Finance democrats announce health coverage agenda

August 11, 2026

marketplace medicaid Medicare

On July 30, Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) released a Request for Information (RFI) seeking stakeholder input on policies affecting the commercial health insurance market, including coverage and affordability. The RFI is the latest in a series of requests related to Democratic Committee Members’ health affordability agenda.

The request directs stakeholders to submit feedback by Oct. 2 on a range of policy proposals focused on lowering premiums and out-of-pocket costs, expanding coverage options, simplifying enrollment processes, and increasing oversight of practices that lawmakers believe contribute to higher health care costs.

The RFI also examines issues including vertical integration, PBMs, executive compensation, stock buybacks, and third-party administrator (TPA) arrangements. The document references several large national insurers and PBMs, including Cigna and Express Scripts, as lawmakers seek feedback on potential policy avenues.

Initiatives

Calls grow for Drug Patent reform

In a recent blog post, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) highlighted increased attention to pharmaceutical companies’ abuse of drug patents. Last month, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of a generic drugmaker in a “skinny labeling” case, a victory for patients. Skinny labels allow generic and biosimilar competitors to launch products for non-patented indications, helping accelerate […]
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August 11, 2026

EGWP marketplace medicaid Medicare

perspectives

AHIP calls for Bipartisan reform to address health care cost drivers

On July 23, AHIP President and CEO Mike Tuffin wrote an opinion piece in The New York Times saying, “common-sense bipartisan reforms are needed to promote competition in care delivery and prescription drugs, protect consumers from providers and drugmakers’ anticompetitive practices and transition away from the perverse incentives of fee-for-service medicine.” Tuffin notes that health […]
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August 11, 2026

EGWP marketplace medicaid Medicare

Solutions

PCMA urges preserving patient access and flexibility in new fertility benefits rule

PCMA recently submitted comments to HHS, DOL, and the Treasury (the Departments) in response to the proposed rule establishing a new category of limited excepted benefits for fertility services. PCMA supports the Departments’ goal of expanding access to fertility care while encouraging employer innovation but urged several targeted refinements to ensure the framework is operationally […]
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August 11, 2026

marketplace medicaid

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CMS issues 2027 Physician Fee Schedule

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