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Is Bipartisanship Alive?
While the One Big Beautiful Bill was ultra-partisan, Republicans and Democrats showed they could come together last week when they cleared a first-ever crypto bill. With the House in this week and the Senate in this week and next, Congress has only a handful of workdays before they head back to their districts and states to connect with constituents. Can health care policy be bipartisan too? Let’s find out – welcome to the Week Ahead!
The Administration
Things seem a little unsettled over at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointing Matt Buckham as acting chief of staff to replace Heather Flick Melanson, who lasted six months in the role. Buckham is currently Kennedy’s White House liaison for HHS, overseeing recruitment of political appointees with the agency.
Maybe it’s because there are so many pending lawsuits against HHS? The administration is appealing a federal court order that blocked the from cutting $11 billion in public health grants. In April, 23 states and DC sued HHS for arbitrarily freezing funds meant for vaccine access, emergency preparedness, mental health and substance abuse programs, and infectious disease tracking. A federal judge in Rhode Island issued a preliminary injunction in May, halting the funding freeze.
This case, Colorado v. Kennedy, is one of several challenges HHS is facing over federal health funding cuts. In Washington, DC, a separate court granted four municipalities a preliminary injunction over similar infectious disease grant cuts. Meanwhile, a federal judge in Massachusetts vacated Trump-era NIH funding reductions targeting research on gender and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Senate
Could MilCon-VA be a bellwether of a September shutdown? The Senate is set to take a critical appropriations vote to fund military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs, a vote which could offer important insight into the likelihood of a government shutdown at the end of September. Although the bill advanced unanimously out of committee, a lack of support from Senate Democrats on the floor may indicate broader resistance to cooperating on appropriations. Prior to passage of President Trump’s recissions request, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) warned that it would “poison” any bipartisan goodwill needed to negotiate the 12 annual spending bills, which need 60 votes to pass the Senate. Given the backlash Democrats faced from their political base for avoiding a shutdown earlier this year, they may be more willing to let it happen this time —especially in light of Sen. Schumer’s recent warnings.
The House
Medicare Advantage is back in the spotlight at a House Ways and Means joint subcommittee hearing on “lessons learned and future opportunities.” Citing rapid growth and possible need for “targeted improvements,” the hearing could bring out bipartisan interest in addressing coding intensity adjustments, prior authorization, and utilization management. The committee includes both strong supporters and vocal critics of MA.
Policymakers are eyeing MA as a possible funding source to pay for health care provisions that are set to expire on September 30 such as telehealth flexibilities and community health center funding. Given the potentially significant savings involved, physician groups have been hinting at using MA changes to offset the costs of a longer-term “doc fix” or broader physician payment reforms.
CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz will meet with House Ways and Means Democrats and Republicans on July 23 to discuss agency priorities that fall within the Committee’s jurisdiction. Certain to come up is the pending $50B rural health transformation fund which states are scrambling to understand how to use to offset expected payment cuts to health care providers from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Other House Health Care Hearings
July 22: House Energy and Commerce Oversight Subcommittee hearing on organ procurement
There You Have It
The annual Perseid meteor shower starts this week and will last through August 23. Caused by Earth passing through the debris of the Swift-Tuttle comet, these meteors are particularly bright and quick. Did you watch the Perseids when you were a kid? Aren’t we all still kids at heart? Let us know! Make it a great week!
The House is back after a week of celebrating/demagoguing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and the Senate has a rescissions package on the table. Meanwhile, the deadlines to fund the government and pass health care extenders are fast approaching. So, let’s get into it – welcome to the Week Ahead!
The Administration
The Rural Health Transformation Fund is getting all the attention in the newly signed OBBBA, which provides $50B over 5 years to states to improve access, outcomes and financial stability for rural hospitals and other providers. The fund is meant to blunt the law’s $155B cut in funding over 10 years for rural areas, an estimate from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
With an application deadline of December 31, states, rural health care providers, and other stakeholders are eagerly awaiting guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Funding for the program can be used for:
- Payments to health care providers
- Recruitment and workforce training
- Purchasing new technologies
- Supporting access to opioid use disorder treatment and mental health services
- Promoting evidence-based interventions to improve preventive care and chronic disease management
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Marty Makary is also making news by saying the agency may fast track new drugs from pharmaceutical companies that “equalize” the cost of their medicines between the U.S. and other OPEC countries. In a Bloomberg Television interview, he floated the idea that price adjustments may give companies another way to obtain vouchers under the National Priority Review Voucher program. The program, launched last month, is designed to shorten the approval process for companies it says are backing national interests.
While Makary described the idea as supporting President Trump’s goal of preventing foreign countries from securing lower drug prices at Americans’ expense, he did not provide details about how drug companies would have to adjust their prices to qualify for a voucher under the program.
This announcement follows the issuance of a May executive order on most-favored nation (MFN) prescription drug pricing and repeated threats to impose tariffs on foreign pharmaceutical products, including a July 8 threat to impose tariffs up to 200% “very soon.” However, this voucher proposal takes a “carrot” approach to pricing that may be more palatable to congressional Republicans who’ve expressed anxiety about MFN and tariffs.
The Senate
The White House is hoping to score another win by passing a $9.4B rescissions package which would make significant cuts to federal HIV funding and global health programs, including $400M from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Despite opposition from certain Senate Republicans about the bill’s impact on domestic HIV prevention and global health diplomacy, as well as on emergency alerts in rural areas if federal funding is eliminated to public broadcasting, the package still has a path forward because Senate rules require only a simple majority to pass it. However, the package faces a strict procedural deadline: it must be passed within 45 days of submission, which in this case would be July 18.
Deja vu all over again? If the Senate waters down the savings in the bill to accommodate concerns from the Senators mentioned above, it could complicate passage in the House by the deadline, given Freedom Caucus interests in holding firm on the President’s requests for cuts to these programs.
The bigger impact may be on the FY 2026 appropriations process, and the potential for the government to run out of funding on September 30. In a Dear Colleague, Senate Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called the recissions package “…an affront to the bipartisan appropriations process” and added that it would be “absurd” for GOP lawmakers to then “expect Democrats to act as business as usual and engage in a partisan appropriations process to fund government.”
Senate Health Hearings
- Senate HELP Nomination Hearing for Assistant Secretary for HHS
The House
With the House only in session for two more weeks before Labor Day, speculation is already growing on how Congress will handle the health care provisions, like Medicare telehealth waivers, that expire with the continuing resolution (CR) on September 30. Will there be a straight extension of current policy for a few more months, as has been done in the past? Or will Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) try to address health care in a second reconciliation bill he has hinted at this fall?
Speaking of health care priorities, the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee will hold a July 16 hearing on the public health workforce, rural health, and over-the-counter drug legislation. This will be the first hearing for the subcommittee since Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) was selected as the Subcommittee Chair. Griffith has long shown interest in streamlining FDA processes, and he might prioritize legislation aimed at faster drug approvals, clarifying regulatory pathways, or encouraging domestic drug manufacturing to reduce foreign dependence.
There You Have It
Summer travel season is in full swing! Where are you traveling this summer? Be on the lookout for our summer reading recs on LinkedIn! Make it a great week!
On June 25, 2025, the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee held a hearing on the role of digital health in improving patient outcomes. Members from both parties asked questions related to improving chronic disease, rural health, and data privacy and security. Ultimately, there was bipartisan agreement that digital health is vital for improving access to health care.
OPENING STATEMENTS
- Health Subcommittee Chair Vern Buchanan (R-FL)
- Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)
WITNESS TESTIMONY
- Kristen Holmes, Ph.D. Global Head of Human Performance and Principal Scientist of WHOOP – Testimony
- Josh Phelps, President of Winchester Metals Inc. – Testimony
- Andrew Zengilowski, CEO and Co-Founder of CoachCare – Testimony
- Dr. Jackie Gerhart, Chief Medical Officer and VP of Clinical Informatics Epic Systems – Testimony
- Sabrina Corlette, Research Professor and Co-Director at the Center on Health Insurance Reforms, Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy – Testimony
MEMBER DISCUSSION
Rural Health Care
Rural access and infrastructure were central concerns during the hearing. Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) asked what sustained funding cuts would mean for providers under the House reconciliation bill. In response, Ms. Corlette explained that the bill would trigger annual 4% mandatory cuts to providers, placing rural hospitals under significant financial strain. She warned that repeated reductions would make it difficult for rural facilities to maintain operations and services.
Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) expressed skepticism about the practical benefits of digital health technologies if rural hospitals lack the capacity to implement them. He asked what specific steps could be taken to support rural health providers. Dr. Gerhardt emphasized the need for continued innovation, noting that small and rural providers must be empowered to tailor digital solutions to their communities’ needs.
When Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK) raised questions about bipartisan collaboration for Rep. David Kustoff (RTN) bill H.R. 3108 which addresses the impact of remote monitoring devices on patient outcomes, Mr. Zengilowski explained how providers contact patients directly when digital readings fall out of range. Still, he warned that many small practices simply cannot afford to absorb the financial loss of adopting new technologies without policy support.
Chronic Disease
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) spotlighted the alarming prevalence of chronic disease, citing Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) data that 60% of Americans suffer from one or more chronic conditions. He asked how digital tools and data-sharing can enhance care coordination and outcomes. Dr. Gerhardt pointed to diabetes and prediabetes management as examples where digital monitoring has been especially effective. Dr. Gerhardt said that by regularly reviewing patients’ data, providers can make informed decisions more quickly and adjust treatment plans as needed.
Rep. Fitzpatrick also asked about the barriers doctors face in adopting digital tools in rural areas. Witnesses pointed to workflow challenges, limited reimbursement, and the steep learning curve for providers unfamiliar with technology integration. Without incentives and clear guidance, many providers struggle to fully incorporate digital solutions into their practice.
Data Privacy and Security
Data privacy emerged as another central concern throughout the hearing, with members from both sides voicing alarm over the increasing vulnerability of health records in the digital age. Rep. Judy Chu (DCA) raised concerns about the proliferation of wearable health devices, questioning whether companies collecting this data adequately safeguard users. She warned that as more patients are pushed toward digital tools, particularly in the wake of potential rollbacks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies and health coverage, many may not fully understand how their information is being used or shared.
Ms. Corlette responded by emphasizing that when individuals lose access to health insurance, they are not only less likely to receive in-person care, but also less able or willing to engage with digital health solutions. This disengagement, she noted, carries implications for both health outcomes and privacy, as patients may resort to unregulated tools or delay care altogether. The issue of health data being collected by devices such as fitness trackers, mobile health apps, and wearable devices, outside of traditional Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protections, was raised multiple times. Several witnesses highlighted that these platforms operate in a legal gray area, where user data is often shared with third parties for marketing or analytics purposes without the explicit consent of patients.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) asked whether HIPAA needs to be updated to reflect the current digital health ecosystem. Dr. Gerhart affirmed that while HIPAA still provides a baseline of protections, it does not adequately address the types of data now routinely gathered by consumer-facing technologies. She urged Congress to consider modernizing the law to extend protections beyond the walls of traditional clinical settings. This includes establishing clearer rules for data collection, use, and storage by thirdparty tech companies that are not classified as health care providers or insurers but still handle sensitive health information.
Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) questioned whether federal agencies outside of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—such as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) should have access to any form of health-related data. Though witnesses did not have insight into the specific agency reference, they echoed a broader concern about cross-agency data sharing without public transparency. Calls for comprehensive federal privacy legislation were repeatedly echoed throughout the hearing, with panelists warning that piecemeal regulations would not be sufficient to address emerging threats, such as hacking, unauthorized use of biometric data, and data aggregation from multiple sources.
On June 25, the House Budget Committee held a hearing on work requirements in federal programs, including Medicaid. This hearing takes place as the Senate prepares to consider its version of reconciliation legislation, following the House’s passage of its bill in May. The hearing included both sides accusing the other of misleading the public about the impact of the House reconciliation bill. Any person(s) or organization(s) wishing to submit written comments for the hearing record can do so by emailing Ryan.Bailey@mail.house.gov by the close of business on June 27, 2025.
OPENING STATEMENTS
- House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-TX)
- House Budget Committee Ranking Member Brendan Boyle (D-PA)
WITNESS TESTIMONY
- Dr. Brian Blase Ph.D., President, Paragon Health Institute
- Mr. Nick Stehle, Vice President of Communications, Foundation for Government Accountability
- Mr. Matthew Dickerson, Director of Budget Policy, Economic Policy Innovation Center
- The Honorable Robert Gordon, Duke Distinguished Visiting Fellow, McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University
MEMBER QUESTIONS
The hearing provided Republicans an opportunity to defend provisions they argue will address waste, fraud, and abuse within federal programs. Republicans praised the provisions to strengthen eligibility verification, prevent undocumented immigrants from accessing federal benefits, and limit certain state f inancing options, such as provider taxes and state-directed payments, which they argued have been used by states like California to secure more Medicaid funding. They also argued the bill does not cut Medicaid but ensures the program can provide care to those who genuinely need it. Republicans, such as Chair Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Rep. Ralph Northam (R-SC), also said that the bill could go further to address waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs. Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX) and Andrew Clyde (RGA) expressed concerns that a Senate proposal to change the expanded Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for the Medicaid expansion population does not go far enough in addressing their concerns about spending in the program.
Democratic members responded to these arguments by stating that these Medicaid and SNAP work requirements will increase bureaucratic burden and will cause Americans to lose access to legitimate benefits in order to fund tax cuts for the wealthy, and that most people impacted by the bill will be citizens and legal residents. Additionally, Democrats argued that instead of enacting the work requirements in the House reconciliation bill, Congress should focus on eliminating what they see as real waste, fraud, and abuse, including examples they cited within the Trump administration. Notably, Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) argued that there should be an increased focus on provider and insurer fraud. Chairman Arrington noted that he and other Republicans have an interest in addressing concerns about fraud and abuse within the Medicare Advantage program. Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), John McGarvey (D-KY), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) also argued that Medicaid provisions in the House’s bill would lead to hospital closures, especially in rural and underserved areas.
