Summary
Big Picture. Congress is back in session with limited legislative days before August recess. On the Senate side, the chamber will hold several confirmation hearings this week, as well as attempt to pass it version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). House action on the NDAA is also likely to be delayed given ongoing disagreements on attaching the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act to the bill. In the meantime, the House will continue its work on the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bills, as the chamber has only passed two out of the 12 appropriations bills. House Republicans are also running out of time to advance a third reconciliation package, with Republican Study Committee Chair August Pfluger (R-TX) stating “after this recess, if it doesn’t happen in the first couple of days, then I think it’s in real trouble.”
Health Policy to Watch
- Trump Administration previews future regulations. Last week, the Trump Administration released the 2026 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Statement of Regulatory Priorities for Fiscal Year 2026 states that the plan “prioritizes actions to promote health, manage chronic diseases; eliminate unnecessary administrative expenses and rent-seeking practices; combating fraud and abuse; protecting religious and individual liberties; supporting biological women, children, and families; and radical transparency.” Impact Health Policy Partners will be releasing an overview of the Unified Agenda this week.
- USPSTF to potentially meet in August. Following the postponement of the July USPSTF meeting, an HHS spokesperson has indicated that the Task Force will meet in late August to allow for additional time to review and onboard new Task Force members. The USPSTF typically meets three times per year, but has not met since March 2025. In response, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) stated that the postponement should “set off alarm bells” and expressed concern that Secretary Kennedy is attacking the Task Force’s mission and commitment to scientific evidence.
- Congress to examine prescription drug development and supply chain. On Wednesday, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on biomedical innovation, including efforts to streamline drug development, while the Senate Aging Committee continues its hearing series on the prescription drug supply chain, with this hearing focuses on foreign ownership and control in America’s drug supply chain.
Regulatory Update
Completed OMB Review
- Request for Information: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988 Regulations
Recently Arrived at OMB
- Final Rule: FY 2027 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Prospective Payment System Rate Update and Quality Reporting Program