At two Senate hearings, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra presented the Biden administration's health care budget. In a joint statement, America's Essential Hospitals and other organizations raised concerns about a new alliance between drug companies and community health centers.

America's Essential Hospitals has responded to a request for information (RFI) on health care workforce shortages by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The association also plans to respond to an RFI on reauthorizing the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act.

America's Essential Hospitals and other groups, in a letter to congressional leaders, urge lawmakers to avert an $8 billion cut Oct. 1 to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital funding. President Biden's proposed budget includes measures to protect Medicare.

Key health committees in the House and Senate issue requests for information — one on reauthorizing the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act and another to examine health care workforce shortages.

President Joe Biden signed a $1.5 trillion fiscal year 2022 spending package; he already signed a four-day continuing resolution to provide time for the omnibus spending measure to move forward. 

President Joe Biden signed a continuing resolution to keep the government funded through March 11; Biden invited all members of Congress to attend the annual State of the Union address on March 1.

The Senate voted 50–46 to confirm Robert Califf, MD, as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); The FDA has not had a confirmed commissioner for more than a year. Senators continue work to pass a short-term continuing resolution to fund the government past Feb. 18.

A short-term continuing resolution would maintain government funding through March 11, giving lawmakers more time to agree on a final funding bill; the measure is expected to clear both chambers. Activity on the Build Back Better Act pauses as Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) recovers from a stroke.

A bipartisan group of senators released draft legislation to improve the nation's capacity to respond to future public health crises. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer announces his intent to retire. The Senate Committee on Budget considers the nomination of Shalanda Young as director of OMB.

Congress is focused on passing the fiscal year 2022 appropriations bill before government funding expires Feb. 18. As 2021 came to a close, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced he would not support the Build Back Better Act as currently drafted, stalling the legislation.

Congress passed a continuing resolution to maintain government funding through Feb. 18, 2022. The bill does not further suspend Medicare cuts slated to take effect in the new year. Meanwhile, the Senate continues work on the Build Back Better Act, debt limit legislation, and defense appropriations.

Congress must act to avoid a government shutdown Friday; House leadership is expected to introduce a continuing resolution to fund the government through January 2022. Meanwhile, both chambers are racing to extend the debt limit and pass the Build Back Better Act.

The Congressional Budget Office this week is expected to release a full score of the $1.75 trillion "human infrastructure" package. Meanwhile, congressional leaders say it is unlikely appropriators will reach an agreement to fund the federal government for fiscal year 2022 by the Dec. 3 deadline.

After passing a short-term measure to fund the government through Dec. 3, Congress shifts focus to the federal debt ceiling. A Republican filibuster in the Senate prevented passage of legislation to extend the debt limit; lawmakers must resolve the issue by Oct. 18 to avoid default.

The Senate remains in a stalemate over a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through Dec. 3, leaving congressional leaders little time to avoid an Oct. 1 shutdown. House debate begins on a physical infrastructure bill and work continues on "human infrastructure" legislation.

The House this week is expected to consider a continuing resolution to temporarily extend current funding levels for the federal government. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) intend to suspend the debt limit as part of the resolution.

The House passed a procedural rule setting the stage for the chamber's development of a "human infrastructure" package under budget reconciliation. In a concession to moderate Democrats, the rule calls for the House to vote by Sept. 27 on the bipartisan physical infrastructure legislation.

The Senate passed a $3.5 trillion fiscal year 2022 budget resolution with no Republican support; House leaders called members back to Capitol Hill for a brief legislative session Aug. 23. Moderate House Democrats are urging leadership to call a vote on the bipartisan physical infrastructure bill.

The Senate voted 69–30 to advance a bipartisan physical infrastructure bill. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats released a $3.5 trillion budget resolution, the precursor to a partisan reconciliation bill on “human infrastructure” priorities. Notably, the resolution does not contain a debt limit increase.

A bipartisan infrastructure plan is unlikely to pass the Senate by July. Democrats are likely to explore using budget reconciliation, but a recent parliamentarian ruling indicates they might be unable to attempt the process using the FY 2021 budget resolution.

House and Senate committees are working on the details of COVID-19 relief under the budget reconciliation process. The impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump is underway; members of both parties have indicated they prefer a short and swift trial.

Congress indicates plans to pursue a one-week continuing resolution to keep the government funded at current levels through Dec. 18. A group of bipartisan lawmakers introduced a framework for a $908 billion COVID-19 relief deal, reinvigorating negotiations between Republicans and Democrats.

Without congressional action, the government on Dec. 12 will enter a shutdown and $4 billion will be cut from Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments. Meanwhile, negotiations are deadlocked on additional COVID-19 relief.

The House-passed $2.2 trillion COVID-19 relief package would increase Medicaid disproportionate share hospital allotments and the Provider Relief Fund. Meanwhile, Congress now has until Dec. 11 to pass its annual spending bills or agree to another short-term CR.

House Democrats released a continuing resolution to maintain government funding through Dec. 11. The legislation would delay a $4 billion cut to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital funding and change the recoupment and repayment terms for the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program.

Lawmakers have less than three weeks to fund the federal government through the November election before current funding runs out. The prospect of Congress advancing COVID-19 relief legislation before the election appears unlikely.

Both chambers passed a bill providing more than $8 billion to combat the new coronavirus; House leaders now are discussing legislation to mitigate economic impacts associated with the virus. A Senate letter calling to incorporate social determinants into hospital star ratings closes tomorrow.

HHS Secretary Alex Azar will discuss the president's proposed fiscal year 2021 budget at several congressional hearings. A bipartisan Senate letter calls for incorporating social determinants into star ratings. A new association work group focuses on the Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation.

The Ways and Means legislation would preserve the ability of providers and health plans to negotiate payment rates through independent dispute resolution, while the Education and Labor plan would impose federal benchmark rates for charges of more than $750.

The proposal calls for $920 billion in cuts to Medicaid funding, including a call to finalize the Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation.

The package, expected to become law, would delay a $4 billion cut to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments through May 22, 2020. It does not include proposals to reduce surprise medical bills or prescription drug prices.

The latest continuing resolution, which funds the government through Dec. 20, will give Congress more time to negotiate a longer-term agreement on government spending and relief from impending cuts to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments.

The House is scheduled to vote on a continuing resolution that would extend federal funding through Dec. 20 and further delay a scheduled $4 billion cut to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments; House impeachment hearings continue.

While lawmakers continue negotiations on fiscal year 2020 spending bills and prescription drug pricing legislation, committees will hold hearings on electronic cigarette use, state efforts to undermine reproductive health care, and the presidential impeachment inquiry.

Twelve spending bills must advance through Congress and be signed by the president by Nov. 21 to fully fund the federal government for fiscal year 2020.

Congress will focus on the looming deadline to fund the federal government and address the $4 billion cut to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital funding.

DSH cuts will start Oct. 1 without congressional action; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is expected to introduce a drug pricing proposal; the House considers a stopgap government funding measure.

The bipartisan deal averts a $125 billion cut to federal discretionary spending, raises spending caps by $324 billion, and partially offsets costs by extending a 2 percent cut to Medicare provider payments,

The House advanced a federal budget and debt limit deal before leaving for August recess; the Senate will consider the measure this week. House and Senate committees consider legislation to reduce prescription drug pricing.

The agreement would stop a $125 billion budget cut and increase defense and nondefense discretionary spending while raising the debt limit for two years.

A House-passed bill to extend funding for Medicaid programs heads to the Senate; the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions introduced the Lower Health Care Costs Act.

House and Senate committees this month remain focused on legislation to reduce surprise billing and health care costs. The House last week began deliberations on a $987 million spending package to fund many federal agencies for FY 2020.

The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovations Act would provide $385 million annually for the Hospital Preparedness Program. Congress stacks its agenda ahead of the July Fourth recess, focusing on health care funding, surprise billing, single-payer proposals, and drug pricing.

Lawmakers have introduced bipartisan legislation to give states additional support for combating the opioid crisis by extending Medicaid's certified community behavioral health clinic demonstration program. Committees remain focused on prescription drug prices.

The president's fiscal year 2020 budget plan calls on Congress to significantly reform the two programs, including ending Medicaid expansion and changing Medicare uncompensated care payments.

The budget plan proposes to overhaul the Medicaid program, as well as significantly change the 340B Drug Pricing Program and expand site-neutral payment policies in hospital outpatient departments.

The president signs a multibillion-dollar funding package and declares a national emergency, which now faces multiple court challenges. Two House Democrats announce plans to introduce Medicare-for-all legislation.

Congressional committees requested information from providers and health plans on balance billing practices and invited several pharmaceutical companies to testify in a hearing on drug pricing; congressional negotiators strike a tentative deal to avoid another federal shutdown.

Congressional leaders and the White House reached a deal to fully reopen the federal government until Feb. 15; congressional hearings this week focus on prescription drug prices and protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions.

As the partial government shutdown enters its fourth week, the House has passed a bill to reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act, which includes $385 million in annual funding for the Hospital Preparedness Program.

As the partial government shutdown continues, the House this week will consider the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovations Act and a bill to extend funding for the "Money Follows the Person" demonstration program.

House and Senate Democratic leaders vowed to pursue legislation to intervene after a judge ruled the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional; negotiations continue on a spending package to fund portions of the federal government before current funding expires on Dec. 21.

The discussion draft addresses several patient care scenarios that could lead to surprise billing; Congress is expected to vote this week on reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, government funding for fiscal year 2019, and a bipartisan opioid package.

Before starting the final campaign stretch, Congress returns to Washington to consider Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination and to fund the federal government for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1.

The Senate passed a funding package for the Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education departments and now must reconcile its version with House-passed legislation.

The final package, passed last week, included $4 billion for combating the opioid crisis and a $10 billion increase in HHS funding, but left out measures to stabilize the insurance marketplace.

Negotiations on the bill have stalled amid disagreements on certain provisions, such as including language barring abortion access as part of a package to stabilize the Affordable Care Act's insurance marketplace.

House Republicans this week hope to bring to the floor a bill to fund the government through the remainder of the fiscal year; America's Essential Hospitals CEO asked to testify during Senate committee hearing on 340B Drug Pricing Program.

Republicans from both chambers work on a marketplace stabilization package; Senate Finance Committee Republicans plan to review the Internal Revenue Service's process for designating nonprofit hospitals.

The budget plan for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 proposes changes to the distribution of 340B Drug Pricing Program savings and increased funding to fight the opioid crisis.

The measure, which updates a continuing resolution set to expire on Feb. 8, delays cuts to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments for fiscal years 2018 and 2019.

The association continues to work with congressional leadership and staff to ensure a delay of Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts is included in the next funding measure; Senate confirms new Health and Human Services Secretary.

The measure passed by Congress and signed by President Trump Monday funds the government through Feb. 8 and extends the Children's Health Insurance Program six years, but leaves unresolved a delay of Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts.

The plan would reduce funding for social and entitlement programs for low-income Americans by $1.7 trillion, including a $610 billion cut to Medicaid.

The blueprint also shifts CDC funding to a $500 million block grant and creates a Federal Emergency Response Fund for public health outbreaks, like Zika.

The second confirmation hearing was held for Rep. Price as HHS secretary and a House subcommittee held a hearing on the individual mandate's effectiveness.

Debate and amendment votes in the Senate are expected though the weekend. The Senate measure then will go to the House for consideration.

Lawmakers are in recess this week following failure of the House to pass a bipartisan budget resolution. Last week, House and Senate committees tackled opioids, disparities, and mental health.

House Republicans might not have the votes to pass their budget resolution before a two-week congressional recess. House committees take up opioids and medical liability and the Senate HELP committee continues work on its 21st Century Cures companion legislation.

Conservative Freedom Caucus opposes GOP budget plan; Senate-passed bill would combat opioid abuse; health committees work on mental health, Medicare improvement.

Association responds to House lawmakers' request for comment on Medicare's new payment policy for off-campus hospital outpatient departments. Congress works on FY 2017 budget, holds hearings on Zika virus and opiod abuse.

Partisan politics follow Scalia death; House speaker to table entitlement reform until next year; congressional panels to hold hearings on HHS budget, opiod abuse, Zika virus.

The new FAQ clarify that site neutral law won't impact PO modifier requirements. PO modifiers must be included on claims as of Jan. 1 for all services and items furnished in off-campus, provider-based departments.

Obama touts ACA successes in final address, calls for ongoing support of Medicare, Social Security. House Speaker Ryan prepares ACA replacement plan as GOP continues repeal efforts; Califf wins Senate HELP vote.

House returns from recess for largely symbolic vote on Senate-passed reconciliation bill that would repeal many ACA provisions, including Medicaid expansion; Senate remains out.

Budget deal includes a $3 billion funding increase for the NIH and $300 million for the CDC.

House and Senate lawmakers negotiate omnibus appropriations bill and two-year extension of tax cuts, but fail to provide relief on new Medicare site-neutral payment policy for hospital outpatient departments.

Congress debates omnibus appropriations measure, considers another stop-gap funding bill, as deadline for government shutdown looms.

Congress returns from Thanksgiving recess to must-pass bills on highway funding and appropriations; Senate leaders work on reconciliation package ahead of Dec. 11 appropriations vote.

Congressional staff continue negotiating omnibus appropriations package, which is expected to go to a vote by Dec. 11; Sen. Wyden asks HHS for update on progress of state 1332 waivers.

Letter from Senate Finance Committee leaders asks America's Essential Hospitals, other stakeholders, for comment on Medicaid transparency, quality, accountability

President signs budget deal that reduces payment to new hospital outpatient facilities; Ryan becomes House speaker; Energy and Commerce Committee considers Medicaid supplemental payment oversight bills

The House proposes a budget deal with potentially damaging changes for essential hospitals - the association is fighting these. Paul Ryan expected to be the next speaker of the House. The Senate HELP committee examines mental health.

Letter to congressional leaders, signed by more than 100 hospital executives, calls for passage of bills to adjust Medicare readmissions program for socioeconomic status

House Budget Committee clears reconciliation bill that would defund Planned Parenthood for one year and make substantial changes to the Affordable Care Act. Outlook remains unclear for choice of next House speaker.

The House Republican vote for speaker will be held on Thursday, other leadership races postponed until later this month. Full House vote for speaker expected in Nov. Budget reconciliation efforts continue.

Congress will vote to pass legislation to avoid a government shutdown. Meanwhile, House committees are also working to pass budget reconciliation measures that would defund Planned Parenthood and make major changes to the Affordable Care Act.

GOP will weigh procedural tactics to repeal the ACA or propose tax reform; House vote on Cures bill expected.

A total of $3.3 billion is marked for CMS, which is about $344 million below current funding. The subcommittee will consider the bill tomorrow.

The Senate takes up the House-passed budget resolution. Both the House and Senate are focused on medical innovation as the next major health push.

Congress plans for a final vote on a FY 2016 budget resolution, and House and Senate committees will review medical innovation initiatives.

Medicaid and Medicare reform remain a part of budget discussions as Congress continues work toward bicameral budget resolution. Committees review opioid abuse and medical device tax.

Congress will consider SGR legislation and a final budget resolution. Health committees will hold hearings on medical device tax, post acute care, Medicare appeals and audits, and the Affordable Care Act.

The plan serves as a guide for federal departments and agencies to combat the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Funding is included in the president's proposed FY 2016 budget.

The Senate will vote on the SGR measure after a two-week recess. Both chambers also passed budget legislation before adjourning.

Congress will attempt to pass SGR and budget legislation by Friday. The SGR package includes a one-year delay of Medicaid DSH cuts. House Committees will hold hearings on 340B, heroin and prescription drug abuse, and Medicare Fraud. The Senate HELP Committee will hold a hearing on patient research.

The House's bipartisan bill will face a tough road in the Senate. Budget negotiations are also under way, to be completed this month.

Senate HELP Committee to examine changes that could improve FDA process without compromising safety

Slow week for health care work as Department of Homeland Security funding demands lawmakers' attention

The budget would extend Medicaid DSH cuts another year and reduce Medicare payments for outpatient services, medical education, and bad debt, among other threats to essential hospitals.

Also on tap is a Senate vote on homeland security funding that would bar legal status for undocumented immigrants and President Obama's 2016 budget

Also under consideration is legislation addressing human trafficking, immigration, and border security

Congress will begin the appropriations process, but not much is expected to be accomplished since it is an election year. Senate Democrats will bring up a bill to increase the minimum wage but expect Republican resistance. The House will reconsider a bill regarding exemption of expatriate health plans under the ACA.

Congress continues its two-week recess. Five Senate Democrats sent a letter to OMB and HRSA supporting the 340B program. The 340B mega reg set to be released in June is currently at OMB. House and Senate appropriations committees begin their markup processes, although nothing has been announced regarding HHS and related agencies.

Congress is on recess for the next two weeks. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testified at the Senate Finance Committee hearing on the President's budget before formally announcing her resignation. The House GOP budget proposal passed by narrow margins and likely won't be considered in the Senate.

The plan would partially privatize Medicare and turn Medicaid into state block grants. It also repeals the ACA.

House and Senate lawmakers also to discuss budget proposals, including president's

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will testify on the president's budget before two congressional panels this week. Meanwhile, the House will consider a bill to repeal the sustainable growth rate (SGR) physician payment formula. Republicans are expected to tie SGR fix to repeal of the Affordable Care Act’s individual insurance mandate.

This week Congress is off to a slow start after heavy snow closed the federal government on Monday. President Obama released his budget, and the House Ways and Means chair introduced a comprehensive tax reform plan. Energy and Commerce will look at ways to protect seniors in the Medicaid program.

Medicare GME and IME cuts, bad debt cuts, and Medicaid DSH rebasing are included in the proposal. The association will continue to follow these concerning issues closely.