The Senate on April 5 adopted its budget resolution — setting parameters and targets for tax and spending cut legislation — by a vote of 51-48 following a long series of votes on amendments. Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) were the only Republican senators who voted against the resolution. Sen. Collins voiced concerns with the instruction to cut $880 billion in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, believing that it would inevitably lead to Medicaid cuts that would harm Maine citizens.
Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) called for an amendment to strip the House-drafted language affecting Medicaid from the resolution, but it failed by a vote of 49-50.
The resolution is now with the House, with a vote expected this week.
Association Advocacy in the Spotlight
America’s Essential Hospitals continues to play a key role in shaping the conversation regarding Medicaid on the Hill. Sen. Cory Booker (D.-N.J.) quoted association President and CEO Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH, in his record-breaking 25-hour long Senate floor speech from April 1 into April 2.
On April 2, Siegel addressed a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) sharing deep concerns about reconciliation proposals that could dramatically impact the Medicaid program, harming patients and essential health care providers nationwide. The letter rejected changes to Medicaid state directed payments (SDPs) and provider taxes, as well as changes to the federal medical assistance percentage, per capita caps, and other policies.
Our team has also published two new Our View position papers on SDPs and provider taxes as a resource for our members to share with lawmakers and their staff. These serve to rule out cuts to Medicaid via reductions to state directed payments or changes to states’ ability to fund their Medicaid programs through provider taxes.
Tariff Advocacy
America’s Essential Hospitals joined other health groups in a letter to Ambassador Jameison Greer expressing support of the administration’s focus on improving national health while raising concerns about the negative impact of tariffs on medical and dental supplies, equipment, and devices.
Administration Confirmations
The Senate confirmed Mehmet Oz, MD, on April 3 by a vote of 53-45.
Committee Activity This Week
The House and Senate are in session Monday through Thursday, with the Senate also convening on Friday.
The House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health held a hearing April 8, at 10 am ET, titled, “Lowering Costs for Patients: The Health of the Biosimilar Market.”
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a full committee markup on April 8, at 10 am ET. It will cover a broad range of issues, also touching on health care with the 2025 reauthorization of the previously association-endorsed SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act included for consideration.
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