This week, the Senate and House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) that funds the Federal Government through January 30 at last year’s levels. The measure also includes several appropriations bills that provide full-year funding for certain agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration and Veterans Affairs through Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. While this development ends the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and reopens the federal government, it does not complete full year funding bills for most of the government, including the Department of Health and Human Resources (which supports the National Institutes of Health (NIH)). Additionally, the underlying issue of expiring tax credits for plans under the Affordable Care Act remains unresolved, further complicating the outlook for progress beyond January 30.
The Endocrine Society advocated for Congress to reopen the Federal Government and protect NIH Funding. We will continue to push for a full-year funding bill that includes a $400 million increase in funding for NIH, consistent with a version advanced by the Senate earlier this year. We thank our members who joined our previous online advocacy campaign. You helped make a difference! We encourage members to join our new, updated NIH campaign to maintain pressure on Congress.
Funding for SDP is set to expire on January 30, 2026, unless Congress passes legislation to extend the program. Join the Endocrine Society’s online advocacy campaign to urge Congress to pass a long-term reauthorization of SDP. It is critical that members of Congress hear from you, the constituent, about the importance of this life-saving program.
This week, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary announced the black box warning on women’s estrogen-based products for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) will be removed. Both Secretary Kennedy and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary highlighted a Women’s Health Initiative study from more than 20 years ago that suggested hormone replacement therapy could potentially accelerate preexisting breast cancers in a woman’s body. As a result of this study, there was a significant decrease in the use of HRT products. The FDA initiated the removal of the boxed warnings following a review of the scientific literature at the FDA Expert Panel on Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women in July. The agency is working with companies to update language in product labeling to remove references to risks of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and probable dementia. The FDA is not seeking to remove the boxed warning for endometrial cancer for systemic estrogen-alone products.
The Endocrine Society appreciates HHS and FDA taking steps to ensure that confidence is restored in hormone therapy for providers and patients. Because of the health risks associated with these systemic therapies, we continue to support a more balanced change of labeling and urge shared decision making with doctors about what is right for the individual. The Society supports removing the label for vaginal estrogen as this warning is not evidence based and discourages women from using the therapy to manage their symptoms. However, the Society does not support removing labels for every menopause HRT product. The Society encourages changes to mitigate fear about prescribing and use of menopausal hormones, while encouraging appropriate prescribing, and improving quality of life for millions of women in midlife. We also continue to advocate for funding for women’s health research.
Last week, the Trump Administration announced that it had reached an agreement with two major drug manufacturers to lower the cost of anti-obesity medications (AOMs). As part of that agreement, the Administration plans to take steps over the next two years to expand access of AOMs for Medicare beneficiaries. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is expected to launch a pilot program through the CMS Innovation Center (CMMI) that would allow beneficiaries on certain Medicare plans to access AOMs for weight loss based on specific clinical criteria for a $50 co-pay. CMS has yet to release specific details, but it is expected that beneficiaries enrolled in the pilot who have Class II Obesity (BMI at or above 35) would be eligible for AOM coverage with no additional comorbidities. Beneficiaries with obesity with a lower BMI and another condition, such as diabetes or hypertension, would also be eligible. The pilot is expected to begin in 2027, but CMS is planning to launch a smaller demonstration project in 2026 to begin the process of opening up access to AOMs for some beneficiaries. According to administration officials, about 10% of Medicare enrollees would be eligible for expanded access as result of these actions.
The Endocrine Society is pleased that efforts are now underway to allow Medicare beneficiaries to access AOMs for weight loss at an affordable price. The Society has been a leading advocate for allowing Medicare to cover these medications. In January, we urged the Trump Administration to finalize an earlier proposal offered by the Biden Administration to allow Medicare to cover AOMs for weight loss. We have also supported legislation, the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA), which would allow Medicare to cover AOMs for weight loss. This is a top priority for the Society, and we will continue to follow this issue closely and seek to work with the Administration to make these pilots effective and accessible.
On October 31, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule for Calendar Year 2026. The Society has provided a full analysis of the final rule, which is available here on our website. This includes a detailed summary and payment rate chart of services important to endocrinology.
We rely on your voice to advocate for our policy priorities. Join us to show our strength as a community that cares about endocrinology. Contact your US representatives or European Members of Parliament through our online platform. Take action and make a difference today.
