Update: What We’re Watching, April 13, 2026

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Update: What We're Watching, April 13, 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.

The Trump administration indicated plans to issue a new proposed rule on mental health parity by the end of 2026. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported that national Affordable Care Act marketplace enrollment declined but remained near record levels for plan year 2026. CMS convened state leaders to accelerate implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Program. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is scheduled to appear before six congressional committees in April, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Vice-Chair Robert Malone has resigned, and members are added to a new federal advisory committee on health care delivery and financing.

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. Trump Administration Suggests New Mental Health Parity Rule

On March 30, 2026, in a status update for a lawsuit over regulations on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) proposed by the Biden administration, the Department of Justice told the court that the implementing agencies intend to issue a new notice of proposed rulemaking by Dec. 31, 2026. In 2024, the Biden administration proposed updates to MHPAEA to strengthen federal oversight of whether health plans treat behavioral health benefits differently from physical health benefits, and to require health plans to analyze certain treatment limitations for both types of benefits. The proposed regulations were praised by providers and consumer advocates but opposed by insurers and employers.

Read the Joint Status Report here: MHPAEA Lawsuit Joint Status Report, March 30, 2026

Read more from Behavioral Health Business: Trump Administration to Propose New Parity Rule

Read more from the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness: The Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW) Applauds the Administration's Announcement of New Rulemaking on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA)

2. CMS Releases Affordable Care Act Marketplace Enrollment Report

On March 27, 2026, CMS reported 23.1 million consumers had selected or were automatically re-enrolled in Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage for plan year 2026, including 192,811 Kansans. National enrollment declined by 1.2 million consumers in 2025, with nearly half of enrollees (46 percent) having incomes between 100-150 percent of the federal poverty level and most receiving financial assistance. The report also shows that fewer consumers enrolled in silver-level plans, which means fewer people have access to cost-sharing reductions that are linked to those plans. Although enrollment decreased for 2026, CMS noted it remains 6.8 million higher than in 2023 and 1.7 million higher than in 2024. Watch for our annual analysis of the data, which will include county-level enrollment maps and insights on marketplace enrollment across Kansas.

Read the CMS press release here: Exchange Coverage Remains Near Record High as 23.1 Million Enroll in 2026, Reflecting Continued Strength and Stability

Read more from CMS: Health Insurance Exchanges 2026 Open Enrollment Report

Watch more from KFF: Costs, Coverage, and Enrollment Changes: Exploring Current Public Opinion and Policy on the ACA

3. CMS Convenes First Rural Health Transformation Summit

CMS convened state officials and experts from all 50 states on March 18, 2026, for the first Rural Health Transformation Summit to accelerate implementation of the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). Participants included state RHTP directors, CMS leadership, Office of Rural Health Transformation project officers, and subject matter experts who were asked to "align implementation priorities, exchange perspectives and support continued progress across rural communities nationwide." The summit, organized by the Office of Rural Health Transformation, launched an ongoing learning collaborative to connect states, share best practices and provide sustained technical assistance. For more information on the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program, including the latest grant opportunities, news and webinars, visit KDHE's Kansas Rural Health Transformation website.

Read the news release here: CMS Convenes First Rural Health Transformation Summit to Advance State-Led Innovation

Read more from CMS: Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program

4. Other HHS News

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is scheduled to appear before six congressional committees in April as part of the federal budget process following the April 3 release of the President's 2027 Budget Request for federal fiscal year 2027. In addition to questions about proposed cuts to various existing federal health programs, Sec. Kennedy is also expected to face questions regarding vaccine policy and leadership vacancies across federal health agencies. These hearings follow ongoing disruptions to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), including the resignation of Vice Chair Dr. Robert Malone after a federal court ruling that blocked recent actions, halted meetings and raised questions about member qualifications, contributing to uncertainty about the committee's role in guiding vaccine recommendations. Secretary Kennedy published an amended ACIP charter in the Federal Register on April 6, which broadens the criteria for membership on the committee. HHS and CMS also recently announced a new 18-member Health Care Advisory Committee that will be advising the administration on improving care delivery and financing across federal programs, signaling broader efforts to reshape federal health policy and oversight.

Read the Budget of the U.S. Government: President's Budget: Volumes and Documents

Read more from RollCall: CDC vaccine adviser Malone steps down to avoid 'drama'

Read more from The Hill: RFK Jr. moves to broaden CDC vaccine panel eligibility after federal judge found new members unqualified

Read the CMS press release here: HHS and CMS Announce Healthcare Advisory Committee Members to Improve Patient Care and Modernize the U.S. Healthcare System

Read more from CMS: Healthcare Advisory Committee

Read more from The Hill: Kennedy, Oz announce new Health Care Advisory Committee

News From the Kansas Delegation

On March 25, 2026, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) cosponsored bipartisan legislation, Senate Bill 4036 AADAPT Act, to bolster training for primary care providers so they can better diagnose Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

Read more from Senator Moran's office: Sen. Moran, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Bolster Primary Care Training on Dementia Detection & Treatment

Read the bill language: Senate 4036 - AADAPT Act

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.