Congress entered summer recess after passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on July 4. This law has various healthcare provisions that will affect Medicare and Medicaid, provider taxes and federal student loans. However, there remain policy areas to be addressed in the annual budget that Congress and the President must put forward before the government funding deadline of Sept. 30.
It is worth noting that there is a possibility that Congress will decide to pass a continuing resolution, which would mean no changes in budgetary policy from the previous fiscal year. However, should that not be the case, let’s take a look at a few decisions facing our lawmakers in Washington.
Medicare and Medicaid healthcare extenders will be considered, as their funding expires on Sept. 30. This encompasses a set of policies that largely touch rural health systems and those that see a disproportionate share of Medicaid payments and telehealth visits.
Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies would lose funding on Dec. 31 absent Congressional action. These subsidies, which come in the form of a tax credit, benefit the majority of the 24-plus million people who get their insurance through the ACA marketplace.
Discussions regarding policy proposals for longer-term Medicare payment reform are likely to continue. However, because the OBBBA provided for a positive payment adjustment for CY 2026 there is less urgency to advance any other payment-related provisions in the latter half of the year.
The SVS advocacy team continues to monitor these issues, and others. The September government funding deadline sets up a well-defined deadline for action on Capitol Hill, which is something that lawmakers are generally responsive to.
SVS leads the way: Vascular surgery MVP included in CMS 2026 proposal
The vascular surgery Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Value Pathway (MVP) has been included in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Proposed Rule for 2026.
Developed by the SVS Quality and Performance Measures Committee (QPMC), this vascular-based MVP encompasses measures that focuses on scope of vascular care while streamlining reporting and supporting quality.
Once the final rule is approved, the vascular surgery MVP will be available for use in 2026. Educational material will then be available.
Dylan Lopez is the advocacy and public affairs manager for the SVS.
