News

E&C Health Subcommittee Advances 15 Bills

June 29, 2026

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E&C Health Subcommittee Advances 15 Bills – The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health advanced 15 bills to the full committee on Thursday; notably including the prior authorization legislation (H.R. 3514) which recently surpassed the threshold of 290 cosponsors needed to ensure inclusion on the House Consensus Calendar – a procedural tool allowing bills to bypass committee consideration. The following bills, each favorably reported by a voice vote, are focused on protecting Americans from illicit substances and increasing price transparency:

• Lower Costs, More Transparency Act of 2026 (H.R. 9393)
• Premium Transparency Act (H.R. 9397)
• Prior Authorization Accountability Act (H.R. 9396)
• Prices on the Wall Act (H.R. 9390)
• Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3514)
• The Medicare Advantage Cost Transparency Act (H.R. 9392)
• R. 5243, legislation to increase data transparency for supplemental benefits under Medicare Advantage, was forwarded to the full committee, as amended
• Transparency in Medicare Advantage Steering Act (H.R. 9395)
• Combatting Illicit Xylazine Act (H.R. 1266)
• Tyler’s Law (H.R. 2004)
• STOP Nitazenes Act (H.R. 7970)
• ALERT Communities Act (H.R. 1561)
• HERO Act (H.R. 7994)
• Nutrition Education and Chronic Disease Prevention in Community Health Centers Act (H.R. 9389)
• Expanding Community Access to Health Services Act (H.R. 8201)

 

Cassidy Releases 340B Discussion Draft – Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chair Bill Cassidy, MD has released a discussion draft of legislation to reform the 340B drug pricing program. The 340B Drug Pricing Integrity and Affordability for Patients Act would clarify key definitions related to the program, create transparency and reporting requirements around how 340B revenue is being used, operationalize a new sliding fee scale for low-income patients being served by hospital covered entities, reform the 340B Prime Vendor Program, and address covered entity eligibility and contract pharmacy practices. The draft bill follows a year-long investigation into different aspects of the 340B program by Sen. Cassidy, who previously released a report on how covered entities use and generate revenue from 340B and convened a committee hearing on the subject. Cassidy is requesting stakeholder feedback on the proposal be sent to [email protected] by August 28, 2026.

 

Democrats Ask NIH Director to Oppose OMB Changes to Federal Grantmaking – Democratic leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee have sent a letter to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) regarding proposed revisions to the Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance. The lawmakers argue that the proposal from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will undermine scientific integrity and politicize grant funding decisions at the NIH. “The damage of this obvious power grab by political leadership in the Trump administration threatens to inflict severe harm on the nation’s biomedical research enterprise by usurping the critical role of scientific experts in the approval and funding of grants at NIH,” the letter states. “We fear this rule will lead to fewer cures, fewer clinical trials, and more exposure to dangerous public health hazards.” The lawmakers urge NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, MD to demand that the proposed rule be rescinded.

 

Buddy Carter Urges AMA to Reconsider Change to Maternity Billing Policy – Rep. Buddy Carter, BSPharm (R-Ga.) has sent a letter to the American Medical Association (AMA) expressing opposition to the group’s decision to change how doctors are reimbursed for maternity care. The AMA has proposed to replace the existing bundled maternity care CPT framework with individually billable services starting January 1, 2027. “This is not a routine coding update,” Rep. Carter writes. “It is a fundamental restructuring of how maternity care is reimbursed throughout the American healthcare system. The AMA has advanced this change despite serious concerns regarding affordability, care coordination, administrative burden, wasteful spending, and its inconsistency with broader healthcare efforts to move toward value-based care.”

 

Espaillat, Goldman Lose NY Reelection Bids – Rep. Adriano Espaillat lost his race in the Democratic primary for New York’s 13^th Congressional District. Espaillat is the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus who currently serves on the Appropriations Committee. He conceded the race to progressive activist Darializa Avila Chevalier. Rep. Dan Goldman was also defeated in the New York Democratic congressional primary last week. Goldman, who was first elected to Congress in 2022, currently serves on the Judiciary and Homeland Security committees. He was defeated by former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander.

 

Judge Temporarily Blocks Change to Professional Degree Definition – A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s narrowed definition of professional degree. The decision relates to the recently finalized rule from the Department of Education implementing new caps on borrowing limits for graduate and professional degree programs, as established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The rule excluded certain graduate level clinical programs – such as nursing, physician assistant, occupational therapy, and physical therapy – from the definition of professional degree. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the addition of requirements to the definition of professional degree is in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. The change was set to go into effect on July 1. A coalition of healthcare professionals are suing the administration, arguing that the change will irreparably harm students in impacted programs. Last week’s court decision will block implementation of the narrowed definition while the case proceeds.

 

President Taps Chris Klomp for HHS Deputy Secretary – The President has nominated Chris Klomp to serve as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The number two position at HHS has been vacant since the departure of Jim O’Neill in February. Klomp, a tech entrepreneur, currently serves as HHS chief counselor and director of Medicare at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. His nomination will be considered by the Senate Finance Committee.

 

Names Emerge to Lead FDA – The White House is reportedly considering tapping Heidi Overton, MD to serve as the next commissioner of Food and Drugs. Overton, a medical doctor with a doctorate in clinical investigation, is a deputy assistant to the President for domestic policy working on health issues. She previously worked at the America First Policy Institute. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been without a permanent leader since Marty Makary, MD resigned in May. Other candidates reportedly under consideration for the top position include cancer physician Jeff Vacirca, MD and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs Stephen Ferrara, MD. The administration is expected to announce an FDA senior leadership team at the same time as the commissioner nominee.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government oversight hearing on the Office of Management and Budget; 10:00 a.m.; June 30

 

House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health legislative hearing; 10:15 a.m.; June 30

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade hearing “American Global Competitiveness at 250: Legislative Proposals to Secure U.S. Technology Leadership;” 2:00 p.m.; June 30

 

House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions hearing “Direct Contracting: A Prescription for Lower Health Care Costs;” 10:15 a.m.; July 1

 

Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel hearing to receive testimony on the Tricare Pharmacy Program; 2:30 p.m.; July 15

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.R.9376 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to codify the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report and to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to study the effects of the Chaplain Service of the Department on the risk of suicide among veterans. Sponsor: Valadao, David G. [Rep.-R-CA-22]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.9365 — To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an office to assist communities in providing mental health services to individuals experiencing fear-based trauma related to immigration law enforcement actions taken by Federal agencies, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rivas, Luz M. [Rep.-D-CA-29]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9364 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to prohibit Medicare Advantage plans from imposing prior authorization with respect to repairs to complex rehabilitation technology. Sponsor: Pressley, Ayanna [Rep.-D-MA-7]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9363 — To amend the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 to establish a center on artificial intelligence to ensure continued United States leadership in research, development, and evaluation of artificial intelligence systems, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Obernolte, Jay [Rep.-R-CA-23]; Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology

 

H.R.9352 — To require reports regarding artificial intelligence-related job impacts, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Horsford, Steven [Rep.-D-NV-4]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.9345 —To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to establish a resources test for eligibility under the Medicaid program for the expansion population. Sponsor: Cloud, Michael [Rep.-R-TX-27]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9341 —To require the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop guidelines to assist agencies with preparing open Government data assets to be used to train artificial intelligence models, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Babin, Brian [Rep.-R-TX-36]; Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology

 

H.R.9336 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require States to take into account performance when assigning individuals to managed care entities under the Medicaid program. Sponsor: Goldman, Craig A. [Rep.-R-TX-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9334 —To amend the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 to facilitate the growth of multidisciplinary teams that can advance the development and training of safe and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Lofgren, Zoe [Rep.-D-CA-18] (Introduced 06/18/2026) Cosponsors: (1) Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology

 

H.R.9333 – To direct the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop a program for the voluntary reporting of artificial intelligence flaws and the acceleration of detection and monitoring of such flaws, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Ross, Deborah K. [Rep.-D-NC-2]; Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology

 

H.J.Res.197 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027; and Basic Health Program”. Sponsor: Castor, Kathy [Rep.-D-FL-14]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.1371 — Expressing support for a “World Sickle Cell Awareness Day” in order to increase public awareness across the United States and global community about sickle cell disease and the continued need for empirical research, early detection screenings, novel effective treatments leading to a cure, and preventative care programs with respect to complications from sickle cell anemia and conditions relating to sickle cell disease. Sponsor: Davis, Danny K. [Rep.-D-IL-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.4843 — A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to promote comprehensive campus mental health and suicide prevention plans, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Blumenthal, Richard [Sen.-D-CT]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4825 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to impose an excise tax on systemically important AI activity, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sanders, Bernard [Sen.-I-VT]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.4819 — A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, to establish an EMS and First Responder Wellness Grant Program, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Whitehouse, Sheldon [Sen.-D-RI]; Committees: Senate – Commerce, Science, and Transportation

 

S.Res.780 — A resolution expressing support for the designation of June 19, 2026, as “World Sickle Cell Awareness Day” in order to increase public awareness across the United States and global community about sickle cell disease and the continued need for empirical research, early detection screenings, novel effective treatments leading to a cure, and preventative care programs with respect to complications from sickle cell anemia and conditions relating to sickle cell disease. Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Foreign Relations

 

S.J.Res.197 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027; and Basic Health Program”. Sponsor: Baldwin, Tammy [Sen.-D-WI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.R. 9381 – To direct the Bureau of Labor Statistics to report on the usage of artificial intelligence in the workplace. Sponsor: Walberg, Tim [R-MI-05]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

S.Res.786 — A resolution designating July 15, 2026, as “Glioblastoma Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Graham, Lindsey [Sen.-R-SC]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.4875 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a program to develop innovative antimicrobial drugs targeting the most challenging pathogens and most threatening infections, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bennet, Michael F. [Sen.-D-CO]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.R.9389 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize funding for nutrition education and chronic disease prevention at federally qualified health centers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Harshbarger, Diana [Rep.-R-TN-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9390 — To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to require certain facilities to post prices on the walls; Sponsor: Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [Rep.-R-IA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9392 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require the inclusion of certain information in Medicare Advantage encounter data; Sponsor: DeGette, Diana [Rep.-D-CO-1]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9393 — To promote price transparency in the health care sector; Sponsor: Guthrie, Brett [Rep.-R-KY-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Education and Workforce

 

H.R.9395 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require certain reporting with respect to agents and brokers of Medicare Advantage organizations; Sponsor: Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [Rep.-D-NY-14]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9396 — To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require the displaying of claim denial rates; Sponsor: Goldman, Craig A. [Rep.-R-TX-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Education and Workforce

 

H.R.9397 — To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act and title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure health insurer accountability through publishing of overhead costs and claim payments, and to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on the provision of certain insurance information; Sponsor: Pfluger, August [Rep.-R-TX-11]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.9406 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to eliminate the cap on the number of waivers to certain pay limitations that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may issue for critical health care personnel of the Department of Veterans Affairs; Sponsor: Harder, Josh [Rep.-D-CA-9]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.J.Res.198 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to “Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model”; Sponsor: Wyden, Ron [Sen.-D-OR]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.4878 — A bill to provide for the establishment of an education program to expand abortion care training and access; Sponsor: Baldwin, Tammy [Sen.-D-WI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4879 — A bill to ensure the right to provide reproductive health care services, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Murray, Patty [Sen.-D-WA]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.4885 — A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a national, evidence-based education campaign to increase public and health care provider awareness regarding the potential risks and benefits of human cell and tissue products transplants, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Peters, Gary C. [Sen.-D-MI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4886 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to protect against high out-of-pocket expenditures for Medicare fee-for-service benefits, and to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to enhance programs that protect low-income Medicare beneficiaries; Sponsor: Blunt Rochester, Lisa [Sen.-D-DE]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.4888 — A bill to require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to maintain and expand a program on child sexual abuse prevention; Sponsor: Alsobrooks, Angela D. [Sen.-D-MD]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4889 — A bill to award grants for the creation, recruitment, training and education, retention, and advancement of the direct care workforce and to award grants to support family caregivers; Sponsor: Kaine, Tim [Sen.-D-VA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4895 — A bill to provide funding for programs and activities under the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act; Sponsor: Shaheen, Jeanne [Sen.-D-NH]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4898 — A bill to implement recommendations of the Comptroller General of the United States for improving the Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractor program and identifying additional opportunities to recover Medicaid overpayments, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Scott, Rick [Sen.-R-FL]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.4913 — A bill to amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to improve Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program for low-income mothers; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.4920 — A bill to ensure the privacy of pregnancy termination or loss information under the HIPAA privacy regulations and the HITECH Act; Sponsor: Hirono, Mazie K. [Sen.-D-HI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4924 — A bill to preserve patient access to health care providers and prescription drug coverage under Medicare and individual market plans; Sponsor: Rosen, Jacky [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4927 — A bill to establish a guaranteed funding stream to keep existing emergency rooms at America’s rural hospitals open, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hawley, Josh [Sen.-R-MO]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4929 — A bill to require continued participation by the United States in the World Health Organization, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Shaheen, Jeanne [Sen.-D-NH]; Committees: Senate – Foreign Relations

 

S.4939 — A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to review certain medical devices manufactured in the People’s Republic of China for potential cybersecurity issues, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cotton, Tom [Sen.-R-AR]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4941 — A bill to expand access to methadone through alternative care models using pharmacies; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.R.9418 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide a review process for adverse national coverage determinations with respect to drug coverage under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Barragán, Nanette Diaz [Rep.-D-CA-44]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9421 — To prohibit a REMS-certified provider from prescribing mifepristone without an in-person visit and a medical license in the State in which the patient resides, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Biggs, Sheri [Rep.-R-SC-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9422 — To implement recommendations of the Comptroller General of the United States for improving the Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractor program and identifying additional opportunities to recover Medicaid overpayments, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bilirakis, Gus M. [Rep.-R-FL-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9431 — To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to prohibit health care providers and facilities from imposing certain facility fees for telehealth; Sponsor: Hayes, Jahana [Rep.-D-CT-5]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.9433 — To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program to provide mental and behavioral health support to friends and families of veterans, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kennedy, Timothy M. [Rep.-D-NY-26]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.9439 — To amend the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to direct the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish a pilot program and develop voluntary disclosure standards relating to the use of artificial intelligence systems by private sector entities, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Lofgren, Zoe [Rep.-D-CA-18]; Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology

 

H.R.9441 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for coverage of expenses to improve the reproductive health care workforce; Sponsor: Morrison, Kelly [Rep.-D-MN-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9445 — To ensure the right to provide reproductive health care services, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schrier, Kim [Rep.-D-WA-8]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.9446 — VA Health Care Capacity Assessment Act; Sponsor: Takano, Mark [Rep.-D-CA-39]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.9448 — To ensure the accessibility of reproductive healthcare for Federal employees, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Walkinshaw, James R. [Rep.-D-VA-11]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform; Transportation and Infrastructure

 

H.R.9455 — To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to limit eligibility for the premium tax credit to individuals enrolled in qualified health plans offered by health insurance issuers that offer at least one qualified health plan which provides the option to make monthly cost-sharing payments, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bean, Aaron [Rep.-R-FL-4]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.9466 — To improve the integrity and oversight of the Foreign Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Harrigan, Pat [Rep.-R-NC-10]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.9468 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to adjust long-term care hospital payment rates under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Hern, Kevin [Rep.-R-OK-1]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.9470 — To ensure the privacy of pregnancy termination or loss information under the HIPAA privacy regulations and the HITECH Act; Sponsor: Jacobs, Sara [Rep.-D-CA-51]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9476 — To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to coordinate with the Secretary of Health and Human Services in administering the Veterans Community Care Program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [Rep.-R-IA-1]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs; Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9477 — To require certain artificial intelligence model developers to submit reports to the Secretary of Commerce, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Moran, Nathaniel [Rep.-R-TX-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.9486 —  To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to increase transparency of group health plan data, prevent discrimination, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Takano, Mark [Rep.-D-CA-39]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.9488 — To provide for the designation of areas as Health Disparity Zones to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes in such areas, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Thanedar, Shri [Rep.-D-MI-13]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means