Stay ahead of the latest regulatory shifts and healthcare breaking news with Headlines from the Hill.
In this month’s edition you will find:
- Current Impacts from the government shutdown.
- OBBBA $50 billion rural funds: Will not be affected by government shutdown.
- Federation of American Hospitals Board Chair: David Dill, Lifepoint Chairman and CEO.
Current Impacts from the government shutdown.
The government shutdown is entering its fourth week, with negotiations at a stalemate. Democrats continue to push for extending the expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced Advance Premium Tax Credits (eAPTCs), but Republicans are refusing to engage in negotiations until the government reopens.
The result has been an unchanging cycle of failed continuing resolution votes. However, with the pressure continuing to mount as federal workers remain unpaid or are laid off and programs shuttering, Republican leaders on Capitol Hill are ramping up talks within their rank-and-file and the White House on how to structure and advance a potential extension of the eAPTCs paired with broader reforms to the health care system before the end of the year.
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- Options under serious consideration are attaching a revamped subsidy framework to a small bipartisan package of full-year funding bills that have so far been stuck in partisan limbo or a long-term stopgap running through early next year after the government shutdown ends.
- However, some members have expressed concern over moving a healthcare package as an attachment. Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, said he would prefer a standalone bill.
- Further, none of these discussions have involved Democrats who would need to buy-in to advance such a package.
- The most likely legislative vehicles for extending the eAPTCs would be to:
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- Attach a healthcare package to a continuing resolution.
- Attach a healthcare package to certain full-year funding bills (a minibus), or
- Pass a healthcare package as a standalone measure.
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OBBBA $50 billion rural funds: Will not be affected by government shutdown.
Twenty-seven states have notified the Trump administration they intend to apply for the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), CMS staff said during a webinar in September, where the agency teased additional guidance is coming and clarified the administration will not move back the Nov. 5 application deadline in the event of a government shutdown.
Federation of American Hospitals Board Chair: David Dill, Lifepoint Chairman and CEO.
The Federation of American Hospitals (FAH) announced that Lifepoint Health Chairman and CEO David Dill will be the organization’s Chair of the Board of Directors for the 2026 calendar year.
“David Dill is a longstanding champion for patients and access to care in communities nationwide. His enduring commitment to advancing community health and expanding access to essential health services, particularly in rural communities, will provide valuable guidance to the Federation as it addresses the complex challenges facing patient care in the year ahead,” said Chip Kahn, President and CEO of FAH.
“I am energized for the year ahead and honored to serve as the Federation’s Chair as we continue to shape federal health policy and advocate for the communities we serve. At Lifepoint, our mission of making communities healthier aligns closely with the Federation’s longstanding commitment to expanding patient access to care. Guided by these shared values, I am confident we are well positioned for continued success,” said David Dill, Chairman and CEO of Lifepoint Health.
