With the end of the 119th Congress quickly approaching, several policymakers are seeking to pass legacy projects before retiring. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), for example, sponsored the PROMISE Act of 2026 to set a timeline and spur congressional action to address Social Security’s insolvency. The bill was introduced after the Social Security Board of Trustees’ report found that only 78% of benefits are projected to be covered by 2032.
Retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) has also teamed up with Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) on the INSULIN Act of 2026 aimed at capping insulin costs at $35 on commercial plans. Their bill advanced out of the Senate HELP Committee in July. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO-1) sponsored a House version earlier this year after losing her primary.
Senate Finance RFI
Finance Committee ranking member Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), along with the rest of the committee Democrats, released a request for information (RFI) last Friday, seeking comments on policy proposals to reform America’s long-term care ecosystem. The RFI, which asked for responses by Dec. 18, is a follow-up to a May “Dear Colleague” letter that included the proposed policies, and subsequent listening sessions involving stakeholders from across the health care industry. The RFI seeks stakeholder feedback in three broad areas: (1) development of a universal home care benefit, including eligibility, benefit design, and administration; (2) improving quality of care in nursing homes, including workforce investments, ownership transparency, and quality measurement; and (3) strengthening the long-term care workforce through policies related to wages, benefits, career pathways, workforce shortages, and immigration.
Committee Activity This Week
The House and Senate are both adjourned until after the midterm elections.
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With the 2026 midterm elections just around the corner, the stakes are significant for the future of our nation’s essential hospitals. That’s why America’s Essential Hospitals also offers this election advocacy toolkit to support engagement in the 2026 elections. This toolkit includes helpful tips, sample materials, and legal guidelines that answer key questions you have about your organization’s participation in the electoral process.
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