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Capitol Insights

The Capitol Insights newsletter is provided by our regulatory affairs contractor, Capitol Associates Inc. While not specific to imaging, the newsletter covers the top federal health policy activity of the week.

White House Launches TrumpRx Website (2/6/2026)

What Happened in Congress This Week?

Most of the government was funded through September 30, 2026, after President Trump signed a government funding bill into law on Tuesday evening. The only remaining part of the government that has yet to be funded through the end of the fiscal year is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Congress has until February 13 to come to an agreement. Funding for DHS includes ICE, TSA, and FEMA.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing this week titled “Common Schemes, Real Harm: Examining Fraud in Medicare and Medicaid”, examining the scope, evolution, and impacts of fraud across these programs, which is estimated to cost roughly $100 billion annually. Members and witnesses discussed emerging fraud schemes, the roles of federal and state governments, oversight challenges, and the need for coordinated enforcement, improved data use, and safeguards to protect patients, providers, and program integrity.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday regarding prescription drug prices.

White House Launches TrumpRx Website

On Thursday evening, the White House officially launched the TrumpRx website, which will allow people to purchase certain prescription drugs directly from manufacturers. The website was announced last year but finally went live this week.

The site provides access to around 40 brand‑name prescription drugs at a discount compared to the manufacturer’s list price. The prices could be cheaper than what people would pay out‑of‑pocket for the same products with their insurance benefits. However, purchases on TrumpRx do not count toward a person’s insurance deductible or out‑of‑pocket maximum.

People can use the TrumpRx website to either receive coupons that they can redeem at pharmacies or to access a portal on a manufacturer's website to order the medication.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed during the Biden Administration, allows the government to negotiate prices of medications with manufacturers on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries. Since taking office, President Trump has used executive powers to go beyond the IRA by negotiating directly with manufacturers. TrumpRx provides a forum for manufacturers to make good on their promises in those negotiations.

Notably, several GLP‑1 weight‑loss medications are available through the website, ranging in price from $149–$350 per dose, and insulin is available for as low as $25. The website highlights the discounts the Administration negotiated. For example, it shows how it negotiated the price for the Airsupra asthma inhaler from $504 to $201, representing $303 in savings.

The Administration plans to expand the list of products available, and more manufacturers plan to participate in the future. It is unclear how many of their products they will make available on the website.

Top Stories in Healthcare Policy

Medicare Advantage Plans received 53 million prior authorization requests in 2024. Of those, 4.1 million requests were denied, and 81% of those were fully or partially overturned, causing delays in care.

A proposed rule has been issued by the Labor Department to increase transparency in pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) relationships. The rule requires PBMs to disclose compensation, rebates, and other key information to help fiduciaries meet ERISA requirements.

CMS finalized a rule to stop states from using loopholes that generate revenue from Medicaid provider taxes.

A new KFF poll found that healthcare costs are Americans’ top financial concern. These worries outrank groceries, housing, and utilities. Two‑thirds of Americans said they are very worried about affording healthcare, and one‑third said they are extremely worried.

HHS announced a $100 million pilot program to address homelessness and substance abuse in eight cities. The program, “Safety Through Recovery, Engagement and Evidence-Based Treatment and Supports (STREETS),” expands states’ ability to use federal funding for substance abuse treatment and makes faith‑based organizations eligible for addiction‑related grants.

Senate HELP Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R‑LA) sent a letter to the president of Apexus LLC, the sole prime vendor for the 340B Drug Pricing Program, raising concerns about the company’s growth and profit margins. He requested extensive records to determine whether Apexus is still fulfilling its intended purpose of improving access to affordable medications.

U.S. life expectancy increased from 78.4 years in 2023 to 79.0 years in 2024, an all‑time high.

The HHS Office of Inspector General released its Medicare Advantage Industry Segment‑Specific Compliance Program Guidance. This resource helps healthcare organizations identify risks and implement effective compliance practices.

President Trump’s $100,000 fee for an H‑1B visa is limiting hospitals’ ability to hire needed immigrant doctors.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt issued an executive order placing further restrictions on Medicare Advantage Plans. The order requires written provider contracts, restricts certain marketing tactics, mandates appropriate provider payments, and ensures patient access to care.