Legislative Updates on Healthcare Policies and Insurance Reforms
Both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate resumed their sessions on February 24, 2026, following weather delays. They are tasked with resolving funding issues for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which remains unfunded due to ongoing political negotiations. This urgency is compounded by DHS’s recent announcements about changes to air travel screening processes.
Amidst these legislative sessions, President Trump is scheduled to deliver the State of the Union address, likely focusing on immigration policies and healthcare affordability. The Trump Administration's use of executive orders can be tracked in updated summaries available through various resources.
In a significant ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court decided against President Trump’s application of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs. The Court's decision raises questions about tariff refunds for importers, highlighted by Justice Kavanaugh in his dissent.
Following the Supreme Court's decision, President Trump announced a temporary 10 percent import surcharge under the Trade Act of 1974. This tariff, starting February 24, 2026, includes certain exemptions detailed in accompanying annexes.
Legislative Developments and Initiatives
The Senate Committee on Finance has proposed a bill to establish federal minimum staffing standards in nursing homes, reflecting earlier CMS standards. Concurrently, the Senate HELP Committee is considering FDA reforms related to industry user fees.
House Judiciary Committee leaders have issued subpoenas to major health insurance companies. These subpoenas aim to investigate fraud prevention within Affordable Care Act health plans, in response to a GAO report highlighting vulnerabilities.
The FDA has proposed a new pathway to expedite therapies for rare diseases, addressing feasibility when traditional trials cannot be conducted. This aligns with CMS initiatives like the ACCESS Model, integrating technology-enabled chronic care while evaluating fiscal sustainability for smaller providers.
The Department of Government Efficiency has released a Medicaid claims dataset to enhance research and identify fraud, promoting transparency in state-level expenditures. Meanwhile, CMS plans public sessions to gather feedback on drug price negotiations, aiming to reduce federal healthcare spending.
HRSA has issued a request for information regarding a rebate model for the 340B Program, amid ongoing litigation about its cost structures. In related regulatory activities, the FDA is reviewing the safety of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), consistent with current policy evaluations by the Trump Administration on GRAS additives.
Lastly, CMS has introduced a proposed rule to redefine ACA marketplace parameters for 2027, which includes considering health plans without traditional provider networks. Public comments on this proposal are solicited until March 13, 2026.