Senators left Washington earlier than expected to campaign for midterm elections after confirming 15 federal judicial nominees and failing to overturn a regulation expanding short-term insurance plans.

As midterm elections loom, Congress sent to the president the federal government's first comprehensive policy response to the nation's opioid crisis; a bipartisan House letter questions outpatient payment cuts; and New Hampshire senators introduced surprise billing legislation.

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.

Two senators lead a letter-signing campaign to stop the expansion of hospital outpatient department cuts; in a 99-1 vote, the Senate approves legislation to combat the opioid crisis and is poised to vote on a spending bill for fiscal year 2019.

The Senate is expected to vote this week on a bipartisan legislative package to combat the opioid crisis. The House considers legislation to roll back Affordable Care Act provisions.

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.

Leaders of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions expressed concern that the Health Resources and Services Administration is not using its existing authority to ensure proper management of the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

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.

Senate leaders hope to pass by Labor Day legislation to appropriate funds for the Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education departments; a Senate committee will examine Medicaid fraud.

Congress is expected to consider legislation to combat the opioid epidemic, fund the Department of Health and Human Services, and enable federal response to pandemic threats.

Senate action on opioid legislation has been delayed by the debate over the Supreme Court nomination and what to include in the final package; Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said senators likely will consider opioid legislation after the August recess.

Bills to repeal the medical device tax and expand health savings accounts go to a House floor vote; a House committee advanced legislation that would fund the Hospital Preparedness Program at about $265 billion annually.

A Government Accountability Office witness and several 340B Drug Pricing Program stakeholders testified last week at a House committee hearing; another House committee marked up several consumer-driven health care bills.

The July 11 hearing will focus on contract pharmacies and a slate of 15 bills and discussion drafts related to the program; two essential hospital leaders will testify.

We encourage our members to urge their representatives on the House Energy & Commerce Committee to support essential hospitals at a 340B hearing on July 11.

A new bill by Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) would impose a user fee for hospitals participating in the 340B Drug Pricing Program; a House subcommittee marked up hospital preparedness and graduate medical education bills.

The legislation, containing more than 50 bills to combat the opioid crisis, now heads to the Senate; it is unclear whether senators will pass the package or consider their own legislation.

Contact your delegation and urge them to vote in favor of the IMD CARE Act and the Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act.

Modeled on a program developed at essential hospital St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center, in Paterson, N.J., the Alternatives to Opioids bill is one of 25 opioid-related bills the House passed last week.

The House aims to complete voting by the July Fourth recess, but Senate work on opioid legislation likely will continue into August amid a shortened recess.

Lawmakers previously aimed to pass an opioid package by Memorial Day; Committee hearings focus on the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the president's blueprint to lower drug prices.

The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act, which includes $385 million annually for the Hospital Preparedness Program, has been cleared for consideration on the Senate floor; Congress aims to vote on opioid package before the July Fourth recess.

Senate Democrats sharply questioned the repeated delays of a final rule on drug ceiling prices and manufacturer civil monetary penalties; The House continues to focus on passing an opioid package.

House leadership remains focused on passing a bipartisan opioid-related legislative package by Memorial Day, but recently indicated a June vote might be more likely.

Four House hearings this week examine the opioid crisis, as lawmakers work to craft bipartisan legislation; A Senate hearing focuses on oversight reports on the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

House and Senate lawmakers last week reviewed more than 60 opioid-related bills before heading into a week-long recess.

House and Senate committees this week will mark up legislation to combat the opioid epidemic with the hope of passing a bipartisan bill by Memorial Day.

Senate and House panels hold hearings on opioid and substance use disorder treatment among Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and how distributors might contribute to the crisis.

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold hearings this week on measures to combat the opioid epidemic.

When Congress returns next week, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce will consider more than a dozen bills during its third and final hearing on the opioid crisis.

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.

The House of Representatives approved a $1.3 trillion fiscal year 2018 omnibus spending bill that includes nearly $4 billion to combat the opioid crisis and increased funding for the National Institutes of Health.

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.

In its annual report to Congress, the commission also recommends curbing Medicare Advantage plan consolidation and evaluating telehealth services before including them in coverage.

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.

Congress this week is focused on negotiating legislation to stabilize the Affordable Care Act insurance marketplace and efforts to fight the opioid crisis.

House hearings will review legislation on enforcement measures to combat the opioid crisis; a new Senate bill would provide funding for prevention and treatment programs.

"Site-neutral” payment policy jeopardizes access to care by making clinic expansion into our most underserved communities financially unsustainable.

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.

America’s Essential Hospitals thanks its member hospitals and congressional champions for their hard work and advocacy during the lengthy process to finalize a two-year delay of Medicaid disproportionate share hospital funding cuts.

America's Essential Hospitals urges all association members to contact their delegations in Congress and ask them to vote in favor of a bill that delays Medicaid DSH cuts.

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.

Funding for the federal government expires February 8, and Congress has yet to delay Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payment cuts that took effect October 1, 2017. Association members should ask their delegations to urge House leadership to include a two-year delay in the next funding bill.

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 Senate needs 60 votes to avoid a filibuster and pass the continuing resolution. There are only 51 Republicans in the Senate, and several have said they won’t vote for the bill in its current form.

As Congress focuses on Jan. 19 funding deadline, America's Essential Hospitals continues pressure to delay Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts. The Trump administration releases guidance on work requirements for Medicaid recipients.

The association launched an advocacy and media campaign calling on Congress to delay Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payment cuts as part of a long-term government funding measure.

Congress has two weeks to decide what to include in its next spending bill for the federal government. Association members should urge lawmakers to ensure that legislation delays Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts for at least two years.

Congress returns from recess to focus on long-term solutions after passing a short-term bill to fund the government through Jan. 19; lawmakers push for delay of 340B Drug Pricing Program cuts.

America’s Essential Hospitals will continue its fight to stop the onset of these cuts, and have assurances that lawmakers are committed to a two-year delay. We urge Congress to act swiftly to delay the Medicaid DSH cuts when lawmakers return in January.

The final tax deal includes the repeal of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate, Advance Refunding Bonds and Private Activity Bonds.

While Congress grapples with competing priorities, legislative efforts to stop cuts to Medicare payments for the 340B Drug Pricing Program continue. America's Essential Hospitals urges all association members to contact their delegations today.

Republican leaders hope to introduce the final tax reform bill early next week; a bill to stop cuts to the 340B Drug Pricing Program has 130 cosponsors.

America's Essential Hospitals urges all association members to call their House delegations today and urge them to cosponsor H.R. 4392, a bill that would halt enforcement of a damaging new Medicare policy that cuts Part B payments for 340B drugs by 27 percent.

The legislative priorities include a health care extenders package, tax reform, and a long-term funding bill. Also, bipartisan House legislation to halt 340B payment cuts now has more than 50 cosponsors.

The House passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; the Senate version of the tax reform bill includes a repeal of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate.

America's Essential Hospitals urges all association members to contact their House delegations today and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 4392, a bill that would place a permanent moratorium on a new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services cut to 340B hospitals.

The Finance Committee's "chairman's mark" is similar to a House bill, but forgoes many House provisions of particular concern to essential hospitals.

Both the House and Senate versions of the bill contain several provisions of concern to essential hospitals. This Action Update details the status of these issues in both versions.

The bill delays disproportionate share hospital payment cuts for two years; House Republicans consider repealing the individual mandate through tax reform.

Senate legislation does not include a delay of Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts. Contact your senators today and insist they take immediate action on legislation that is consistent with the House package and includes at least a two-year delay of disproportionate share hospital cuts.

The CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act extends Children's Health Insurance Program funding for five years and delays cuts to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments for two years.

A bipartisan Senate bill would fund cost-sharing reduction payments; Congress has yet to renew funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Senate and House bills to fund the Children's Health Insurance Program are similar, but the House version includes a one-year delay of Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts.

The federal fiscal year came to a close Sept. 30, ending a nearly yearlong congressional effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and bringing tax reform efforts and other health care priorities to the forefront in Congress.

Reductions to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments, as mandated by the Affordable Care Act, went into effect on Oct. 1. A total of $2 billion will be cut from Medicaid DSH funding in fiscal year 2018 alone.

America's Essential Hospitals continues to advance our opposition to the Senate's Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson proposal.

A push is underway on Capitol Hill to delay Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts and withdraw proposed 340B policy. Please urge your member of Congress to sign both letters.

By cutting reimbursement rates for Part B drugs to 340B hospitals, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would harm essential hospitals, which care for the nation’s poorest, most complex, and costliest patients.

Lawmakers return from the August recess to consider legislation and policy related to the Children’s Health Insurance Program, market stabilization, and cost-sharing reductions.

Substantial cuts to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments are set to begin on Oct. 1; strong and immediate input from essential hospitals is vital to successfully secure another delay.

Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payment cuts cannot be justified. America's Essential Hospitals urges member CEOs to sign a letter asking Congress for a delay.

America's Essential Hospitals asks Congress to postpone Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payment cuts until they can reach a sustainable solution.

Senate committees will focus on market stabilization legislation and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) reauthorization; the association seeks to attach to the CHIP bill a delay of Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payment cuts.

After Affordable Care Act repeal efforts collapsed in the Senate, the administration began considering options on cost-sharing reduction payments, but some lawmakers remain focused on repeal.

The Senate rejected the Health Care Freedom Act, the “skinny” bill to repeal key provisions of the Affordable Care Act, by a 51-49 margin.

The Senate voted 51-50 to move to debate on the American Health Care Act; we urge all hospitals to continue to weigh in with their Senate offices this week.

The Senate approved a motion to proceed, which is needed to open floor debate of a repeal bill; it remains unclear how the Senate will proceed.

Senate Majority Leader McConnell said he would bring up a repeal-only bill that includes a two-year transition period for replacing the Affordable Care Act, but three Republican senators oppose the plan.

Senate Republican leadership continues negotiations with Republican holdouts; a vote on the bill is expected before the month-long August recess.

As senators return home through July 9, our members have an ideal opportunity to contact them and urge them to oppose the Better Care Reconciliation Act.

CBO found the bill would lead to 22 million fewer insured and cut more than $772 billion from Medicaid over 10 years; Republican leaders will delay vote until after July Fourth recess.

As the Senate considers the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) of 2017, America’s Essential Hospitals and its more than 300 members urge lawmakers to protect low-income and other Americans who face financial challenges—and the hospitals on which they rely.

A revised draft of the Senate bill was released to address some Republicans' concerns, but it made no meaningful changes to the bill’s Medicaid provisions.

The brief projects Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payment reductions under the Affordable Care Act and the House-passed American Health Care Act.

We urge hospitals with Republican senators to use this time to apply pressure; this might be your last chance to influence the outcome of this vote.

A group of Republican and Democratic governors sent a letter to Senate leadership encouraging a bipartisan approach to repealing the Affordable Care Act.

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's annual report examines various issues in the Medicare payment system and offers recommendations to Congress.

Senate Republican leaders aim to submit a draft bill to the Congressional Budget Office early this week and vote on the bill before the July Fourth recess.

The committee’s intentions remain unclear; we recommend essential hospitals prepare to publicly describe what auditors found and corrective actions taken.

Senate Republican leadership recently indicated the possibility of a vote by the end of July, before the month-long August recess.

A white paper calls for a stop to impending cuts to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments and recommends modernizing existing DSH policy.

The Congressional Budget Office found the American Health Care Act leaves 23 million more uninsured than current law and cuts $800 billion from Medicaid.

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.

Senate Republicans stay focused on a strategy to repeal and replace the ACA; committees hold hearings on public health, Medicare, and chronic conditions.

A 13-member Senate working group made up of conservative and moderate Republicans now begins to craft its own version of the legislation.

Three new amendments garnered enough Republican support to pass the bill in a 217-213 vote; CBO has not scored the bill since the amendments were added.

The association calls on the Senate to reject the legislation and to work with all stakeholders to improve health care access for all Americans.

Following an amendment that won the support of two Republican hold-outs on the AHCA, House GOP leaders could move to a full floor vote today. It is imperative that you weigh in now with your House delegation and urge your members of Congress to vote against this bill.

Rep. MacArthur (R-NJ) proposed an amendment to the AHCA that would have allowed states to opt out of several important insurance regulations.

A vote on the bipartisan bill could come Wednesday in the House, followed by Senate consideration before continuing resolution appropriations expire Friday.

Please contact your House members today to emphasize the harmful consequences for your patients, community, and hospital if the AHCA becomes law.

Lawmakers face an extensive agenda of legislative priorities, including health care and tax reform, and most urgent, a continuing resolution to prevent a government shutdown.

When lawmakers return, they could attempt to make additional changes to pass the American Health Care Act, legislation to repeal and replace the ACA.

Your members of Congress are back in their home districts through April 24, giving you an ideal opportunity to make your views known.

Talks of a deal to resurrect the American Health Care Act — legislation to repeal and replace the ACA that was pulled in March — are underway.

House GOP leadership pulled the bill due to inadequate support; the association now resumes its focus on other hospital-related issues, including DSH cuts.

The American Health Care Act's Medicaid cuts would fall heavily on low-income states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

Samuel Ross, CEO of Bon Secours Baltimore Health System, testified at an event held by House Democrats on the Republican-proposed bill to repeal the ACA.

The replacement plan would make steep cuts to Medicaid and leave an estimated 24 million more people uninsured, compared with current law under the ACA.

This legislation is moving with unusual speed and could reach the Senate floor as early as next week if it wins House approval Thursday.

The American Health Care Act moves next to the House Committee on the Budget, which is scheduled to mark up the legislation on Thursday.

The committees on Energy & Commerce and Ways & Means passed ACA repeal and replacement bills that could affect coverage and essential hospital funding.

The House committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means this week released their long-awaited legislation to repeal and replace the ACA.

According to reports, draft House reconciliation legislation would cut Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments starting Oct. 1 and impose per-capita caps on Medicaid funding, resulting in devastating losses for essential hospitals.

Draft GOP text for legislation to repeal and replace the ACA leaks; a Senate committee is poised to vote on the administration's CMS administrator nominee.

Whether you join us or support the fight from home, urge lawmakers to ensure continued coverage access and stable, equitable, sustainable Medicaid funding.

A leaked House GOP plan to repeal & replace the ACA raises concerns for essential hospitals. A Senate committee considered nominee Seema Verma to lead CMS.

Former Rep. Tom Price was confirmed as secretary of HHS; the Senate Committee on Finance will consider the nomination of Seema Verma as CMS administrator.

A House subcommittee marked up two bills focused on income eligibility for Medicaid. The association weighed in on a hearing about the individual mandate.

No agreements have been reached about a repeal/replacement plan for the ACA and it appears Republicans in both chambers are far from making final decisions.

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.

With House and Senate passage of budget resolutions, efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act now move to committees and toward a Jan. 27 deadline for repeal legislation.

Late on Jan. 11, the Senate passed S. Con. Res. 3, the FY 2017 budget resolution, an important first step among several needed to repeal much of the ACA.

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

Essential hospitals can expect the new Congress' Republican leaders to follow through quickly with their pledge to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

The association is urging policymakers to pair any repeal of the Affordable Care Act with simultaneous passage of a comprehensive replacement.

President Obama signs the 21st Century Cures Act, which includes the historic risk adjustment provision and also provides partial relief to hospitals from cuts to off-campus outpatient department payments.

Lawmakers approve funding for the federal government through April 28, 2017, and pass legislation that includes two key advocacy wins for essential hospitals: socioeconomic risk adjustment and partial relief from outpatient department payment cuts.

Essential hospitals should be equipped with key information to understand this procedural tool that likely will be used early next year to begin the process of dismantling the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Congress plans to vote on a continuing resolution to keep the government running past Dec. 9. The Senate is expected to pass 21st Century Cures legislation.

Congress is poised to pass legislation that would include socioeconomic risk adjustment for the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program and some relief from payment cuts for new hospital outpatient departments.

Lawmakers are closing in on negotiations for 21st Century Cures legislation and also working to complete a short-term continuing resolution to fund the federal government through March 2017.

The impending full control of government by Republicans is expected to kick start discussions about repealing the Affordable Care Act and passing entitlement reform.

On Sept. 27, the Senate failed to invoke cloture, which would have allowed it to move to final passage of the continuing resolution.

At stake is funding to combat the Zika virus, among several other policy issues that have kept the measure from moving forward.

While details are still being finalized, a continuing resolution to fund the government through early December likely will include funding to combat Zika.

Congress seems likely to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government beyond Sept. 30. Lawmakers also are expected to approve funding to combat Zika.

A webinar and new election toolkit from America's Essential Hospitals can help to make sure hospitals' voices are heard this congressional election season.

When Congress resumes, it will race to pass legislation to keep the government running beyond Sept. 30.

This week, the Senate votes on the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. Last week, the House passed a mental health bill in a bipartisan vote.

To avoid a government shutdown, Congress might have to pass an omnibus appropriations measure if lawmakers fail to reach spending agreements by Sept. 30.

The Senate rejected a $1.1 billion Zika funding package, and Patrick Conway, with CMS, testified about the proposed Medicare Part B demonstration project.

Senate appropriators pass HHS spending bill that includes 340B Drug Pricing Program user fee and instructions to HRSA to consider stakeholder input in final mega-guidance.

The legislation would incorporate risk adjustment for socioeconomic status into Medicare's Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program.

Lawmakers are expected to have a busy June that also could include agreement among House and Senate leaders on funding to combat Zika.

Panel approves bill that would add socioeconomic risk adjustment to Medicare's readmissions reduction program and avert some cuts to hospital outpatient departments.

The House and Senate are expected to vote on Zika spending. In other activity, opioid measure are set to go to conference and committees review Part B payment model and tax-related health proposals.

The House is expected to vote on several opioid-related measures, and 19 House Democrats sent CMS a letter of support for the Medicare Part B demonstration to reduce drug costs.

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.

Lawmakers continue negotiations to respond to the president’s request for $1.9 billion in emergency funding. Also this week, an expert from association member The University of Chicago Medicine will participate in a Capitol Hill forum on minority health disparities.

Lawmakers say star ratings fail to consider patients' socioeconomic status and could mislead consumers. House, Senate also work on appropriations legislation, Zika, Flint water crisis, and health tax.

HELP Committee finishes work on package of 19 bills, designed to complement the House-passed 21st Century Cures measure. The House is in recess this week.

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.

House Committee on Energy and Commerce approves legislation that would cut provider taxes, repeal enhanced FMAP for prisoners and CHIP, and end ACA Prevention and Public Health Fund.

FDA official notes "urgent need” to accelerate development of medical products to combat the virus and says the agency will “leverage its authorities" to aid that process.

Proposed regulations would dramatically narrow access to 340B, harming vulnerable patients and putting entire communities at risk of losing vital services.

Nonpartisan PAC would support congressional candidates who champion policies that improve access to the high-quality health care essential hospitals provide.

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.

Budget plan would improve Medicaid access and coverage and tackle drug pricing, but make damaging Medicare cuts; lawmakers examine Medicaid housing coverage, FMAP, 21st Century Cures, mental health.

House, Senate panels to examine rising cost of drugs, lack of transparency in the drug price negotiation process, and barriers to generic drug applications.

Senate Judiciary examines heroin and prescription drug abuse; Winter Storm Jonas delays scheduled House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing on Medicaid FMAP

America's Essential Hospitals and two members systems host congressional staff for round-table discussions about how proposed 340B Drug Pricing Program guidance threatens vulnerable patients and essential hospitals.

March 8 to 9 event, in Washington, DC, offers opportunities to meet with your congressional delegation and network with other hospital leaders; book a room by Feb. 12 for special conference rate.

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.

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 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

Senate plans to expand House reconciliation bill with full ACA repeal; Rep. Brady named Ways and Means chair; Republicans establish Medicaid task force.

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.

The briefing included a panel of four experts serving different Medicaid populations who spoke about continuing to strengthen the program and the role of Medicaid expansion in increasing access to care.

This week congressional action is slow as lawmakers prepare for the papal visit. With a government shutdown only days away, lawmakers work to reach funding negotiations amid Planned Parenthood debate.

Planned Parenthood controversy continues to influence federal funding negotiations. Health insurer and hospital mergers are reviewed. Plus, committees consider abortion, Medicaid, HIT, and biosimilar drugs.

Planned Parenthood remains an issue in government funding. Congress considers hospital bills, Medicare Part B premiums, medical innovation, health care competition, and Medicaid fraud and abuse, vows to focus on mental health.

The hospital-related NOTICE Act was sent to the president last week. An ACA repeal vote remains likely for fall along with the potential for a government shutdown.

Nearly 200, including America's Essential Hospitals, sign Partnership for Medicaid letter to the president and Congress praising Medicaid on the program's 50th anniversary.

Panelists from across the membership asked Congress to ensure the sustainability of telehealth through payment parity for telehealth services.

The Senate fails to repeal the ACA but will keep trying. Committees discuss HHS priorities and health care bills, including a bundle of hospital-related bills.

Sen. Grassley requested a hearing on recent 340B GAO report. House calls and clinical trials for Medicare patients each pass one chamber. Committees review Medicare hospital payments, HIT, and marketplaces.

Last week the House passed 21st Century Cures legislation with strong bipartisan support. Congressional committees are reviewing Medicare Part D, deadly diseases and HealthCare.gov.

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

Republicans will also continue to develop a strategy for undoing the ACA in light of the Supreme Court's ruling upholding the law last week.

The House will vote to repeal two major ACA provisions this week - medical device tax and the IPAB - and consider four Medicare Advantage bills. Health committees are reviewing mental health and HIT.

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 House could vote on 21st Century Cures legislation as early as next week, health committees focus on 9/11 compensation and health information exchange.

Parts of the Cures package will now likely go to other House committees for review. The Senate will discuss NSA surveillance after recess.

We are pleased to see that this amendment was not included in the Cures package and look forward to working with lawmakers to strengthen the 340B program in the future.

It remains unclear what 340B Drug Pricing Program provisions could be included in the legislation.

The Energy and Commerce Committee is scheduled to vote on 21st Century Cures Wednesday, possibly including an amendment that would make changes to the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

America's Essential Hospitals is pleased that the House Committee on Energy and Commerce is working collaboratively with stakeholders on the proposal.

House votes on defense and late-term abortions, while the Senate votes on the trade bill, faces pharma pressure on biologics. Health committees review 21st Century Cures and Medicare patients' chronic conditions.

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.

The law also delays Medicaid DSH payment cuts for an additional year - until fiscal year 2018 - and extends CHIP funding for two years.

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

DSH cuts would be eliminated in FY 2017, and DSH would be "rebased," extending cuts by one year, to 2025.

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.

Contact your lawmakers on the House Energy and Commerce and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committees to underscore the critical need for the 340B program. An update on the SGR package will be provided as more information is available.

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

America's Essential Hospitals supports legislation, which seeks to ensure hospitals are not unfairly penalized for patients' sociodemographic challenges

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

Commentary argues to keep program savings with essential hospitals to benefit low-income patients and entire communities

America's Essential Hospitals reviews Republican plan, which would join two Democratic bills now under consideration

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

Obama delivers annual address; House considers an abortion ban, natural gas permits, and SGR; and Senate considers the Keystone Pipeline and definition of full time.

Congress meets this week to pass Keystone Pipeline legislation and Homeland Security funding, considers immigration and veterans' mental health.

Congress convenes with a new Republican majority in the Senate. The House will vote on the ACA 40-hour work week, veterans legislation and the Keystone pipeline. The Senate will elect committee chairs.

Final spending agreement averts government closure, but leaves some Democrats upset over easing of Wall Street regulation and school lunch health requirements

Legislation includes provisions on Ebola response funding, 340B Drug Pricing Program, children's hospital GME, and Health Centers Program

Congress must past spending legislation before Dec. 11, governors request CHIP funding extension, Cassidy defeats Landrieu.

Congress works to finalize several measures, including an omnibus spending package to extend federal funding. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce will review CHIP.

Impact of president's recent action on immigration could complicate congressional passage of FY 2015 spending bill; leadership changes progress for key health committees in House, Senate

With health care activity quiet, incoming House freshman orientation is under way, and Ebola hearings in both chambers continue.

Lame duck session starts this week, will cover federal funding legislation, which may include funding for Ebola and defense. Association testified on behalf of its members regarding Ebola.

After eight years in the Senate minority, Republicans will take control of the chamber in 2015, with at least 52 seats. The elections also resulted in at least 61 new members being elected to Congress, providing a valuable opportunity for essential hospitals to educate new lawmakers.

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce called members back from recess for a hearing to assess the U.S. public health response to Ebola.

While Congress is in recess, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing addressing the U.S. public health response to Ebola. CDC Director Tom Frieden, MD, and other U.S. public health officials will testify.

This week, Congress will likely consider a CR, allowing non-ACA-compliant group health insurance plans through 2018, extending the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program, and several health-related items.

The association sent a support letter to House Energy and Commerce ranking members commending their effort to extend CHIP through FY 2019. The proposed legislation would also extend Medicaid primary care payments and bolster quality measures.

The House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations called an emergency hearing to address the Ebola outbreak, including the capacity to contain it in the United States.

The House and Senate head into August recess after voting to clear a VA assistance bill, sending it to the president on Friday. The Senate couldn't pass border emergency supplemental legislation, while the House passed a less expensive version. CMS faced tough criticism from Republicans about HealthCare.gov contractors.

These members of Congress went on record supporting the 340B Drug Pricing Program and the patients it benefits.

This year’s congressional races will set the tone for policy discussions that could impact our nation’s essential hospitals. America’s Essential Hospitals 2014 Election Advocacy Toolkit contains resources to support your work to engage congressional candidates this election season.

Congress considers Veteran Affairs, Medicare, and immigration bills as August recess nears; House holds hearing on state Medicaid funding.

House Republicans continue negotiations on President Obama's request for emergency supplemental funding to address the influx of undocumented minors. The Senate HELP committee will be marking up eight bills, including the Trauma Systems and Regionalization of Emergency Care Reauthorization Act.

House GOP will move forward with a lawsuit against President Obama on the delay of the employer mandate without congressional approval. Energy and Commerce is marking up a variety of bills and holding hearings on the health insurance marketplaces and anthrax.

Congress returns to session focused on improving access in the VA health care system. The Senate Appropriations Committee will review the president's request for funding to contain illegal immigration of minors, and House committees will look at 21st Century Cures and Medicare reforms.

Congress is on recess for July 4th. Last week leaders in the Finance and Ways and Means committees introduced the IMPACT Act regarding postacute care in Medicare. Energy and Commerce held hearings on Medicare program integrity and digital health's impact on 21st century cures.

The bill would require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to consider socioeconomic status of hospital patient populations in its calculation of penalties under the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program.

House GOP Leadership elected Rep. Kevin McCarthy as majority leader and Rep. Steve Scalise as Whip. This week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold two health care related hearings, one on their 21st Century Cures initiative and the second on Medicare program integrity.

The Labor/HHS appropriations bill vote was cancelled due to Republican threats to derail the process over ACA funding. House Majority Leader Cantor's loss has House Republicans vying for his seat. MedPAC shares its biannual report to Congress on Wednesday.

CHIP funding will expire in FY 2016. Sen. Rockefeller introduced legislation last week to extend funding through FY 2019, which the association supports.

The letter addresses the unintended consequences for essential hospitals of the current readmissions penalty methodology and asks federal agencies to work with Congress.

America's Essential Hospitals submitted public comments to the Ways and Means committee regarding Medicare hospital payment issues, including the two-midnight rule, short inpatient stays, and RAC auditing, addressed in a committee hearing in May.

The Senate will vote on HHS secretary nominee Sylvia Mathews Burwell and the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee begins to work on legislation regarding the VA health care system.

The House and Senate vary recesses. Finance Committee approves HHS secretary nominee Sylvia Matthews Burwell. The Senate is expected to vote on her nomination in early June. Congress continues to scrutinize the scandal around several Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals.

The Ways and Means Committee reviewed hospital issues as part of the Medicare Program. Two Louisiana delegates urged CMS to accept nonprofit-provided premium assistance. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing featuring Secretary Shinseki.

The yearlong investigation of the federal government's spending and resources on mental health issues. The report found that individuals with the most severe conditions are less likely to receive treatment for their illness. The investigation was led by Rep. Tim Murphy, chair of the committee's Oversight Subcommittee.

The Senate will consider tax extenders legislation. The Senate Finance Committee will hold the current Director of OMB Sylvia Matthews Burwell's confirmation hearing to be the next HHS secretary on Thursday, and the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee will investigate the recent allegations of delayed care at VA hospitals.

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.

The funding authorization for CHIP is set to expire in October 2015. The Partnership for Medicaid urged Congress to protect CHIP funding, which will support coverage for an estimated 12.7 million children in 2015.

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

Association members explained what makes an essential hospital and the key issues facing essential hospitals to their policymakers on the Hill. The event also included reflections from senior Capitol Hill and administration staff and two award ceremonies that recognized members of Congress and congressional staff for their commitment to essential hospitals.

The bill replaces the SGR with a sensible physician payment system, ensures the continuation of health policies that help low-income patients access health care, and mandates an annual report on Medicaid DSH payments. The association notes that it would not support any methods of paying for the legislation that would "damage access to and quality of care..."

Legislation expected next week from Rep. Jim Renacci (R-OH) would help ensure Medicare's Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program does not unfairly penalize hospitals that care for vulnerable patients. The association offered support for the bill, which would protect hospitals whose patients might experience higher readmission rates due to socioeconomic conditions.

The legislation would extend the partial enforcement delay of the two-midnight policy and require CMS to develop new criteria for inpatient stays that last fewer than two midnights. Association President and CEO Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH, said, "It's vitally important that we get this policy right so that we don't inadvertently destabilize hospitals that care for the vulnerable."

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.

Congress has increased the debt limit but did not patch the Medicare physician payment system, as physician groups want a full repeal rather than a temporary fix. The Senate Finance Committee has a new chairman, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). Wyden assumed the position after Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) left to serve as ambassador to China.

Lawmakers in both the House and Senate introduced a consensus bill to repeal the Medicare physician payment system. Reps. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA) have each begun campaigning to take over Henry Waxman’s (D-CA) role as ranking member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing to examine drug shortages.

Republican House leaders are working on a proposal to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). On Wednesday, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will hold a hearing on the risk corridors provision in the ACA. Last week, House Energy and Commerce Ranking Member and Former Chair Henry Waxman (D-CA) announced he would retire at the end of his term this fall.

The Patient Choice, Affordability, Responsibility, and Empowerment (CARE) Act would repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with market-based reforms. The plan would keep some ACA provisions. The proposal would end the individual mandate and offer tax credits for individuals unable to afford coverage.

Bills were passed in committees last year

America’s Essential Hospitals urged Congress to oppose this proposal

The event will begin with lunch Tuesday, April 1, and conclude with a full day of lobbying, Wednesday, April 2

Bill includes provisions to fund the ACA, House held healthcare.gov hearings

Jan. 13 letter urges Congress to oppose Senate proposal to cut Medicare funding to pay for an extension of unemployment benefits

Subcommittee considered necessity, effectiveness of temporary extenders

Senate Finance Committee marks up legislation to repeal the sustainable growth rate

Congress’ top concern was possible budget agreement

The budget committee continued work on an agreement

Key staff indicated total cost of all extenders could be more than $200 billion

House passed “Keep Your Health Plan Act,” Senate considered similar bills

Congress holds healthcare.gov hearings, planned vote on "Keep Your Health Plan" Act

America's Essential Hospitals cautions against paying for SGR provision with cuts to hospitals

Congress holds healthcare.gov hearings, committee met on budget agreement

Oct. 28 letter notes that hospitals have faced more than $95 billion in cuts over the past three years

Congress narrowly avoids reaching the debt ceiling, gears up for healthcare.gov hearings

Senate reached a deal to end the federal government shutdown

Lawmakers negotiated potential plans to raise the debt limit

Held nearly 100 meetings, educated Congress about work to ensure patient access to high quality care

Congressional leaders stalled on debt limit agreement

CR was set to expire on Sept. 30

House abandoned plans to vote on a bill to extend the continuing resolution

Committee to review groups’ activities, budget, employees and training, and other issues

Event Oct. 1 and 2 to conclude with full-day of Capitol Hill visits

Registration open for America’s Essential Hospitals’ Fall Legislative Event, Oct. 1 to 2

Letter suggests security could be compromised by missed IT system deadlines

Oct. 1 to 2 event to include presentations by legislative experts, visits to Hill offices

House votes to bar IRS from implementing Affordable Care Act and collecting taxes to fund the law

ACA hearings focus on health insurance exchange implementation and employer mandate delay

Gang of Eight meets with 50 business lobbyists to encourage pressure on House to pass immigration measure

On law's 20th anniversary, members of Congress say law helps reduce drug costs for hundreds of hospital

House Republican leaders to meet July 10 to discuss whether to take steps toward immigration bill

Plan outlines options for states to adopt delivery system reforms

Senate passed legislation by a vote of 89-9, sent for vote in the House of Representatives