BREAKING NEWS: A federal court of appeals has ruled on the case challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Texas v. United States. Key protections of the law remain in place pending further court action. See “ACA” section in this week’s Update.
It has been a very busy few days in DC, not even considering the impeachment vote. Congress is getting ready to begin its between-session recess on December 20, and, as usual, the biggest deals get made just before such a deadline. Negotiators settled on details for funding all the agencies of the federal government through the remainder of the current fiscal year, and the president is expected to sign the legislation (two large bills). Also included in the deal are extensions of funding for Medicaid in the territories, community health centers, and other public health programs. Not included are measures to address surprise medical bills and prescription drug prices. Also this week, the administration announced a proposed rule intended to facilitate organ donation, and first steps toward allowing the importation of prescription drugs. Read about these issues, the ACA case, and more in this week’s Update.
Encourage confidence to act