Although absent from last week’s State of the Union address, the Make America Health Again (MAHA) agenda, particularly with respect to vaccine policy, is continuing to have a significant influence on the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Congress. Last week, during the Senate HELP Committee’s nomination hearing for Surgeon General nominee, Dr. Casey Means, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s recent actions impacting vaccine policy, in addition to the witness’s own perspective on vaccines, were a focal point for both Republicans and Democrats. Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA), along with other majority members of the committee, was generally supportive of Dr. Means’ chronic disease and nutrition focus, but expressed concern regarding her responses to vaccine-related questions, including hepatitis B universal immunization recommendations, the MMR vaccine, flu vaccine recommendations, and the concept of “shared clinical decision-making,” which she encouraged in her responses to these questions. Chair Cassidy underscored concerns regarding increasing vaccine skepticism in the U.S., citing data that the ongoing measles outbreak in the U.S. has surpassed 1,000 cases in 2026 alone, and that the U.S. is at risk of losing its measles elimination status. In addition to the data cited by the Senator, recent modeling from the Yale School of Public Health, found that an annual decline in measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine coverage of 1 percent over the next five years could lead to more than 17,000 measles cases, 4,000 hospitalizations, and 36 preventable deaths per year, costing $1.5 billion annually. 

While a markup to vote on the nomination has not yet been scheduled, a simple majority is needed to advance the nomination of Dr. Means out of committee.  

Meanwhile, on February 27, Secretary Kennedy announced two new members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) ahead of its upcoming meeting on March 18 and 19. The two new members are Dr. Sean Downing, a practicing primary care physician, and Dr. Angelina Farella, a practicing pediatrician. According to statements from Secretary Kennedy and new Acting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Jay Bhattacharya in the HHS press release announcing the appointments, the new members are expected to provide the perspectives of practicing physicians who implement the recommendations made by ACIP. Notably, Dr. Farella had been outspoken against the COVID-19 vaccine, reportedly having testified in front of the Texas Senate that the vaccine should be removed from the market. The March ACIP meeting agenda includes discussion of COVID-19 vaccine injuries, long-COVID, and ACIP recommendation methodology. The meeting may also include recommendation votes related to COVID19 vaccine injuries and long-COVID, as well as ACIP recommendation methodology. Public comments for the rescheduled ACIP meeting will be accepted from March 2–12, 2026. 

 Separately, the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), which advises the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), announced its next session will take place on March 12, 2026. VRBPAC is slated to discuss and make recommendations on the strain composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the United States during the 2026–2027 influenza season. 

On February 25, HHS and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a three-part “crackdown” on Medicare and Medicaid fraud. The announced actions include deferring $259.5 million in quarterly federal Medicaid matching funds to Minnesota while CMS completes a program-integrity review in the state. Specifically, CMS pointed to $243.8 million in unsupported and potentially fraudulent claims, as well as $15.4 million tied to Medicaid claims for individuals lacking satisfactory immigration status. CMS also flagged what it characterized to be unusually rapid growth in personal care, home- and community-based services, and other practitioner spending in the state. CMS noted the state can respond with additional information and documentation during the review, but the deferrals in federal funding could increase if deficiencies persist.  

Second, CMS announced a six-month nationwide moratorium effective February 27 on new Medicare enrollment for certain Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetic Devices, Prosthetics, Orthotics, & Supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers, due to concerns regarding the prevalence of fraud within the spending area. The agency identified $1.5 billion in suspected fraudulent DMEPOS billing last year.  

Finally, CMS announced it is seeking stakeholder input to inform development of future potential rulemaking under the Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare (CRUSH) initiative. In the CRUSH RFI, CMS seeks stakeholder input on additional anti-fraud tools and potential regulatory changes across Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and the Marketplace. The RFI specifically requests information on several possible anti-fraud measures, including “enhanced identity proofing and ownership requirements” (for Medicare-enrolled providers or suppliers), using AI to assist with Medicare Advantage coding, and opportunities to support state Medicaid program integrity. The RFI is open for public comment until March 30. 

On February 23, the Department of Education (ED) announced a new interagency agreement (IAA) with HHS to transfer management of several ED programs focused on school safety and emergency preparedness to HHS as a part of the Trump Administration’s efforts to downsize the ED. It was previously announced in November that HHS would now manage the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA) and Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Partnership, previously administered by ED. HHS will now also administer the School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV), School Safety National Activities, Ready to Learn Programming, Full-Service Community Schools, Promise Neighborhoods, and Statewide Family Engagement Centers programs. While no specific administrative, funding, or staffing changes for HHS were announced, this partnership will make HHS responsible for managing funding competitions and providing technical assistance to several initiatives regarding school safety, while ED will provide “proper oversight.” 

On February 26, the Senate HELP Committee voted to advance two key healthcare bills out of committee. The first health-related bill, S. 1152, Living Donor Protection Act of 2025, was introduced by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) and agreed to by a vote of 22-1. The bill clarifies eligibility for time off under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and prohibits insurers from discriminating against living donors in life, disability, and long-term care insurance. The committee also advanced S. 3315, Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act of 2025, sponsored by Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Mark Warner (D-VA). The bill seeks to strengthen the healthcare sector’s preparedness against cyberattacks and was agreed to by a vote of 22-1. The House version of the Living Donor Protection Act, H.R. 4583, has not yet been advanced by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, while the Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act does not have a House companion.