Federal Advocate Articles

(Oct. 28, 2025) - As the federal government shutdown enters its fourth week, potential momentum is building for bipartisan solutions on issues like the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credits. The Senate continues to look at other issues including a hearing on the 340B program last week.
(Sept. 30, 2025) - A government shutdown in 2025 will be different that the last shutdown in 2018-2019 due to the health care extenders that characterize the post-COVID environment.
(Sept. 25, 2025) - Government shutdown talk is reemerging as the preeminent issue facing Congress. Federal fiscal year 2025 ends Tuesday, Sept. 30. A pathway forward for final passage of a budget deal did not emerge during the first half of September.
(Sept. 25, 2025) - The Enhanced Premium Tax Credits are a focal point of debate in Congress before they expire on Dec. 31, 2025. KHA has prepared messaging and background material as Kansas hospitals continue to weigh in on this issue
(Aug. 1, 2025) - Congress is about to enter fully into its August recess. Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee ended on a high note by marking up the FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill. The Senate will shortly join the House on its traditional summer break, which started earlier than expected last week. Both Chambers are in recess until the Tuesday after Labor Day.
(Aug. 1, 2025) - As part of the 2026 OPPS Proposed Rule, CMS proposes to accelerate the timeline for clawing back hospital funds resulting from the agency's previous unlawful 340B Drug Pricing Program between calendar years 2018 and 2022, as well as to conduct a drug acquisition cost survey.
(July 8, 2025) - President Trump signed the OBBBA on July 4. Attention now shifts to ensuring CMS approves Kansas’ State-Directed Payments.
(July 1, 2025) - The Senate passed its version of the One Big Beautiful Bill today, sending it back to the House where its future remains uncertain.
(June 30, 2025) - The Senate has entered the final phase of work on a budget reconciliation bill before a vote on final passage. Negotiations are continuing, and most in DC expect Congress to pass some version of the OBBB in the near future
(June 26, 2025) - The Senate continues to move toward a vote even though the final text for OBBB is not set. Senate GOP leadership intends to bring the bill directly to the floor without going through a committee process.
(June 26, 2025) - Dozens of insurers have pledged various reforms to prior authorization practices starting in 2026.
(June 18, 2025) - The Senate Finance Committee has released its draft of the budget reconciliation bill.
(June 10, 2025) - Kansas Medicaid payments are at risk under potential Senate health care provisions.
(May 22, 2025) - After a razor-thin vote, the bill moves over to the Senate where additional changes are anticipated.
(May 19, 2025) - After a weekend turnaround, House conservatives allowed the reconciliation bill to advance—setting the stage for pivotal amendments and a high-stakes floor vote later this week.
(May 14, 2025) - A House committee has tweaked part of the Medicaid proposal and passed it out of committee but concerns continue to linger.
(May 12, 2025) - President Trump signed an executive order this morning aiming to lower drug costs.
(May 12, 2025) - The House Energy and Commerce Committee released draft budget reconciliation legislation.
(April 8, 2025) - Congress stands at a crossroads as the budget reconciliation debate turns back to the House following Senate passage of a novel approach to the entire process late last week.
(April 8, 2025) - The Senate has confirmed Mehmet Oz, MD as the new administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
(April 8, 2025) - While the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process is on hold amid budget negotiations, Kansas Hospital Association staff have begun outreach to the Kansas Congressional Delegation offices for updates on their request forms.