This Week in Healthcare — Washington (#19, 2026)
Congress advances mental health bills; transparency and PBM reforms cleared; states act on chronic disease, dental care, substance abuse, and senior housing; AI in Medicaid fraud escalates.
May 17, 2026 to May 23, 2026
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.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 🗺️ State Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
Legislative Updates
Perinatal Care Alternative Payment Model Demonstration Project Bill
Bill 8907 directs the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to implement a demonstration project testing various payment models for maternity care provided to pregnant and postpartum individuals. Latest action is referral to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Sources: www.congress.gov
Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act
Bill 4550, focused on maternal health during pandemics, was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Sources: www.congress.gov
Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services Accessibility Bill
Bill 4640 amends the Public Health Service Act to fund grants for eligible crisis centers to provide follow-up for individuals receiving suicide prevention and crisis intervention, while improving accessibility to the 9-8-8 hotline. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, with sponsor remarks in the Congressional Record S2444-2445.
Sources: www.congress.gov
Dental Care for Veterans Act
Bill 210, dealing with dental care for veterans, underwent committee hearings in the House. It pertains to the policy area of armed forces and national security.
Sources: www.congress.gov
Transparency in Billing Act of 2026
Bill 8684, titled the Transparency in Billing Act of 2026, was ordered to be reported amended by a 34-0 vote. The legislation aims to increase transparency in healthcare billing practices.
Sources: www.congress.gov
PBM Kickback Prohibition Act
Bill 7895, the PBM Kickback Prohibition Act, received a 34-0 committee approval to be reported (amended). The bill addresses prohibitions on pharmacy benefit manager kickbacks to improve drug pricing dynamics.
Sources: www.congress.gov
Medicare Program Prior Authorization Rule Disapproval Resolution
Bill 187 provides for congressional disapproval of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rule 'Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the WISeR Model.' The bill was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Sources: www.congress.gov
Annual Lung Cancer Screening Coverage Expansion Bill
Bill 4566 would require Medicaid coverage for annual lung cancer screening with no cost sharing, for individuals recommended by USPSTF guidelines, and expands coverage for smoking cessation counseling and pharmacotherapy. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance (text: CR S2377-2379).
Sources: www.congress.gov
Small Business Health Options Awareness Act of 2025
Bill 5498, focused on small business health options, was ordered to be reported in the nature of a substitute by a 13-11 vote and falls under commerce policy.
Sources: www.congress.gov
Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program Reauthorization
Bill 4460, reauthorizing the rural community hospital demonstration program, remains held at the desk and addresses continued operations of rural healthcare facilities.
Sources: www.congress.gov
State Government News
Texas Governor Appoints Jay Bueche to Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative Governing Board
Jay Bueche has been appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative Governing Board, which will develop a business plan for cost-effective drugs and medical supplies for public employees.
Sources: gov.texas.gov
Texas Governor Announces New Healthcare Appointments and Chronic Disease Task Force Members
Governor Abbott has appointed several individuals to advisory boards, including the Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force, Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Advisory Council, Texas Council on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, and other boards affecting health services and policies in Texas.
Sources: gov.texas.gov
Virginia Board Appointments Impact Healthcare Services
Governor Abigail Spanberger in Virginia announced multiple appointments to the Board of Dentistry, Board of Pharmacy, and Board of Health, with new members drawn from the academic and professional sectors in health and pharmacy.
Sources: www.governor.virginia.gov
Virginia Enacts Legislation Supporting Substance Abuse Recovery and Expanding Dental Services
Governor Abigail Spanberger signed Senate Bills 608 and 641 to create peer recovery specialists and increase access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction. The Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center opened a new expansion facility.
Sources: www.governor.virginia.gov
Governor Hochul Announces Completion of $48M Affordable Senior Housing in Brooklyn
Bethany Senior Terraces opens in Brooklyn, providing 57 affordable apartments for seniors 55+, including 18 units with on-site supportive services, as part of New York's five-year housing plan.
Sources: www.governor.ny.gov
Spanish Language Coverage: Governor Hochul Opens Bethany Senior Terraces
La gobernadora Kathy Hochul inaugura Bethany Senior Terraces en Brooklyn, con 57 apartamentos asequibles para mayores de 55 años y 18 con servicios de apoyo, dentro del plan de vivienda de Nueva York.
Sources: www.governor.ny.gov
Florida Governor Appoints Trustees to Northwest Florida State College District Board
Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Todd Jackson, Jonathan Ochs, Megan Harrison, and Dr. Jon Ward to the Northwest Florida State College District Board of Trustees. The appointments bring expertise in healthcare administration and dermatology.
Sources: www.flgov.com
Indiana Updates Tobacco/Vaping Laws for Minors and Foreign Products
Governor Mike Braun ceremonially signed Senate Enrolled Act 144, modernizing Indiana Code to include e-liquid vaporizers and raising penalties for providing tobacco/vaping products to minors.
Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com
Indiana Senator Planning Medical Marijuana Legislation Following Federal Rescheduling
State Sen. Mike Bohacek started work on legislation to legalize medical marijuana in Indiana, with parameters for use, tax policy, and updates to impairment laws, after federal rescheduling of state-licensed medical marijuana to Schedule III.
Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com
Indiana Bans Foreign-Manufactured Vaping Products
Senate Enrolled Act 185 bans vaping products made in nations deemed foreign adversaries, such as China, from being sold in Indiana due to concerns over dangerous chemicals.
Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com
What We're Reading This Week
- Exclusive | HHS Launches Crackdown Using AI to Detect Medicaid Fraud and Waste: Federal health officials are deploying artificial intelligence tools to combat Medicaid fraud and improper payments.
- Up next in the Medicaid fraud-busting wars: Politico Pulse reviews new developments in Medicaid fraud enforcement and predicted federal actions.
- Community health in Santa Clara County is facing its gravest challenge since COVID: Santa Clara County confronts critical health service funding shortages post-pandemic.
- Health worker shortage will worsen with federal loan limit, 25 states say in suit: Twenty-five states file suit over federal loan limits, citing exacerbation of health workforce shortages.
- Healthcare AI firm Commure valued at $7 billion, raises $70 million: Commure secures $70 million investment at a $7 billion valuation to extend its healthcare AI offerings.
- The Vaginal Wellness Boom Is Here: Demand grows for vaginal health and wellness products, leading to market shifts.
- Meta Medicare scam ads targeting seniors face scrutiny: Meta faces criticism for allowing Medicare scam ads targeting seniors on its platform.
- Volunteers go door-to-door in Congo to tackle Ebola rumors, Red Cross says: Red Cross deploys volunteers in Congo to counter misinformation on Ebola outbreaks.
- Perimenopause took me by surprise. That's exactly the problem. | Opinion: Opinion piece discusses awareness gaps in perimenopause and women's healthcare.
- Dental Care for Veterans Act advances in House hearings: U.S. House committee holds hearings on expanding dental care for veterans.
