Update: What We’re Watching, Jan. 16, 2026

The Trump administration restored federal grants for mental health and substance use services cut on Tuesday, Jan. 13. U.S. senators are negotiating an extension of enhanced premium tax credits. Federal officials updated nutrition policy, awarded Rural Health Transformation funds and acted on childhood vaccine recommendations. Here is some of the health-related news we are watching that could have an impact on Kansas.

The views expressed in the following news stories, news releases or documents are not necessarily those of the Kansas Health Institute (KHI). They are being shared with the intent of keeping Kansans informed of the latest developments related to federal health policy. 

1. HHS Terminates Then Restores Grants for Mental Health and Addiction Services

The Trump administration restored federal grants supporting mental health and substance use services. According to reporting by National Public Radio (NPR), grant recipients across multiple states received termination notices effective immediately on Tuesday, raising concerns about disruptions to overdose prevention, treatment and recovery services. Federal officials indicated the action reflected a restructuring of grant priorities, though the full scope and state-level impacts of the funding cuts remained unclear. The Trump administration reversed course late Wednesday after notifying thousands of organizations with discretionary grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the termination. 

🔗 Read more from NPR: Trump administration letter wipes out addiction, mental health grants

🔗 Read more from Politico: HHS terminates, then reinstates, thousands of grants for substance use, mental health

2. U.S. House Acts on Expanded ACA Premium Tax Credits

The U.S. House voted last week to pass legislation extending enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits for three years, following their expiration at the end of 2025. Without congressional action to restore the enhanced subsidies, many of the approximately 200,000 Kansans with marketplace coverage in 2025 face higher out-of-pocket premium costs in 2026. The bill passed by the House on Jan. 8 is now being considered by the Senate, with a group of members attempting to negotiate a compromise bill that may include a two-year extension of the enhanced tax credits, along with other cost-saving measures.  Kansas Rep. Sharice Davids voted in favor of the bill passed on Jan. 8, and Reps. Ron Estes, Tracey Mann and Derek Schmidt voted against it. On Jan. 11, President Trump stated he might veto any legislation that includes a three-year extension of the enhanced tax credits, and on Jan. 15 the White House released an alternative plan.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released preliminary data this week showing that 189,983 Kansans had selected a marketplace plan as of Jan. 3, 2026. This represents about 4,700 fewer enrollees than at the same point last year. The figures reflect plan selections to date and do not represent final enrollment totals. Open enrollment for 2026 ended Jan. 15, and updated numbers may be available soon.

🔗 Read the bill language:  H.R.1834 – 119th Congress (2025-2026): Breaking the Gridlock Act

🔗 Read the press release: Representative Sharice Davids

🔗 Read more from the Associated Press: House votes to extend health care subsidies in defiance of GOP leaders

🔗 Read more from The Hill: House GOP summons health insurance executives for hearing on affordability

🔗 Read more from Politico: The GOP’s Obamacare defectors were more numerous than expected

🔗 Read more from MSN: Trump proposes healthcare plan; focuses on past pharmaceutical deals

3. U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Updates Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030

HHS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture released the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030 on Jan. 7, the first update to federal nutrition guidance since 2020. Administration officials described the 2026 Dietary Guidelines as a significant reset of federal nutrition policy, emphasizing whole foods, fresh vegetables, increased protein intake and reduced consumption of highly processed foods and added sugars.  The updated guidance informs federal nutrition programs, including school meals, military and veterans’ meals, and other child and adult feeding programs.

The American Heart Association commended the recommendations for increasing intake of vegetables, fruits and whole grains while limiting consumption of added sugars, refined grains, highly processed foods, saturated fats and sugary drinks. However, the organization expressed concerns that salt seasoning and red meat consumption could inadvertently exceed limits for sodium and saturated fats, the primary drivers of heart disease. The American Heart Association encourages consumption of low-fat and fat-free dairy products, for heart health.

🔗 Read the release from HHS: Kennedy, Rollins Unveil Historic Reset of U.S. Nutrition Policy, Put Real Food Back at Center of Health

🔗 Read more from HHS: Fact Sheet: Trump Administration Resets U.S. Nutrition Policy, Puts Real Food Back at the Center of Health

🔗 Read more from the American Heart Association: New dietary guidelines underscore importance of healthy eating

🔗 Read more from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine: Dietary Guidelines Are a Mixed Bag, Show Industry Influence, Says Physicians Committee

🔗 Read more from CNN: RFK Jr.’s new food pyramid puts meat, dairy at the top. What you should eat

🔗 Read more from NPR: RFK Jr.’s new dietary guidelines go all in on meat and dairy

4. Rural Health Transformation Program Awards and New Federal Office

On Dec. 29, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced $50 billion in awards through the new Rural Health Transformation Program, which was established to strengthen rural access to care and improve health outcomes. CMS also announced the creation of a new Office of Rural Health Transformation to oversee implementation and coordination of the program.

All 50 states received funding under the program, which is intended to support initiatives such as strengthening the rural health workforce, expanding access to care and improving system sustainability. Kansas was awarded nearly $222 million and received the sixth-highest award among states for Year 1. First-year awards ranged from $147 million in New Jersey to $281 million in Texas.

🔗 Read more from CMS: CMS Announces $50 Billion in Awards to Strengthen Rural Health in All 50 States

🔗 Read more from CMS: CMS Announces Establishment of the Office of Rural Health Transformation

🔗 Read the Kansas application here: Rural Health Transformation Program

🔗 Read more from Senator Moran: Applauding $222 Million Investment for Kansas Rural Hospitals

🔗 Read more from Representative Estes: Congressman Estes Releases Statement on Funding to Kansas Strengthening Rural Health Care

5. Changes to Childhood Vaccine Recommendations

On Jan. 5, HHS issued a Decision Memo adopting a revised Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. The traditional 17 recommended vaccinations for all children have been reduced to vaccines preventing 11 diseases. The vaccination recommendations were organized into three categories: immunizations recommended for all children, immunizations recommended for certain high-risk groups or populations, and immunizations based on shared clinical decision-making.

Immunizations Recommended for All Children: diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (whooping cough), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Pneumococcal conjugate, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, human papillomavirus (HPV) and varicella (chickenpox).

Immunizations Recommended for Certain High-Risk Groups or Populations: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue, meningococcal ACWY and meningococcal B.

Immunizations Based on Shared Clinical Decision-Making: rotavirus, COVID-19, influenza, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

Medical experts expressed concerns that the changes will undermine protection against a half-dozen diseases. Historically, other major health organizations have aligned with CDC recommendations.  Some health care organizations plan to follow the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) instead of the new CDC guidelines. AAP expressed concerns the CDC removed universal recommendations for numerous vaccines, including flu during a severe flu year.

The CDC will publish the updated Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age. All immunizations recommended by the CDC as of Dec. 31, 2025, will continue to be covered by Affordable Care Act plans and public insurance programs.

States have the regulatory authority to require vaccinations for schoolchildren. The kindergarten immunization requirements for the school year generally align with CDC’s recommendations but were established before the CDC issued the most recent recommendations. For the 2025-2026 school year, immunization requirements in Kansas include hepatitis A and hepatitis B for entry and Meningococcal ACWY for adolescents. The updated guidance from CDC does not include those vaccinations for all children.

🔗 Read more from HHS: CDC Acts on Presidential Memorandum to Update Childhood Immunization Schedule

🔗 Read more from the CDC: Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel

🔗 Read more from the American Academy of Pediatrics:  CDC: 9 children have died of flu this season; previous season sets record

🔗 Read more from the American Medical Association: AMA statement on changes to childhood vaccine schedule

🔗 Read more from KDHE: 2025-2026 School Requirement K-12

🔗 Read more from the New York Times: Medical Groups Will Try to Block Childhood Vaccine Recommendations

🔗 Read more from AP Health: US cuts the number of vaccines recommended for every child, a move slammed by physicians

🔗 Read more from CNN Health: US overhauls childhood vaccine schedule to recommend fewer shots

🔗 Watch more from The Hill: Sen. Bill Cassidy rips RFK Jr. vaccine schedule change, says it’s ‘based on no scientific input’

🔗 Read more from the Kansas City Star: KC Children’s Mercy opts not to follow CDC’s new vaccine rollback for kids