Weekly Healthcare Policy Round-Up

In this week’s Health Policy Round-Up, ALF shares the most up to date news happening in Washington DC.

• Earlier this week American Liver Foundation’s (ALF) CEO, Lorraine Stiehl, took to the Hill to meet with lawmakers and highlight the urgent needs of liver patients nationwide. During meetings, lawmakers were called on to support the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act and to support the ongoing study on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) at the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (AHRQ). Check out ALF’s legislative priorities here.

• Obesity is a major driver of steatotic liver disease, especially MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease), which affects 80–100 million U.S. adults. MASLD is serious and without early intervention, it can progress to cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure, and even death. But the good news? It’s preventable. You can tell Congress to co-sponsor the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act by taking action here.

• On June 24th, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) responded to questions from Congressmen Arrington (TX) and Guthrie (KY) concerning changes to insurance coverage through Medicaid that would occur under H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. CBO estimates that by enacting the Medicaid provisions it would increase the number of people without health insurance by 7.8 million in 2034. Read more here.
• Millions rely on Medicaid for consistent access to the care they need including liver disease prevention and treatment. But recent policy changes threaten that stability. ALF is urging lawmakers to preserve and protect Medicaid coverage, especially for low-income and at-risk patients who rely on this vital lifeline. You can tell Congress to protect Medicaid for liver patients by taking action here.

• Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Health on June 25, discussing Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Health and Human Services Budget. ALF will continue monitoring changes within HHS and the potential effect on liver patients.