RECENT UPDATES
CFPB Issues New Interpretation Affirming Broad Federal Preemption Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act; Would Block State Efforts to Bar Medical Debt From Credit Reports
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued an interpretive rule reaffirming that the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) generally preempts state laws that address broad areas of credit reporting, consistent with Congress’s intent to establish uniform national standards. The new interpretation replaces and formally withdraws a July 2022 interpretive rule that had taken a narrower view of FCRA preemption, which… (Colocho, October 28, 2025) #Costs, #Health Equity
Democrats Call on CMS to Open Window Shopping for the Marketplace
A group of 28 Democratic senators led by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) sent a letter calling on the Administration to immediately open “window shopping” ahead of Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace open enrollment. Typically, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) opens window shopping on October 25th or 26th the week… (McClurg, October 27, 2025) #Affordable Care Act, #Costs, #Health Insurance Exchanges
Senate Special Committee Explores Shoppable Services and Price Transparency to Improve Competition in the Healthcare Market
The Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing to discuss shoppable services and their effects on healthcare costs and outcomes. The hearing focused on ways that price transparency increases consumer choice and therefore introduces competition into the healthcare market. Across the board, members argued that a free-market model would lead to lower costs and higher quality care, especially for older… (Marceno, October 25, 2025) #Costs, #Pharmacy Benefit Managers, #Prescription Drugs, #Transparency
Agency Says It Cannot Use Contingency Funds for SNAP During Shutdown and States Will Not Be Reimbursed; Will Continue to Fund WIC
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) circulated a memorandum obtained by reporters saying that it cannot use contingency funds to pay for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in November and it cannot reimburse states that choose to make up the funding gap. About 42 million people nationwide currently rely on SNAP. Earlier this month, USDA directed states not to… (McClurg, October 24, 2025) #Nutrition
Federal District Judge Temporary Blocks Reductions in Force During Government Shutdown; Senate Fails to Advance Federal Worker Relief Bills Amid Partisan Disagreements
According to court filings, around 4,000 federal employees were laid off on October 10, following threats from the Trump Administration and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought to continue reductions-in-force (RIFs) during the shutdown, in an effort to pressure Democrats to sign onto the Republican-led continuing resolution and end the government shutdown. Judge Susan Illston of the… (Eisen, October 23, 2025) #Workforce
Committee Expresses Support for Increased Transparency of 340B Program, Including Revenue, PBMs, and Contract Pharmacies
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing to examine the growth of the 340B Drug Pricing Program. A representative from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) spoke to recommendations to improve the program and a representative from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) spoke to the recent report highlighting growth in the 340B program between 2010 and… (Slifer, October 23, 2025) #340B, #Community Health Centers, #Hospitals, #Prescription Drugs
Become a PolicyHub member for full access to our latest analysis. Learn about all the health issues we cover, from A to Z.