ARN Health Policy Digest – November 2026

 We are pleased to present the November 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.

President Trump Announces Pocket Recissions

On September 25, President Donald Trump sent a notice to Congress rescinding $810 million in federal funding. President Trump used a maneuver known as "pocket rescissions," in which the administration submits a rescission request less than 45 days before the targeted funds are set to expire, potentially allowing the funds to expire before the 45-day congressional review period ends. While the majority of the targeted funding went toward programs serving undocumented immigrants and initiatives within the agency's Minority Health Office, the request also included $28 million from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The agency has already faced efforts to dismantle it, including mass grant cancellations, staffing reductions, and a proposed elimination in the House Labor-HHS appropriations bill.

Several congressional leaders, including Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-ME), were quick to criticize the administration's actions. Senior appropriators from both parties began considering potential legislative responses, including language in the FY 2027 and 2028 appropriations bills that would prevent the use of "pocket rescissions." In a last-ditch effort, Senate Democrats quickly worked to pass a bill that would reverse the pocket rescissions. The bill, led by Senate Appropriations Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senate Budget Ranking Member Jeff Merkley (D-OR), was blocked by Senate Budget Chair Ron Johnson (R-WI). 

GAO Confirms Impoundment of Funds at AHRQ

​ The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that the Trump administration violated the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (ICA) after it deemed that the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) had not awarded $78 million of grant funding at the end of FY 2025. Due to the Trump administration's Reductions in Force (RIFs), AHRQ could not fulfill its obligated grant funding as most AHRQ staff responsible for the dispersion of grant funding were cut, rendering the agency ineffective. Per the ICA, the president must ensure appropriated funds are used as Congress intends. A president cannot withhold or change funding unless they adhere to strict time guidelines and provide Congress proper justification. The GAO concluded that HHS violated the ICA by withholding AHRQ funds that were appropriated in FY 25 from being dispersed as Congress intended. This is important because this is a governmental agency with the sole purpose of investigating legal matters within the government has made the determination that the Administration has acted illegally.

Request for Information on LTC and Home Health Care​ 

​The Senate Finance Committee, led by the Ranking Member Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), released a Request for Information (RFI) on improving long-term care (LTC) facilities and home health care. The committee seeks feedback on policy proposals for universal, simple, and flexible long-term care. Specifically, the RFI is looking for information on affordability and accessibility of home care for seniors and Americans with disabilities, improving quality of care in nursing homes, and strengthening the long-term care workforce. The committee intends to reduce the impact of recent cuts to health care that will affect LTC and home health care. ARN is working to best respond to the RFI to ensure the voice of rehabilitation nurses is heard.

Notice of Funding Opportunities

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

• Community Partnered Nursing Research Centers (P20 Clinical Trial Optional) (PAR-25-439)
• Leveraging Nursing Research to Advance Healthy School Environments for All (FOR-NR-25-002)
• Limited Competition: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Postdoctoral Research Training Grant for the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program (T32 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PAR-25-195)
• NINR Mentoring Resources and Activities (FOR-NR-25-003)
• Advancing Nutrition-related Research Across the Lifespan (FOR-NR-25-001)
• Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) for Health Professional Schools and Graduate Schools (FOR-PAR-25-420)
• Strategies to Improve Health Outcomes and Reduce Health Disparities in Rural Populations (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) (FOR-NR-25-007)
• Public Health Nursing (HHS-2027-HIS-PHN-0001)