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G2G Bioscience Bulletin – January 31, 2026

Federal Legislative Updates
Ohio Legislative Updates
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G2G Bioscience Bulletin – January 31, 2026

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February 3, 2026 Update

We wanted to provide a brief update on the status of FY 2026 appropriations. The package of five full year funding bills (including for Defense and HHS) and two-week stopgap funding for DHS, passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 217-214.

Notably, 21 Democrats joined the majority of Republicans to vote in favor, and 21 Republicans joined the majority of Democrats to vote against. The package was been signed by President Trump ending the partial shutdown.

Funding Opportunity

ARPA-H announced a new program BIOmolecular Grammar for protein Aggregation Modulation and Intervention (BIOGAMI). Key details are as follows:
  • Aims to develop tools to detect and address protein dysfunction linked to neurodegenerative diseases
  • Upcoming deadlines
    • Hybrid Proposers Day - February 20
    • Solution Summary Due - March 4

Updates from Washington

Congress:
  • FY 2026 Appropriations: The government is in a partial shutdown since 12:00 this morning. However, a deal was reached last week to resolve the impasse over funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is part of the six-bill funding package that cleared the House. Key points:
    • The bill that funded DHS for a full year has been removed from the package, and is replaced by a two week stopgap to fund the agency while negotiations in Congress continue over immigration enforcement policy changes.
    • The remaining five bills including those that cover defense Defense and most HHS agencies are kept as is, alongside other policy measures including healthcare reforms and extenders.
    • The Senate passed the revised package of a five-bill minibus and stopgap DHS funding on Friday by a bipartisan vote of 71-29.
    • The House was not in session this past week and could not approve the measure, thereby precipitating the shutdown. A vote is scheduled on Monday evening, and if approved all agencies will reopen.
  • ACA: There were some developments this past week on extending enhanced tax credits:
    • Senate Republicans offered a three-year plan, with the first year extending credits as is, the second year offering potential conversion of credits to HSAs, and the third year to wind down. This would be paired with income caps, anti-fraud measures, and more stringent language on abortion.
    • Senate Democrats are skeptical, noting the proposal deviates from a full two year extension of credits that had been at the center of negotiations for several weeks.
Administration & Agencies:
  • CDC:
    • Last weekend, the agency briefly paused and then unpaused $5 billion in public health infrastructure grants awarded to state and local health authorities. The reason cited was ensuring the awards' "alignment with administration and agency priorities."
  • CMS:
    • The Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) pilot model, first announced last summer, has launched in six states. It centers on using AI/ML to identify waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare processes. Concerns have been noted about the program’s transparency and potential to detrimentally impact delivery of care.
    • The agency seeks comment on a proposed rule on a special designation for hospitals procuring domestic PPE and essential medicines with the intent to strengthen supply chains. Additional funds and incentives will be provided to these facilities to offset acquisition costs. The agency also intends to measure the the volume of essential products being stockpiled at these facilities.
    • On Thursday, the agency issued a final rule closing a loophole used by states to finance their Medicaid programs.
    • On Tuesday, the list of fifteen drugs subject to the third cycle of Medicare drug price negotiations under IRA provisions was released.
    • On Monday the agency announced its proposal for a near-zero increase in payment rates to insurers participating in Medicare Advantage. A much larger increase had been expected, and this aligns with broader moves to reduce spending on federal healthcare plans.
  •  White House, Other HHS Divisions & Departments:
    • A lawsuit by former HHS employees against the agency, alleging that inaccurate records were used justify their terminations, has been allowed to advance.
    • The Administration has formally concluded withdrawal of the US from the WHO (World Health Organization) and its affiliates.
    • HHS Secretary Kennedy’s addition of 21 new members aligned with his views to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) was formalized on Wednesday.
    • Other Drug Pricing Measures: 
      • HHS has issued guidance to drugmakers participating in direct to consumer (DTC) programs, including TrumpRx which is expected to be launched very soon.
      • The Department of Labor issued a proposed rule that would require pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to disclose more information on how they receive payments. This complements the PBM reform measures Congress attached to the pending appropriations package. The comment period is open through March.