Month: June 2026

Appropriations Update – The House Appropriations Committee favorably reported the fiscal year (FY) 2027 Labor-Health and Human Services spending bill to the full House of Representatives by a party line vote of 34-28 on Tuesday following a 12-hour markup. Under the legislation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would receive $110.8 billion in total funding, a 4% or roughly $4 billion cut. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) would receive a $100 million funding increase, with targeted increases directed toward research on cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, diabetes, women’s health, and rare diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would see a $1 billion cut under the bill. There would be no direct appropriations changes for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The package reduces funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration by $873 million, while the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) would be eliminated entirely. Funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration would be reduced by $145.3 million.

 

Similar to last year, the manager’s amendment adopted by appropriators would prohibit HHS from spending funds on the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model or any other model that would employ prior authorization in the traditional Medicare program. It also includes a request for a report from CMS on the impact of WISeR and how states were selected for participation in the model. The package also specifies that funds cannot be spent on administering federal student aid programs in a manner that does not designate advanced nursing programs as professional degree programs. This provision is in response to a recently finalized rule from the Department of Education implementing new caps on borrowing limits for graduate and professional degree programs, as established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The rule excluded certain graduate level clinical programs – such as nursing, physician assistant, occupational therapy, and physical therapy – from the definition of professional degree. During the markup, the committee adopted a bipartisan amendment expressing concerns about delays in the availability of NIH grants. The amendment highlights that, as of June 2026, the amount of available competitive NIH awards is down 48%, and the value of all competitive awards is down 40% in FY 2026 as compared to FY 2024. All materials related to the bill, including the full committee mark, summary, and report language, can be found here.

 

Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) decided against marking up any FY 2027 spending bills last week. Appropriators in the Senate have yet to reach an agreement on topline defense and nondefense spending levels for the next fiscal year, and Democrats have said they are withholding their support for individual appropriations bills in the absence of such an agreement. Commerce-Justice-Science, Agriculture-Food and Drug Administration, Legislative Branch, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, Interior-Environment, and Financial Services-General Government were the measures slated for possible consideration earlier this month.

 

GOP Passes Second Reconciliation Bill and Opens Talks on Third – Republicans in the House of Representatives passed a $70 billion budget reconciliation package on Tuesday to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol for three years. The bill, which contains no healthcare provisions, has been signed into law by the President. The GOP is now turning its focus to what could be the third reconciliation bill of the second Trump administration. The President himself has called for a third reconciliation bill to provide $350 million in funding for defense, while Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) has suggested inclusion of healthcare entitlement reforms that do not impact access to care as an option for inclusion in a third package. The House Republican Study Committee has begun holding meetings about deficit reduction options that could be included in the next bill, with addressing fraud in Medicare, Medicaid, and other safety-net programs, along with the funding of cost-sharing reduction payments for insurers, reportedly under consideration. Other Republicans have expressed caution about the inclusion of additional healthcare provisions in a new reconciliation bill, with Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health Chairman Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) asserting that any healthcare changes should be small to allow systems “to adjust to the changes we’ve already made.” Several Senators, including Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Chairman Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), have expressed reservations about a third reconciliation bill, with McConnell stating at a hearing this week that he thinks “it’s safe to conclude there will not be another reconciliation bill.”

 

Prior Authorization Bill Reaches 290 Cosponsors – The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3514) has hit 290 cosponsors in the House of Representatives. This milestone allows a motion to be filed to place the bill on the House consensus calendar, giving the primary committee of jurisdiction 25 days to advance the legislation before the bill is moved to the consensus calendar for a vote on the floor. The bipartisan legislation, introduced by Reps. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) and Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), aims to improve the Medicare Advantage prior authorization process for certain treatments and tests. Companion legislation (S. 1816), sponsored by Roger Marshall, MD (R-Kan.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.), has been introduced in the Senate and currently has 70 cosponsors.

 

FDA Approves New Sunscreen Ingredient – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new sunscreen ingredient for the first time in 20 years. Bemotrizinol is the first new active ingredient added to the over-the-counter sunscreen monograph since the late 1990s; it has been marketed as a sunscreen ingredient in Europe and other countries for decades. Bemotrizinol, which provides protection against both ultraviolet A and B rays and has low levels of absorption through the skin into the body, has been generally recognized as safe and effective for use in sunscreen by adults and children six months of age and older.

 

Judge Rules $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Unlawful – A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to raise the one-time fee for new H-1B visa applications to $100,000. U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns ruled that the proposal, stemming from a September 2025 presidential proclamation, violates the Constitution’s separation of powers, characterizing the policy as an unauthorized tax that requires congressional approval.  H-1B work visas are used and typically paid for by employers looking to hire international workers for specialty jobs. H-1B visa holders are lawfully admitted to the U.S. but are not lawful permanent residents. The Trump administration was sued by 20 states citing the impact of the proposed fee on their ability to hire workers at public institutions like hospitals.

 

Medicare Trustees Annual Report – The Medicare Board of Trustees has released its latest forecast of when funding for the Medicare program will run dry. According to the Board’s annual report, the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund will run out in the second quarter of 2033 – a quarter earlier than last year’s projection. The change is due to a number of factors, including higher use of medical services and lower income tax revenue on Social Security benefits due to changes established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. “The projections in this year’s report continue to demonstrate the need for timely and effective action to address Medicare’s remaining financial challenges — including the HI trust fund’s projected depletion, this fund’s long-range financial imbalance, and the rapid growth in Medicare expenditures,” the trustees wrote.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee executive session to consider S. 1782 – Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Protection Act; S. 3799 – Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2026; S. 4109 – Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act; S. 2339 – EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2025; S. 4472 – Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act of 2026; S. 2658 – Medication Affordability and Patent Integrity Act; S. 3014 – Ensuring Timely Access to Generics Act of 2025; S. 1954 – Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act; 10:00 a.m.; June 17

 

Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing “Counting the Cost: Communist China’s Toll on Older Americans’ Health, Finances, and Security;” 3:30 p.m.; June 17

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.Res.1355 — Supporting the designation of the week of June 14 through June 21, 2026, as “National Men’s Health Week”; Sponsor: Carter, Troy A. [Rep.-D-LA-2]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform

 

H.R.9247 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that a suicide prevention coordinator is available at each medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs, including outside the operating hours of such medical center, as needed, to accommodate a request for suicide prevention planning services, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Houchin, Erin [Rep.-R-IN-9]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.9251 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide funding for trained school personnel to administer drugs and devices for emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Morrison, Kelly [Rep.-D-MN-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.Res.765 — A resolution expressing support for the designation of July 2026 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.4717 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health to develop a national strategy to address young adult cancers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.R.9212 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to reimburse veterans for the cost of emergency medical transportation to a Federal facility, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Alford, Mark [Rep.-R-MO-4]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.9218 — To direct local educational agencies that receive certain Federal funds to require students in grades 9 through 12 to receive an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram prior to participating in an athletic contest for the first time, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Gottheimer, Josh [Rep.-D-NJ-5]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.9228 — To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to ensure plan fiduciaries have access to de-identified information relating to health claims, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Onder, Robert F. [Rep.-R-MO-3]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

S.Res.756 — A resolution expressing support for the designation of June 5, 2026, as “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” and June 2026 as “National Gun Violence Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Durbin, Richard J. [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.Res.758 — A resolution expressing support for the designation of the month of June 2026 as “National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month” and June 27, 2026, 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.4698 — A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize the use of investigational individualized medical treatments by patients diagnosed with a life-threatening disease or condition or severely debilitating illness, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Johnson, Ron [Sen.-R-WI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.R.9186 — To amend the Controlled Substances Act to more closely align the Act with modern medical knowledge, terminology, and practices, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cohen, Steve [Rep.-D-TN-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.9190 — To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize the use of investigational individualized medical treatments by patients diagnosed with a life-threatening disease or condition or severely debilitating illness, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Harshbarger, Diana [Rep.-R-TN-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9192 — To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require health insurance coverage of drugs indicated for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and certain blood disorders; Sponsor: Johnson, Julie [Rep.-D-TX-32]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and Workforce; Ways and Means

 

S.4694 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a maternity care coordination program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Duckworth, Tammy [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.4692 — A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to homeopathic drug products, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Tuberville, Tommy [Sen.-R-AL]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.J.Res.196 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to “Reimagining and Improving Student Education-Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations”; Sponsor: Merkley, Jeff [Sen.-D-OR]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Appropriations Update – The House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee advanced its fiscal year (FY) 2027 funding legislation on Friday in an 11-7 party line vote. The bill, which was released last week, includes a 4% cut to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The National Institutes of Health would receive a $100 million funding increase, with targeted increases directed toward research on cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, diabetes, women’s health, and rare diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would see a $1 billion cut under the legislation. There would be no direct appropriations changes for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). A summary of the bill is available here; bill text is available here. The package will be marked up by the full Appropriations Committee on Tuesday.

 

The FY 2027 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies appropriations bill was passed by the House of Representatives on Thursday in a 213-210 vote. The bill (H.R. 8646), which was previously advanced by the Appropriations Committee in April, would provide the FDA with $7.1 billion in topline funding. This total includes $3.36 billion in appropriations, with the remainder comprised of industry user fees. Senate appropriators have yet to release their own Agriculture-Rural Development-FDA spending bill, and postponed a markup of the measure, which was originally scheduled for last Thursday, to sometime later this month. Senate appropriators have reportedly not yet reached an agreement on the topline allocations for the bills the committee had planned to mark up.

 

Lawmakers Release Discussion Draft to Establish National AI Framework – Reps. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) and Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) have released a discussion draft of legislation to create a federal framework for how the United States governs artificial intelligence (AI). The bill would notably preempt state laws, including those in places like California, New York, and Illinois, which have already acted to establish AI safety regulations. The discussion draft, titled the Great American Artificial Intelligence Act, is intended to solicit feedback from stakeholders, experts, and the public before the bill is formally introduced. Under the legislation, large frontier AI developers would be required to publish and follow plans for managing catastrophic risks and reporting serious safety incidents. Third-party verification organizations would be responsible for auditing developers, who would face penalties for noncompliance. The legislation would also require improved federal data collection on the impact of AI on the labor market, invest in AI education and workforce development, and support American-led AI technical standards. The discussion draft text can be found here; a section-by-section summary of the discussion draft can be found here.

 

In related news, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday directing federal agencies to strengthen AI-enabled cybersecurity across government systems. Agencies are further instructed to issue guidance to facilitate access to cybersecurity tools and services for operators of critical infrastructure, including rural hospitals. The order also calls for the establishment of a voluntary framework under which certain AI developers could submit their frontier models for voluntary government review of cybersecurity threats up to 30 days before the products are released to the public.

 

CMS Issues Rulemaking on Medicaid Work Requirements – CMS has released an interim final rule implementing the Medicaid community engagement requirements established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The CMS regulation establishes a nationwide operational framework for ensuring that certain adult Medicaid applicants and enrollees meet an 80 hours per month work requirement through employment, education, work programs, or community service by January 1, 2027. Some Democrats and state officials have asserted that the regulation goes beyond what is mandated by the law, with Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) characterizing the rule as “the dark heart of the Republican plan to kick millions of working Americans and their children off their health insurance by placing a mountain of paperwork in front of them. These barriers are designed to prevent Americans from getting affordable healthcare, while providing a profit bonanza for the corporate consultants who get paid millions to build bureaucratic booby traps.” House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) praised the rulemaking, arguing that “Not only do these requirements protect taxpayers, but they actively help to lift Americans out of poverty and stay connected to their communities.”

 

Collins, Shaheen Encourage Expansion of Diabetes Self-Management Training – Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, have sent a letter requesting that CMS act to improve Medicare beneficiaries’ access to diabetes self-management services. The lawmakers specifically ask that the agency incorporate the Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act into the 2027 Medicare physician fee schedule proposed rule. The bill would eliminate the one-year limit on the period during which patients with diabetes can receive outpatient self-management training, and require CMS to test the efficacy of virtual diabetes training options.

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections hearing “On Call for America: Strengthening Access Through Locum Tenens Providers;” 10:15 a.m.; June 9

 

House Appropriations Committee markup of the fiscal year (FY) 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill; 11:00 a.m.; June 9

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing “Lowering Health Care Costs for All Americans: Examining Policies to Increase Health Care Transparency;” 10:15 a.m.; June 10

 

House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization Oversight field hearing “Delivering Quality and Modern Healthcare to Michigan’s Veterans and Servicemembers;” 10:00 a.m.; June 12

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.Con.Res.107 – Recognizing the importance of saving lives, reducing gun violence, and strengthening public safety as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary; Sponsor: Min, Dave [Rep.-D-CA-47]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.Res.1325 – Expressing support for May 2026 as “American Stroke Month” and encouraging all to learn the warning signs of stroke, understand their personal risk factors, and take action to improve stroke prevention, response, and recovery in our communities; Sponsor: Beatty, Joyce [Rep.-D-OH-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.1327 – Supporting the designation of May 2026 as “Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Escobar, Veronica [Rep.-D-TX-16]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform

 

H.Res.1329 – Expressing support for the designation of May 2026 as “Mental Health Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Salinas, Andrea [Rep.-D-OR-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9048 – To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to include gluten-containing grain in the definition of a major food allergen; Sponsor: Cleaver, Emanuel [Rep.-D-MO-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9054 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a demonstration program for international coverage under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Espaillat, Adriano [Rep.-D-NY-13]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9058 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a grant program to promote access to automated external defibrillators and cardiopulmonary resuscitation in eligible federally assisted multifamily housing, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Goldman, Daniel S. [Rep.-D-NY-10]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9061 – To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to States on which tests for the screening and early detection of preeclampsia may be covered under the Medicaid program and the Children’s Health Insurance Program; Sponsor: Kean, Thomas H. [Rep.-R-NJ-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9065 – To provide research on, and services for, individuals with clinical mental health complications following a pregnancy loss, and for other purposes; Sponsor: McDowell, Addison P. [Rep.-R-NC-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9077 – To direct the Director of the National Institutes of Health and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to evaluate hormone variability and hormone testing, respectively, in women with respect to perimenopause; Sponsor: Scholten, Hillary J. [Rep.-D-MI-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9081 – 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: Van Duyne, Beth [Rep.-R-TX-24]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

 

S.Con.Res.34 — A concurrent resolution recognizing the importance of saving lives, reducing gun violence, and strengthening public safety as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary; Sponsor: Alsobrooks, Angela D. [Sen.-D-MD]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.4647 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an income tax credit for eldercare expenses; Sponsor: Klobuchar, Amy [Sen.-D-MN]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.4658 — A bill 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: Banks, Jim [Sen.-R-IN]; Committees: Senate – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

 

H.Res.1331 — Expressing support for the designation of June 1, 2026, through June 7, 2026, as “Hidradenitis Suppurativa Awareness Week”; Sponsor: Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9089 — To establish the Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bilirakis, Gus M. [Rep.-R-FL-12]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9090 — Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act; Sponsor: Clarke, Yvette D. [Rep.-D-NY-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9103 — To prohibit Federal research agencies and recipients of Federal research grants from using a prohibited diversity, equity, or inclusion practice with respect to Federal research grants, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Norman, Ralph [Rep.-R-SC-5]; Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology

 

H.R.9107 — To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to provide that qualified health plans are not required to use a provider network; Sponsor: Rulli, Michael A. [Rep.-R-OH-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9108 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to adjust the eligibility for the rural emergency hospital designation under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Schmidt, Derek [Rep.-R-KS-2]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

S.4675 — A bill to improve benefits for veterans who may have been exposed to toxic substances, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rosen, Jacky [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.Res.1337 — Recognizing the contributions of academic medicine and observing Academic Medicine Week from June 8 through 12, 2026; Sponsor: Castor, Kathy [Rep.-D-FL-14]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9117 — To promote the availability of certain health care information, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Langworthy, Nicholas A. [Rep.-R-NY-23]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and Workforce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.9126 — HCBS Anti-Fraud Reporting Act of 2026; Sponsor: Latta, Robert E. [Rep.-R-OH-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9127 —To improve benefits for veterans who may have been exposed to toxic substances, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Lee, Susie [Rep.-D-NV-3]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs; Armed Services

 

H.Res.1341 — Expressing support for the recognition of June 7, 2026, as “Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Garbarino, Andrew R. [Rep.-R-NY-2]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform

 

H.Res.1342 — Expressing support for the designation of June 5, 2026, as “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” and June 2026 as “National Gun Violence Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Kelly, Robin L. [Rep.-D-IL-2]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.9139 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to clarify the intent of Congress with regards to Medicaid financing policies; Sponsor: Cammack, Kat [Rep.-R-FL-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9140 —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: Dexter, Maxine [Rep.-D-OR-3]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.9149 — To establish the National Diabetes Project, and for other purposes; Sponsor: James, John [Rep.-R-MI-10]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9150 —To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide coverage for boxing-based exercise classes for veterans diagnosed with certain movement disorders, and for other purposes; Sponsor: LaHood, Darin [Rep.-R-IL-16]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.9157 —To reform the H-1B process, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Roy, Chip [Rep.-R-TX-21]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.9163 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure that facilities do not lose critical access hospital status as a result of a roadway or transportation infrastructure improvement; Sponsor: Thompson, Bennie G. [Rep.-D-MS-2]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.9169 — To support polycystic kidney disease research, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [Rep.-D-FL-25]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

President Signs Executive Order on Vaccines – President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday acknowledging a recent U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) scientific assessment on childhood vaccines as a guiding resource for the federal government.  The assessment compared U.S. childhood immunization recommendations with those of peer nations, analyzed vaccine uptake and public trust, evaluated clinical and epidemiological evidence and knowledge gaps, and examined vaccine mandates. The executive order directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to review the assessment and take any appropriate steps to update the U.S. childhood and adolescent vaccine schedule, while instructing the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to consider ways to provide maximum flexibility to parents and doctors through recommendations for timing and sequencing of the administration of routine immunizations.

 

Independent Dispute Resolution Operations Final Rule Issued – The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury released the Federal Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) Operations final rule on Thursday, May 28^th. The final rule addresses essentially all the areas the Departments touched in the proposed rule with some modifications. Updates to the IDR framework include requirements that health plans use specific claim adjustment reason codes (CARC)/remittance advice remark codes (RARC) on remittance advice to clearly distinguish whether claims fall under state or federal surprise billing protections; and submit information to the IDR registry to receive an IDR Registry Number that can be used to initiate Open Negotiation and initiate IDR. The Departments did not propose specific ID card changes.

 

OMB Proposes Major Overhaul of Federal Grant Guidance – On Friday, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced proposed revisions to its Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance.  The proposed rule is explained as aiming to strengthen oversight and accountability across federal grants, cooperative agreements, and other forms of assistance. The notice identifies the following goals of the proposed revisions: ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly, maintaining compliance with law and policy, and holding recipients accountable for performance. The proposals also emphasize upholding equal opportunity principles throughout the award process and eliminating unlawful discrimination. Additional reforms include clarifying the regulatory status of OMB requirements, streamlining procedures for future updates, and reducing administrative burdens on grant recipients. Critics of the proposed rule argue that the changes are intended to control scientific research by requiring proposals to be consistent with the administration’s priorities, restricting who is eligible for funding, and diminishing the role of scientific peer review. Comments on the proposed rule are due by July 13.

 

Cassidy Continues Healthcare Cybersecurity Investigation – Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chair Bill Cassidy, MD has sent a letter to the CEO of Hims & Hers regarding a recent cybersecurity incident threatening the private health data of the company’s customers. Sen. Cassidy asserts that “additional transparency is needed about what information hostile actors accessed, how Hims & Hers safeguarded protected health information prior to the incident, and steps that the company intends to take going forward.” The letter poses a series of questions regarding Hims & Hers’ cybersecurity practices and the data breach that took place earlier this year, requesting a response by June 8.

 

Bipartisan Group Writes Administration on Animal Testing in Federally Funded Research – A bipartisan group of House lawmakers is encouraging the Trump administration to revise regulations related to animal testing within federally funded research. The letter specifically cites the case of Ridglan Farms, a large-scale beagle breeding facility in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, which holds a USDA Class A breeding license despite allegations of animal welfare violations. The lawmakers express support for directing USDA to automatically review a facility’s Class A License eligibility in the event that the operator relinquishes an equivalent state-level commercial breeding license. “We believe this should be a commonsense practice,” the letter states. “If a facility is cited for hundreds of animal welfare violations and forced to surrender state-level licenses, there should be an appropriate federal review process as well to help ensure absolutely no taxpayer dollars continue to prop up an entity that is engaging in inhumane and unethical treatment of animals.”

 

Kennedy Announces Plan to Combat Lyme Disease and Advance Treatment – HHS Secretary Kennedy announced several initiatives this week aimed at addressing Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. The department aims to reduce the incidence of new Lyme disease cases by 25 percent by 2035 compared to 2022. Among the newly announced initiatives are a multi-million dollar pilot program led by the CDC to “develop and deploy practical strategies to target and eliminate ticks on wildlife before they can spread disease to humans;” three new LymeX innovation challenges totaling up to $2.5 million in prize funding; and a new Alpha-gal syndrome program with the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Alpha-gal program would allow companies to provide promising products that could prevent individuals from developing Alpha-gal following a tick bite to the NIH, which would support and fund clinical research to evaluate the effectiveness of the products. The announcement comes approximately one week after the House Committee on Energy and Commerce voted unanimously to advance H.R. 4348, which would reauthorize the Kay Hagan Tick Act.

 

Texas Primary Runoffs See Incumbent Losses – Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) was defeated by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Senate Republican runoff election on Tuesday. Cornyn has served in the Senate since 2002, chairing the National Republican Senatorial Committee from 2009 to 2013 and serving as the Senate Republican whip from 2013 to 2019. He is currently a member of the Finance Committee. Paxton had received the endorsement of President Donald Trump in the days leading up to the election.

 

Rep. Julie Johnson (D) was defeated by former Rep. Colin Allred (D) in a runoff race to represent Texas’ newly redrawn 33^rd congressional district. Rep. Johnson has served in the House of Representatives since 2025, succeeding Allred, who unsuccessfully ran for Senate. Johnson is the first openly LGBTQ+ member of Congress from a southern state.

 

Rep. Christian Menefee (D) defeated Rep. Al Green (D) in the runoff race for Texas’ 18^th congressional district. Green has represented Texas’s 9^th congressional district since 2005. The 9^th district was redrawn ahead of this year’s election, prompting Green to enter the race against Menefee, who won a special election in January to serve out the remainder of the late Rep. Sylvester Turner’s term.

 

FL Democrat Frederica Wilson to Retire – Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) has announced that she will not seek reelection this year. Wilson, 83, was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2010. She currently serves on the Committee on Education and the Workforce. The full House Press Gallery casualty list of members retiring or seeking other office can be found here.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

House Rules Committee meeting to formulate a rule on H.R. 8646, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027; and other legislation; 4:00 p.m.; June 2

 

Senate HELP Committee hearing “Protecting Our Children: Exposing the Dangers of Irreversible Gender Transition Procedures on Minors;” 10:00 a.m.; June 3

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade hearing “Examining Legislation to Establish a Federal Comprehensive Privacy and Data Security Law;” 10:15 a.m.; June 3

 

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing “Plausible Mechanisms of COVID-19 Injections Causing Cancer and Attacks on Scientific Publications;” 2:30 p.m.; June 3

 

Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing to examine the human cost of dangerous foreign drugs; 3:30 p.m.; June 3

 

House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet hearing “Medicines and IP: Balancing Innovation and Access;” 10:00 a.m.; June 4

 

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies markup of FY27 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill; 8:00 a.m.; June 5

 

House Appropriations Committee markup of FY27 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill; 11:00 a.m.; June 9

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.R.9018 – Fostering Transparency, Understanding, and Support for Veterans Act (Fostering TRUST Act) – To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide to Congress notice of any suicide or attempted suicide of a veteran in a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs or of a Community Care provider, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Min, Dave [Rep.-D-CA-47]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.9015 – To authorize assistance to train and retain obstetrician-gynecologists and sub-specialists in urogynecology and to help improve the quality of care to meet the health care needs of women in least developed countries, and for other purposes; Sponsor: DeLauro, Rosa L. [Rep.-D-CT-3]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs

 

H.R.9009 – Firearm Freedom Act – To repeal the Hughes Amendment to the Firearm Owners’ Protection Act; Sponsor: Patronis, Jimmy [Rep.-R-FL-1]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.Res.1323 – 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 WorkforceH.R.9033 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance the sharing of health-care resources between the Department of Veterans Affairs and State Veterans Homes, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [Rep.-R-IA-1]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.9040 — To establish fair prices for prescription drugs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Sherman, Brad [Rep.-D-CA-32]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary; Financial Services

 

H.R.9044 — To amend title V of the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the Minority Fellowship Program; Sponsor: Watson Coleman, Bonnie [Rep.-D-NJ-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce