Legislation and Legislative Advocacy

The American Hospital Association (AHA) shares resources on health care legislation being considered by the U.S. House and Senate and legislative advocacy opportunities for hospitals and health systems.

Budget reconciliation is an optional process under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 that allows for expedited consideration of certain fiscal legislation that makes changes to mandatory spending, revenues and/or the debt limit.
This year, House and Senate Republicans are expected to use the budget reconciliation process to pass key agenda items on taxes, energy and border security, and they may look to health measures to pay for this legislation.
The House Appropriations Committee June 4 released the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and related agencies.
Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, introduced the Rural Maternity Options for Medical Support Act on May 19. The bill would guarantee that beds used solely for labor and delivery are not counted toward the 25-bed limit for critical access hospitals. The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Darin LaHood, R-Ill…
The House Education and Workforce Committee May 21 unanimously passed the Transparency in Billing Act (H.R. 8684). The bill would require off-campus hospital outpatient departments to obtain a separate unique health identifier and include it on all claims for services billed to commercial group…
The AHA April 29 urged House and Senate appropriations committee leaders to fund health care programs that have been successful in improving access to care for patients and communities nationwide, as the committee begins drafting the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bills. The AHA encouraged …
The AHA submitted a statement for the record to the House Ways and Means Committee for its April 28 hearing with health system CEOs.
The Senate April 23 adopted a budget resolution by a 50-48 vote, paving the way for a narrow reconciliation bill focused on immigration enforcement funding.
America’s hospitals and health systems are deeply committed to providing high quality, accessible and affordable care, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack March 18 told the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health during a hearing focused on lowering health care costs. 
The AHA provided a statement Feb. 24 for a House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee hearing titled “Advancing the Next Generation of America’s Health Care Workforce.”