In this edition of AcademyHealth’s Situation Report, we cover a series of seismic shifts in health policy. The Senate has advanced a reconciliation bill that threatens Medicaid coverage for millions, deepens health disparities, and prioritizes tax cuts over care. A landmark court ruling overturned discriminatory cuts to NIH research, reinforcing bipartisan support for public investment in science. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court preserved coverage for preventive care but left a key task force vulnerable to political interference. These developments underscore the urgency for researchers to stay informed, engaged, and ready to advocate. Don’t miss our members-only town hall to help navigate this challenging landscape.
In today’s issue:
- SCOTUS Upholds Preventive Care Mandate, Limits Nationwide Injunctions
- Judge Overturns NIH Cuts as Bipartisan Support for Agency Grows
- Senate Republicans Pass Reconciliation Bill to Slash Medicaid
- Amid RFK Jr. Upheaval, CDC Vaccine Panel Plans New Review of Childhood Schedule
- State Attorneys General Assert Hospitals’ Duty to Provide Emergency Abortion Care
- The Human Toll of Health Research Funding Cuts
- AcademyHealth Speaks Out on Evidence in National Health Coverage Debate
- Members-Only Town Hall: Navigating Today’s Health Policy and Research Landscape
- Apply Now: AcademyHealth Opens Fall Health Policy Fellowship for Emerging Advocates
SCOTUS Upholds Preventive Care Mandate, Limits Nationwide Injunctions
On June 27th, the Supreme Court issued a 6–3 decision upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act’s preventive care mandate, confirming that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) may continue providing evidence-based recommendations requiring insurer coverage for essential preventive services. In the ruling, the Court clarified that because its members can be removed at will by the HHS Secretary, Task Force members are considered “inferior officers” under the Appointments Clause. While this preserves coverage for services like cancer screenings, it also leaves the fate of the Task Force uncertain. The Health Secretary now has explicit authority to appoint and dismiss members of the USPSTF, and he can also alter final recommendations, raising concerns that ongoing political interference could compromise the USPSTF’s scientific credibility and independence. The recent mass firing of all members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and subsequent appointment of new members with less collective expertise has many concerned that similar actions may be taken against USPSTF. AcademyHealth has advocated on behalf of the USPSTF with amici briefs from the district level through the Supreme Court hearing. You can learn more here.
The Court also announced a ruling curtailing the use of nationwide injunctions, restricting federal courts from issuing sweeping orders that block federal policies across the entire country. The 6–3 decision arose from legal challenges to President Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to certain noncitizen parents. While the Court did not rule on the constitutionality of the order itself, it sided with the Trump administration in finding that such broad injunctions likely exceed judicial authority granted by Congress, stating that courts must limit relief to plaintiffs in the case unless a nationwide class is certified. The decision underscores a shift toward narrowing judicial power over executive actions. The ruling has wide implications for how legal challenges to federal policies will unfold, potentially forcing more fragmented, case-by-case litigation rather than comprehensive national blocks.
Judge Overturns NIH Cuts as Bipartisan Support for Agency Grows
A Reagan-appointed federal judge has sharply rebuked the Trump Administration’s cuts to NIH-funded research involving racial and LGBTQ+ health, describing the move as palpably discriminatory and unlawful. The judge declared the NIH cuts to be illegal and void and ordered immediate restoration of the NIH research funds. While many judges have ruled the Administrations actions to terminate contracts and funding to be violations of due process, Judge William Young’s remarks stand out as one of the few judges delivering sweeping rejections of the Administration’s policy agenda.
Concurrently, bipartisan support for the NIH remains strong on Capitol Hill. Over 160 members of the House and 50 senators have submitted letters urging leaders of the Appropriations Committee to provide at least $51.3 billion for the NIH’s foundational work in FY 2026, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong commitment to the agency and its critical role in advancing medical research and public health.
Senate Republicans Pass Reconciliation Bill to Slash Medicaid
The Senate Republican majority narrowly passed a massive bill that cuts Medicaid coverage by $1 trillion, increases funding for immigration raids, and cuts taxes for the ultrawealthy. Vice President Vance cast the tiebreaking vote for the measure. Nearly 20 million Americans are expected to lose their access to health care due to new bureaucracy, red tape, and changes in eligibility, in addition to nearly 600 nursing homes being at risk of closure and possible closures of rural hospitals. The Congressional Budget Office found that the Senate bill will increase the federal debt by $4 trillion, which the Senate rejected and set a precedent that would say that extending tax cuts has no cost at all. The legislation heads back to the House for final passage.
Amid RFK Jr. Upheaval, CDC Vaccine Panel Plans New Review of Childhood Schedule
While no sure changes came from the Advisory Council on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) first meeting since Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s reshuffle, the committee’s newly appointed chair, Martin Kulldorff, signaled changes to U.S. vaccine policy could be coming down the pipeline, especially those that relate to childhood vaccination. ACIP helps guide the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on best practices for vaccine implementation, partly through the establishment of specific work groups. Dr. Kulldorff said they will create two new work groups, one to examine the collective effect of childhood vaccine schedules and the other to review vaccines that Dr. Kulldorff says have not been reviewed in the last seven years. During the meeting, Dr. Kulldorff also brought into question the number of vaccines that young people in America receive compared to those in other countries, a topic that is in line with RFK Jr.’s frequent calls for additional review of vaccine recommendations.
State Attorneys General Assert Hospitals’ Duty to Provide Emergency Abortion Care
Twenty-two state attorneys general have reaffirmed, in a letter to the American Hospital Association, that hospitals are still obligated to provide emergency abortion care services under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), despite recent moves by the Trump administration. In late May, CMS rescinded guidance from 2022 that specifically stated that abortion is covered under EMTALA requirements to provide stabilizing care in the event of a medical emergency, noting that the federal law takes precedence over state laws that limit or ban abortion care. This 2022 guidance was shared by the Biden administration following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson division, which increased state legislation restricting abortion.
While acknowledging the pulled guidance, the attorneys general note that “nothing about CMS’ recession of its 2022 guidance changes the statutory text of EMTALA, which requires abortion care in specified circumstances.” HHS Secretary RFK Jr. similarly acknowledged that the law has not changed in a letter to health care providers. However, experts note that revoking federal guidance regarding EMTALA and abortion will further confuse doctors and put pregnant patients’ lives at risk.
A lawsuit surrounding conflicts with EMTALA and an Idaho abortion ban is working its way through the lower courts after being kicked back by the Supreme Court in 2024, resulting in a temporary stay of the state’s abortion ban. Although the Department of Justice, having inherited this case from the Biden administration, dropped its supporting position, the case has been taken up by a nonprofit health system within Idaho.
The Human Toll of Health Research Funding Cuts
The Milbank Quarterly, in partnership with the Interdisciplinary Association for Population Health Science, is sharing firsthand accounts from population health researchers impacted by recent federal funding cuts. From terminated NIH grants to canceled community partnerships, early-career scholars describe stalled careers, shuttered projects, and growing uncertainty for the future of health equity research.
Read powerful reflections from Harvard and Duke researchers—and consider sharing your own story. Submissions (up to 400 words) are welcome via this form.
AcademyHealth Speaks Out on Evidence in National Health Coverage Debate
As federal lawmakers debate sweeping changes to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, AcademyHealth is raising the visibility of rigorous, nonpartisan research on what these changes would mean for people’s health and well-being. In a recent interview with KFF Health News, AcademyHealth CEO Dr. Aaron Carroll emphasized the overwhelming evidence showing that increased out-of-pocket costs lead to reduced access to care, with the greatest harm falling on those who are sick or financially vulnerable.
This is one of many ways AcademyHealth is working to ensure that the health policy debate is informed by research, not rhetoric. Read the full article here.
Members-Only Town Hall: Navigating Today’s Health Policy and Research Landscape
Join us for an exclusive AcademyHealth members-only town hall with President and CEO, Aaron Carroll, Director of Advocacy, Josh Caplan, and Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at the nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy alliance, Research!America, Ellie Dehoney. The town hall provides members with critical insights into the policy and funding challenges shaping the health services and health policy research field. Participants will discover advocacy strategies and resources to navigate the current environment. This interactive session offers a unique opportunity to connect with peers, share experiences, and engage in open dialogue with AcademyHealth leadership.
Date and Time: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 | 12:00p.m. to 1:00p.m. ET
Register Now: AcademyHealth Town Hall Meeting | AcademyHealth
Apply Now: AcademyHealth Opens Fall Health Policy Fellowship for Emerging Advocates
AcademyHealth’s advocacy team is hiring a policy fellow for this fall. This opening is for a current or recent graduate student who wants hands-on experience in applying their health policy and health systems knowledge and research skills to federal advocacy. The fellow will work alongside the Director of Advocacy to advance the mission and objectives of AcademyHealth through advocacy, public policy, education, and policy communication. This full-time position can be done hybrid or remote. Learn more and apply here.
Previous Updates
This is the latest in a series of Situation Report updates from AcademyHealth. You can find prior issues here.
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