A reminder that my main beat now is HHS. If you're a current or former HHS employee and want to chat please reach out!
I'm on Signal 📱at sandhyawrites.30 or you can always email 📩 me at sraman@bloombergindustry.com
My story from Tuesday: NIH is months behind previous years on dispersing much of its grant funding. There's worry that the delay could be a backdoor way to force clawing back funds or implementing multiyear grants.
news.bloomberglaw.com/health-law-a...
I was just saying yesterday I hope someone writes about their social media strategy because I wanted to know more! Great piece, guys!
Just realized I hadn't blasted out my new details on bluesky yet but as of this week I'm at Bloomberg Law. I'll still be covering health policy but will be more focused on HHS.
Send tips/say hello at sraman@bloombergindustry.com 👋
From this morning: Next month's ACIP meeting will include consideration of Covid-19 vaccine injuries -- a shift from what has traditionally been its jurisdiction.
news.bloomberglaw.com/health-law-a...
Personal News: After almost 9 years, today is my last day at CQ Roll Call with the health team. It's bittersweet to leave so many great people, but I'm excited for a new adventure.
Next week I start as a senior health reporter for Bloomberg Law.
My colleague Aris also had a piece on the House GOP weighing if they want to restore earmarks in the Labor-HHS-Education bill
plus.cq.com/doc/news-840...
And Lia had a story on how some House lawmakers are pushing for PBM changes but questioning Trump’s drug plan
rollcall.com/2026/02/11/h...
Lia and I have a story now on Roll Call that looks at how popular making health care more affordable is to voters and how complicated and tricky that actually will be to bring to fruition
rollcall.com/2026/02/13/a...
But late yesterday, a district judge temporally blocked the administration from rescinding those funds, at least for now. My story:
plus.cq.com/doc/news-840...
Earlier this week, appropriators were notified of the coming $600M+ in CDC grant cuts to 4 states: Calif., Colo., Ill., and Minn. Ariel and I have more:
plus.cq.com/doc/news-840...
Another catchup thread with some health care policy this week 🧵
On this week's #WTHealth podcast: HHS gets funded, but will RFK Jr. follow Congress's priorities or his own? Plus ACA negotiations break down, again. With @annaedney.bsky.social, @sandhyawrites.bsky.social, and @joannekenen.bsky.social. kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
The bipartisan Senate group is still hoping to find a compromise on the expired ACA subsidies during meetings this week. But at least two issues proposed by Moreno are sticking points for Democrats.
More on the outlook and what pieces need to align for CQ:
plus.cq.com/doc/news-8398742
We talked to the 4 Democrats involved with the discussions. The tepid reaction casts more doubt on the prospect of a deal.
Lia and I have more on CQ from today. plus.cq.com/doc/news-839...
Today's big question will of course be can we get to a place to avoid a shutdown, which lies on finding a path for DHS. But also what is the reaction and general appetite from Dems on Moreno's draft bill?
But from a bird's eye view: after enthusiasm has been building on a trio of bipartisan health priorities: HHS funding, the extenders package and a Senate ACA deal --> that energy is fading over other partisan tensions
plus.cq.com/doc/news-839...
Lia and I wrote up what Sen. Moreno said is in the ACA credit extension draft he says they sent to 4 dems.
It's based on the group's framework but of note, there is a counter on what they could do about Hyde. plus.cq.com/doc/news-839...
What did you miss in news from Lia me yesterday?
Answer: some progress and some lack thereof on the health priorities. 🧵
Our story from earlier today icymi: Trump administration pauses and then reverses public health grant funding w/ Ariel
plus.cq.com/doc/news-839...
More in my dispatch from this year's March for Life on Roll Call now.
rollcall.com/2026/01/23/v...
VP Vance reiterated that the admin is committed to anti-abortion issues to assuage concerns from advocates that they haven't been doing enough on the issue. He pointed to a flurry of announcements today and earlier this week to reassure the base.
New #WTHealth podcast up: HHS spending bill; Trump's health plan; and still more vaccine news from HHS and the states. With @sherylnyt.bsky.social, @paigecunningham.bsky.social, and @sandhyawrites.bsky.social. Also @zekeemanuel.bsky.social on his new wellness book.
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
Now on Roll Call: A look at the heat up on anti-abortion activism ahead of tomorrow's March for Life rally in DC and what to watch from Congress and the administration.
rollcall.com/2026/01/22/s...
Some takeaways:
Funding was mostly flat across many agencies.
Language included preventing NIH forward funding and transferring away Ed. Dept. funds.
No funding for Corporation for Public Broadcasting (Sticking point from recissions last year).
Out this morning: Appropriators released their deal on remaining spending bills including Labor-HHS-Education.
Read more on CQ from me and Lia: plus.cq.com/doc/news-839...
New today➡️ President Trump released his health plan that asks Congress to move on drug, insurance legislation.
What's notably missing? A mention of extending the expired ACA subsidies that senators are still trying to get a deal together on before the end of the month.
ICYMI: Our update from yesterday evening after the White House agreed to reverse the SAMHSA grant cuts. rollcall.com/2026/01/14/h...
