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U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell Introduces Resolution to Preserve Continuous Medicaid Coverage for Cancer Patients

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell Introduces Resolution to Preserve Continuous Medicaid Coverage for Cancer Patients

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell has introduced a resolution aimed at ensuring continuous Medicaid coverage for individuals undergoing cancer treatment. The resolution addresses concerns that interruptions in coverage create significant risk and hardship for patients. According to the release, over 75% of cancer patients have reportedly delayed or skipped treatment due to administrative issues with third-party systems. Furthermore, some states are said to require repeated verification of a patient's condition, even when Medicaid already possesses the necessary information. Representative Dingell emphasized that patients should not face treatment delays because of 'bureaucratic red tape.' The resolution has received endorsement from Less Cancer, an organization dedicated to cancer prevention and patient advocacy. This legislative effort highlights a critical gap in healthcare access and continuity for vulnerable populations battling cancer.
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Coalition Demands Emergency Congressional Hearing on Student Loan System Chaos

Coalition Demands Emergency Congressional Hearing on Student Loan System Chaos

A coalition of 89 national and state labor unions, civil rights organizations, consumer protection groups, and student and borrower advocates has sent an urgent letter to leaders of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives committees overseeing federal student loans and servicers. The letter demands an emergency hearing to address the widespread chaos and confusion experienced by borrowers over the past year. This situation has been exacerbated by the Trump Administration's implementation of significant cuts to financial aid and student loan repayment programs under the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' (OBBBA). The advocates included a memo with their letter, detailing borrower stories from the 'One Big Bill' campaign, which highlight skyrocketing payments and persistent servicing issues following the act's implementation. The coalition is seeking immediate congressional attention to the deteriorating state of the student loan system and its impact on borrowers.
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U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly and Suzan DelBene Introduce Concurrent Care for Comfort Act to Address Hospice Care for ESRD Patients

U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly and Suzan DelBene Introduce Concurrent Care for Comfort Act to Address Hospice Care for ESRD Patients

U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly (R-Penn.) and Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) have introduced the Concurrent Care for Comfort Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to ensure that hospice patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) can continue to receive dialysis treatment. Currently, hospice care is underutilized among ESRD patients, partly because the prospect of giving up dialysis deters many from entering hospice. Dialysis is considered life-sustaining curative care, which traditionally conflicts with the hospice model focused on palliative care without curative intent. The proposed act seeks to clarify Medicare coverage policies for palliative dialysis and establish separate reimbursement for these services when provided by renal dialysis facilities and other qualified providers to individuals who have elected hospice care. This initiative addresses a significant gap in healthcare provision for a vulnerable patient population.
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Reps. Ross and Foushee Introduce 'Tropospheric Ozone Research Act of 2026' to Fund Climate and Health Research

Reps. Ross and Foushee Introduce 'Tropospheric Ozone Research Act of 2026' to Fund Climate and Health Research

Reps. Deborah Ross and Valerie Foushee have introduced the 'Tropospheric Ozone Research Act of 2026' in the House of Representatives. This bipartisan legislation aims to establish a three-year scientific research program focused on understanding the warming effects of tropospheric ozone, which is a ground-level air pollutant and a greenhouse gas. The proposed bill would allocate $10 million annually for this research. Furthermore, it mandates that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) produce a comprehensive summary report detailing the findings of the research, associated costs, benefits, and recommendations for future research needs. The bill has garnered support from environmental advocacy groups, including the Clean Air Task Force and the Natural Resources Defense Council. This House bill follows companion legislation that was previously introduced in the Senate by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Brian Schatz.
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Representative Joe Courtney Introduces Bill to Safeguard VC-25B Bridge Aircraft from Transfer

Representative Joe Courtney Introduces Bill to Safeguard VC-25B Bridge Aircraft from Transfer

Representative Joe Courtney has introduced H.R. 10360, titled the 'Safeguarding Taxpayer Investment for Executive Airlift Act of 2026.' This bill, received on September 14, 2026, and currently having 18 cosponsors, aims to prevent the Department of Defense from using fiscal year 2027 funds to sell, donate, or otherwise transfer ownership or control of any aircraft in the VC-25B Bridge program to entities outside the Department of the Air Force. The legislation is designed to ensure these specific aircraft remain under Air Force control, thereby preventing their transfer to private individuals or organizations. The bill does not alter how the aircraft are built, operated, or directly funded, beyond restricting the use of FY2027 defense funds for any external transfer. This move underscores a legislative effort to maintain specific military assets within the established defense framework.
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House Democrats Propose Extensive Healthcare Policy Recommendations for Next Congressional Session

House Democrats Propose Extensive Healthcare Policy Recommendations for Next Congressional Session

The House Democrat Cost of Living Healthcare Working Group, co-led by Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), has issued a memo outlining a comprehensive set of healthcare policy recommendations. These recommendations are intended to guide the Democratic caucus's healthcare agenda in the upcoming Congress, serving as a menu of options rather than a finalized plan. Key proposals include the restoration and expansion of advanced premium tax credits (APTCs) for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, reversing certain Medicaid changes, expanding the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, and extending Traditional Medicare to cover hearing, dental, and vision services. The working group's suggestions also focus on reversing policies implemented by the current administration, pursuing universal health coverage, enhancing healthcare affordability, investing in the healthcare workforce, and broadening access to innovative medical treatments. The U.S. House of Representatives has ad...
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Representative Kim Schrier Appointed Democratic Co-Chair of Congressional Diabetes Caucus

Representative Kim Schrier Appointed Democratic Co-Chair of Congressional Diabetes Caucus

Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, have announced the appointment of Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) as the new Democratic Co-Chair for the 120th Congress. Representative Schrier, the first pediatrician elected to Congress and an individual living with Type 1 diabetes, will join Representative Bilirakis in leading the 246-member bipartisan caucus. This caucus is recognized as one of the largest and most influential member organizations in Congress, dedicated to addressing diabetes-related issues. The transition marks a new chapter for the caucus, with Representative Schrier taking over from Representative DeGette, who has championed the caucus for over two decades. The caucus's mission is to educate members of Congress and their staff about diabetes and to support legislative activities aimed at improving diabetes research, education, and treatment.
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Representative Kim Schrier Appointed Co-chair of Congressional Diabetes Caucus

Representative Kim Schrier Appointed Co-chair of Congressional Diabetes Caucus

Representative Kim Schrier (D-WA) has been named the new Co-chair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, taking over from Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), who held the position since 1999. This announcement was made on September 21, 2026. Breakthrough T1D Chief Global Advocacy Officer Lynn Starr expressed gratitude for Congresswoman DeGette's extensive contributions, which included securing over $2.5 billion for T1D research through the Special Diabetes Program, advancing stem cell research, and accelerating innovative T1D therapies via the 21st Century Cures Act. Representative Schrier, a pediatrician and the only current member of Congress living with Type 1 diabetes, is seen as a highly suitable successor. Her personal and professional background is expected to provide valuable insight and leadership to the caucus, ensuring continued advocacy for the diabetes community.
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Congresswoman Diana DeGette Steps Down as Co-Chair of Congressional Diabetes Caucus, Rep. Kim Schrier to Succeed Her

Congresswoman Diana DeGette Steps Down as Co-Chair of Congressional Diabetes Caucus, Rep. Kim Schrier to Succeed Her

Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, have announced that Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) will become the new Democratic Co-Chair for the 120th Congress. Congresswoman DeGette has co-led the Caucus since 1999, making her tenure nearly the entire existence of the organization. During her leadership, the Caucus grew to become one of the largest and most influential bipartisan member organizations in the U.S. Congress, with 246 members. Congresswoman DeGette has been a driving force behind significant advancements in diabetes care, prevention, and research, including securing over $2.5 billion in funding for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) research through the Special Diabetes Program and expanding the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) budget to over $2.3 billion. She also championed stem cell research, improved coverage for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) by the Centers for Medicare a...
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Representative Val T. Hoyle Introduces Bill to Limit Corporate Control of Medical Practices

Representative Val T. Hoyle Introduces Bill to Limit Corporate Control of Medical Practices

Representative Val T. Hoyle has introduced H.R. 10444, titled the "Stop Corporate Takeovers of Physicians Act of 2026." This proposed legislation aims to establish new federal regulations that would restrict the extent to which external corporations and management services organizations can exert control over medical practices. The bill generally seeks to make it unlawful for any business entity not majority-owned and controlled by licensed clinicians to own or control a medical practice, employ or contract the services of a licensed clinician, or practice medicine. It defines a licensee as a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or other advanced practice provider authorized by state law to diagnose and treat patients, and a medical practice as a partnership or corporate entity formed to practice medicine. The bill specifies that for a practice to be considered 'majority-owned and controlled' by licensees, clinicians must own at least half of the business and constitute a majority of its gov...
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Federal Legal Status of Most Hemp THC Products to End December 11 Unless Congress Acts

Federal Legal Status of Most Hemp THC Products to End December 11 Unless Congress Acts

Most hemp-derived THC gummies, drinks, and similar products are scheduled to lose their federal legal status on December 11, 2026. This change stems from a law signed in November 2025, with a 30-day delay pushed back by a stopgap funding bill signed on September 2. The new law redefines hemp by measuring total THC, including THCa and delta-8, rather than just delta-9, and caps finished products at 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container. This per-package limit means that many common products, such as a 5 mg gummy, would exceed the cap. Products containing cannabinoids not naturally produced by the cannabis plant will lose federal hemp status even earlier, on November 12, 2026. Congress is currently split on how to address this, with several bills proposed to delay, repeal, or regulate the change, but none have advanced past committee as of early September.
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Congressman Kustoff Introduces Bill to Expand Child Care Tax Benefit Outreach

Congressman Kustoff Introduces Bill to Expand Child Care Tax Benefit Outreach

Congressman David Kustoff has introduced H.R. 10512, the Child Care Tax Benefit Outreach and Assistance Act. This bipartisan legislation, serving as the House companion to a Senate bill by Senators Dan Sullivan and Maggie Hassan, aims to improve employer access to federal tax benefits related to child care. The proposed bill seeks to establish a Business Child Care Liaison within the IRS. This liaison would be responsible for educating employers about the Section 45F child care tax credit and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, as well as facilitating coordination between the IRS, businesses, and the child care sector. A 2022 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlighted that few businesses claimed the Section 45F credit due to low awareness and the perceived complexity of offering child care benefits. Kustoff has previously supported amendments to this credit, which were incorporated into the 'One Big Beautiful Bill.'