{"id":2236,"date":"2026-07-06T12:09:43","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T12:09:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.hhs.com\/?p=2236"},"modified":"2026-07-06T12:09:43","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T12:09:43","slug":"house-passes-bill-to-reduce-aco-reporting-burden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms.hhs.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/06\/house-passes-bill-to-reduce-aco-reporting-burden\/","title":{"rendered":"House Passes Bill to Reduce ACO Reporting Burden"},"content":{"rendered":"

House Passes Bill to Reduce ACO Reporting Burden \u2013 <\/strong>The House of Representatives passed the Health Care Efficiency through Flexibility Act (H.R. 5347) by voice vote on Monday. The bipartisan legislation, introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), would permit a wider variety of quality measure reporting methods for Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) through 2029, including the currently in-place electronic Clinical Quality Measures (eCQMs). The bill also clarifies data completeness requirements and creates a digital quality measure pilot program.<\/p>\n

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Ways and Means Advances Hospital Transparency Legislation \u2013 <\/strong>The House Ways and Means Committee advanced the Tax-Exempt Hospital Transparency Act (H.R. 9504) on Wednesday. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Greg Murphy, MD (R-N.C.), would require tax exempt hospitals to report more details on income, charity care expenditures, advertising, community benefits, and quality improvement. Consideration of the bill by the Committee was previously delayed due to pushback from the hospital industry.<\/p>\n

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HELP Expected to Consider CDC Director, Surgeon General Nominees This Month \u2013 <\/strong>The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee is expected to hold confirmation hearings for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director nominee\u00a0Erica Schwartz, MD, JD, MPH\u00a0and surgeon general nominee\u00a0Nicole Saphier, MD\u00a0sometime this month, according to a committee spokesperson. HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy, MD has expressed support for both nominees, who are considered more conventional picks than some of the Trump administration\u2019s prior candidates for the positions. Dr. Schwartz\u2019s required ethics and financial disclosure paperwork have already been posted by the Office of Government Ethics, while Dr. Saphier\u2019s are not yet available.<\/p>\n

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China Panel Questions Companies Conducting Clinical Trials in China \u2013 <\/strong>The House Select Committee on China has written to Pfizer<\/a>, AbbVie<\/a>, Merck<\/a>, Eli Lilly<\/a>, and Bristol Meyers Squibb<\/a> about clinical trials being conducted in China. Chairman John Moolenaar\u00a0(R-Mich.) requests information on company standards for the conduct of such clinical trials, data on the number of trials conducted in China, details on the due diligence process for protecting IP and sensitive data, and a list of all licensing, equity, or joint venture deals with Chinese biotechnology companies. Responses are requested by July 17.<\/p>\n

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Dept. of Education Expands List of Professional Degrees \u2013 <\/strong>The Department of Education has announced a new list<\/a> of degrees that qualify as professional degrees under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act\u2019s (OBBBA) new caps on borrowing limits for graduate and professional degree programs. The original rule, which was recently blocked by a federal judge for violating the Administrative Procedure Act, included just 11 professional degrees, excluding certain graduate level clinical programs \u2013 such as nursing, physician assistant, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. The new definition includes 29 fields. The administration has clarified that the expanded list is intended only to facilitate implementation of the Court\u2019s order, but may change as litigation proceeds. Under the OBBBA caps, students pursuing professional degrees can borrow up to $50,000 a year and $200,000 total, while those in graduate programs can borrow up to $20,500 annually and $100,000 total. The new caps went into effect on July 1.<\/p>\n

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New ACIP Charter \u2013 <\/strong>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently posted a new charter<\/a> for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The document broadens the qualifications for individuals to serve on the panel, stating that members should \u201crepresent a balanced range of scientific, clinical, and public health expertise relevant to the Committee\u2019s mission.\u201d It would also delegate management and support of ACIP from the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases to the CDC Office of the Chief of Staff and the CDC director, as well as modify the composition of the committee\u2019s liaison membership. A federal judge recently blocked U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.\u2019s attempt to reconstitute ACIP with his own membership selections. Some critics have characterized the new charter as an attempt to sidestep the court ruling.<\/p>\n

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DeGette Defeated in CO Primary \u2013 <\/strong>Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) was defeated in the Colorado Democratic primary for the state\u2019s 1st<\/sup> congressional district last week. Rep. DeGette was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1996. She currently serves as ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health and co-chair of the House Diabetes Caucus. DeGette was an original author of the 2016 landmark law the 21st<\/sup> Century Cures Act, and has been a champion of progressive health causes \u2013 supporting Medicare for All and access to abortion \u2013 during her time in Congress. She conceded the race to democratic socialist Melat Kiros, a lawyer.<\/p>\n

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

Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel hearing to receive testimony on the Tricare Pharmacy Program; 2:30 p.m.; July 15<\/p>\n

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

H.R.9533 \u2014 To amend\u00a0the\u00a0VA MISSION\u00a0Act of 2018 to require\u00a0the publication\u00a0of certain information\u00a0regarding staffing and vacancies in\u00a0the\u00a0Veterans\u00a0Health\u00a0Administration, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Vindman, Eugene Simon\u00a0[Rep.-D-VA-7]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs<\/p>\n

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H.R.9532 \u2014 To amend title XVIII of\u00a0the\u00a0Social Security Act to prohibit group\u00a0health\u00a0plan payment clawbacks in certain circumstances. Sponsor: Torres, Ritchie [Rep.-D-NY-15]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n

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H.R.9531 \u2014 To direct\u00a0the\u00a0Secretary of Defense to conduct a report\u00a0on\u00a0testing for helicobacter pylori for members of\u00a0the\u00a0Armed Forces, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Smith, Christopher H. [Rep.-R-NJ-4]; Committees: House – Armed Services<\/p>\n

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H.R.9525 \u2014\u00a0To amend title 18, United States Code, to limit\u00a0the\u00a0ability to assess a fee for\u00a0health\u00a0care services for prisoners, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Norton, Eleanor Holmes [Del.-D-DC-At Large]; Committees: House – Judiciary<\/p>\n

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H.R.9524 \u2014 To direct\u00a0the\u00a0Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into a memorandum of understanding with\u00a0the\u00a0Secretary of\u00a0Health\u00a0and Human Services and to provide for coordination between\u00a0the\u00a0Secretaries in\u00a0the\u00a0administration\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Veterans Community Care Program and certain\u00a0health\u00a0plans under\u00a0the Medicare program, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Murphy, Gregory F. [Rep.-R-NC-3]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs; Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n

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H.R.9518 \u2014 To amend\u00a0the\u00a0Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow contributions to a\u00a0health\u00a0savings account when a spouse has a\u00a0health\u00a0flexible spending account. Sponsor: LaHood, Darin [Rep.-R-IL-16]; Committees: House – Ways and Means<\/p>\n

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H.R.9515 \u2014 To amend\u00a0the\u00a0Patient Protection\u00a0and Affordable Care Act to require\u00a0the\u00a0use of multi-factor authentication\u00a0to access certain information\u00a0through\u00a0healthcare.gov. Sponsor: Grothman, Glenn [Rep.-R-WI-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n

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H.R.9513 \u2014 To direct\u00a0the\u00a0Secretary of Education\u00a0to carry out a grant program to support\u00a0the\u00a0integration\u00a0of school-based\u00a0health\u00a0services into community schools, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Garc\u00eda, Jes\u00fas G. “Chuy” [Rep.-D-IL-4]; Committees: House – Education\u00a0and Workforce; Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n

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H.R.9510 \u2014 To direct\u00a0the\u00a0Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for\u00a0Health\u00a0to make publicly available all national policies of\u00a0the Veterans\u00a0Health\u00a0Administration. Sponsor: Dexter, Maxine [Rep.-D-OR-3]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs<\/p>\n

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H.R.9509 \u2014\u00a0To amend title XVIII of\u00a0the\u00a0Social Security Act and title XXVII of\u00a0the Public\u00a0Health\u00a0Service Act with respect to\u00a0the\u00a0coverage of kidney disease education\u00a0services under Medicare and private\u00a0health insurance. Sponsor: DelBene, Suzan K. [Rep.-D-WA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means<\/p>\n

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H.R.9504 \u2014 Tax Exempt Hospital Transparency Act \u2013 To amend\u00a0the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish additional reporting requirements for hospital organizations, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Murphy, Gregory F. [Rep.-R-NC-3]; Committees: House – Ways and Means<\/p>\n

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H.R.9502 \u2014 To direct\u00a0the\u00a0Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into a memorandum of understanding with\u00a0the\u00a0Secretary of\u00a0Health\u00a0and Human Services to avoid duplicative, improper, or erroneous billings or payments for hospital care and medical services furnished under\u00a0the\u00a0laws administered by\u00a0the\u00a0Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Sponsor: Bresnahan, Robert P. [Rep.-R-PA-8]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs; Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n

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H.Res.1397\u00a0\u2014 Expressing support for\u00a0the\u00a0designation\u00a0of June 28, 2026, as “Community is Stronger than Cancer Day”. Sponsor: Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [Rep.-D-FL-25]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n

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H.Res.1396 \u2014 Expressing support for\u00a0the\u00a0designation\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0month of June 2026 as “National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month” and June 27, 2026, as “National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Day”. Sponsor: Peters, Scott H. [Rep.-D-CA-50]; Committees: House – Armed Services; Veterans’ Affairs<\/p>\n

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H.R.9561 \u2014 To direct\u00a0the\u00a0Secretary of\u00a0Health\u00a0and Human Services to conduct a study\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0feasibility of developing an accurate and reliable standardized test for detecting tuberculosis in tissue from a human cadaver, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Moolenaar, John R. [Rep.-R-MI-2] ; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n

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H.R.9559 \u2014\u00a0To accelerate\u00a0the\u00a0development of, and access to, psychedelic drugs that could save lives and reverse\u00a0the\u00a0crisis of serious mental illness in\u00a0the\u00a0United States, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Luttrell, Morgan [Rep.-R-TX-8]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary; Veterans’ Affairs<\/p>\n

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H.R.9551 \u2014 To provide for civil monetary penalties for violations of mental\u00a0health\u00a0parity requirements. Sponsor: Kean, Thomas H. [Rep.-R-NJ-7]; Committees: House – Education\u00a0and Workforce<\/p>\n

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H.R.9547 \u2014\u00a0To direct\u00a0the\u00a0Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress a report\u00a0on\u00a0emerging investigational treatment options for treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans, members of\u00a0the\u00a0Armed Forces, and members transitioning to civilian life, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Hamadeh, Abraham J. [Rep.-R-AZ-8]; Committees: House – Armed Services<\/p>\n

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H.R.9544 \u2014 To amend title XVIII of\u00a0the\u00a0Social Security Act to ensure appropriate payments under Medicare Advantage, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Doggett, Lloyd [Rep.-D-TX-37]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce; Veterans’ Affairs<\/p>\n

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H.R.9542 \u2014 To repeal\u00a0the\u00a0Medicaid-related portions of An Act to provide for reconciliation\u00a0pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14. Sponsor: Boyle, Brendan F. [Rep.-D-PA-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means<\/p>\n

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H.R.9538 \u2014 To amend title XVIII of\u00a0the\u00a0Social Security Act to establish coverage for certain residential substance use disorder services under\u00a0the\u00a0Medicare program. Sponsor: Underwood, Lauren [Rep.-D-IL-14]; Committees: House – Ways and Means<\/p>\n

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H.Res.1404 \u2014 Recognizing\u00a0the\u00a0250th Anniversary of\u00a0the\u00a0United States and reaffirming\u00a0the\u00a0importance of prevention, public\u00a0health, and access to\u00a0healthcare. Sponsor: Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n

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H.Res.1403 \u2014 Expressing\u00a0the\u00a0sense of Congress that Medicaid is an important lifeline for\u00a0the\u00a0health\u00a0care of millions of Americans. Sponsor: Boyle, Brendan F. [Rep.-D-PA-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n

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H.Res.1402 \u2014 Supporting\u00a0the\u00a0goals and ideals of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. Sponsor: Barrag\u00e1n, Nanette Diaz [Rep.-D-CA-44]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

House Passes Bill to Reduce ACO Reporting Burden \u2013 The House of Representatives passed the Health Care Efficiency through Flexibility Act (H.R. 5347) by voice vote on Monday. The bipartisan legislation, introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), would permit a wider variety of quality measure reporting methods for Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) through 2029, including … <\/p>\n

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