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Week Ahead: And Here We Go

At 12 PM on January 20, 2025, Donald Trump joins Grover Cleveland as the second President to serve two non-consecutive terms in office. As he returns to office, there is already a lot on his plate, as well as the plates of the Republican majorities in the House and Senate. All we can say is bon appétit and welcome to the Week Ahead!  

The Administration 

The incoming Trump administration is reportedly planning a major immigration enforcement action in Chicago. Cities such as Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, L.A., and Denver could also be sites for early immigration enforcement actions.  

Trump’s early actions on immigration will set the tone for his second term and could give us a hint into how he will act on matters where immigration and health care intersect. While much of the attention will be on deportations of those implicated in serious crimes, other executive actions in the coming days could provide insights as to how federal health care programs, such as Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, might be utilized in the effort to combat illegal immigration. For example, Trump could revive his 2019 rule to include the use of Medicaid as a qualifying factor to declare someone as inadmissible to the United States as a “public charge.” In addition, the new administration could also try to tie Medicaid funding to states to cooperation with federal immigration officials.  

The Senate 

Although a hearing has yet to be announced, RFK Jr. has continued hitting the Hill and meeting with senators to build support for his nomination to run the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 

Kennedy’s push comes as some outside groups continue their campaigns to urge opposition to Kennedy’s confirmation. One group, 314 Action, announced the next phase of an advertising campaign targeting GOP senators that the group thinks could be key in determining if Kennedy can get across the finish line. The senators they are targeting include Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Curtis (R-UT), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Mike Rounds (R-SD).  

In addition to the nomination process, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) has scheduled the first meeting https://hearing/of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) in the 119th Congress on January 21. The executive session will be when the Committee adopts its rules for the 119th Congress. If you are looking for hints on what Sen. Bill Cassidy’s (R-LA) chairmanship of the Committee will look like, look no further than the press release which highlights, among other things, his work to pass pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform and reduce the cost of prescription drugs in the 118th Congress.  

The House 

The House continues to buzz with talk of budget reconciliation and what could be considered as a part of the one (or two) bill effort. A menu produced by the House Budget Committee outlines a litany of policy options that could be considered as part of reconciliation legislation. Health care policies on that list include: 

  • Revoking the eligibility of non-citizens without legal status to participate in federal health programs  
  • Medicare site neutrality  
  • Limiting Obamacare premium subsidies  

Keep in mind this list is meant to be a comprehensive list of possible options, so just because something is on this list does not mean it will be included in a reconciliation bill. However, it demonstrates the vast array of options that Republicans may consider as they plan to move forward with the reconciliation process. 

Of course, Representatives have other choices regarding what policies to pursue. We are hearing that Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-MO-8) is looking to keep up the Committee’s focus on rural health care after being disappointed in the number of rural health bills that the Committee considered but were not passed into law in the last Congress. This list includes legislation allowing critical access hospitals that have shut down to reopen as rural emergency hospitals and legislation to ensure more graduate medical students complete their residency in rural hospitals.  

Also, this week, the House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee will hold an oversight hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Care Program and Community Care Network on January 22.  

There You Have It 

The Washington Commanders defeated the Detroit Lions on January 18, earning them their first trip to the NFC Championship in 33  years. Only one more round until we get to the Super Bowl.  Who do you want to head to the big game? Let us know! Make it a great week!  

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