carter, BSPharm (R-Ga.) has launched a campaign for the GOP primary to challenge Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) for his seat in the Senate.  Rep. Carter is a licensed pharmacist who has served in the House since 2015. He currently chairs the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.

 

Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) announced her campaign to succeed retiring Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). Rep. Kelly stated that she is running for the Senate to “fight for health care that doesn’t bankrupt families, for wages that lift people up, for housing that’s affordable, for neighborhoods safe from gun violence.” Kelly has served in the House since 2013 and is currently a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. She joins a growing Democratic primary that also includes Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) and Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton.

 

GAO Report on VA Oversight of Behavioral Health Medical Records – The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a new report recommending that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) increase its oversight related to behavioral health medical records and provider training. When patients are referred to providers outside the VA for mental health care, those providers are supposed to send medical records back to the VA. GAO found that a significant portion of medical records were missing for the referrals reviewed, and that the VA does not monitor whether records are ever sent back to the department. Veterans received more than 350,000 referrals to receive behavioral health services from community providers in fiscal years 2021 through 2023.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

Senate Judiciary Committee hearing “PBM Power Play: Examining Competition Issues in the Prescription Drug Supply Chain;” 10:15 a.m.; May 13

 

House Energy and Commerce Committee markup of legislative proposals to comply with the reconciliation directive of H.Con.Res. 14; 2:00 p.m.; May 13

 

House Ways and Means Committee markup of legislative proposals to comply with the reconciliation directive  of H.Con.Res 14; 2:00 p.m.; May13

 

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Budget Hearing – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 9:30 a.m.; May 14

 

House Judiciary Subcommittee on Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust hearing “The MATCH Monopoly: Evaluating the Medical Residency Antitrust Exemption;” 10:00 a.m.; May 14

 

Senate Finance Committee hearing “Trade in Critical Supply Chains;” 10:00 a.m.; May 14

 

Senate HELP Committee hearing on Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Health and Human Services Budget (witness: The Honorable Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.); 1:30 p.m.; May 14

 

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Budget Hearing – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; 10:00 a.m.; May 15

 

House Homeland Security Committee hearing “In Defense of Defensive Measures: Reauthorizing Cybersecurity Information Sharing Activities that Underpin U.S. National Cyber Defense;” 2:00 p.m.; May 15

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

S.1587 — A bill to require that the retail list price for certain prescription drugs and biological products may not exceed the average retail list price for the drug or biological product among certain nations; Sponsor: Hawley, Josh [Sen.-R-MO]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1595 — A bill to establish standards for trauma kits purchased using funds provided under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program; Sponsor: Cornyn, John [Sen.-R-TX]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.1598 — A bill 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: Lujan, Ben Ray [Sen.-D-NM]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1599 —A bill to address maternity care shortages and promote optimal maternity outcomes by expanding educational opportunities for midwives, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Lujan, Ben Ray [Sen.-D-NM]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1600 — A bill to protect hospital personnel from violence, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hyde-Smith, Cindy [Sen.-R-MS]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

H.Res.382 — Providing a point of order in the House of Representatives during the 119th Congress against reconciliation measures that reduce benefits under the Medicaid program or the supplemental nutrition assistance program; Sponsor: Nunn, Zachary [Rep.-R-IA-3]; Committees: House – Rules

 

H.Res.385 — Expressing support for the designation of May 2, 2025, as “NKH Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Vindman, Eugene Simon [Rep.-D-VA-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3178 —To protect hospital personnel from violence, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Dean, Madeleine [Rep.-D-PA-4]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.3183 —To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the Office of Falls Prevention of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Budzinski, Nikki [Rep.-D-IL-13]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs; Education and Workforce

 

H.R.3205 — To deny tax deductions and other Federal funding for the costs of gender transition procedures; Sponsor: Tenney, Claudia [Rep.-R-NY-24]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

S.Res.206 — A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, to be observed from May 6 through May 12, 2025; Sponsor: Merkley, Jeff [Sen.-D-OR]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1607 — A bill to establish an Inspector General of the National Institutes of Health, an Inspector General of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and an Inspector General for the Food and Drug Administration; Sponsor: Schmitt, Eric [Sen.-R-MO]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1609 — A bill to provide for further comprehensive research at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke on unruptured intracranial aneurysms; Sponsor: Blumenthal, Richard [Sen.-D-CT]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1611 — A bill to promote public service announcement campaigns targeted at youth substance use prevention, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kelly, Mark [Sen.-D-AZ]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.1624 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a floor on the work geographic index for physicians’ services furnished in Hawaii; Sponsor: Schatz, Brian [Sen.-D-HI]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1629 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to align Medicare fee-for-service payment rates across ambulatory settings; Sponsor: Kennedy, John [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1630 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide more opportunities for mothers to succeed, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Britt, Katie Boyd [Sen.-R-AL]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1631 — A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to approve a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy for mifepristone that is identical to the strategy previously approved, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hawley, Josh [Sen.-R-MO]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.Res.387 — Expressing support for the designation of May 2025 as “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform

 

H.Res.388 — Supporting the designation of the first week of April as “Adolescent Immunization Action Week” and recognizing the importance of encouraging vaccination for adolescents and young adults to protect against serious illness; Sponsor: Espaillat, Adriano [Rep.-D-NY-13]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.389 — Supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, to be observed from May 6 through May 12, 2025; Sponsor: Joyce, David P. [Rep.-R-OH-14]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.392 — Expressing support for the designation of May as “National Bladder Cancer Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Murphy, Gregory F. [Rep.-R-NC-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.394 — Expressing support for the designation of July 16, 2025, as “Glioblastoma Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Williams, Roger [Rep.-R-TX-25]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3218 – To amend title 18, United States Code, to ensure requests for data on individuals do not pertain to reproductive services; Sponsor: Lieu, Ted [Rep.-D-CA-36]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.3222 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve risk adjustment under Medicare Advantage, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Spartz, Victoria [Rep.-R-IN-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

S.1637 —A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to codify value-based purchasing arrangements under the Medicaid program and reforms related to price reporting under such arrangements, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Mullin, Markwayne [Sen.-R-OK]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1640 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase support for physicians and other practitioners in adjusting to Medicare payment changes; Sponsor: Marshall, Roger [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1643 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to protect patient access to ground ambulance services under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Cortez Masto, Catherine [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1644 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish improvements and structural alterations as part of home health services for disabled veterans; Sponsor: Cortez Masto, Catherine [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.1650 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify authorities relating to the collective bargaining of employees in the Veterans Health Administration; Sponsor: Duckworth, Tammy [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.1655 — A bill to expand congressional oversight of the operation of the Veterans Crisis Line of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to improve workforce protections for all Veterans Crisis Line personnel, and to ensure robust performance standards that fulfill the Veterans Crisis Line mission and meet caller demand, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Duckworth, Tammy [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.1657 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to limit the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to deny the claim of a veteran for benefits under the laws administered by such Secretary on the sole basis that such veteran failed to appear for a medical examination associated with such claim, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Banks, Jim [Sen.-R-IN]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.Res.396 — Expressing support for the designation of the week of May 4, 2025, through May 10, 2025, as “Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week”; Sponsor: Peters, Scott H. [Rep.-D-CA-50]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3235 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide more opportunities for mothers to succeed, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Fischbach, Michelle [Rep.-R-MN-7]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3257 — To ensure affordable health insurance coverage for low-income individuals in States that have not expanded Medicaid; Sponsor: Sewell, Terri A. [Rep.-D-AL-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3260 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize mental and behavioral health education and training grants; Sponsor: Sykes, Emilia Strong [Rep.-D-OH-13]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3261 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify authorities relating to the collective bargaining of employees in the Veterans Health Administration; Sponsor: Takano, Mark [Rep.-D-CA-39]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3262 — To make demonstration grants to eligible local educational agencies or consortia of eligible local educational agencies for the purpose of increasing the numbers of school nurses in public elementary schools and secondary schools; Sponsor: Titus, Dina [Rep.-D-NV-1]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3263 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a floor on the work geographic index for physicians’ services furnished in Hawaii; Sponsor: Tokuda, Jill N. [Rep.-D-HI-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

S.Res.208 — A resolution supporting the designation of May 10, 2025, as “National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day”; Sponsor: Hirono, Mazie K. [Sen.-D-HI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1673 – A bill to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make loans and loan guarantees for planning, constructing, or renovating pediatric or adult mental health treatment facilities and pediatric or adult substance use disorder treatment facilities, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Merkley, Jeff [Sen.-D-OR]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1677 — A bill to provide health insurance benefits for outpatient and inpatient items and services related to the diagnosis and treatment of a congenital anomaly or birth defect; Sponsor: Baldwin, Tammy [Sen.-D-WI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1689 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for a national outreach and education strategy and reach to improve behavioral health among the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander population, while addressing stigma against behavioral health treatment amongst such population; Sponsor: Hirono, Mazie K. [Sen.-D-HI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1690 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase funding for Social Security and Medicare; Sponsor: Whitehouse, Sheldon [Sen.-D-RI]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1701 — A bill to permit the use of health care workforce platforms during declared emergencies, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Budd, Ted [Sen.-R-NC]; Committees: Senate – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

 

S.1702 — A bill to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of prescription digital therapeutics under such titles, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Capito, Shelley Moore [Sen.-R-WV]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.R.3266 — To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make loans and loan guarantees for planning, constructing, or renovating pediatric or adult mental health treatment facilities and pediatric or adult substance use disorder treatment facilities, and for other purposes; Sponsor: McClellan, Jennifer L. [Rep.-D-VA-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3269 — To address patent thickets; Sponsor: Arrington, Jodey C. [Rep.-R-TX-19]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.3271 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase funding for Social Security and Medicare; Sponsor: Boyle, Brendan F. [Rep.-D-PA-2]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.3277 — To provide health insurance benefits for outpatient and inpatient items and services related to the diagnosis and treatment of a congenital anomaly or birth defect; Sponsor: Dunn, Neal P. [Rep.-R-FL-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and Workforce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3287 — To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a clearinghouse of ZIP-Code based information to expecting mothers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Harshbarger, Diana [Rep.-R-TN-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3288 — To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of prescription digital therapeutics under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hern, Kevin [Rep.-R-OK-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3295 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to improve the accuracy and transparency of animal use data collected by the National Institutes of Health from entities that conduct biomedical and behavioral research with funds provided under such Act; Sponsor: Malliotakis, Nicole [Rep.-R-NY-11]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3302 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the Healthy Start Initiative; Sponsor: Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [Rep.-D-NY-14]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3309 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans for improvements and structural alterations furnished as part of home health services; Sponsor: Sorensen, Eric [Rep.-D-IL-17]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

Reconciliation Update – Congress returned from a two-week recess last week and began marking up parts of the budget reconciliation package containing the spending and savings directives from the fiscal year 2025 budget resolution adopted in early April. Six House committees – Oversight and Government Reform, Judiciary, Homeland Security, Armed Services, Education and Workforce, Transportation and Infrastructure – held markups last week of their specific reconciliation instructions. The Education and Workforce package includes provisions to cap student loan amounts – $50,000 for undergraduates, $100,00 for graduate students, and $150,000 for students in professional programs – and revise student loan repayment policies. The GOP aims to use the reconciliation package to advance President Donald Trump’s domestic policy agenda, including tax cuts, energy policy, and border security, while trimming the budget deficit by at least $1.5 trillion. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is targeting the week of May 19 to hold a vote on the assembled package on the House floor.

 

The House Energy and Commerce Committee is instructed to produce approximately $880 billion in savings over the next decade, which is expected to necessitate cuts to the Medicaid program. Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) estimates that health care provisions could account for $500 to $600 billion of the panel’s deficit reduction target. Negotiations between committee Republicans, GOP leadership, and the Trump administration are ongoing as policymakers work to reach an agreement around the details of Medicaid reform. Republican leadership is insisting that changes to the Medicaid program can be accomplished without cutting enrollee benefits for the most vulnerable populations. Proposals that may be under consideration include: cutting the tax levied by states on providers and hospitals to generate Medicaid funding; reducing Medicaid expansion states’ enhanced federal match rate; adding federal work requirements to the Medicaid program; mandating more frequent Medicaid beneficiary eligibility checks; excluding noncitizens from Medicaid program eligibility; per capita caps on Medicaid funding for expansion state enrollees; and lowering the federal Medicaid matching rate for the District of Columbia. The White House has also held discussions about the idea of pursuing a most-favored-nation policy – linking the price paid by the U.S. government for certain pharmaceuticals to the lower prices paid abroad – as a possible alternative for generating the savings necessary to help pay for the reconciliation package. Chair Guthrie has delayed Energy and Commerce’s markup of its portion of the reconciliation bill to the week of May 12. The panel had initially planned to meet on May 7.

 

A bloc of moderate Republican lawmakers remains wary of making drastic changes to the safety net program.  Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), for example, has stated that he will not support legislation with more than $500 billion in reductions to Medicaid. GOP leadership will have to balance the concerns of these members with the insistence of at least 20 more conservative Republicans that deep cuts to the Medicaid program are crucial for reining in the federal deficit. With a seven-seat majority in the House, the GOP can lose no more than three Republicans if all members are present and voting, in what is expected to be an otherwise party-line vote.

 

President’s Budget Proposes Steep Cuts to HHS/NIH – The Trump administration released its fiscal year 2026 abbreviated – or “skinny” – budget request on Friday. The administration’s full budget request to Congress will be released at a later date. The budget proposes to cut $33.3 billion in discretionary funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – a 26.2% reduction compared to current spending. This includes a $3.6 billion reduction in discretionary funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and an $18 billion reduction for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Make America Healthy Again initiative would be funded at $500 million. On Capitol Hill, the President’s budget request is understood as a signal of the administration’s priorities and spending targets for the coming fiscal year rather than an actual legislative proposal. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) has already expressed “serious objections” to the budget’s proposed cuts to biomedical research which she and other senators voiced during a hearing she chaired last Wednesday titled “Biomedical Research: Keeping America’s Edge in Innovation.”

 

Energy and Commerce Advances Six Health Bills – The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced six health bills to the full chamber on Tuesday:

• R. 2483, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, was reported by a vote of 36–13. Several Democrats who voted against the typically bipartisan bill cited concerns about recent layoffs at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Certain SUPPORT Act programs lapsed at the end of fiscal year 2023, and reauthorization of the law was dropped from the initially proposed bipartisan year-end spending package in December 2024.
• R. 1520, the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act, was reported by a vote of 46–1.
• R. 2319, the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2025, was reported by voice vote.
• R. 1669, to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond to Health and Wellness Training Program, was reported by voice vote.
• R. 1082, the Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act, was reported by voice vote.
• R. 2484, the Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act, was reported by a vote of 38–7.

 

Ways and Means Republicans Outline Value-Based Care Priorities – Republican members of the House Ways and Means Committee have sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services outlining their priorities for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). The lawmakers urge the agency to focus on payment models that save money, improve transparency and communication around changes to existing models, ensure solicitation of stakeholder feedback in the development of new models, and renew attention on improving rural health care. The letter details the lawmakers’ concerns with CMMI’s failure to develop value-based payment models that improve care quality and reduce costs to the government. “We believe that with the right leadership, CMMI can produce models that promote value over volume, result in meaningful program savings, improve care for the most vulnerable beneficiaries living in rural and underserved communities, and better incorporate public input,” the letter states.

 

Connolly to Retire, Step Down as Oversight Ranking Member – Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) announced his decision last week to not run for reelection and to step down from his position as ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Rep. Connolly, 75, has been battling esophagus cancer since late last year. He has served in the House of Representatives since 2009.

 

GAO Report on Implementation of Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program – The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a new report on the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare drug price negotiation program. The report describes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) implementation of the negotiation program and the inflation rebate program, and assesses CMS’s plans for using funds for both programs. The report includes details about how CMS spends money on activities such as program support, administration, and outreach and education efforts.

 

NIH Director Speeds Implementation of New Public Access Policy – NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, MD announced his decision last week to move up the implementation date of a recent change to the NIH Public Access Policy.  The 2024 change, which will make NIH research findings freely accessible to the public without the previously instated one-year embargo period, was set to go into effect December 31, 2025. It will now be effective as of July 1, 2025. “Earlier implementation of the Public Access Policy will help increase public confidence in the research we fund while also ensuring that the investments made by taxpayers produce replicable, reproducible, and generalizable results that benefit all Americans,” Bhattacharya stated.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization hearing “Improving Access to External VA Care through Enhanced Scheduling Technology;” 3:00 p.m.; May 5

 

Senate Finance Committee hearing to consider the nominations of James O’Neill, of California, to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Gary Andres, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services; 10:00 a.m.; May 6

 

House Veterans’ Affairs Committee markup of pending legislation, including H.R. 1107, Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act; H.R. 1336, Veterans National Traumatic Brian Injury Treatment Act; H.R. 658, To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish qualifications for the appointment of a person as a marriage and family therapist, qualified to provide clinical supervision, in the Veterans Health Administration; H.R. 1860, Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act; 10:15 a.m.; May 6

 

House Budget Committee hearing “The Fiscal State of the Nation;” 10:00 a.m.; May 7

 

House Appropriations Committee oversight hearing on the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency; 9:00 a.m.; May 8

 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on the nominations of James O’Neill to serve as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Janette Nesheiwat to serve as Medical Director in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service and Surgeon General of the Public Health Service; 10:00 a.m.; May 8

 

Senate HELP Committee hearing on Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Health and Human Services Budget (witness: The Honorable Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.); 1:00 p.m.; May 14

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

S.1500 —A bill to amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to prohibit group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage from imposing cost-sharing requirements with respect to diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations; Sponsor: Shaheen, Jeanne [Sen.-D-NH]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1501 — A bill to amend the Animal Health Protection Act to improve the prevention of the spread of animal diseases, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Wicker, Roger F. [Sen.-R-MS]; Committees: Senate – Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

 

H.R.3029 — To amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to support nucleic acid screening, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Salinas, Andrea [Rep.-D-OR-6]; Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology

 

H.R.3032 — To ensure appropriate access to remote monitoring services furnished under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Balderson, Troy [Rep.-R-OH-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3037 — To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to prohibit group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage from imposing cost-sharing requirements with respect to diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations; Sponsor: Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3038 — To amend the Animal Health Protection Act to improve the prevention of the spread of animal diseases, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Feenstra, Randy [Rep.-R-IA-4]; Committees: House – Agriculture; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3039 — To direct the Attorney General to authorize the youth gun violence prevention program; Sponsor: Goldman, Daniel S. [Rep.-D-NY-10]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.3042 — To rescue domestic medical manufacturing activity by providing incentives in economically distressed areas of the United States and its possessions; Sponsor: Malliotakis, Nicole [Rep.-R-NY-11]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3043 — To prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars to support animal experimentation in the laboratories of adversarial nations; Sponsor: McClain, Lisa C. [Rep.-R-MI-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3051 — To direct the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, or its successor, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide assistance for individuals affected by exposure to Agent Orange, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Tlaib, Rashida [Rep.-D-MI-12]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3052 — To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide assistance for individuals affected by exposure to Agent Orange, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Tlaib, Rashida [Rep.-D-MI-12]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3053 — To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to carry out a study on interagency data sharing and collaboration between the State agencies that administer WIC, SNAP, and Medicaid, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Watson Coleman, Bonnie [Rep.-D-NJ-12]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce; Agriculture; Energy and Commerce

 

S.1506 — A bill to establish a Medicare-for-all national health insurance program; Sponsor: Sanders, Bernard [Sen.-I-VT]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.Res.360 — Expressing support for the designation of the last Tuesday of April each year as “APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Plaskett, Stacey E. [Del.-D-VI-At Large]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3063 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to assist rural hospitals, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Figures, Shomari [Rep.-D-AL-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3069 — To establish an improved Medicare for All national health insurance program; Sponsor: Jayapal, Pramila [Rep.-D-WA-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Education and Workforce; Rules; Oversight and Government Reform; Armed Services; Judiciary

 

H.R.3079 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to extend renewal periods for certain home and community-based services waivers and State plan amendments under the Medicaid program; Sponsor: Rulli, Michael A. [Rep.-R-OH-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3080 — To ensure health care fairness and affordability for all Americans through universal access to equitable health insurance tax credits, reformed health savings accounts, and strengthened consumer protections, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Sessions, Pete [Rep.-R-TX-17]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Education and Workforce

 

H.R.3082 — To repeal section 704(b)(12) of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Titus, Dina [Rep.-D-NV-1]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform; Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

S.Res.192 — A resolution designating April 30, 2025, 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.Res.194 — A resolution expressing support for the designation of the month of April 2025 as “Parkinson’s Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Scott, Rick [Sen.-R-FL]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1533 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to make permanent and codify the pilot program for use of contract physicians for disability examinations, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Moran, Jerry [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.1535 — A bill to ensure high-quality remote physiologic monitoring services for Medicare beneficiaries and for other purposes; Sponsor: Blackburn, Marsha [Sen.-R-TN]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.Res.362 — Expressing support for the designation of April 30, 2025, as “National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Johnson, Henry C. “Hank” [Rep.-D-GA-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3088 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to include licensed hearing aid specialists under the Veterans Community Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Barrett, Tom [Rep.-R-MI-7]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3091 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to treat amounts paid for fertility treatments as medical expenses for purposes of health savings accounts, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Underwood, Lauren [Rep.-D-IL-14]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.3092 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for additional requirements with respect to electrodiagnostic services under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Sessions, Pete [Rep.-R-TX-17]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3099 — To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to local governments for the training of local law enforcement officers on public health threats arising from violations of building codes, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Costa, Jim [Rep.-D-CA-21]; Committees: House – Transportation and Infrastructure

 

H.R.3102 — To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an Office of Rural Health, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Guest, Michael [Rep.-R-MS-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3103 — To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to establish requirements for the disclosure of certain information relating to health care sharing ministries, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Huffman, Jared [Rep.-D-CA-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3108 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to payment for remote patient monitoring under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Kustoff, David [Rep.-R-TN-8]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3121 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to expand trauma-informed training for law enforcement personnel and emergency medical technicians related to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking cases, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schakowsky, Janice D. [Rep.-D-IL-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3128 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to treat diapers as qualified medical expenses; and to prohibit States and local governments to impose a tax on the retail sale of diapers; Sponsor: Watson Coleman, Bonnie [Rep.-D-NJ-12]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Judiciary

 

S.Res.198 — A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Health and Human Services should withdraw a reduction in public notice and comment opportunities; Sponsor: Wyden, Ron [Sen.-D-OR]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1546 — A bill to amend title 35, United States Code, to address matters relating to patent subject matter eligibility, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Tillis, Thomas [Sen.-R-NC]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.1548 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude certain Nurse Corps payments from gross income; Sponsor: Wicker, Roger F. [Sen.-R-MS]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1551 — A  bill to deny tax deductions and other Federal funding for the costs of gender transition procedures; Sponsor: Marshall, Roger [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1552 — A bill to promote and protect from discrimination living organ donors; Sponsor: Cotton, Tom [Sen.-R-AR]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1553 – A bill to amend title 35, United States Code, to invest in inventors in the United States, maintain the United States as the leading innovation economy in the world, and protect the property rights of the inventors that grow the economy of the United States, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Coons, Christopher A. [Sen.-D-DE]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.1562 — A bill to reauthorize the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Act; Sponsor: Bennet, Michael F. [Sen.-D-CO]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1565 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow expenses for parents to be taken into account as medical expenses, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rosen, Jacky [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.Res.369 — Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary of Health and Human Services should withdraw a reduction in public notice and comment opportunities; Sponsor: Fletcher, Lizzie [Rep.-D-TX-7]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.Res.371 — Expressing support for the designation of May 2025 as “National Brain Tumor Awareness Month”; Sponsor: McCaul, Michael T. [Rep.-R-TX-10]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.372 — Recognizing the impact the stigmatization of menstruation has on the lives of women, girls, and people who menstruate, and expressing support for the designation of the month of May as “National Menstrual Health Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Meng, Grace [Rep.-D-NY-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and Workforce

 

H.R.3130 — To establish education partnership programs between public schools and public health agencies to prevent the misuse and overdose of synthetic opioids by youth, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bonamici, Suzanne [Rep.-D-OR-1]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3134 — To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of certain services furnished by freestanding emergency centers; Sponsor: Arrington, Jodey C. [Rep.-R-TX-19]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3136 — To require the reinstatement of recently terminated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employees, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Barragán, Nanette Diaz [Rep.-D-CA-44]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3145 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude certain Nurse Corps payments from gross income; Sponsor: Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [Rep.-R-PA-1]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.3146 — To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include service as a volunteer firefighter or volunteer emergency medical technician as a public service job for purposes of eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Goldman, Daniel S. [Rep.-D-NY-10]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.3148 — To direct the Secretary of Defense to carry out a pilot program to assist certain members of the Armed Forces and dependents with additional supplemental coverage relating to cancer; Sponsor: Jack, Brian [Rep.-R-GA-3]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.3152 — To amend title 35, United States Code, to address matters relating to patent subject matter eligibility, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kiley, Kevin [Rep.-R-CA-3]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.3154 — To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to eliminate the general Medicaid funding limitations for territories of the United States, and for other purposes; Sponsor: King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [Del.-R-MP-At Large]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3162 — To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow for the importation of affordable and safe drugs by wholesale distributors, pharmacies, and individuals; Sponsor: Schakowsky, Janice D. [Rep.-D-IL-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3164 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide pharmacy payment of certain services; Sponsor: Smith, Adrian [Rep.-R-NE-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3170 — To amend chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, to cover, for purposes of workers’ compensation under such chapter, services by physician assistants and nurse practitioners provided to injured Federal workers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Walberg, Tim [Rep.-R-MI-5]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce