Updates & Analysis

In this update:  Administration Updates Confusion Continues Around Attempted Federal Funding FreezeThe Trump Administration engaged in a series of actions this week attempting to freeze federal funds that were appropriated by Congress:  Given the confusion surrounding these communications, a second federal Judge, U.S. District Judge John McConnell, heard arguments in a lawsuit brought by Democratic…

Since June 2023, most health care providers in New York working on projects that require a Certificate of Need (CON) have had to include a Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) with their CON application. These HEIAs use a combination of data analysis and public engagement to inform the applicant and the State of the effects…

On January 27th, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo purporting to require Federal agencies to “temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance.” ScopeThe memo claims to define “Federal financial assistance” to include the following components, based on the definition in…

In this update:  Federal Opportunities HRSA Releases NOFO for Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for ParaprofessionalsOn January 15th, the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for Paraprofessionals. This program aims to increase the skills, knowledge, and…

In this update:  Administration Updates Trump Administration Imposes Regulatory FreezeOn January 20th, President Trump announced a regulatory freeze pending review. The order requires that no agency propose or issue any rule without review and approval by a presidential appointee. It further orders the immediate withdrawal of any rules that have been sent to, but not…

In this update:  Administration Update HHS Leadership Team Continues to Take ShapeOver the past week, various news outlets have reported that President-elect Trump has selected several more individuals who will serve as senior deputies under Mehmet Oz, his pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS):  Legislative Update House GOP Budget Chair…

As the second Trump Administration begins, the direction of health care policy at the federal level is likely to change in multiple cross-cutting ways. Unified Republican control of the federal government, albeit with slim margins, means that cuts to public health programs, particularly Medicaid, are under serious discussion. Many of these proposed cuts would significantly impact…

As Democrats leave office at the federal level, they are returning to the subject of the role of private capital in health care:  Some elements of the Republican Party have expressed skepticism, including Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, who notably supported Federal Trade Commission (FTC) chair Lina Khan’s approach to antitrust. Several bills that would enact…

On January 21st, Governor Kathy Hochul announced highlights from her fourth Executive Budget, covering New York State Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, which will run from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026. SPG’s full summary of the budget proposal is available here. Where available, legislative sources are marked in [brackets]. This year, the Division of the Budget (DOB)…

On January 14th, Governor Kathy Hochul delivered her fourth State of the State speech, outlining her policy agenda for the 2025 Legislative Session. The accompanying 2025 State of the State book describes the Governor’s proposed agenda across 15 sections, three of which focus on health care and social services. Some of the notable health-related proposals…

In this update:  NYS and NYC Opportunities DOH Issues Funding Opportunity to Support Focus Groups with Parents/Caregivers of Children with Disabilities On January 6th, the New York State (NYS) Department of Health (DOH) issued a Request for Bids (RFB) for funding to conduct focus groups with parents/caregivers of Medicaid-eligible children with disabilities who live outside of…

In this update:  Legislative Updates Mike Johnson Re-Elected as SpeakerOn January 4th, Rep. Mike Johnson (LA-04) was re-elected as Speaker of the House by a vote of 218-215. Several Republicans, including Reps. Keith Self (TX-03), Ralph Norman (SC-05), and Thomas Massie (KY-04), threatened to derail Johnson’s election, but Self and Norman ultimately switched their votes…