Update: What We’re Watching, May 22, 2026
Hill to the Heartland: Federal Health Policy Briefing
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded a new contract to the administrator of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to a vaccine mandate, and federal health agency leadership continued to shift, with a new surgeon general nomination and the resignation of the FDA commissioner.
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. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Administrator Awarded New Contract
On May 15, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced that Vibrant Emotional Health will continue as the administrator of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, with a new $255 million award. Vibrant has served in that role since 988 launched nationally in July 2022. In Kansas, 988 has seen steady growth in the number of people reaching out for help, and the state’s crisis centers have largely kept pace with that demand.
🔗 Read the SAMHSA Press Release: SAMHSA Awards $255 Million to Administer 988 Lifeline
🔗 Learn more about 988 in Kansas: 988 Kansas
2. Supreme Court Declines to Hear Challenge to Vaccine Mandate
On May 18, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to the Los Angeles Unified School District’s pandemic-era employee vaccine mandate, leaving intact a Ninth Circuit ruling that applied the precedent in Jacobson v. Massachusetts (1905), the foundational Supreme Court case recognizing state authority to impose reasonable vaccination requirements to protect public health. In the 2026 session, the Kansas Legislature considered, but did not advance, Senate Bill 522, which, as amended, would have prohibited government entities and schools from requiring any medical intervention (including vaccines) as a condition of employment or access to services.
🔗 Read the Supreme Court Documents: No. 25-765
🔗 Read more from KHI: Week 10 of the 2026 Session
3. Federal Health Leadership Changes Continue
On May 11, the White House officially withdrew the nomination of Dr. Casey Means for U.S. Surgeon General and nominated Dr. Nicole Saphier, a radiologist and practicing physician at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New Jersey. The withdrawal came after Means’ nomination appeared to lack sufficient support to advance from the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
On May 12, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Dr. Marty Makary announced that he was resigning after leading the agency for just over a year. Reports indicated Makary, a surgeon and public health researcher, was not in agreement with the FDA’s recent approval of the marketing of four new flavored vape products. Kyle Diamantas, who has been leading the agency’s Human Foods program, will serve as acting commissioner.
🔗 Read more from the White House: Nominations and Withdrawals Sent to the Senate
🔗 Read more from STAT: Trump drops Casey Means as surgeon general nominee, opts for radiologist Nicole Saphier
🔗 Read more from PBS News: Trump pulls Casey Means’ stalled surgeon general nomination, picks Nicole Saphier instead
🔗 Read more from the Hill: Marty Makary to resign as FDA commissioner after just one year
🔗 Read more from Politico: Makary’s time atop FDA over, Diamantas named acting commissioner
4. U.S. House of Representatives Passes Farm Bill
On April 30, the U.S. House passed the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 (Farm Bill) by a vote of 224 to 200. The vote marks the farthest a farm bill has advanced in Congress since the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 was signed into law, following several years of short-term extensions. The legislation would reauthorize U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs through 2031, covering areas including commodity support, crop insurance, conservation, rural development, nutrition assistance and agricultural research. All four members of the Kansas House delegation voted in favor of the legislation. The bill includes a provision authorized by Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) to permanently house the Food for Peace program, which originated in Kansas, within the USDA. The bill now moves to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Debate and possible amending of the bill is expected to begin in early June.
🔗 Read the bill here: H.R. 7567 – Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026
🔗 Read more from National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition: What is the Farm Bill?
🔗 Read more from the Kansas Reflector: Kansas’ four members of U.S. House vote to endorse farm bill legislation
🔗 Read the press releases from Kansas Delegation Members: Representative Derek Schmidt / Representative Tracey Mann
News From the Kansas Delegation
Members of the Kansas congressional delegation have continued to be active on a range of health care and related policy matters.
- On May 13, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall introduced the Bereaved Parents Rights Act. The legislation requires hospitals and freestanding birthing centers to provide information to parents about the options for cremation or burial of their miscarried or stillborn children.
🔗 Read the press release: Senator Marshall Introduces Bill to Support Families Experiencing Pregnancy Loss
🔗 Read the bill: Amendment to Title XVIII of the Social Security Act
- On April 16, U.S. Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03) and Representative Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) introduced the Accountable Produce is Medicine Act, which would direct the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test a bundled payment model integrating nutrition-based interventions into care for patients with chronic diseases. The bill would give eligible patients access to produce prescriptions, nutrition counseling and care coordination, with priority given to patients in rural and medically underserved areas. The bill also emphasizes locally sourced food, giving preference to produce grown within 250 miles of participating programs. Several Kansas organizations have expressed support, including Hunger Free Kansas and the Sunflower Foundation.
🔗 Read the press release: Reps. Davids, Smucker Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Nutrition-Based Disease Prevention
🔗 Read the bill: H.R. 8355
Stay tuned for further updates on policy shifts that may affect health programs and services in Kansas. For related work on how federal policies could impact Kansans, please check out Hill to the Heartland.
About Kansas Health Institute
The Kansas Health Institute supports effective policymaking through nonpartisan research, education and engagement. KHI believes evidence-based information, objective analysis and civil dialogue enable policy leaders to be champions for a healthier Kansas. Established in 1995 with a multiyear grant from the Kansas Health Foundation, KHI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization based in Topeka.