Congress Passes Reconciliation Act of 2025
On July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed the Reconciliation Act of 2025 into law. Among many provisions, the Act makes sweeping changes to Medicaid eligibility, including nationwide requirements to submit paperwork proving that each beneficiary meets the work requirements or the exemptions, elimination of coverage for certain populations, and new restrictions on state Medicaid provider financing strategies (including "provider taxes" and state-directed payments). These and other changes to the health insurance marketplaces are estimated by the Congressional Budget Office to create an additional 16 million people uninsured by 2034. The implementation of many of these provisions in this legislation are delayed to 2026, but health care organizations are now making preparations.
Difficult times are anticipated for those who care for vulnerable patients living with serious illness. As CAPC CEO Brynn Bowman notes, "In this moment, our shared mission matters more than ever. We must continue to lead as advocates, collaborators, and stewards of compassionate care—for patients, caregivers, our teams, and communities. CAPC will be here every step of the way to support you, amplify your work, and advance the policies and partnerships that protect and strengthen access to high-quality, equitable health care."
Read details on the health care provisions in this legislation via the KFF tracker (updated July 8)