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

Today, the House of Representatives passed the One Big Beautiful Bill in a vote of 218 to 214. The bill includes cuts to health care and nutrition programs, like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill could lead to significant coverage losses and increased healthcare costs. Hospitals, especially in rural areas may face funding shortages, staffing challenges, and service disruptions if the bill becomes law. ALF will continue to monitor these developments and the potential impact to liver patients.
The CDC’s vaccine advisory panel is currently re-evaluating several long-standing recommendations, including the routine administration of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. This vaccine has been a critical public health tool for over three decades, preventing thousands of cases of chronic liver disease and liver cancer.
In response to concerns about potential changes, the bipartisan Congressional Hepatitis Caucus has sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., urging continued support for the universal birth dose. The letter emphasizes the importance of maintaining this proven, science-based policy to protect all infants especially those who may be at risk of undiagnosed exposure at birth.
The letter can be read here: https://velazquez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hepatitis-caucus-co-chairs-velazquez-and-johnson-call-rfk-jr-maintain
ALF is actively monitoring this issue and will continue working with partners and policymakers to ensure that hepatitis B prevention remains a national priority. Look for future details and action alerts.
Wishing everyone a safe, happy and healthy Fourth of July.

Weekly Healthcare Policy Round-Up