Legislative Proposals to Reform Medicare Provider Payment and Bolster Health Care Cybersecurity

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing on September 16, 2026, to discuss legislative proposals aimed at reforming Medicare provider payments and enhancing healthcare cybersecurity. Key procurement-related discussions focused on bills such as the Patients First Act, which seeks to modernize physician payment systems by providing inflation adjustments and reducing administrative burdens, and the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (HR 3164), which would expand Medicare coverage for pharmacist-provided services. The committee also considered the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act to support rural hospitals with obstetric emergencies, and the Alzheimer's Screening and Prevention Act to cover early detection tests under Medicare. Witnesses highlighted the challenges faced by independent and rural healthcare providers due to payment cuts, administrative complexity, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Several members emphasized the need for stable, predictable Medicare reimbursements to prevent practice closures and ensure patient access. Cybersecurity legislation discussed included the Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act and the Healthcare Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act of 2026, aimed at bolstering defenses for smaller and rural providers. The hearing included bipartisan support for these bills, with calls for prompt legislative action to sustain healthcare infrastructure and improve care access for Medicare beneficiaries.