Summary
The Senate is in session this week, while the House is in recess, with Republicans convening for its annual policy retreat. The caucus is likely to discuss its policy approach leading up to the midterm elections, including affordability for American families, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding, the SAVE America Act, and the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Some Republicans believe that the need for additional funding for Iran could jumpstart a second reconciliation effort. House Republican leadership has expressed interest in a fast-track second package that is completely offset by spending cuts, but consensus for the offsets will likely be difficult to achieve amongst the caucus. Other policies included could feature those outlined by Republican Study Committee or the House Budget Committee, both of which include lowering health care costs. While House members build interest, President Trump has indicated that there is no need for a second reconciliation package and the effort could be a non-starter in the Senate.
MAHA Update
Last week, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that HHS, in conjunction with the Department of Education, received commitments from 53 medical schools to require meaningful nutrition training for future doctors. The schools will provide at least 40 hours of education or a competency equivalent, as part of the Secretary’s goal to reduce chronic diseases.
Additionally, the Department of Agriculture announced new Dietary Guidelines for Americans Strategic Partnershis, which will engage the private sector to help educate Americans about the Guidelines and better eating. As part of the announcement, USDA previewed that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Stocking Standards final rule is forthcoming.
Finally, USDA announced four new waivers restricting SNAP purchases in Kansas, Nevada, Ohio, and Wyoming. 22 states now have some version of a waiver prohibiting purchase of sodas, candy, and other “junk” foods.
Regulatory Update
The Office of Management and Budget completed its review of the following:
- Immigration Status. A Department of Labor proposed rule titled, “Improving Wage Protections for H-1B and PERM Employment in the United States.”
OMB is also reviewing:
- Coverage and Payment:
- Medicaid:
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- State Directed Payments. A proposed rule titled, “Medicaid Managed Care State Directed Payments and Medicaid Fee-For-Service Targeted Medicaid Practitioner Payments.” The proposed rule appears intended to advance a presidential memorandum released on June 6, which directs HHS to “eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicaid, including by ensuring Medicaid payments rates are not higher than Medicare, to the extent permitted by applicable law.” On February 27, the title of the proposed rule was revised to include Medicaid FFS targeted Medicaid practitioner payments.
- Medicaid Tax Waivers. A proposed rule titled, “Amending the Indirect Hold Harmless Threshold of Health Care-Related Taxes.”
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- FY 2027 payment proposed rules for hospitals and long-term care hospitals, inpatient psychiatric facilities, hospice facilities, and skilled nursing facilities.
- Medicare Advantage. The Contract Year 2027 Policy and Technical Changes to Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit, Medicare Cost Plan, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly Programs final rule.
- No Surprises Act. A final rule titled, “Independent Dispute Resolution Operations.” Thing long-awaited rule was proposed in November 2023 by the Biden Administration.
- Prescription Drugs
- Prior Authorization. A proposed rule on interoperability standards and prior authorization for drugs.
- Price Negotiation. A proposed rule titled, “Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program.”
- Oversight and Integrity
- Fraud and Abuse. A proposed rule titled, “Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare (CRUSH).”
- Accrediting Organizations. A final rule titled, “Strengthening Oversight of Accrediting Organizations (AO), Burden Reduction, and Related Provisions.”
- Other Topics:
- Health Technology. A final rule titled, “Administrative Simplification: Adoption of Standards for Health Care Attachment Transactions and Electronic Signatures.”
- An interim final rule titled, “Unaccompanied Children Program Foundational Rule; Update to Include Proof of Identity and Income Verification Standards.”
- Nutrition Assistance. A proposed rule titled, “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Reforming Categorical Eligibility.”
- Medication-Assisted Treatment. A final rule titled, “Implementation of the SUPPORT Act: Dispensing and Administering Controlled Substances for Medication-Assisted Treatment.”