The Latest in ASTCT Advocacy: July 2026
Tell Congress to Protect the Federal Grant Process
The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently released a proposed rule, "Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance", that would change how federal agencies review and oversee grant awards. OMB’s proposal would specifically revise the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) — the federal government framework for administering grants — to a binding rule that gives political appointees more authority in grantmaking decisions. Of specific concern to the health and science communities is OMB’s proposal to limit peer review's role in funding, give political appointees more authority in reviewing and terminating existing grants, limit international collaboration, and restrict conference travel and journal fees with grant funds.
This proposal, if implemented, would have profound effects on NIH grantmaking, implementation, and oversight, which would undermine the stability, rigor, scientific integrity of research in the United States and beyond. Read more on the specifics of this proposal.
How to Respond
Reply Directly to OMB’s Proposal: OMB is accepting comments on its proposed Uniform Guidance changes through Monday, July 13, and plans to implement any finalized updates by October 1, 2026.
Contact your Congressional Representatives: Use ASTCT’s constituent letter to contact your members of Congress with your concerns with this proposal. Simply send the letter as drafted or customize it to illustrate how this proposal would specifically affect your work and your patients.
Take Action
Congress Recesses Amid Gridlock
Congress headed into a two-week Fourth of July recess with both the House and Senate in a near stalemate over the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a contentious election-protection bill that remains President Trump’s top legislative priority. Although the House passed a version of the SAVE Act weeks ago, its chances of advancing through the Senate as currently written are nearly impossible.
ASTCT Submits Comments to CMS’ FY2027 IPPS
In early June, ASTCT submitted comments to CMS’ proposed Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) rule for FY2027 and hosted a webinar on the proposed rule in May 2026. CMS will likely release the final FY2027 IPPS rule in early August. Once released, ASTCT will provide an analysis of the final rule.
CY2027 OPPS & MPFS Webinar
August 19 | 11 a.m. CT, 12 p.m. ET
Join ASTCT for an upcoming webinar focused on the CMS’ proposed Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) rules. If released in time, the webinar will also provide an overview of the final FY2027 IPPS rule.
ASTCT Submits Comments on CMS’ Proposed Interoperability Standards and Prior Authorization
In June, ASTCT submitted comments to CMS’ proposed 2026 Interoperability Standards and Prior Authorization rule. ASTCT’s comments address the proposal’s out-of-network and out-of-state provider requirements, the importance of denial specificity, improvements to appeals and peer-to-peer review processes, and the need for effective enforcement and operational oversight of both the proposed and previously finalized requirements.
ASTCT Letters of Support
ASTCT has signed on to the following organizational letters in 2026:
- S.932/H.R.1262, the Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act: Letter of Support to Senate Leaders
- FY2027 NIH Funding: ASGCT-led letter to Congressional Appropriators Requesting $51.3B for NIH in FY2027
- S. 4440/H.R. 3541, the Clinical Trial Modernization Act: Letter of Support to Senate Champions
- OMB Uniform Guidance Proposal: Letter to Congressional Appropriators Voicing Opposition to OMB’s Proposal
Thank you for your support for ASTCT’s advocacy initiatives. Please feel free to contact Molly Ford, Director of Government and Payer Relations, for more information on any of the above items or for information on how you can get involved with ASTCT advocacy.