Congressional:

Government Shutdown Continues

The government continues to be in a shutdown, which began on October 1, following the disagreement between Republicans and Democrats over the inclusion of an extension of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) advanced premium tax credits (APTCs), set to expire this year, in the continuing resolution (CR). Democrats also sought to repeal Medicaid provisions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, while Republicans pushed for a clean, seven-week CR.

On Monday, President Trump stated that "We have a negotiation going on right now with the Democrats that could lead to very good things, and I'm talking about good things with regard to health care,” adding that, "If we made the right deal, I'd make a deal." Trump later clarified in a Truth Social post that negotiations had not begun yet, and that he would only talk to the Democrats about health care once they "allow our Government to re-open."  Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) replied that, "Trump’s claim isn't true — but if he's finally ready to work with Democrats, we'll be at the table."

Senate Special Committee on Aging Holds Hearing on Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

On Wednesday, the Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing on generic drugs and the pharmaceutical supply chain. During the hearing, Chair Rick Scott (R-FL) emphasized U.S. dependence on China and India for generic drugs. Committee members expressed support for supply chain mapping, transparency, and aligning incentives to promote domestic production and drug quality. Committee members and witnesses discussed ways to incentivize domestic production, such as using federal purchasing power to prioritize American-made drugs, investing in modernizing US manufacturing facilities and new technologies, and considering tariff rate quotas to protect US manufacturing. The committee also discussed ways to increase regulation, such as implementing country of origin labeling for prescription drugs, increasing unannounced FDA inspections, and requiring independent batch testing of imports. Witnesses emphasized that solutions should be targeted, efficient, and prioritize essential medicines and antibiotics. Read Mehlman’s hearing summary here.

Senate HELP Committee Holds Hearing on AI’s Potential for Patients, Workers, Children, and Families

On Thursday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing on AI's potential to support patients, workers, children, and families. During the hearing, Republicans highlighted AI’s benefits, called for balanced regulation to avoid stifling innovation, and prioritized child safety and liability. Democrats focused on AI’s risks to jobs, inequality, and vulnerable populations, advocating for strong regulation, worker protections, and privacy. On health care, Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA) highlighted AI’s positive impacts, such as improving clinical trials, reducing administrative burdens, and lowering costs. Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT) highlighted AI’s potential for drug development and disease diagnosis but cautioned about broader economic impacts. Both parties agreed on the need for accountability when AI causes harm and the importance of protecting children. Read the witness testimonies here. 

Executive Branch:

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Posts Updated Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule Workgroup Terms of Reference

On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) posted a terms of reference document defining the activities, membership, and administrative requirements associated with the establishment of a Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule Workgroup. The document states that the work group will study topics including the order of vaccinations given to children; concurrent administration of shots; the safety of ingredients used in multiple products, such as aluminum; and the safety and efficacy of vaccine schedules used in other countries that differ from those in the U.S. Read the document here.

CDC Immunization Schedule Adopts Individual-Based Decision-Making for COVID-19 and Standalone Vaccination for Chickenpox in Toddlers

On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its adult and child immunization schedules to apply individual-based decision-making to COVID-19 vaccination and recommend that toddlers receive protection from varicella (chickenpox) as a standalone immunization rather than in combination with measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination. The immunization schedules adopt recent recommendations by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which were approved last week by Acting Director of the CDC and Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O’Neill. For the COVID-19 vaccine, individual-based decision-making means that the clinical decision by physicians, nurses, and pharmacists to vaccinate should be based on patient characteristics, including risk factors for the underlying disease, as well as the characteristics of the vaccine itself and the best available evidence of who may benefit from vaccination. Private and government health plans must continue to cover the vaccination with no cost-sharing. Read the press release here.