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.

• On January 15^th American Liver Foundation (ALF) hosted a Congressional briefing entitled, Liver Cancer: Prevalence, Risk Factors and Strategies for Prevention and Treatment to discuss evidence-based strategies for prevention and treatment, as well as legislative solutions aimed at improving access to care for patients. Speakers included Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02), Mark Dreiling, Chief of Staff to Congressman Bacon who is also a liver transplant recipient, and leading medical experts and patient advocates who explored the prevalence and risk factors of liver cancer, with a focus on communities at increased risk. You can read our press release here and watch the recording here.
• The House and Senate Appropriations Committees Labor-Health and Human Services funding bill provides $2.3 billion in total funding for The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), a $15.7 million increase over last year. These funds will contribute to NIDDK’s Liver Diseases Branch which investigates pathogenesis, fundamental mechanisms and therapeutic innovation in liver diseases.  
• This week the House and Senate Appropriations Committees released their Labor-Health and Human Services funding bill this week. The bill funds the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) at $345.38 million for fiscal year 2026, a $23.6 million decrease for the Agency. over last year. Current funding runs out on January 30, leaving Congress with very little time to vote on the final appropriations bills.
• The Senate has not yet voted to extend the advance premium tax credits (APTCs), a subsidy from the Affordable Care Act. These tax credits enable more individuals to afford health insurance and enroll in coverage. Additionally, open enrollment for marketplace plans ended on January 15^th. ALF will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on how the Senate proceeds. 
• The House of Representatives is in recess the week of January 26^th, while the Senate will be returning from recess next week.