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WHITE HOUSE:

With the Labor Day holiday this week, it was quiet out of the White House. The focus was mainly political in nature as they focused on messaging in support of the President’s tariffs, a new EO implementing the Japan-US framework (previously announced in July), and a meeting of the AI task force, hosted by the First Lady. One note of indirect interest:

• • Continuing the Administration’s interest in investing in AI, and together with the First Lady’s meeting with the AI task force, the President hosted a meeting of major tech leaders to discuss ensuring America remains at the head of the AI discussion. It’s a sign that the Administration remains committed to building a real AI infrastructure here in the US.

CONGRESS:

Welcome back, Congress! As we discussed in the last few weeks, Congress came back with limited time to find a path to funding the government. The most obvious path is a Continuing Resolution (CR), which funds the government at existing levels, although Republicans will need Democratic support to do so, something that both Dems and rank & file Republicans are loath to do right now. Adding to the complexity is a full to-do list of other items, both messaging and meaningful, that will divert attention from the main show. Given the tight time frame, some level of CR remains the likeliest outcome, despite all the noise that will surround it. Elsewhere in DC:

• • HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was grilled on the Hill at a Senate Finance Committee hearing. It’s not just Democrats that are unhappy with him; Republicans Senators are also airing their concerns with some of HHS’ decisions.

• • The House Energy & Commerce Committee held a hearing to understand the intersection of AI & Healthcare in America. Led by Health committee chair Congressman Morgan Griffith, a major topic was prior authorization and the use of AI chatbots.

• • Hot off the heels of Texas’ mid-term redistricting several other states are exploring their own forms of redistricting.

• • Is it ever too early to think Presidential elections? An early look at potential GOP candidates for 2028.

• • The House Freedom Caucus, a loud voice for conservatives, is undergoing an internal reckoning, as many of their most high-profile exits are leaving Congress.

• • The prospects of another Reconciliation bill are losing steam, especially without a major unifying goal.

• • A deeper dive into the numbers show that the GOP gains in 2024 went well beyond just the Presidency.

AGENCIES:

HHS announced a renewed focus on enforcing the health data blocking provisions of the CURES Act. HHS Secretary RFK Jr. put out a video explaining the focus. The OIG at HHS published an accompanying enforcement alert (PDF).

It hasn’t been formally published yet, but McKnight’s reported this week that CMS will be repealing the minimum staffing rule.

The FTC elected not to pursue an appeal of a court decision blocking the Biden-era rule banning noncompete agreements, effectively killing the rule. The formal statement is here (PDF).

HHS announced a new portal, to be launched at some point following the October 1^st effective date of the FY2026 Hospital Final Rule, that will provide real time insight into prescription drug pricing.

HHS announced expanded access, through the marketplace, to more affordable catastrophic health coverage. The fact sheet is here.

FROM THE NOTEBOOK:

• • Ohio’s Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of providers in their suit against the state regarding how the state calculated their value based payments. For those so inclined, the full legal decision is here (PDF).

• • Oh look; yet another study found that MA insurers are gaming the risk system that CMS uses to reimburse MA plans.

• • A local look at a new law in Indiana that aims to ease the nursing shortage by allowing high school students to take accredited nursing classes, thereby accelerating their path into nursing. One hospital is already hosting a career fair for high school students.

• • The Kaiser Family Foundation released a new comprehensive database of all their surveys and data on state healthcare programs.

• • The architect of Michigan’s work requirements program for Medicaid beneficiaries has a warning for other states.

• • UCare in Minnesota is getting out of the MA market.

• • PHARMA is going after the expanded use of the 340B drug program by non-profit hospitals.