This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning healthcare providers, doctors, physicians, clinicians, pharmacies and pharmacists, dental care providers, oral care providers, naturopaths, and old-age care providers. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to see GR activities in areas of the economy related to the Healthcare channel? Don't miss this week's updates in Social Issues. Also consider subscribing to our Healthcare - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

Dates: 2026-04-12 to 2026-04-18

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 🗺️ State Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health: The Fiscal Year 2027 Department of Health and Human Services Budget: The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing on the Department of Health and Human Services budget for FY2027 on April 21 at 2:00 p.m. in Rayburn 2123.
• House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions: "Profits Over Patients: The PBM Business Model Under Scrutiny": A hearing titled "Profits Over Patients: The PBM Business Model Under Scrutiny" is scheduled for April 22 at 2:15 p.m. in Rayburn 2175 by the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee.

Legislative Updates

Protections for Health Care Providers Raising Care Quality Concerns

Bill 8310 proposes protections for health care providers who raise concerns about the quality of health care services. The bill was referred to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Judiciary on April 15.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Authorization of Technology-Based Maternal Health Grants

Bill 8317 seeks to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants for evaluating and expanding technology-enabled collaborative learning models to improve maternal health outcomes. It was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Expansion of Remote Monitoring for End Stage Renal Disease in Medicare

Bill 8319 would amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand remote monitoring services by physicians for Medicare patients with end stage renal disease. The bill was referred to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Testing Produce as Medicine in Chronic Disease Model

Bill 8355 directs the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test a model using accountable produce to reduce chronic diseases. It was referred to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Price Transparency and Health Savings Account Contributions

Bill 8324 would increase the cap on health savings account contributions and require price transparency measures for hospitals and insurers. It was referred to several House committees, including Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, Education and Workforce, and others.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

New York Governor Announces Expansion of Protections for Immigrants and Sensitive Locations

Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a plan to safeguard New Yorkers’ rights regardless of immigration status, with specific restrictions affecting law enforcement interactions and access to healthcare facilities.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

France’s One Biosciences to Open Cancer Research Lab in Albany, NY

Governor Hochul announced that One Biosciences, a France-based company, will open a laboratory in Albany focusing on cancer diagnostics, creating 42 life science jobs and investing $18 million.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

California Governor Criticizes Federal HHS Secretary Over Comments on Child Welfare

Governor Gavin Newsom called for accountability from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. following public controversy over remarks about medications and child rearing.

Sources: www.gov.ca.gov

Ohio Expands 211 Community Resource Support Statewide

Governor Mike DeWine and Director Kara Wente announced a statewide rollout of 211, connecting all Ohioans to health, social, and community services by June 2026.

Sources: governor.ohio.gov

Illinois Opens Brighton Park Neighborhood Service Center in Chicago

Governor J.B. Pritzker joined local officials to open a new service center in Brighton Park, Chicago, using $3 million in state funding to expand youth, family, and clinical services.

Sources: gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com

What We're Reading This Week

• The Help That Many Older Americans Need Most: Coverage of the growing demand for community health care workers supporting older adults.
• A Powerful Health Task Force Is in Kennedy’s Cross Hairs: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force faces political scrutiny under the Kennedy administration.
• Immigrants who care for seniors under threat in Trump court fight, nursing homes say: Nursing homes report immigrant caregivers could be at risk due to a federal legal challenge.
• A UnitedHealth Reckoning Still Looms: Industry analysis of UnitedHealth’s unresolved regulatory and business challenges.
• The Doctor Will Seek Your Vote Now: More physicians are campaigning for Congressional seats in the 2026 election cycle.
• He’s taught millions about unhealthy attachments. Now, he wants to help you become secure: A psychiatrist seeks to bring attachment theory into mainstream wellness.
• Global Fund expands commitment to improve access to HIV drug: Global Fund announces expanded programs targeting HIV drug access.
• Mere minutes of daily vigorous exercise can cut your risk of 8 diseases: Brief periods of vigorous exercise linked with reduced risk for eight major diseases.
• Rejected by Dozens of Emergency Rooms: South Korea’s Medical Crisis: South Korea’s emergency rooms face a capacity crisis affecting timely care.

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