Update: What We’re Watching, Aug. 7, 2025
Hill to the Heartland: Federal Health Policy Briefing
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans to open applications in September for the Rural Health Transformation Program. The Supreme Court ruled that layoffs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may proceed. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. canceled a U.S. Preventive Services Task Force meeting and announced the cancellation of $500 million in funding previously designated for mRNA vaccine development projects. The White House Office of Management and Budget has withheld CDC funding for key programs amid review. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking a ban on Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood.
In Kansas, officials are denying a USDA request for detailed personal data on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients from 2020–2025, citing privacy concerns and the federal government’s plan to build a national database. The Department for Children and Families, with support from Governor Laura Kelly, says turning over the data could violate federal law, expose the state to legal risk and require significant time and resources.
Here is some of the 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.
HHS Updates
1. CMS Prepares to Launch Rural Health Transformation Program Applications
On Aug. 3, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz announced that applications for the new Rural Health Transformation Program will be launched in September. Developed under H.R. 1 (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act), the program includes $50 billion in funds over five years, with $25 billion allocated for equal distribution among states with approved applications and the other $25 billion to be distributed at the discretion of CMS, using criteria defined in H.R. 1. The funding is intended to support rural health initiatives, including those focused on workforce development, system optimization and expansion of service delivery options through technological solutions, such as telemedicine.
🔗 Read more from Becker’s Hospital Review: CMS targets September for $50B rural healthcare fund applications
2. HHS Announces Cancellation of Funding for Vaccine Development
On Aug. 5, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the department will cancel 22 mRNA-based vaccine development projects, totaling $500 million, that target respiratory viruses such as the flu, COVID-19 and H5 Bird Flu. The benefits of mRNA, also known as Messenger RNA, vaccines include shorter manufacturing times and no use of a live virus. Public health professionals have warned that halting mRNA research could severely limit preparedness for future pandemics and biological threats from other nations, and limit other research areas as well, including current exploration of its use in cancer immunotherapies. The decision marks a shift in federal vaccine development priorities, with Kennedy stating that HHS will instead invest in broader vaccine strategies such as inactivated whole-virus vaccines, which preserve the virus’ structural integrity but make it noninfectious by chemical means.
🔗 Read more from AP: RFK Jr. cancels $500M in funding for mRNA vaccine development | AP News
3. White House Blocks CDC Funds as Part of Federal Health Budget Shift
The Trump Administration has blocked funding for several CDC public health programs, including efforts related to youth violence prevention, research on gun injuries and deaths, programs to reduce chronic diseases such as diabetes and chronic kidney disease, and efforts to reduce tobacco use. The withheld funds could affect up to $200 million in funding. The announcement aligns with the White House’s broader plan to cut health spending by more than 25 percent in the next fiscal year with both the CDC and National Institutes of Health (NIH) facing billions in federal funding cuts.
🔗 Read more from the Reuters: Trump administration blocks funding for CDC health programs, WSJ reports
4. HHS Reduction in Workforce Ruling
On July 8, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that HHS may proceed with a portion of its reduction-in-force (RIF) plan, which impacts thousands of employees that received RIF notices in April. Some employees, including those under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation and the Office of Head Start, are temporarily protected while waiting for a ruling in another court case, State of New York v. Kennedy.
🔗 Read the Supreme Court’s ruling: Trump v. American Federation of Government Employees
🔗 Read more from The Hill: HHS officially lays off some RIF-ed staffers
🔗 Read more from PBS: Mass layoffs at HHS were likely unlawful and must be halted, federal judge says
5. HHS Secretary Cancels U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Meeting
On July 11, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the cancellation of a meeting of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) that was set for July 17. Medical groups, such as the American Medical Association, are concerned that the panel may soon be dismissed, as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices was in June. The USPSTF is a scientifically independent group of 16 volunteer experts in prevention medicine and primary care nominated by the public to make preventive service recommendations for adults and children. Past recommendations include lowering the age to begin breast cancer screenings, implementing screenings for intimate partner violence and abuse in women of reproductive age, and updating recommendations for osteoporosis screenings — all of which are recommended to be covered by most insurers with no out-of-pocket costs to the consumer.
🔗 Read more from NPR: Medical groups are concerned that RFK Jr. may dismiss a panel of primary care experts
🔗 Read more about the USPSTF: About the USPSTF
6. Judge Rules Against Planned Parenthood Ban
On July 28, a federal judge in the U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, prohibited HHS and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services from enforcing the provisions of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, that provide that no federal Medicaid funds could be used to make payments to “prohibited entities” for items and services furnished during the one-year period beginning on July 4, 2025. Under the definition of “prohibited entity” in the law, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., and specific Planned Parenthood members could be barred from receiving federal Medicaid reimbursement for their non-abortion services. Since 1977, with the enactment of the Hyde Amendment, Congress has prohibited the use of federal funds for abortions under the Medicaid program, except for cases where the life of the pregnant person is endangered or if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. In Kansas, there are four Planned Parenthood health centers across the state that provide additional services such as annual exams, cancer screenings, pregnancy testing and STI testing and treatment.
🔗 Read more from AP News: Judge blocks Trump administration’s efforts to defund Planned Parenthood
🔗 Read the preliminary injunction: Planned Parenthood v. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
7. Protect Medicaid and Rural Hospitals Act
On July 15, Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced legislation that would reverse cuts to Medicaid that were made in H.R. 1, the One Big Beautifull Bill Act. The Protect Medicaid and Rural Hospitals Act (S.2279), aims to repeal the changes to state provider tax authority and Medicaid state-directed payments. The bill also would double the planned investment in rural health care to $100 billion by extending the Rural Transformation Program by five years.
🔗 Read more from Healthcare Finance: Bill would unwind Medicaid funding cuts
🔗 Read the Protect Medicaid and Rural Hospitals Act: S.2279
News From the Kansas Delegation
Members of the Kansas congressional delegation have been active in July on a range of health care and related policy matters.
1. On July 15, Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01), chair of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry, led a hearing focused on the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and its role in preventing and responding to foreign animal diseases such as High Pathogenic Avian Influenza, African Swine Fever and New World Screwworm. During the hearing, Representative Mann highlighted the importance of institutions like the Kansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in strengthening animal disease detection, research and prevention.
🔗 Read the press release: Chairman Mann Leads Subcommittee Hearing on Safeguarding U.S. Agriculture, Disease Prevention in Animal Health
2. On July 8, Representative Derek Schmidt (KS-02) announced that he has cosponsored the Credit for Caring Act, legislation that would establish an annual tax credit of up to $5,000 for family caregivers. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01) and Sharice Davids (KS-03) are also cosponsors of the bill. The Credit for Caring Act is intended to provide financial relief to caregivers, many of whom are unpaid and spend an average of 26 percent of their annual income on care-related expenses. In Kansas, approximately 20 percent of adults are caregivers, and unpaid caregivers deliver roughly 85 percent of long-term care services.
🔗 Read the press release: Schmidt Supports Bipartisan Effort to Provide Financial Relief to Family Caregivers
🔗 Read the bill language: Credit for Caring Act of 2025
🔗 Read more from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services: Kansas Caregivers
3. On July 24, Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03) alongside Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced the bipartisan ABLE Employment Flexibility Act, designed to support workers with disabilities to build financial security.
🔗 Read the press release: Davids Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand Savings Options for Workers with Disabilities
🔗 Read the bill language: H.R. 4644 ABLE Employment Flexibility Act
4. On July 8, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the National Farm Security Action Plan, the new pillar of the Make Agriculture Great Again initiative which was created to protect American agriculture from foreign threats. Senator Roger Marshall joined Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem at USDA headquarters to announce the plan. In his brief remarks, Senator Marshall emphasized that the security of America’s food supply is a critical national security issue, raising concerns about foreign land ownership and potential biothreats to agriculture. He highlighted Kansas’ role as a hub for agricultural research and biosecurity and noted recent federal actions to strengthen support for farmers, protect rural communities and enhance the resilience of the food supply. The comprehensive plan addresses seven priority areas:
- Secure and protect American farmland
- Enhance agricultural supply chain resilience
- Protect U.S. nutrition safety net from fraud and foreign exploitation
- Defend agricultural research and innovation
- Put America first in every USDA program
- Safeguard plant and animal health
- Protect critical infrastructure
🔗 Read more from the Hays Post: Kan. U.S. Senator helps reveal Farm Security Action Plan
🔗 Read more from AgWired: USDA Unveils National Farm Security Action Plan | AgWired
🔗 Read more from the USDA: Farm Security is National Security
🔗 Read the action plan: National Farm Security Action Plan
5. On July 23, Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) joined Senator Micheal Bennet (D-CO) in introducing the No Suprises Act Enforcement Act, which seeks to strengthen enforcement of the 2020 No Suprises Act, designed to stop surprise medical billing, by increasing penalties for non-compliance with payment deadlines. It also aims to improve transparency and close gaps in the current dispute resolution process. A companion bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives by a group of bipartisan policymakers.
🔗 Read the press release: Senators Marshall & Bennet Introduce Legislation To Strengthen Existing Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills
🔗 Read the bill language: No Surprises Act Enforcement Act
6. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) joined a bipartisan group of senators in introducing the Streamlining Rural Housing Act of 2025, which would require the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the USDA to align housing standards through a memorandum of understanding. The bill would reduce the need for separate inspections and environmental reviews for projects that receive grant funding from both governmental agencies. Supporters of the legislation state the changes are intended to lower costs, reduce administrative barriers, shorten project timelines and improve the development of affordable housing in rural communities.
🔗 Read the press release: Sens. Moran, Ricketts, Shaheen, Gallego Introduce Legislation to Streamline Rural Housing Regulations
🔗 Read the bill language: Streamlining Rural Housing Act
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.
Funding for Hill to the Heartland is provided in part by the Sunflower Foundation: Health Care for Kansans, a Topeka-based philanthropic organization with the mission to serve as a catalyst for improving the health of Kansans. KHI retains editorial independence in the production of its content and its findings. Any views expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the views of the Sunflower Foundation.
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.