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.

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

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.

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.