On Tuesday, February 3, Congress passed, and President Trump signed, a $1.2 trillion government funding package to keep multiple federal agencies – including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – funded through the end of the fiscal year on September 30.
ACG is thrilled to share several wins included in this package:
Congress Sends a Clear Message on Surveillance Colonoscopy & CRC Screening
For the first time, Congress approved a budget for HHS with specific appropriations report language recognizing the full colorectal cancer (CRC) screening continuum—and the critical role of surveillance colonoscopy. Report language demonstrates Congressional interest and helps shape HHS’ priorities for the year ahead.
This is a significant milestone and one that would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of ACG advocates who have made the case on Capitol Hill during recent fly-ins!
The report language both (1) explicitly highlights the alarming rise in early-onset colorectal cancer and (2) emphasizes that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) should refer to the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force recommendation for asymptomatic patients with a personal history of polyps.
Ensuring Access to Colorectal Cancer Screening Continuum of Care.—The Committee appreciates CMS’s efforts to reduce barriers to colorectal cancer screening. However, the Committee remains concerned about increases in colon cancer incidence and death rates, especially among individuals younger than 50 years old. The Committee highlights the recommendation of the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer that after the initial screening, asymptomatic individuals with a personal history of polyps should receive more frequent colonoscopy exams given the increased risk of new polyps. The Committee encourages CMS to support updated clinical evidence for colorectal cancer screenings.
ACG is grateful that Congress shares our urgency on this issue. We will use this directive to strengthen our ongoing engagement with HHS and CMS.
Our message remains clear and unchanged: HHS must require insurers to cover surveillance colonoscopy as the preventive service it is—without cost-sharing for patients.
Medicare telehealth coverage extended through Dec. 31, 2027
The popular COVID-era telehealth flexibilities are here to stay, at least for a little longer.
After many short-term extensions, Congress adopted a two-year extension which ensures telehealth services will be covered in the Medicare program through the end of 2027. Telehealth reform is a public policy priority for ACG, as we recognize previous lapses during government shutdowns caused significant havoc for GI practices and patients.
ACG will continue to push Congress to adopt a truly permanent solution for Medicare patients to receive telehealth services – like the bipartisan, bicameral CONNECT for Health Act of 2025. Use our advocacy tool to write and call your Members of Congress to co-sponsor and pass this important bill!
New pharmacy benefit manager reforms
The government funding package also includes The PBM Reform Act of 2025, which creates new guardrails for PBMs and their business practices.
Notably, the bill delinks PBM compensation from Medicare Part D drug list prices and rebates. Instead, PBMs will be paid a flat administrative fee—reducing incentives to steer seniors toward higher-priced drugs. That reform, however, stops short of the broader commercial insurance market, where traditional PBM pricing structures remain in place.
The legislation also ramps up transparency requirements. PBMs must now provide data on prescription drug spending at least twice a year, and provide new contracting data to CMS.
These reforms come right on the heels of two House hearings that put PBMs, large insurance companies, and vertical integration squarely in the spotlight. Lawmakers on the House Ways & Means and Energy & Commerce Committees pressed executives from five of the nation’s largest insurers, three of which also own a PBM: UnitedHealthcare (OptumRx), CVS Health (Caremark), and Cigna (Express Scripts).
In Case You Missed It: House committees grill insurance CEOs
Also Passed: MCED Test Coverage and Provider Mental Health Funding
In addition to the above, the government funding package included several other provisions relevant to GI providers, including:
The Nancy Gardner Sewell Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act: This bill establishes Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests, beginning in January 2029 for FDA-approved tests. The initial payment rate will be tied to existing colorectal cancer screening DNA tests (e.g. Cologuard), with some frequency restrictions.
Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act: The federal budget deal reauthorizes funding for this effort through fiscal year 2030. Initially created to address the mental health needs of healthcare workers, this reauthorization will prioritize funding for grantees seeking to reduce administrative burden.