{"id":2090,"date":"2026-03-23T13:24:48","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T13:24:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.hhs.com\/?p=2090"},"modified":"2026-03-23T13:27:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T13:27:36","slug":"2090","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms.hhs.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/23\/2090\/","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"

Senate Democrats Announce Effort to Lower Costs, Improve Health Coverage \u2013 <\/strong>Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) unveiled plans last week to tackle rising health care costs. Sen. Wyden and 11 other Senate Democrats \u2013 Mark Warner (Va.), Jon Ossoff (Ga.), Raphael Warnock (Ga.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (Del.), Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Elissa Slotkin (Mich.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Tina Smith (Minn.), and Peter Welch (Vt.) \u2013 sent a Dear Colleague letter<\/a> stating their intention to develop policies \u201cthat lower costs, make it simpler to get and use insurance, and rein in shameless profiteering by corporate insurance companies.\u201d Their efforts will be centered on the goals of (1) reversing Republican cost increases and reimagining a better path; (2) making health care simpler for families; and (3) taking on corporate greed. While specific legislative proposals are not detailed in the letter, the lawmakers plan to release more information in the coming weeks and months. Democrats also published a flash report<\/a> in conjunction with their Dear Colleague that outlines the impact of the Trump administration\u2019s health care agenda on costs and coverage.<\/p>\n

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Senate Appropriations Leadership Release FY 2027 Guidance \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>The Senate Appropriations Committee has released\u00a0guidance<\/a>\u00a0for fiscal year (FY) 2027 programmatic, language, and congressionally directed spending (CDS) requests. Members of Congress have until April 7 to submit CDS requests and until April 14 to submit programmatic requests to the Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration Subcommittee. Members have until April 21 to submit CDS and programmatic requests to the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee.<\/p>\n

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Comer, Aderholt Pen Letter on PBM Use of Utilization Management<\/strong> \u2013 Two House Republicans have written a letter<\/a> to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) asking the agency to ensure that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are not using prior authorization or step therapy to block access to physician-prescribed therapies. The letter, sent by Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor-Health and Human Services Chairman Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.), urges CMS to use its oversight authority to prevent benefit designs that create barriers to appropriate care. \u201cDrug selection must be individualized,\u201d the letter argues. \u201cBlanket step therapy requirements that force patients to try and fail on a PBM-preferred agent before accessing the prescribed one substitute cost and contracting preferences for clinical judgment.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Federal Court Blocks ACIP Changes \u2013 <\/strong>A federal judge has blocked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from changing some childhood vaccinations from \u201croutine\u201d recommendations to \u201cshared clinical decision making,\u201d granting a motion for a preliminary injunction brought by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The decision from Judge Brian Murphy also temporarily blocks Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.\u2019s appointments to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) while the case moves forward. The decision freezes the appointments of 13 ACIP members made between June and January, as well as all the ACIP votes taken during that time. The Committee postponed its scheduled March 18-19 meeting as a result of the decision. The panel had planned to discuss Covid vaccine injuries, long Covid, and ACIP\u2019s recommendation methodology. It\u2019s unclear whether HHS will appeal the preliminary injunction while the litigation proceeds in the district court.<\/p>\n

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White House Releases AI Framework \u2013<\/strong> On Friday, the White House released a\u00a0National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence<\/a> which addresses seven key objectives. The White House noted that \u201cthis framework can succeed only if it is applied uniformly across the United States\u201d while allowing for states to keep stricter laws that protect children. The framework also called on Congress to \u201cturn this framework into a legislation that the President can sign.\u201d In response<\/a>, Republican congressional leadership stressed that Congress must take action and expressed their intent to work to \u201cenact a national framework that unleashes the full potential of AI, cements the U.S. as the global leader, and provides important protections for American families.\u201d Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), who serves on the House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence, stated<\/a> that \u201cWhile this framework takes steps in the right direction, including child safety and lower energy costs, it is still a half-measure that falls short of what\u2019s necessary for \u2018Smart AI\u2019 regulation. AI is too important, \u2014 and too vital to our global competitiveness, economy, jobs, and families \u2014 to do anything short of a full-measure.\u201d<\/p>\n

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CMS Convenes First Rural Health Transformation Summit \u2013 <\/strong>CMS convened a rural health transformation summit last week. The event featured leaders from state Rural Health Transformation Programs and the Office of Rural Health Transformation to discuss implementation priorities and progress nationwide. Last year\u2019s Republican reconciliation bill established and provided $50 billion to the Rural Health Transformation Program, with the aim of helping states strengthen and modernize their rural health systems. During the summit, state leaders highlighted efforts to strengthen local care delivery, shared best practices, and underscored the importance of integrating this work into health care financing and workforce structures.<\/p>\n

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Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups<\/strong><\/p>\n

House Veterans\u2019 Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations legislative hearing; 2:15 p.m.; March 25<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Member Day; 2:30 p.m.; March 25<\/p>\n

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House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Member Day; 10:00 a.m.; March 26<\/p>\n

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House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health legislative hearing \u201cPolicies to Protect Our Communities From Illicit Drug Threats;\u201d 2:00 p.m.; March 26<\/p>\n

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Recently Introduced Health Legislation<\/strong><\/p>\n

H.Res.1117 \u2014 Expressing support for the designation of March as “Multiple System Atrophy Awareness Month” to strengthen public awareness of this neurodegenerative disorder; Sponsor: Mullin, Kevin [Rep.-D-CA-15]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n

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H.R.7952 \u2014 To amend title 10, United States Code, to prohibit a reduction in the number of personnel assigned to duty with a service review agency, to direct the Secretary of Defense to submit a report regarding consideration of reviews and appeals of discharges or dismissals, based on matters relating to post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to post a summary of such report online, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Walkinshaw, James R. [Rep.-D-VA-11]; Committees: House – Armed Services<\/p>\n

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S.Res.646 \u2014 A resolution recognizing March 14, 2026, as “Black Midwives Day” and the longstanding and invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions<\/p>\n

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S.4106 \u2014\u00a0A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to improve access to certain medications under the TRICARE program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cotton, Tom [Sen.-R-AR]; Committees: Senate \u2013 Judiciary<\/p>\n

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S.4109 \u2014 A bill to reauthorize the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Reed, Jack [Sen.-D-RI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions<\/p>\n

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S.4110 \u2014 A bill to revise and extend health workforce programs under title VII of the Public Health Service Act; Sponsor: Reed, Jack [Sen.-D-RI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions<\/p>\n

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S.4118 \u2014\u00a0A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure the integrity of hospice care furnished under the Medicare program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Warner, Mark R. [Sen.-D-VA]; Committees: Senate \u2013 Finance<\/p>\n

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H.Res.1120 \u2014 Supporting the recognition of March 14, 2026, as “Black Midwives Day” and the longstanding and invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States; Sponsor: Moore, Gwen [Rep.-D-WI-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Armed Services<\/p>\n

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H.R.7953 \u2014 To accelerate patient access to innovative medicines and clinical trials for life-threatening diseases by establishing a reciprocal approval mechanism with trusted international regulatory authorities; Sponsor: Sessions, Pete [Rep.-R-TX-17]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n

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H.R.7956 \u2014\u00a0State Offices of Rural Health Program Reauthorization Act of 2026; Sponsor: Fedorchak, Julie [Rep.-R-ND-At Large]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n

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H.R.7961 \u2014\u00a0To exempt H-1B health care workers from the restriction under the Presidential Proclamation entitled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers”, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Lawler, Michael [Rep.-R-NY-17]; Committees: House \u2013 Judiciary<\/p>\n

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H.R.7966 \u2014\u00a0To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure the integrity of hospice care furnished under the Medicare program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: S\u00e1nchez, Linda T. [Rep.-D-CA-38]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n

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S.4131 \u2014 A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide market-based rate adjustments to certain providers for furnishing qualifying specialized surgical services to veterans under the Veterans Community Care Program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cassidy, Bill [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs<\/p>\n

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S.4132 \u2014 A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to increase vaccination rates of pregnant and postpartum individuals, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kaine, Tim [Sen.-D-VA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions<\/p>\n

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S.4137 \u2014 A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to provide grants to outpatient mental health facilities for the provision of culturally competent, evidence-based mental health care for veterans, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Blackburn, Marsha [Sen.-R-TN]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs<\/p>\n

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H.R.7970 \u2014\u00a0To amend the Controlled Substances Act to permanently schedule 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids (commonly referred to as nitazenes) as Schedule 1 controlled substances, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Latta, Robert E. [Rep.-R-OH-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary<\/p>\n

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H.R.7973 \u2014\u00a0To end preventable maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health disparities in the United States, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Underwood, Lauren [Rep.-D-IL-14]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and Workforce; Veterans’ Affairs; Natural Resources; Judiciary<\/p>\n

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H.R.7976 \u2014\u00a0To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the retroactive payment of benefits for veterans with covered mental health conditions based on military sexual trauma, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Carbajal, Salud O. [Rep.-D-CA-24]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs<\/p>\n

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H.R.7980 \u2014 To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to expand certain authorities with respect to the recall of controlled substances to apply with respect to all drugs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Dexter, Maxine [Rep.-D-OR-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n

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H.R.7983 \u2014 To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit a chemical abortion without the physical presence of a healthcare provider; Sponsor: Miller, Mary E. [Rep.-R-IL-15]; Committees: House \u2013 Judiciary<\/p>\n

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H.R.7985 \u2014 To prohibit the marketing, advertising, or provision of professional services without the appropriate licenses, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Mullin, Kevin [Rep.-D-CA-15]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n

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S.J.Res.141 \u2014 A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to the withdrawal of the rule relating to “Debt Collection Practices (Regulation F); Deceptive and Unfair Collection of Medical Debt”; Sponsor: Warnock, Raphael G. [Sen.-D-GA]; Committees: Senate – Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs<\/p>\n

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S.4141 \u2014\u00a0A bill to amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make temporary zero-percent interest loans under the community facilities direct loan program to construct or renovate certain rural hospitals, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bennet, Michael F. [Sen.-D-CO]; Committees: Senate – Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry<\/p>\n

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S.4149 \u2014 A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to convene a task force to develop strategies and coordinate efforts to eliminate preventable maternal mortality, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Blumenthal, Richard [Sen.-D-CT]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions<\/p>\n

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S.4153 \u2014\u00a0A bill to phase out production of nonessential uses of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, to prohibit releases of all perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Durbin, Richard J. [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Environment and Public Works<\/p>\n

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H.R.7994 \u2014 To establish a grant program to provide schools with opioid overdose reversal drugs, to direct schools receiving Federal funds to report to certain Federal information systems any distribution of an opioid overdose reversal drug, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Ruiz, Raul [Rep.-D-CA-25]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and Workforce<\/p>\n

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H.R.8000 \u2014 To amend the Controlled Substances Act to schedule synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine as a Schedule I controlled substance; Sponsor: Bilirakis, Gus M. [Rep.-R-FL-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary<\/p>\n

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H.R.8005 \u2014 To amend the Controlled Substances Act to prohibit certain acts related to fentanyl, analogues of fentanyl, and counterfeit substances, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Evans, Gabe [Rep.-R-CO-8]; Committees: House – Judiciary; Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n

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H.R.8008 \u2014\u00a0To address social determinants of maternal health to eliminate maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health disparities, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hayes, Jahana [Rep.-D-CT-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n

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H.R.8011 \u2014\u00a0<\/em>To increase global health security, create more stable societies, and save lives, especially children’s lives, by clarifying and focusing United States support for frontline health workers across global health and humanitarian investments, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kiggans, Jennifer A. [Rep.-R-VA-2]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs; Armed Services; Intelligence (Permanent Select)<\/p>\n

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H.R.8016 \u2014\u00a0To phase out production of nonessential uses of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, to prohibit releases of all perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, and for other purposes; Sponsor: McCollum, Betty [Rep.-D-MN-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Oversight and Government Reform; Science, Space, and Technology; Transportation and Infrastructure; Armed Services<\/p>\n

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H.R.8018 \u2014\u00a0To regulate human cadaveric islets for transplantation as organs; Sponsor: Norman, Ralph [Rep.-R-SC-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n

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H.R.8022 \u2014\u00a0To require the Science and Technology Directorate in the Department of Homeland Security to work with the Drug Enforcement Agency to develop greater capacity to detect, identify, and disrupt illicit substances, such as nitazenes, in very low concentrations; Sponsor: Pfluger, August [Rep.-R-TX-11]; Committees: House – Homeland Security<\/p>\n

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H.R.8024 \u2014 \u00a0To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to maternal vaccination awareness and equity, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Sewell, Terri A. [Rep.-D-AL-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Senate Democrats Announce Effort to Lower Costs, Improve Health Coverage \u2013 Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) unveiled plans last week to tackle rising health care costs. Sen. Wyden and 11 other Senate Democrats \u2013 Mark Warner (Va.), Jon Ossoff (Ga.), Raphael Warnock (Ga.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (Del.), Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), Sheldon Whitehouse … <\/p>\n

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