Last week, Congress returned from recess with a packed agenda, as they are scheduled to be in session through September 27. With the federal fiscal year ending on September 30, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) introduced a six-month continuing resolution (CR), including a controversial provision requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. Opposition from both parties led to the cancellation of the planned vote, and negotiations on government funding will continue. While a government shutdown remains unlikely, the limited legislative days left in September raise concerns over the potential disruption to certain Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) programs.

Key Legislative Activity

Congressional Democrats are pushing for a clean stopgap spending bill to extend government funding into December to allow time for a year-end spending deal. The length of the CR (whether mid-December or March 2025) could impact congressional priorities, particularly health care funding.

The House of Representatives is expected to consider several Medicaid-related bills next week:

• H.R.8111: The Medicaid Improvement Act seeks to enhance the accuracy of Medicaid enrollee address data starting in 2026.
• H.R.8112: This bill would require states to perform monthly checks to verify Medicaid provider status by 2027.
• H.R.8089: The Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act would enhance provider screening for fraud, with mandatory verification against the Social Security Administration's Death Master File by 2027.
• H.R.8084: The LIVE Beneficiaries Act would require states to verify Medicaid enrollee eligibility quarterly, beginning in 2026.

These bills were initially discussed in the House Energy and Commerce Committee Health Subcommittee in April. A full committee markup is expected soon, which could be the final one before the election. Key topics include telehealth, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and potentially home- and community-based services (HCBS).

Agency and Regulatory Updates

The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) will hold its next public meeting on September 19-20, 2024 (agenda). Sessions will cover timely access to HCBS and revisit policy options related to Section 1915 Medicaid HCBS authorities. Click here to register online.

CMS has also announced a training series focused on the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services final rule and its HCBS provisions, with sessions scheduled through June 2025. Topics include grievance systems, timely access, rate transparency, and more. Registration for these sessions is available online here.

Other Updates

• The Harris-Walz campaign has pledged to expand high-quality home care services and improve wages for care workers. Read the position statement here.
• A new Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) issue brief examines the differences in Medicaid policy between the Biden-Harris and Trump administrations, particularly regarding Medicaid expansion and long-term services.

Upcoming Events

September 17: Senate Finance Committee hearing on the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act for lowering health care costs.

September 18: House Ways and Means Committee Health Subcommittee hearing on chronic disease prevention.