In early February, President Trump signed a funding package ending a partial government shutdown. The package included funding for the rest of the fiscal year, ending on September 30. The Alliance for Patient Access, and the larger advocacy community, were excited to see a number of key health policies that have been pursued by patients, clinicians and advocates for years. These policies include topics that are bipartisan in nature, and previously agreed upon in past legislative sessions, but ultimately failed to obtain the president’s signature. Some of these health care provisions include:
- Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform
Long sought after pharmacy benefit manager, or PBM, reforms. These reforms seek to improve transparency and reporting requirements, ensure savings are passed on to employers and delink PBM compensation from drug list prices within the Part D program.
- Reauthorization of the PRV Program
A five-year reauthorization of the pediatric priority review voucher program, increasing funding for rare disease research and encouraging development of treatments for rare diseases.
- Cancer Detection and Testing
Coverage for multi-cancer early detection blood tests within the Medicare program, which will help detect signals of potential cancers before symptoms appear.
- Telehealth Extensions
Medicare telehealth flexibilities that were extended until the end of 2027, enabling patients to continue benefitting from telemedicine services that have drastically increased access to care and clinicians.
- Expanded Coverage of Home Infusion
Language from the Joe Fiandra Access to Home Infusion Act, which would provide coverage for home infusion services for certain patients within the Medicare program.
- Community Health Center Funding
An increase in mandatory funding for community health centers that is critical in providing care for underserved populations and communities.
The inclusion of these critical health policies in the package highlights an important first step and significant win for the patients, clinicians and advocates who have been pushing for these changes for so long.
