Update: What We’re Watching, Nov. 13, 2025

• Home
• Articles

Update: What We're Watching, Nov. 13, 2025

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 federal government has reopened after a 43-day shutdown, and Congress acted to fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through September. Kansas has submitted its Rural Health Transformation Program application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Here is some of the 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.

1. Government Shutdown Update

On Nov. 12, President Trump signed a funding bill to reopen the federal government, ending the 43-day shutdown. The legislation extends previous spending levels through January 2026 for most federal agencies and funding for a few programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) with $107.5 billion allocated to the program, through September 2026. Although SNAP funding has been restored, states may need several days to reload benefits depending on earlier issuance patterns. The package also provides back pay for federal employees and reverses layoffs that occurred during the shutdown. The agreement does not address the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium subsidies at the end of the year, though Senate leadership has committed to holding a vote in December. As the open enrollment period continues in Kansas, 2026 net marketplace rates currently reflect the scheduled expiration of the ACA subsidies on Dec. 31, 2025.

Read more from NPR: The longest government shutdown in U.S. history comes to a close

Read more from The Hill: Government set to reopen after historic shutdown: What to know

Read more from the Kansas Insurance Department: Overview of the Health Insurance Markets in Kansas

2. CMS Announces New Medicaid Drug Payment Model

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the GENErating cost Reductions for U.S. (GENEROUS) Medicaid Model, a new initiative to reduce prescription drug spending and improve access to medications for Medicaid recipients. Beginning January 2026, the five-year voluntary model will allow participating states to purchase certain drugs at prices comparable to those paid in other developed countries through CMS-negotiated supplemental rebates with drug manufacturers. The model aims to align Medicaid drug prices with international benchmarks, increase price transparency and provide states with greater budget flexibility to invest in other health priorities. CMS will release a Request for Applications (RFA) for manufacturers and accept letters of intent from states interested in participating later this year.

Read the CMS press release: CMS Announces New Drug Payment Model to Strengthen Medicaid and Better Serve Vulnerable Americans

Read more about the model: GENEROUS Model

Read more from Fierce Healthcare: CMS unveils new model to bring most-favored nation pricing to Medicaid

3. Kansas Submits Rural Health Transformation Plan

On Nov. 4, Governor Laura Kelly announced that Kansas had submitted its Rural Health Transformation Plan to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as part of the state's application for a portion of the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program. The plan, if funded, will be led by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and outlines five initiatives, including expanding primary and secondary prevention programs, securing local access to primary care, building a sustainable rural health workforce, enabling value-based care and harnessing data and technology. Members of the Kansas congressional delegation sent letters to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz supporting Kansas' application. All 50 states have submitted applications for the program.

Read the press release from the Governor's Office: Governor Kelly Announces Kansas Rural Health Transformation Plan Priorities

Read the narrative: Kansas Rural Health Transformation Project Narrative

Read the letters from the Kansas delegation: Kansas Delegation Letter to CMS / Marshall Letter to CMS

Read the press release from CMS: All 50 States Seek to Transform Rural Health with CMS

News From the Kansas Delegation

Despite the federal government shutdown, members of the Kansas congressional delegation have been active in the past few weeks on a range of health care and related policy matters.

1. On Nov. 7, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS), along with Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Katie Britt (R-AL), introduced the Better Food Disclosure Act of 2025, legislation aimed at strengthening the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) oversight of ingredients in the U.S. food supply. The bill would require food companies to notify the FDA of all ingredients "generally recognized as safe (GRAS)" and establish a publicly accessible list of approved ingredients. It would also create a process for states or citizens to petition the FDA to reevaluate the safety of additives or GRAS substances based on new evidence.

Read the press release: Senator Marshall Introduces Legislation to Ensure Safer Food for American Families

Read the bill language: Better Food Disclosure Act of 2025

1. On Oct. 30, Senator Marshall and Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) reintroduced the ReConnecting Rural America Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening the U.S. Department of Agriculture's ReConnect Loan and Grant Program, which supports expansion of high-speed broadband in rural areas. The bill would streamline program administration, clarify eligibility for grants and loans and prioritize support for communities most in need of reliable internet access.

Read the press release: Senators Marshall & Welch Reintroduce Legislation to strengthen USDA Broadband Program for Rural Communities

Read the bill language: S. 3084 - ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025

1. On Oct. 28, U.S. Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03) released her Housing Affordability Agenda, outlining a bipartisan path to increase housing supply and lower costs for Kansas families. Announced at the 2025 Kansas Housing Conference, the agenda endorses seven bills, some of which are also supported by Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01) and Derek Schmidt (KS-02), that seek to reduce housing cost burdens that can force families to cut back on essentials such as food, health care and child care.

Read the press release: Davids Releases Housing Affordability Agenda to Build More Homes, Lower Costs

Watch the release: Davids Speaks at Kansas Housing Conference

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.

Funding for Hill to the Heartland is provided in part by the Sunflower Foundation: Health Care for Kansans, a Topeka-based philanthropic organization with the mission to serve as a catalyst for improving the health of Kansans. KHI retains editorial independence in the production of its content and its findings. Any views expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the views of the Sunflower Foundation.