/>iMAHA and More Medicaid
Late Sunday night, May 18, 2025, the House Budget Committee voted to advance the reconciliation package drafted by the Energy and Commerce Committee and Ways and Means Committee last week. The four Freedom Caucus members who voted against the bill last Friday changed their votes to “present” on Sunday, which allowed the bill to move forward with a 17 – 16 majority in committee while still acknowledging their desire for additional federal savings.
The package moves to the House Committee on Rules next, which is scheduled to convene at 1:00 am on Wednesday (yes, am). The Rules Committee has already released a revised version of the package in a format that highlights the changes made. Additional modifications are expected in order to garner the near unanimity required for passage through the House. Anticipated changes impacting healthcare include implementing work requirements earlier than 2029. Republican leaders hope to have the bill on the House floor later this week, before Congress breaks for the Memorial Day recess.
Two subcommittees within the Senate Committee on Appropriations will meet this week to review portions of the president’s budget request for fiscal year 2026. US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will appear before the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies on Tuesday, and US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Martin A. Makary will appear before the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies on Thursday.
Outside of Congress, the Administration’s Make America Healthy Again Commission is anticipated to release its initial assessment and strategy this week, likely on Thursday. The commission, established in February and chaired by Secretary Kennedy, was instructed to develop a report that, among other things:
- Reviews childhood chronic disease in the United States compared to other countries.
- Assesses the threat of potential overutilization of medication and certain food ingredients and chemicals.
- Identifies best practices for preventing childhood health issues.
- Evaluates the effectiveness of existing educational programs.
- Evaluates existing federal programs and funding.
- Restores the integrity of science, including by eliminating undue industry influence.
Today’s Podcast
In this week’s Healthcare Preview, Rodney Whitlock and Debbie Curtis join Julia Grabo to discuss what happened over the weekend with the House’s budget reconciliation bill and what to pay attention to moving forward.
