Update: What We’re Watching, Sept. 4, 2026

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Update: What We're Watching, Sept. 4, 2026

Hill to the Heartland: Federal Health Policy Briefing

Hill to the Heartland: Federal Health Policy Briefing is a product series providing regular updates on federal health policy discussions. Sign up here to receive these summaries and more, and also follow KHI on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Federal agencies announced new school nutrition investments focused on healthier meals, local food procurement and cafeteria infrastructure. The Department of Health and Human Services launched a new safety initiative for individuals with autism. Federal agencies sought input on immunization recommendation categories as part of ongoing vaccine policy activity.

Here is some of the health-related news we are watching that could have an impact on Kansas.

The views expressed in the following news stories, news releases or documents are not necessarily those of the Kansas Health Institute (KHI). They are being shared with the intent of keeping Kansans informed of the latest developments related to federal health policy.

U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Updates

1. HHS Announces Funding to DEPEND Initiative to Transform School Nutrition

On Aug. 26, HHS announced a $32.5 million initiative to support schools and school districts in testing approaches to replace highly processed foods with nutrient-dense foods. The initiative, Developing Evidence for Programs to Ensure Nutrition for Development (DEPEND), will make funding available to schools and school districts to test innovative approaches to delivering nutritious foods to school-aged children. The one-time awards will focus on projects addressing food purchasing and supply, workforce and food production, student demand and meal economics, and school food operations and infrastructure. Awards are expected to range from $75,000 to $2.5 million.

Read the press release from HHS: HHS Announces $32.5 Million DEPEND Initiative to Transform School Nutrition

Read more from Medical Daily: Federal Health Officials Commit $32.5 Million to Test Which School Food Changes Actually Reach Children's Plates

2. HHS Joins USDA to Announce Harvest to Hallways Initiative

On Aug. 24, HHS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the Harvest to Hallways initiative to increase the use of locally produced foods in school meals and invest in school cafeteria infrastructure. The initiative includes expanding local procurement, investing in school kitchens, bringing more local foods to schools, accelerating healthier meals and investing in school meal nutrition research. Harvest to Hallways includes up to $70 million in investments in school cafeterias and up to $25 million in additional Farm to School grants for fiscal year 2026.

Read the press release from HHS: HHS Joins USDA to Announce Harvest to Hallways Initiative to Invest in Child Nutrition Programs

Read more from USDA: USDA Announces Harvest to Hallways Initiative to Invest in Child Nutrition Programs

3. HHS Launches Missing and Endangered Person Alert for Persons with Autism

On Aug. 21, HHS announced development of the first National Autism Missing and Endangered Person Alert initiative, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The initiative will establish a national framework to improve coordination among emergency management agencies, law enforcement, first responders and community partners when a person with autism is reported missing. HHS also announced autism-related initiatives, including a new CMS toolkit for states on delivery and oversight of Applied Behavior Analysis services in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) efforts to expand clinical training and improve access to care for individuals with autism.

Read the press release from HHS: HHS Launches First National Autism Missing and Endangered Person Alert Initiative

Read more from Disability Scoop: National Alert System For Missing Persons With Autism In The Works

4. HHS Seeks Public Input on Federal Vaccine Recommendation Categories

On Aug. 21, HHS issued a request for information seeking public input on the categories used for federal vaccine recommendations and the role of shared clinical decision-making. Current federal recommendations use three categories: "routine," "risk-based" and "shared clinical decision-making/individual-based decision-making." HHS is asking whether those categories are clear and adequate or whether additional or different categories should be considered. The request for information in the Federal Register asks whether HHS should consider categories such as "recommended, but not during infancy" or "recommended with qualifications." It does not specify vaccines that might be placed in a new or revised category. It is unclear whether additional categories would affect how providers offer vaccines, and whether vaccines in new categories would receive insurance coverage without cost sharing or would be available through the Vaccines for Children Program. The public comment period is open through Sept. 20.

Read the press release from HHS: HHS Seeks Public Input on Federal Vaccine Recommendation Categories and Shared Clinical Decision-Making

Read more from the Federal Register: Request for Information: Categories Used in Federal Vaccine Recommendations and the Role of Shared Clinical Decision-Making

Read more from Scientific American: HHS Quietly Signals Possible Changes Coming to Childhood Vaccination Schedule

Stay tuned for further updates on policy shifts that may affect health programs and services in Kansas. For related work on how federal policies could impact Kansans, please check out Hill to the Heartland.