27 October 2025 This Week in Health Policy for October 27 The Senate is in session this week with a few health care hearings on the calendar, while the House is expected to remain out of session. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will hold a hearing on "The Future of Biotech: Maintaining U.S. Competitiveness and Delivering Lifesaving Cures to Patients."
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will hold a hearing on the "Nomination of Casey Means to be Medical Director in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service and Surgeon General of the Public Health Service."
Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on the "Nomination of Thomas Bell, to be Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services."
U.S. government shutdown continues. The government shutdown of the past three weeks-plus shows no signs of ending. The Senate is out until Monday and the House remains in recess. President Trump is traveling to Asia this week, leading to lowered expectations for any government funding breakthroughs given his absence. There are several pending deadlines which could compel action, including another scheduled paycheck for active-duty military members, though the Administration covered the prior military paycheck by leveraging unspent research and development funding and now potentially through a private donation. Additionally, next week marks the beginning of open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges, beginning on November 1, when many Americans will see their higher premiums due in part to the expected expiation of the ACA enhanced premium tax credits at the end of the year. There is also pressure due to dwindling funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in addition to continued air traffic control disruptions amid staffing shortages and Congressional staff pay. Speculation continues over a continuing resolution (CR) to patch government funding that is longer than the current House-passed CR until November 21, which the Senate hasn't passed because of Democrats' demand that any CR include an extension of enhanced ACA premium tax credits. Some conservative House Republicans are calling for a CR into 2026. And House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) said on Bloomberg TV that there has been discussion among some Republicans about a CR until December 2026, after the midterm elections. "We just need to make sure that the government is open and serving the American people," he said. Democratic health committee leaders voice concerns over TrumpRx. On Thursday (October 23), Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden (D-OR), House Ways & Means ranking member Richard Neal (D-MA) and House Energy & Commerce ranking member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. requesting details on the recent TrumpRx pharmaceutical deals. The letter notes that one of President Trump's sons "is a board member of an online pharmacy company called BlinkRx, which is in a position to profit from the administration's new initiative." The lawmakers sent a similar letter to BlinkRx requesting information on the company's potential involvement in TrumpRx. CMS updates claims guidance amid shutdown. On Tuesday (October 21), CMS instructed Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to lift the hold on Medicare claims with dates of service on or after October 1, 2025, paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, ground ambulance transport claims and federally qualified health center claims. This includes lifting holds on telehealth claims that CMS can confirm are for behavioral health services and those tied to applicable Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). CMS said claims with dates of service on or after October 1, 2025 for other telehealth services and Acute Hospital Care at Home claims should remain on hold. CMS temporarily brings back furloughed workers. This week, a CMS spokesperson told media outlets that the agency is calling back furloughed workers beginning Monday (October 27) to support open enrollment period activities for Medicare and the Affordable Care Act exchanges. According to the agency's contingency staffing plan, about 3,000 workers were furloughed as part of the shutdown. CMS awards national provider directory contracts. This week, CMS selected four organizations to develop proofs of concept for developing a national provider directory. The proofs of concepts are due by November 13, 2025. The National Provider Directory project is part of the administration's "Make Health Tech Great Again" initiative. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held a hearing on "The 340B Program: Examining Its Growth and Impact on Patients." On Thursday (October 23), the Committee held a hearing on the 340B Drug Pricing Program. During the hearing, members from both parties and witnesses voiced their support for the 340B Drug Pricing Program, but highlighted a need to increase transparency to better understand how 340B revenue is used and ensure the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has appropriate oversight authorities. Other topics of discussion included creating a patient definition and policies to address contract pharmacies, child sites, and duplicate discounts. Several members, including Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA), expressed optimism the committee could advance legislation to reform the 340B program this year.
Senate Special Committee on Aging will hold a hearing on "Modernizing Health Care: How Shoppable Services Improve Outcomes and Lower Costs." On Wednesday (October 22), the Committee held a hearing to discuss ways to improve the shopability of health care services. During the hearing, members and witnesses discussed a range of topics, including the need for price transparency, addressing the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in rising drug costs, consolidation, direct contracting, and more. Republican members focused most of their questions on the need for more market-driven solutions, while Democrats largely focused on the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits set to expire at the end of the year.
Document ID: 2025-2164 | |||
