As Congress Returns from Recess, Reconciliation Remains a High Priority. This week, GOP lawmakers returned from recess with the intention that committees review and advance reconciliation legislative language. Some of the less politically complicated pieces were considered this week, while other committees like Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means, where health care policies would be considered, have delayed their consideration to the week of May 12. If that schedule holds, stakeholders could expect to see additional details of potential Medicaid changes and spending cuts in the next week or so. However, once House Republicans pass their reconciliation package, the Senate is expected to make significant changes to cuts and spending approved by the House, setting up further negotiations between the two chambers before a reconciliation bill can be presented to the President.

Ways and Means GOP Sends Letter on CMMI Priorities. Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) and Committee Republican members sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) Director Abe Sutton outlining their priorities for future delivery and payment models. The letter encourages greater transparency and consistent opportunities for public feedback during the design and development phase of new models and more insight into potential model changes. The members also urged CMS to look at models focusing on care delivery in rural communities, which is a priority for Chairman Smith. A4H and its members, including our Executive Council, have worked closely with the Committee, and we were pleased to see some of our recommendations in the letter.  

CMS Launches New Fraud Detection Operations Center. The agency announced the Operations Center on social media, noting it suspended payments to 33 providers suspected of fraud in the first month since the launch. On the Center’s dashboard, CMS described recent actions taken to fight fraud, waste, and abuse, including steps taken to prevent reimbursement for fraudulently billed wound care services. CMS also highlighted policies finalized in the Calendar Year 2026 Final Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Rate Notice designed to increase efficiency in MA and Part D, and CMMI’s March announcement on their realignment with its statutory obligation. A4H supports CMS’ efforts to fight waste, fraud, and abuse while maintaining critical, cost-saving programs that promote improved patient outcomes and advance the transition to value-based care.

President Trump’s “Skinny Budget” Offers Insight into Health Priorities. The President’s “skinny budget” request was released this morning, giving lawmakers and stakeholders insight into the spending cuts and increases the President will detail in the forthcoming Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 President’s Budget Request, expected later this month. The skinny budget requests a $500 million increase for Make America Healthy Again initiatives, and outlines cuts, reductions, and consolidations in other Department of Health and Human Services agencies and programs. Notably, the skinny budget requests a $674 million decrease in funding for CMS, though the note provided states the cut will have no impact on the provision of Medicare and Medicaid benefits. A4H will review the full President’s Budget Request once released and continue to provide updates throughout the FY26 appropriations process.

A4H Sends Letter Welcoming Administrator Oz to CMS. A4H CEO Mara McDermott sent a letter welcoming Administrator Oz to his new role at CMS. The letter highlights the role of value-based care in prioritizing preventive care to help address chronic diseases, a priority for Administrator Oz. In the letter, A4H encourages CMS to expand on opportunities for beneficiaries to enter into accountable care relationships and asks that CMS prioritize a bold commitment to accountable care, improving stability and transparency in model design and implementation, harnessing data and technology to improve the consumer and provider experiences, and engaging beneficiaries in their care. A4H will continue working with the Administration and other policymakers to advance the transition to better health outcomes at a lower cost.

JAMA Article Shows Significant Savings Associated with MSSP ACOs. The analysis shows that ACOs were associated with an annual mean differential reduction of $142 per-patient Medicare spending over three years in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) and $294 over six years, compared to non-ACO care. Spending changes resulted in $4.1 billion to $8.1 billion in savings to Medicare between 2012 and 2019, with increasing effects over time.

Register for our next Double Click meeting on Tuesday, May 20. Join us for our in-person meeting for policy-focused audiences in Washington, DC. The meeting will be held at the Kaiser Center for Total Health, 700 2nd St, NE, Washington, DC from 11am to 2pm. Register here.

Register for a Congressional Hill Briefing on Complex Populations on Wednesday, June 4. Join the Complex Care Alliance for a discussion with experts in health care, policy, and patient advocacy for a briefing on Improving Care for Patients with Serious Chronic Conditions. The meeting will take place at the Rayburn Office Building, Room 2045 from 12pm to 1pm. Register here.