HHS Provides Additional Clarity on Workforce Reductions: Throughout the week, HHS has released specific details regarding elimination of federal offices and positions. The FDA’s Drug User Fee Act and Medical Device User Fee Amendments staff have been greatly reduced, as has its Office of Prescription Drug Promotion. FDA staffers were also removed from the Office of New Drugs, the Office of Policy & International Engagement and the Office of Regulatory Programs. Senate HELP Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA) has publicly called HHS Secretary Kennedy to “set the record straight ... of the proposed reorganization” before his Committee.  

Trump Tariff Plans to Create Certain Supply Chain Uncertainties: On Wednesday, President Trump unveiled a slate of “reciprocal” tariff rates – a strategy designed to reshore domestic manufacturing. In the White House’s official Executive Order, President Trump provides an exemption for “pharmaceuticals” from the proposed baseline 10% tariffs and the country-level reciprocal tariff rates. Medical devices will be tariffed.

Dr. Oz Confirmed by U.S. Senate: On Thursday, Dr. Mehmet Oz was confirmed by the Senate to become CMS Administrator. While a candidate for US Senate, Oz advocated an “Medicare Advantage for all” approach, but during his Senate Finance confirmation hearing he repeatedly agreed prior authorization, upcoding, and other issues within MA needed to be fixed.  

Senate Judiciary Committee Passes Drug Patent Reform Proposals: On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Drug Competition Enhancement Act and Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act via bipartisan majorities. The former would prohibit brand name drug makers from slightly altering prescriptions to avoid competition from generic alternatives; the second would call for studies and prohibitions on multiple, often overlapping patent “thickets.”

Kennedy Announces Needed Reinstatements: In a Thursday interview with ABC News, HHS Secretary Kennedy said several research projects and HHS staff teams will have to be reinstated to “work for the American people.” Kennedy did not provide details on what programs might be reinstated but said this was “part of the plan” because DOGE efforts would “make mistakes.”

Bipartisan Group Introduces Rural Health Reauthorizations Package: On Wednesday, Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Chair Buddy Carter (R-GA), Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA), Rep. Shomari Figures (D-AL), and Rep. Michael Rulli (R-OH) introduced the Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act. The bill would extend the Rural Health Care Services Outreach Programs through 2030.

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