Weekly Healthcare Policy Round-Up

A lot is happening in Washington DC, so the ALF team will draft a weekly health policy round-up to keep you up to date and informed.

• On February 25^th, the House passed its budget resolution. Next, House Speaker Rep. Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Thune will work together in the coming weeks on a compromised budget resolution.
  • The House and Senate budget resolutions both include potential cuts to Medicaid. These cuts could adversely affect liver patients, many of whom rely on Medicaid for life-saving care.
  • Last week, we shared an action alert for House Members. This week, we have an action alert for the Senate. Please let the Senate know that cuts to Medicaid could be devastating to liver patients. Take action today! 

• In late January a freeze was placed on government grants, leading the National Institutes of Health to stop the vetting of future studies on liver disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and many other medical conditions, potentially delaying future medical research. On February 25th, a federal judge issued a long-term block on the Trump administration’s freezing of grants, loans and other payments, extending a temporary order, allowing funds to continue to be disbursed to nonprofits, universities, and research centers. ALF will continue monitoring the situation.

• On Thursday, March 6, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee will hold a confirmation hearing on the nomination of Dr. Martin Makary to be Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.