Health Policy Digest - February 2025

We are pleased to present the February issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

One Month of Policy Change 

The Trump administration has issued a slew of executive orders (EOs) over the last month, many of which have far reaching implications for health care and research. Most notably, the EOs have imposed restrictions on DEI initiatives across the federal government.

The Acting Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Dorothy Fink issued a memo requiring health agencies to pause public communications. The pause remains in effect indefinitely; however, limited communications have resumed. At the National Institutes of Health (NIH), for example, some study sections and closed institute and center advisory council meetings are proceeding. The administration has also removed information and data sets from federal websites to ensure it is compliant with the EO ending programs related to DEI. Following a restraining order issued by a federal judge, much of this information has come back online but information may be missing or altered.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a memo temporarily freezing all federal grants, loans, and other financial assistance programs to ensure that this spending complies with the administration's EOs related to DEI. The memo was challenged in court, and OMB rescinded the memo. However, the White House has made it clear that the administration is still blocking federal spending it opposes.

The NIH has since released guidance setting a 15% ceiling for facilities and administrative costs, or indirect costs. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released a statement asserting that this executive action is illegal because the Labor-HHS appropriations bill prohibits modifications to the NIH's indirect costs. A federal judge also issued a nationwide temporary restraining order prohibiting the implementation of this policy and a hearing has been set for February 21.

Most recently, the Trump administration laid off thousands of HHS employees, including at the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the NIH. The Trump administration contends that the layoffs did not include essential workers; however, the impact of these changes is still being understood.

Senate Confirms RFK Jr. to Lead HHS 

Following months of scrutiny over his controversial views on vaccination and public health policy, on February 13, the Senate voted to confirm Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as Secretary of HHS. The 52-48 vote was largely along party lines; however, Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was the sole Republican to vote with Democrats in opposition of Kennedy's nomination. Senator McConnell survived polio as a child and made it clear that this largely impacted his decision, stating that he "will not condone the relitigating of proven cures, and neither will millions of Americans who credit their survival and quality of life to scientific miracles."

As Kennedy was being sworn in, President Trump signed an executive order establishing a "Make America Health Again Commission." As chair of the Commission, Kennedy is charged with combatting chronic disease in America. The Commission's first tasks will be to assess childhood chronic disease in America and develop a strategy with recommendations for appropriately restructuring the Federal Government's response to the childhood chronic disease crisis.

Take Action and Introduce ARN to the 119^th Congress

It is important for members of Congress to hear from ARN about our priorities. Check out ARN's Grassroots Advocacy page on the website to access pre-written emails that you can send to your members of Congress, highlighting key priorities related to rehabilitation nursing, workforce development, research, and telehealth.

NASEM Workshop on TBI 

The National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine is hosting an online workshop on Examining Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as a Chronic Condition. This workshop will examine existing knowledge and literature on TBI as a chronic condition, and there will be a discussion on how to improve care and outcomes for people who are living with TBI or the long-term effects of a TBI. The event will take place March 11-12 and you can register here.

Notice of Funding Opportunities 

Below is a list of other funding opportunities for interested ARN members.

• Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health (R34 Clinical Trial Optional) (PAR-25-378)
• Short Courses on Innovative Methodologies and Approaches in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R25 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) (RFA-OD-25-003)
• Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) (PAR-25-379)
• Leadership and Coordination Center (LACC) for the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS) (U01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) (RFA-HL-26-011)
• Limited Competition: Data Analysis and Sharing Center (DASC) for the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS) (U01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) (RFA-HL-26-010)
• Limited Competition: Clinical Research Sites (CRS) for the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS) (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (RFA-HL-26-009)
• Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Understanding and Addressing Weight Stigma, Bias, and Discrimination to Promote Health Equity (NOT-HL-24-032)
• Interventions on Health and Healthcare Disparities on Non-Communicable and Chronic Diseases in Latin America: Improving Health Outcomes Across the Hemisphere (R01 - Clinical Trial Required) (PAR-25-342)
• Understanding the Intersection of Social Inequities to Optimize Health and Reduce Health Disparities: The Axes Initiative (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) (RFA-NR-25-004)
• Unveiling Health and Healthcare Disparities in Non-Communicable and Chronic Diseases in Latin America: Setting the Stage for Better Health Outcomes Across the Hemisphere (R01 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed) (PAR-25-377)
• Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Health and Function Among People with Serious Mental Health Conditions (HHS-2025-ACL-NIDILRR-RTHF-0123)
• Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) – Development (HHS-2025-ACL-NIDILRR-IFST-0107)
• Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Research on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) As a Lifelong Condition (HHS-2025-ACL-NIDILRR-DPHF-0117)