Reconciliation Talks Continuing: This week, Republican House members continued discussions on contentious health policies to be included in the budget reconciliation package, with a markup pushed back due to certain disagreements. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) held a meeting with moderate GOP representatives on Tuesday amid lingering debate over changes to health safety-net programs and other controversial policies. Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chair Buddy Carter (R-GA) also said PBM spread pricing bans will be included in the final package brought before committee, which Committee Chair Brett Guthrie “hopes” he can keep in place for May 13.

Trump Announces Pharma Tariffs Coming in Two Weeks: On Monday, President Trump said he will impose tariffs on pharmaceutical imports within the next two weeks. Pharmaceutical supply chains are being investigated by the Department of Commerce via the Section 232 process to assess whether the quality, volume, and nature of pharmaceutical imports pose threats to U.S. national security.

Trump Pulls Surgeon General Pick, Casey Means Selected as Replacement: On Wednesday, just one day before the Senate health committee was set to hold a confirmation hearing on her appointment, Donald Trump pulled his nomination of Janette Nesheiwat as nominee for surgeon general amid claims she falsified information about her medical education. Trump then announced Dr. Casey Means, an ally of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., for the role; Dr. Means has a prominent online following as an advocate for metabolic health and preventing chronic disease. Means earned her medical degree from Stanford University.

Sens. Hawley and Welch Introduce Most Favored Nation Bill: On Monday, Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced a bipartisan bill that would fine drug companies if they charge more for prescription drugs in the United States than they charge in other countries. The bill requires that the list price for a drug in the United States may not exceed the average retail list price for the same products in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom. Similar measures are reportedly being discussed as a part of reconciliation.

Vinay Prasad Named for Top FDA Vaccine Position: On Tuesday, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary named Dr. Vinay Prasad to lead the FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, which regulates vaccines. Prasad is a University of San Francisco professor who endorsed the Covid shot’s efficacy but criticized mandating it and argued that government guidance for children and for boosters is too blanketing.  

20 States Sue HHS Over Reorganization Plans: On Monday, 20 states filed a lawsuit in the District Court of Rhode Island challenging the White House and HHS Secretary Kennedy’s elimination of HHS offices and workforce cuts. The suit argues, “Dismantling HHS by terminating the people necessary for it to meet its own mandates, and paralyzing it by means of a confusing reorganization, is an unlawful effort to undercut the will of Congress who ordered the agencies and programs to run.”