Dear ACH Member,
While we’ve officially entered “Spooky Season,” Halloween has its work cut out for it as razor-thin elections, natural disasters, and continued unrest in the Middle East have caused enough fear and unease to last the rest of the year. With so much already at stake, we hope the only October surprise this year will be a Yankees/Mets World Series.
Please continue reading for important member information and legislative updates below.
We’re excited to announce that registration for ACH’s 4th Annual Member Meeting is officially open! Join us in Washington, D.C. at the Royal Sonesta Dupont Circle Hotel from March 25 - 27, 2025. Register today to secure your spot before February 28 to take advantage of early bird pricing.
Please join us on October 29th at 12:00 (ET), for a webinar on Congressional Directed Spending (Earmarks) requests and learn how your health center can apply for earmarked funds.
Thank you to those who were able to join us for our most recent emerging issues webinar, "Behavioral Health Opportunities and Challenges for FQHCs and CCBHCs." For those who were unable to attend, the recording can be viewed here.
The Latest News from D.C.
In their final legislative action before the election, the House and Senate approved a three-month continuing resolution (CR) to prevent a government shutdown and fund the government through December 20th, seemingly wrapping up loose ties until they return in November. However, since leaving Washington, Israeli forces assassinated Hezzbollah’s leader, Iran, and launched a ballistic missile attack against Israel in retaliation, and two major hurricanes, Helene and Milton, have devastated portions of the Southeast.
Despite President Biden’s urging from President Biden for Congress to return to Capitol Hill to approve billions of dollars for disaster assistance and emergency response efforts, House Speaker Mike Johnson remains firm that FEMA can manage with the funding passed last month and that Congress will act when it returns in November.
The calls for supplemental funding for FEMA and support for Israel further complicate negotiating a lame-duck funding package when funding expires at the end of the year.
Speaker Johnson has said he believes Congress will have to pass an aid package that could be as high as $100 billion and does not anticipate that it will be possible to offset that spending with budget cuts elsewhere. Any discussion of additional funding without offsets will be contentious among Republicans and will rely on Democratic support. Still, the election outcome will have a massive effect on what type of year-end package ultimately comes together.
In election news, we are only 21 days from the November general election. While Washington has been quiet with both chambers in recess, Members of Congress and candidates for office have been pounding the pavement in their home states and districts. Both Republicans and Democrats see control of the White House, House, and Senate within their reach, and while they disagree on federal funding, both parties have seen record spending on campaigns. Nearing $16 billion, 2024 is on track to become the nation’s most expensive federal election. ACH continues to engage with campaigns and elected officials on both sides of the aisle to prepare for whatever outcome we might see in November.
As a reminder, ACH has created resources comparing the healthcare legislative priorities and insights of the nominated Democratic and Republican presidential tickets. This resource is available exclusively for ACH members and can be accessed via our Members-Only Portal. This side-by-side comparison includes policy issues like maternal health, reproductive rights, drug pricing, Medicare, Medicaid, workforce, and more.
Updates on ACH Priorities and Legislation
CHC Invest
Funding Letter:
- The Association for Clinicians for the Underserved and the American Association of Teaching Health Centers plan to circulate a stakeholder sign-on letter urging Congress to fund National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) at levels reflected in the Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act. We will circulate the letter for signatures soon and encourage you to sign it, as it will provide another invaluable tool for advocating for health center funding.
- Congressional Directed Spending: ACH will hold additional informational webinars and member office hours supporting Congressional Directed Spending (Earmarks) requests through the end of the year. Please join us on October 29th, at 12:00 (ET) to learn how your health center can apply for earmarked funds. Resources and recordings will be posted to our Members-Only Portal.
- Last month, ACH delivered a letter to Congressional leaders and key staff urging Congress to reauthorize the Community Health Center Fund in an end-of-year funding package with sustained, long-term funding. The letter, signed by more than 550 healthcare organizations representing all 50 U.S. states and territories, specifically requested a minimum of $5.8 billion per year for at least three years. Read ACH’s press release on the letter.
340B/C
340B PATIENTS Act:
340B & FQHC Study:
Rebate Model:
Value-Based Care
Health Equity
FQHC Workforce
- The ACH-led Developing the Community Health Workforce Act, soon to be introduced by Congressman Raul Ruiz (D-CA), has been finalized by the House’s Legislative Counsel, and we are actively working to find a Republican co-sponsor. We have lots of leads, but please contact Molly Grady at mgrady@advocatesforcommunityhealth.org if you have a Republican office you are close with that you think might be interested in working with us on this bill.
- The National Conference of State Legislatures, supported by HRSA, recently launched the Health Workforce Legislation Database. This resource tracks enacted state bills across several professions.
Emergency Preparedness
- In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, ACH remains acutely aware of health centers' essential role and the financial strains they endure before, during, and after natural disasters. As negotiations and discussions take place to develop an end-of-year funding package, we urge Congress to provide specific funding to HRSA to support health centers’ disaster and emergency response needs. In the meantime, we have been in contact with the affected states’ Congressional delegations and will continue to do all we can for health centers affected by these storms. Please do not hesitate to contact us directly if there is anything we can do to assist with your efforts.
- CMS has accelerated payments to Medicare Part A providers and advance payments to Medicare Part B suppliers located in, or furnishing services within, a FEMA-designated disaster area. These payments will be repaid through automatic recoupment from Medicare claims for 90 days following the issuance of payment.
Other News from Across the Federal Government
The White House
- Free COVID-19 Tests: Anticipating a wave of COVID-19 cases this winter, the Biden Administration has revived its free COVID-19 testing program. Households can request four free at-home tests through covidtests.gov.
Health Resources and Services Administration
Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services
- Hospital Price Transparency: The GAO released a report recommending that CMS assess whether hospital pricing data are sufficiently complete, accurate, and useable and implement additional enforcement to ensure hospital compliance.
- $2 Drug List: Last week, CMS released a Request for Information (RFI) and preliminary list of drugs the agency plans to include under President Biden’s proposed $2 Drug List Model. This model aims to provide generic drugs for chronic conditions at an affordable cost and test whether offering low-cost, clinically important drugs can improve medication adherence and improve health outcomes.
- Lower MA Premiums: As Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment is expected to increase in 2025, average monthly plan premiums, as well as Part D premiums, are expected to decrease. CMS credits the improved access and decreased costs to beneficiaries to implementing the Inflation Reduction Act and other new enhancements that protect enrollees, encourage quality improvement, and increase competition among plans.
- MA Quality Ratings: CMS released the 2025 quality Star Ratings for the more than 500 Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plans. The Star Ratings system helps people with Medicare compare the quality of plans offered to help them make the best health care decision. The Star Rating system also financially impacts the plans, as quality bonuses are tied to their Star Rating.
Food and Drug Administration
- Decentralized Clinical Trials: The FDA recently finalized guidance regarding implementing decentralized elements, such as telehealth visits, in-home visits, and visits and other trial-related activities at locations other than traditional clinical trial sites. The guidance emphasizes the benefits of decentralized trial elements, including the increased enrollment and diversity these trial designs can bring.
Congress
ICYMI
Upcoming Events of Interest
Please let us know if you have any questions and have a great rest of your week!
Sincerely,
Your ACH Policy & Government Affairs Team
Stephanie Krenrich, SVP, Policy & Government Affairs
Molly Grady, Director, Policy & Government Affairs
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