Healthcare Policy Change Feed
8 policy changes detected this week
Today, April 2
CMS Publishes Round 3 IRA Drug Negotiation List — 20 Additional Drugs
CMS published the final Round 3 list of 20 additional drugs for Medicare price negotiation under the IRA. 4 Pfizer products included: Eliquis, Ibrance, Prevnar 20, and Paxlovid. Therapeutic value assessment methodology finalized with 60-day comment period. Combined Round 1-3 scope: 50 drugs, $98B in Medicare spending.
Convene emergency DGI health practice briefing. Activate Pfizer advocacy on therapeutic value methodology comments within 60-day window. Simultaneously coordinate MSK's supportive public engagement — careful messaging given cross-client conflict.
NDAA Conference Report Released — $886B Defense Authorization
House and Senate Armed Services Committees released the FY2026 NDAA conference report. B-21 Raider fully funded at $7.2B, Sentinel GBSD at $3.8B. Includes new AUKUS technology sharing provisions, AI autonomous systems funding of $2.4B, and DoD cloud modernization framework. Floor votes expected within two weeks.
Brief Northrop government relations on conference report specifics. Coordinate Hill thank-you engagement with Armed Services leadership. Prepare floor vote strategy — ensure no last-minute amendments target defense programs.
Yesterday, April 1
Senate Commerce Committee Passes Federal Data Privacy Act (18-8)
Senate Commerce Committee advanced the Comprehensive Federal Data Privacy Act with bipartisan support. Key provisions: individual data rights, opt-out of targeted advertising, algorithmic transparency, FTC enforcement, and state law preemption with floor for biometric/health data. Bill moves to full Senate.
DUAL STRATEGY: Support preemption provisions (Mastercard priority) while advocating commercial transaction data carve-out (Amazon/Comcast protection). Brief all three clients on committee passage and floor timeline. Coordinate with Warner on amendment strategy.
EPA Publishes Final Power Plant Emissions Rule — Effective June 1
EPA published the final rule on power plant emissions standards in the Federal Register, triggering a 60-day effective date (June 1, 2026). Industry coalition led by API immediately announced legal challenge in D.C. Circuit. Rule requires 90% emissions reduction for new gas plants >400MW by 2032.
Coordinate API litigation strategy with outside counsel. Prepare Cheniere export-vs-domestic demand messaging. Manage MSK's supportive engagement to avoid internal conflict perception — separate communication channels.
Senate Energy Committee Passes FERC LNG Permitting Reform (14-6)
Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee advanced the FERC LNG Export Permitting Reform Act with bipartisan support. Establishes 18-month permitting timeline and categorical exclusions for existing terminal expansions. Cheniere's Stage 3 expansion specifically benefits from brownfield categorical exclusion.
Priority: Coordinate floor vote strategy with Barrasso and Manchin offices. Prepare Cheniere job creation and export revenue data for floor debate. Brief API members on upstream production implications.
Tuesday, March 31
Senate Judiciary Announces Hearing on Credit Card Competition Act
Senate Judiciary Committee schedules hearing on the Credit Card Competition Act for April 15, 2026. Chair Durbin and co-sponsor Marshall (R-KS) announce bipartisan momentum with 12 co-sponsors. Merchant coalition claims $15B in annual savings; payment network industry warns of rewards program elimination.
URGENT: Activate Mastercard full-court advocacy. Commission consumer impact study on rewards program elimination. Prepare hearing testimony and brief Banking Committee members. Simultaneously manage Amazon's supportive engagement through retail coalition — avoid direct DGI attribution on opposing sides.
FAA Reauthorization Passes House 387-41 — Moves to Senate
House passed the FAA Reauthorization and Aviation Safety Act with overwhelming bipartisan support. SAF blenders tax credit extended through 2031, pilot training modernization provisions included, and DCA slot expansion provision survived floor amendment challenge. Senate consideration expected Q2 2026.
Brief United government affairs on Senate strategy. Coordinate with Duckworth and Cruz on Senate companion provisions. Monitor DCA slot language — IAD competitive implications for United's Washington hub.
Monday, March 30
Ways & Means Passes R&D Tax Credit Expansion (28-14)
House Ways & Means Committee passed the R&D Tax Credit Permanence and Expansion Act with bipartisan support. Restores immediate R&D deduction retroactive to 2022, increases credit to 25% for domestic research, and creates 30% manufacturing process R&D credit. Cost: $185B over 10 years. Floor vote expected Q2.
Cross-client coalition opportunity: coordinate joint industry support through multiple trade associations. Brief tax writers on combined economic impact across DGI portfolio. Rare alignment — all affected clients benefit.