On the Hill: DHS Shutdown Ends, Health System CEOs Face Congress

The partial government shutdown ended on April 30 when President Donald Trump signed the funding measure into law. The bill will fund DHS agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Secret Service through the end of September.

Committee Activity

The House and Senate are in recess this week.

The House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on April 28 with health system CEOs. The hearing examined the impact of rising health care costs on patients and families by examining the role health systems play in health care affordability.

Committee Republicans emphasized that hospital prices and system incentives are primary drivers of rising health care costs, repeatedly pointing to consolidation, corporatization, and payment disparities as key factors increasing prices without improving outcomes. Members highlighted "site neutral" payment policies as a central reform, while also raising concerns about nonprofit hospital practices, including tax-exempt status, community benefit levels, and use of programs like 340B and the rural reclassification of urban hospitals. Republicans consistently framed affordability as a system-wide issue involving all actors-hospitals, insurers, PBMs, and drug manufacturers-while rejecting claims that the 2025 cuts to Medicaid and other areas of health care is the primary cause of coverage loss or cost increases.

Committee Democrats focused on coverage, access, and affordability, repeatedly arguing that policies tied to the 2025 cuts to Medicaid and other programs and the expiration of ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (EPTCs) are driving coverage losses, raising premiums, and adding financial strain to families and providers. Members emphasized that reduced coverage leads to increased uncompensated care, delayed treatment, and worse health outcomes, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Democrats highlighted the importance of Medicaid, Medicare, and the ACA to system stability, while stressing workforce shortages, administrative barriers like prior authorization, and rising pharmaceutical costs as additional contributors to affordability challenges.

Witnesses included Sam N. Hazen, Chief Executive Officer, HCA Healthcare, Wright Lassiter III, President and Chief Executive Officer, CommonSpirit Health, Dr. Brian G. Donley, President and Chief Executive Officer, New York-Presbyterian, Dr. Michael Waldrum, Chief Executive Officer, ECU Health, and Brad Woodhouse, President, Protect Our Care.

Join the Federal Action Network Today!

Stay connected to the latest from Washington. Join our Federal Action Network (FAN) - free for members - and gain exclusive access to advocacy expertise and updates.