With the recent election results, we’ve been getting some inquiries about the impact of a second Trump Administration on mitochondrial disease patients and families. And the truth is, it’s too early to know – but our governmental relations team at Holland & Knight has put together an update of things we’re watching in this month’s UMDF Advocacy Update below:
The republican trifecta of control with the election of Donald J. Trump as the 47th President and control in both chambers of Congress will substantially impact the healthcare enterprise. Though Republicans have majority rule in both chambers of Congress, the margins are slim, with a 218-212 majority in the House and a 53-47 majority in the Senate.
Due to the encroaching December 20th expiration of federal funding, Congress is targeting a short-term continuing resolution to fund the federal budget at levels set previously, most likely through March 2025.
Various bipartisan initiatives in the health arena in this Congress could be addressed in a 2024 year-end health package before the holidays. Items for a year-end health package could include UMDF priorities such as telehealth extensions, reauthorization of the Pediatric Priority Review Voucher program, and the Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act.
Going into 2025, we are likely to see the Trump Administration use its rulemaking and executive action authorities to examine and potentially reverse a number of the Biden Administration’s actions and advance the new President’s priorities. We could also see the use of the Congressional Review Act to repeal recent Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rules. CMS has received scrutiny in recent years from both sides of the aisle, with Republicans focusing on inefficiencies and lack of sufficient savings, and Democrats focused on certain systemic barriers to care. Potential actions under the incoming Administration and Republican Senate include continued evaluation of CMS program efficiency, savings, and roll-backs of certain rulemaking.
In the past, the Trump Administration took several actions to decrease federal funding in Medicare and Medicaid, including outreach and enrollment, increasing coverage restrictions, and reducing financing flexibilities. Medicaid beneficiaries are disproportionately historically underserved populations. Some key themes that we expect from the Republican trifecta include reducing costs and consolidation in the healthcare industry, increasing price transparency, empowering patients to make healthcare choices, reducing “bureaucratic red tape”, and investment in innovation. These are just a few of the items that may be a focus of the incoming Administration and Congress, and much of this priority setting will be determined by, first, the direction of the Administration and, second, the HHS Administrator, the FDA Commissioner, and the CMS Administrator.
As we navigate these slightly uncertain times, UMDF remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for the priorities and protections that matter most to our members. We will inform you of any potential changes and their impacts, ensuring you have the information and resources needed to stay engaged. Together, we look forward to amplifying your voice and advancing our shared mission in the upcoming session of Congress.