Senate Finance Releases Reconciliation Text: On Monday evening, the GOP Majority of the Senate Finance Committee released their tax and healthcare-related provisions for the “Big, Beautiful Bill” reconciliation package. The text, which already earned some criticism for rural hospital policy from implicative Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), would not address DSH reimbursement cuts as the House version of the bill did. The bill named several more circumstantial waivers for Medicaid work requirements, as would it freeze state provider tax rates for non-expansion states and adjust expansion state rates down to 3.5%. The Senate bill has also omitted physician payment policy, which the House passed.

GOP Sens. Considering Rural Hospital Fund: On Wednesday, Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) told reporters he and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) are floating the idea of a dedicated rural hospital fund amid concerns among senators that the Senate reconciliation bill could hamper their care. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) also said he also supports the effort; he has been less critical of the reconciliation provider tax changes as Sens. Scott, Collins, and Hawley.

Medicare Funds Forecasts Worsen: On Monday, the US Treasury Department released new projections on the solvency of the Medicare trust fund, finding the money is projected to run out in 2033. This projection pushes forward funding cliff projections by three years, a change primarily led by projected increases in Medicare and hospice patients in the near future. Without action, the trust fund would only be able to pay 89% of scheduled benefits after 2033.

White House Asks for SCOTUS Emergency Ruling on HHS Reorganization: This month, the Trump White House filed a petition to the Supreme Court to allow the large-scale reorganization of HHS and its subagencies go forward. US Solicitor General D. John Sauer had previously asked for an emergency stay of a Ninth Circuit court of appeals decision, which ruled in favor of former employees who say HHS and OMB used inaccurate employee records when making personnel cuts. The reorganization remains blocked until a Supreme Court decision.

FDA Approves Promising HIV Drug: On Wednesday, the FDA approved use of Yeztugo in the U.S., a drug seen as a major step forward in preventing HIV as a shot taken only twice a year. Other HIV medications must be administered much more frequently, and Yeztugo’s manufacturers say they plan to price the drug “in line with existing branded PrEP options.”