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Before adjourning for a two-week mid-April recess, House and Senate Republicans worked to unlock a stalled budget reconciliation process. The effort deals primarily with entitlement programs (like Medicaid and SNAP) but includes weighing federal spending against taxes and tax revenue.
A budget reconciliation package requires a simple majority to pass and current proposals include
- tax cuts balanced with reductions in spending for healthcare accounts and
- a shift in focus to military and border security funding priorities
With the budget process moving forward, the tough committee work of identifying specific spending plans and spending cuts begins. Any emerging proposals will be weighed by how they address medical research, patient care, and public health efforts. Additional information about the FY25 budget resolution is available here and here.
Alongside other patient advocates and community organizations calling for an increase in medical research, public health, and patient care programs, Accessia Health took the opportunity to submit written testimony during the House’s recent Outside Witness hearings for FY (Fiscal Year) 2026, joining the community in calling for funding increases for NIH, CDC, AHRQ, and other programs.
However, the administration is preparing a “rescissions package” in light of recent efforts to reduce Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) staff, consolidate agency efforts, and cut funding for certain healthcare programs
Congress continues to reintroduce popular patient care bills focused on prior authorization, step therapy, and copayment assistance. While the measures are expected to be popular (and considered for advancement) once again, they will likely not see action until later this year while lawmakers remain focused on budget reconciliation and appropriations activities.
Advocacy organizations, including Accessia Health, will continue to support bills like the Safe Step Act and HELP Copays Act to ensure patient-centered reforms remain a priority in upcoming healthcare discussions.
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