SAVE THE DATE – March 18, 2025 – 2:00 PM
At the beginning of each new Congress, the Roundtable’s Board of Directors updates our Federal Health Care Policy Priorities in response to changes in the national policy and political environment.
On Tuesday, March 18th, Roundtable staff will discuss these updated Policy Priorities during a webinar scheduled for 2:00 PM. In addition, our policy advisors will discuss the potential ramifications of the early policy and program decisions of the new Trump Administration. Additional details will be announced.
To Register for the March 18th Webinar, click here.
Top News
Roundtable Signs on to BMA Letter in Support of Medicare Advantage
In response to recent Medicare Advantage cuts, the Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) and over 100 groups are urging the Trump administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to ensure stability and adequate funding, highlighting the program’s role in delivering coordinated, value-based care to over 34 million seniors and individuals with disabilities. Read the letter here.
Trump Administration Supports ACA Preventive Care Mandate in Supreme Court Case
The Trump administration informed the Supreme Court that it would defend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) requirement for insurers to cover certain preventive services at no cost, a move that contrasts with President Trump’s previous efforts to dismantle ACA provisions and has sparked speculation about the administration’s position. The Supreme Court case questions whether employers can deny coverage for services like cancer screenings, behavioral counseling, heart disease medications, and HIV prevention drugs (PrEP) on religious grounds and whether the mandate violates the Constitution’s Appointments Clause, arguing that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force lacks proper authority since its members were not appointed or confirmed by the Senate. A 2022 federal court ruling in Texas sided with the plaintiffs—two Christian-owned businesses and individuals—who challenged the ACA’s preventive services mandate on religious freedom grounds. The Biden administration appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that the ruling created legal uncertainty. In contrast, the Trump administration had previously argued in its legal brief that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not have the independent authority to issue legally binding mandates, as its recommendations only take effect if approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. It appears their position, now serving as the defendant in the case, has since changed.
Senate Adopts a Budget Resolution After All-Night Voting Session
On Friday, February 21, after a 10-hour “vote-a-rama,” the Senate agreed to adopt a budget resolution that lays out the framework for the first part of President Trump’s policy agenda. The final vote saw Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) voting with the Democratic minority against the bill, but all other Republican Senators united to pass the resolution in a 52-48 vote. Democrats used the marathon voting session to introduce numerous amendments, particularly on issues like Medicaid cuts and tax credits for the wealthy, to force Republicans to go on the record for or against the proposals. Republicans overwhelmingly voted together to reject all of the Democrats’ amendments, with a few Republicans straying from the party on votes related to cutting health care programs and addressing the mass federal government layoffs that have been instituted by President Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The final Senate resolution includes an additional $175 billion for border security and immigration enforcement and $150 billion for defense spending, in line with President Trump’s policy agenda. The Senate’s resolution still needs to be voted on by the House, which is working on a competing proposal to implement the President’s agenda. Either resolution would need to survive a vote in both chambers in order to officially pass.
House Schedules Vote on President Trump-backed Budget Resolution
House Republicans are preparing to vote on a budget resolution as soon as next week that aligns with former President Trump’s full legislative agenda, opting for a single comprehensive bill rather than the Senate’s two-track approach. The resolution includes $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, a $4.5 trillion cap on the deficit impact of extending Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, and $300 billion in additional border and defense spending. It also raises the debt limit by $4 trillion. A key point of contention is the mandated $880 billion in Medicaid cuts, which has led some moderate Republicans to withhold their support from the resolution until they understand the full implications of the funding cuts on their constituents. Trump has reassured the public that Medicare and Medicaid will remain untouched, although several GOP lawmakers have previously eyed the program for offsets. The budget resolution is designed to initiate the reconciliation process, allowing Republicans to bypass Democratic opposition in the Senate. The Senate’s alternative resolution called for $325 billion towards border security, defense and energy, but deferred the tax cuts to a separate, later package. House Republicans announced the vote shortly after President Trump endorsed the package on social media, saying the proposal moves all priorities of his agenda into “one big, beautiful bill”. Senate Republicans were largely taken aback by the endorsement, but Senator Barrasso (R-WY) indicated they would move ahead with their package as planned.
Healthsperien covered the hearing and comprehensive notes are available here.
Executive Action
- President Trump signed a new Executive Order aimed at reducing federal overreach by prioritizing lawful governance and implementing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) deregulatory initiative. The order directs federal agencies to review regulations to ensure they align with the Constitution and Trump Administration policies, focusing on removing burdensome or unnecessary rules. Agency heads are tasked with collaborating with DOGE teams and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to develop a Unified Agenda to rescind or modify regulations that are inconsistent with legal and constitutional standards. The order also directs agencies to exercise enforcement discretion, prioritizing actions that are grounded in statutory authority and constitutional limits. This initiative builds on President Trump’s previous deregulatory efforts, addressing regulations seen as impeding economic growth, technological innovation, and small businesses.
- President Donald J. Trump has signed an executive order to expand access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), aiming to reduce financial barriers to treatment. This order mandates that within 90 days, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy must present the President with a list of policy recommendations aimed at expanding access to IVF and significantly lowering out-of-pocket expenses and health plan costs for IVF treatment. During his first administration, President Trump doubled the child tax credit and implemented a policy allowing new parents to withdraw up to $5,000 from retirement accounts without penalties following a birth or adoption. The latest executive order builds on these policies, aiming to improve access to IVF and reduce financial barriers for families seeking fertility treatment.
- President Trump issued an executive order Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies. The order claims that independent regulatory agencies, including the Federal Election Commission, exercised significant regulatory and executive agency power without appropriate oversight from the chief executive who is accountable to the American people. Moving forward, executive agencies, including independent regulatory agencies, must submit “final significant regulatory actions” to the Executive Office of the President Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) prior to publication in the Federal Register. Previously independent regulatory agencies must now establish performance standards and management objectives. The order also stated that only the president and attorney general may interpret law and prohibited all other federal employees from advancing policies that do not align with the president or attorney general’s interpretation. Notably, the Federal Election Commission was the only named example of an independent regulatory agency. This approach follows the Unitary Executive Theory, a theory that the president has sole authority over the entire executive branch, and appears to be heavily influenced by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director and Project 2025 author Russ Vought. This order is expected to face significant legal challenges in the coming weeks and months.
Administrative Action
The Trump Administration has carried out mass firings at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), dismissing approximately 3,600 probationary employees across key agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The layoffs, led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have sparked concerns about potential disruptions to public health programs and emergency preparedness efforts, particularly amid growing threats like the avian flu. Lawmakers and health experts have criticized the move, warning of risks to public health infrastructure, setbacks in major health initiatives, such as CMMI models, and diminished government capacity to manage crises effectively.
Congressional Action
- Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced that he would not seek re-election in the Senate next year. Born in 1942, Senator McConnell has recently suffered multiple health challenges including a fall incident that resulted in his use of an ambulatory wheelchair. Senator McConnell is the former Senate Majority Leader and was widely regarded as one of the most influential senators of his generation. He is best known for his policy efforts to remake the federal courts in a conservative image, his condemnation of President Trump’s actions on January 6, 2021, and his subsequent clashes with more populist members of the Republican party. Multiple Kentucky Republicans have begun posturing for McConnell’s seat including Representative Andy Barr (R-KY-06), former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R), and businessman Nate Morris.
- Congressman Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and several members of the Congressional Hispanic Conference (CHC) sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson expressing concerns over the House Budget Resolution’s proposed $880 billion in cuts to programs under the jurisdiction of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, with Medicaid expected to bear the brunt of these reductions. The letter was signed by Representatives Monica De La Cruz (R-TX), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), David Valadao (R-CA), Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), and Delegates James Moylan (R-GU) and Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-CNMI). With nearly 30% of Medicaid enrollees being Hispanic Americans, CHC members emphasized that cutting Medicaid funding would have serious consequences, particularly for rural and predominantly Hispanic communities where hospitals and nursing homes are already struggling. While the CHC supports efforts to curb unnecessary government spending, the letter urges lawmakers to ensure that essential programs like Medicaid remain protected, highlighting the vital role the program plays in providing healthcare access to millions of Americans. As budget discussions continue, the CHC calls for a balanced approach that eliminates wasteful spending without undermining programs that support working-class families.
- The Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing on Optimizing Longevity: From Research to Action. Chairman Rick Scott (R-FL) emphasized the economic benefits of preventative over reactive healthcare, while Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) focused on optimizing longevity through quality of life and community connections. Concerns were raised about high obesity rates and the U.S. ranking 55th in life expectancy, as well as barriers to healthy food access, particularly for those with chronic conditions. The need for increased funding in aging science was also highlighted, along with the importance of local policies that make healthy choices more accessible. The hearing underscored the need for greater focus on prevention, better nutrition, and increased investment in aging research to improve lifespan and quality of life. Healthsperien covered the hearing and comprehensive notes are available here.
