Coming into 2026, healthcare affordability and access remain front and center on Capitol Hill as Congress works through a busy legislative agenda. Lawmakers are debating the future of premium tax credits while the administration has released its own healthcare plan in response to rising cost concerns, and the Senate has signaled bipartisan progress as it focuses on finalizing government funding. These discussions are moving quickly, and the decisions made in the coming weeks will have lasting implications for coverage and care.

At the same time, Congress is addressing funding for medical research and public health while also advancing patient-focused legislation through the appropriations process. Several long-standing bills aimed at improving access to care—including support for rare disease drug development, expanded telehealth services, pediatric access across state lines, and greater accountability within the healthcare system—are now included in broader spending packages. While much of this work is still pending, meaningful progress is underway.

Your voice plays an essential role in shaping these outcomes. Personal stories about healthcare access, affordability, and coverage help policymakers understand the real-life impact of their decisions, especially for those living with rare, chronic, or costly medical conditions.

I encourage you to stay informed, stay engaged, and continue sharing your experiences as we work together to advocate for policies that better serve our communities.

Congress reconvened on January 2 and quickly turned its attention to several major legislative priorities, with healthcare affordability continuing to dominate the conversation on Capitol Hill.

In response to growing concerns from constituents, the House passed a three-year extension of expired premium tax credits. At the same time, the administration attempted to slow momentum by releasing its own healthcare plan. The Senate has announced it reached a bipartisan compromise but delayed releasing details so lawmakers could focus on funding the federal government before the current Continuing Resolution expires on January 30.

The debate around healthcare affordability remains active and ongoing.

Medical Research and Public Health Funding:

Congress has now finalized all Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 spending bills through the conference process and released final drafts. However, only six of the twelve annual appropriations bills have been passed so far.

While funding for the Food and Drug Administration and the Veterans Administration is already in place, Congress still needs to complete funding for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Defense (DoD).

Recent draft spending bills include several key updates:

• A $400 million increase for the National Institutes of Health and medical research, bringing its annual budget to roughly $47 billion

• A $100 million cut to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and public health programs, from a roughly $9 billion annual budget

• Full restoration of funding (approximately $1.2 billion annually) for the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, including both the Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program and the Peer-Reviewed Cancer Research Program

• New policy provisions aimed at protecting the integrity of medical research by limiting proposed administrative changes that could disrupt ongoing or emerging research efforts

Patient Care Legislation:

In an unexpected move, the FY 2026 HHS appropriations bill also includes several widely supported patient care bills that previously stalled in Congress.

These provisions include:

• The Give Kids a Chance Act, which supports rare disease drug development and reauthorizes the Pediatric Priority Review Voucher program

• The Kids Access to Care Act, allowing children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP to access care across state lines more easily

• The Joe Fiandra Access to Home Infusion Act, improving Medicare coverage for infusion pumps and non-self-administered infusion drugs

• An extension of telehealth services through the end of 2027

• New accountability measures for Pharmacy Benefit Managers

All proposed funding levels, policy provisions, and patient care legislation remain pending. Congress is expected to vote on and potentially enact the full package by the end of the month.

Accessia Health, a national charitable patient assistance organization, is dedicated to eliminating healthcare barriers for people with rare or chronic health conditions. Comprehensive services include personalized case management, financial assistance, education, and legal aid support. Our flexible funding model goes beyond copays, allowing individuals to pay for other essential medical expenses including insurance premiums, screening and diagnostics, therapy services, travel costs and more. Accessia Health works to ensure that every individual has access to the care they need to lead a healthier life. 

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