We are pleased to present the January 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.
A Look at FY 2025 Appropriations and Other Spending Priorities
The 119th Congress is now in session and Republicans are navigating a broad range of competing priorities, including enacting tax cuts, border security measures, a debt ceiling increase, and spending cuts through budget reconciliation.
Congress has until March 14 to wrap up FY 2025 appropriations or pass another continuing resolution (CR). Republicans have discussed potentially dividing the 12 appropriations bills into three separate packages. However, appropriations leadership still haven't settled on top-line spending levels for defense and nondefense discretionary spending for FY 2025 – the first necessary step towards finalizing the appropriations bills.
The new Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA), aims to revive the health package that was included in the initial CR that was scrapped after then President-Elect Donald Trump opposed the package before the holidays. Rep. Carter has a particular interest in pharmacy benefit manager reform and extending Medicare telehealth flexibilities. The current timing for this package is March.
Congress needs to address the debt ceiling this year and House GOP leaders proposed raising the debt limit via reconciliation, a process that Senate GOP members could support but only if raising the debt limit is tied to spending cuts. House Republicans are also hoping to pass a reconciliation package by Memorial Day in which they aim to address border security, defense and energy priorities, and extend the 2017 tax cuts.
Take Action and Introduce ARN to the 119th Congress
While it is unclear what Congress may be able to get done over the next several months, it is important for members of Congress to hear from ARN about our priorities now. 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.
HHS Published Artificial Intelligence Strategic Plan
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its Artificial Intelligence Strategic Plan on January 10. This plan consists of four key goals:
- 1.Catalyzing health AI innovation and adoption to unlock new ways to improve people's lives
- 2.Promoting trustworthy AI development and ethical and responsible use to avoid potential harm
- 3.Democratizing AI technologies and resources to promote access
- 4.Cultivating AI-empowered workforces and organization cultures to effectively and safely use AI
As ARN members know, AI continues to develop and show potential to revolutionize all parts of the healthcare sphere, including nursing. Through this strategic plan, HHS outlines a detailed plan to achieve their goals which includes developing guidance on how to protect AI models from data attacks or compromised cybersecurity systems; the creation of an independent system for stakeholders to test AI products without certain regulations; providing resources to underserved communities to improve their AI literacy; and improving general AI knowledge through the department. HHS believes that AI can be instrumental in improving healthcare innovation for more efficient and higher quality care; however, the department recognizes there is a need for regulation to make sure Americans are protected.
Notice of Funding Opportunities
Below is a list of other funding opportunities for interested ARN members.
- NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PA-25-301)
- NIH Small Research Grant Program (Parent R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PA-25-302)
- NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) (PA-25-303)
- NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PA-25-304)
- NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Required) (PA-25-305)
- NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Required) (PA-25-306)
- NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) (PA-25-307)
- 2024 NIH Public Access Policy (NOT-OD-25-047)
- Supplemental Guidance to the 2024 NIH Public Access Policy: Publication Costs (NOT-OD-25-048)
- Supplemental Guidance to the 2024 NIH Public Access Policy: Government Use License and Rights (NOT-OD-25-049)
- Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on Universal Design Applications Synopsis 1
- Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Employment Policy Synopsis 1