18 May 2026 This Week in Health Policy for May 18 House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee will hold a hearing on "Examining the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, MACRA, and Opportunities for Payment Reforms."
Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee will hold a hearing on "Protecting Our Children: Exposing the Dangers of Irreversible Gender Transition Procedures on Minors."
Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on "The President's Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the National Institutes of Health."
House Oversight Committee launches fraud task force. On Wednesday (May 13), the House Oversight Committee Chairman announced a new Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses, to be chaired by Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX). The task force, which is authorized for six months, will examine institutions' programs and policies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); immigration and social welfare programs; and matters related to the censor or suppression of free speech. Lawmakers eye potential "Reconciliation 3.0" package. Congressional Republicans are increasingly discussing a potential third reconciliation bill later this year, which could serve as a vehicle for broader policy priorities beyond the narrowly scoped "2.0" package, largely focused on immigration enforcement funding for agencies like ICE and Customs and Border Protection. While "2.0" is expected to exclude health care due to jurisdictional limits, early signals suggest a broader "3.0" effort could bring health policy back into play — such as efforts targeting waste, fraud, and abuse, revisiting previously dropped provisions, and identifying health care savings as offsets. Internal divisions and a compressed legislative calendar, however, continue to cast uncertainty over whether a third package will materialize. CMS finalizes 2027 ACA Marketplace rule. On Friday (May 15), CMS finalized the 2027 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters Final Rule. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said, "This rule strengthens eligibility checks, cracks down on abuse, and gives insurers more flexibility to offer affordable, consumer-focused coverage options." Among other changes, the rule lowers exchange user fees, updates eligibility verification requirements, limits certain special enrollment pathways, and increases oversight of agents and brokers to curb fraud and improper enrollments. At the same time, CMS expands state authority and plan design flexibility — removing certain federal standardization requirements, enabling new plan types (including broader use of catastrophic options), and reinforcing that subsidies are targeted to eligible enrollees — aimed at improving overall Marketplace stability. Click here for the fact sheet. Click here for the press release. Click here for the Final Rule. Makary departs FDA. On Tuesday (May 12), President Trump announced that Marty Makary has resigned as the FDA commissioner, after much speculation over this departure. The administration named Deputy Commissioner of Food Kyle Diamantas as acting FDA commissioner. HHS Chief Counselor Chris Klomp told Inside Health Policy on Wednesday (May 13) that he is leading the search for a new FDA commissioner. Acting Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) Director Tracy Beth Hoeg is also expected to depart going forward. Supreme Court temporarily retains access to mifepristone. On Thursday (May 14), the Supreme Court ruled to block a lower court order in Louisiana v. FDA that would have restricted the nationwide distribution of mifepristone. The Court's action leaves current FDA rules in place, allowing mifepristone to be prescribed via telehealth and dispensed by mail or at retail pharmacies while the litigation continues. Justice Alito and Thomas dissented from the Court's decision. The case now returns to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals for further consideration. CMS pauses enrollment of new Medicare hospital and home health providers. On Wednesday (May 13), CMS announced a temporary nationwide moratorium on new Medicare enrollments of hospices and home health agencies, which the agency has identified as "high-risk" provider categories for fraud. The moratoria will remain in place for six months and may be extended in additional six-month increments as deemed necessary by CMS. The moratoria applies to all new applications for Medicare enrollment and certain changes in majority ownership, and will not affect currently enrolled providers. Vice President JD Vance also announced this week CMS that $1.3 billion in Medicaid funds to California will be deferred over suspicions of fraud. FDA seeks public input on repurposing approved drugs. On Monday (May 11), the FDA issued a request for information on identifying new uses for existing drugs, in particular for the treatment of chronic disease. The request is part of a broader effort by the agency to update labeling of FDA-approved drugs and expand treatment options using existing data. Trump Admin issues rule to increase access to fertility benefits. On Wednesday (May 13), HHS, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration issued a proposed rule that would create a new category of limited excepted benefits to include benefits used for diagnosis, mitigation or treatment of infertility or infertility-related reproductive health conditions. If finalized, the rule would apply to group health plans and issuers beginning in plan years that start on or after January 1, 2027. The rule is open for public comments through July 13. HHS announces new partnership with Heartland Forward. On Tuesday (May 12), HHS announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Heartland Forward to advance maternal health outcomes and improve care for women and families nationwide. The partnership will focus on reducing maternal morbidity and mortality through information sharing and evidence-based initiatives. HHS launches Moms.gov. On Sunday (May 10), in celebration of Mother's Day, HHS launched a new website, Moms.gov, to serve as a resource for new and expecting mothers. The website includes information on pregnancy and post-partum care, provides links to find locations of pregnancy centers and federally qualified health centers, and information related to nutrition, mental health services, and more. CMS announces early adopters to advance electronic prior authorization. On May 13, CMS announced 29 organizations have signed on as early adopters in an effort to accelerate electronic prior authorization. This follows a blog post from CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz on May 5, noting that CMS has added electronic prior authorization to the Health Tech Ecosystem, detailing actions CMS has taken to work with industry to ensure they are prepared for the January 1, 2027 go-live date for electronic prior authorization. HHS announces new actions to combat psychiatric overprescribing. On May 4, HHS announced several actions intended to address overprescribing of psychiatric medications, including a Dear Colleague Letter encouraging providers to explore non-medication approaches, such as family support, psychotherapy, nutrition, and physical activity, when clinically appropriate. In addition, the department announced several educational and outreach materials, as well as new grant activities that will launch in the coming months. HHS also said the NIH and FDA are working to expedite research into novel treatments for mental health conditions. White House released National Drug Control Strategy. On May 4, the White House released its National Drug Control Strategy, which outlines the administration's priorities to reduce national drug overdose rates, including targeting illicit drug supply chains and expanding access to preventive services, as well as, treatment and recovery options nationwide. House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a markup. On Wednesday (May 13), the Subcommittee advanced via voice vote 10 bills:
Document ID: 2026-1087 | |||
