House Republicans Pass Budget Framework, Setting Up Reconciliation Process: On Thursday, the House approved a budget resolution to allow movement on a package of tax cuts, military spending, energy policy, and more along party lines this year. The budget bill, which passed 216-214, comes with a goal for committees to cut at least $1.5 trillion to safety-net programs in the final package, according to Senate Majority Leader Thune (R-SD). Senate Republicans are requiring a total of at least $4 billion in savings from Senate committees over a decade from new agriculture, nutrition, housing, health, education, and labor policy.

District Court Repeals Nursing Home Staffing Mandate: On Monday, Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk of the District Court for Northern Texas ruled to vacate key pieces of the nursing home staffing standards set by the Biden Administration. While the Trump Administration has also defended the rules in court even as Congressional Republicans repeatedly voice an interest in overturning the standards, Judge Kacsmaryk said the regulation is in violation of the APA.

Medicare Advantage Plans to Get Payments Bump: In a final rule Monday, CMS announced Medicare Advantage plan payments will rise by 5.06% in 2026, an expected $25 billion jump. The announcement comes soon after Senate confirmation of new CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, a supporter of the private-public plans that cover about 30 million Americans.  

Trump Announces Potential Pharmaceutical Tariffs Arriving: On Tuesday, President Trump said he was primed to "very shortly" announce "a major tariff on pharmaceuticals." Pharma products were initially exempt from the White House’s “Liberation Day” reciprocal tariff rates, which were themselves quickly paused due to market blowback and a reported interest in trade deal renegotiation. According to the FDA, only 30% of manufacturers of active pharmaceutical ingredients are in the U.S., but U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the agency will undertake an investigation before setting pharma rates.  

CMS Scraps Plans to Cover Anti-Obesity Drugs: Last Friday, language from the final contract year 2026 Medicare Part D rules explicitly said CMS does “not intend” to finalize Part D coverage of Anti-Obesity Medications. According to sources, the Trump Administration was unwilling to take on the estimated $20 billion cost of GLP-1 drug coverage and was concerned about renewed product shortages.  

Trump White House Adds New Criteria for Cutting Federal Rules: On Wednesday, the White House released a new Executive Order requiring review and agency repeal of rules in conflict with the mandate without a public notice-and-comment period. Agencies are required to provide the Office of Management and Budget with a list of rules that could be struck down by April 19. The administration’s deregulatory agenda is expected to have major implications across HHS.  

‍