G2G Bio Bulletin – June 29, 2026
Updates from Washington
Congress:
- FY 2027 Appropriations: The scheduled Senate Appropriations Committee markup last Thursday of the Ag-FDA, Milcon-VA, Commerce Justice Science, and Legislative Branch bills was again postponed due to the hospitalization of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY). House appropriators, meanwhile, advanced the final appropriations bill, for defense, through committee by a vote of 34-27, with all Republicans voting in favor and all Democrats opposed. Two appropriations bills have already passed the entire chamber, and the remaining ten bills will be scheduled for votes over the next several weeks. The defense bill appropriates over $1 trillion and some key highlights include:
- $916.5 M allocated to the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)
- $20 M for Combat Casualty Care, $10 M for Platelet Research, $7 M for mTBI and sub concussive events
- $12 M for pharmaceutical supply chain resilience led by the Uniformed Services University (USU), the Defense Health Agency (DHA), and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)
- $37 M for biotechnology for materials across applied and advanced research
- $271 M for medical technology development
- $66 M for biological threat reduction
- $10 M for biomanufacturing for defense applications
- $43 B for military health programs, divided almost equally across the “Combat Operation Medicine” and the “Private Sector Care” programs, both of which are new designations.
- Other Legislation, Hearings & Initiatives:
- Over 30 House Democrats have written to CMS Administrator Oz, demanding answers on the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model, that centers on using AI/ML in Medicare decision making. They allege that the program is delaying and denying care for Medicare beneficiaries.
- The House Energy & Commerce’s Health Subcommittee unanimously advanced 15 bipartisan bills for consideration by the full committee including:
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The Lower Costs, More Transparency Act: Requires providers, labs, insurers and PBMs to provide consumers actual prices for services and disclose negotiated rates and rebates.
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Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act: Streamlines prior authorization processes for Medicare Advantage Plans
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Tyler’s Law: Directs HHS to issue official guidance on drug overdose care in emergency settings
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The House Energy & Commerce’s Oversight Subcommittee convened a hearing on Medicaid fraud, featuring heads of programs in Minnesota, California, New York, and Ohio, amid the Trump Administration's efforts to pause payments to states whose antifraud measures it deems ineffective.
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Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) have reintroduced legislation that would expand access to methadone for the treatment of opioid use disorder.
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Senate Health Education Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA) has released draft legislation to reform the 340B program. Among other measures, it seeks to minimize duplication of discounts, tighten reporting requirements on use of program revenue, establish sliding fee scales to benefit low-income patients, and allow manufacturers and covered entities flexibility in providing and receiving discounts, respectively.
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Administration & Agencies:
- CDC:
- The agency will stand up a new entity, the Executive Advisory, Science, and Operations Unit, staffed by political appointees that would review information, data, and publications intended for external distribution. Critics allege this effort will increase political control over CDC and comes amid the release of internal CDC emails that cover key events from 2025, including the firing of former CDC Director Susan Monarez.
- A new charter for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) was published last week. Notably, it redefines qualifications for membership with the intent to "represent a balanced range of scientific, clinical, and public health expertise”. This is interpreted as the latest effort by Secretary Kennedy to appoint allies to ACIP, after prior attempts to revamp the committee faced legal hurdles.
- FDA:
- The agency announced the Expedited IND Pilot Program with the goal of shortening timelines for Phase 1 clinical trials. Comments are being accepted until July 22.
- Defense:
- The Administration has submitted a $88 B supplemental funding request to Congress. Although the bulk of this package is intended to cover Iran War expenses, $1.4 B will go towards addressing the Ebola outbreak.
- White House, Other HHS Agencies & Departments
- President Trump has nominated Chris Klomp, who since April has served as Director for the Center for Medicare to be the Deputy HHS Secretary.
- HHS is cutting funding for existing teen pregnancy prevention programs, and will redirect ~$72 M in funds toward reproductive health programs aligned with Administration priorities
Reminder: Don’t miss the monthly GBG Report call every third Thursday of the month at 12 pm ET where the team discusses the latest federal life sciences funding opportunities. G2G has raised $612M and is eager to share our expertise to help companies grow and accelerate bringing innovations to patients.