2026 Legislative Conference Update

Despite the government shutdown, ACC members met with nearly 300 congressional offices, with some exciting early results that highlight the impact of our collective efforts: 
•    56% increase in cosponsorship for the CONNECT For Health Act in the U.S. House. 
•    20% increase in cosponsorship for the REDI Act in the U.S. Senate; 4% in the U.S. House. 
•    33% increase in cosponsorship for the Connected MOM Act in the U.S. House. 
•    The Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act has now secured majority cosponsorship in both the U.S. House and Senate. 

FEDERAL PRIORITIES

The ACC leads at the federal level and is focused on developing and advancing solutions to increase access, quality and value of patient care and promote heart health. 

Current policy priorities include:

• Establish Sustainable Payment Practices
• Champion Access to Care For All
• Support Clinicians in Providing Equitable Value-Based Care
• Foster Care Transformation and Optimization
• Bolster the Clinician Workforce Now and For the Future    

February 3, 2026

ACC Members,

Today, Congress passed legislation funding Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies through fiscal year (FY) 2026. The package also included several provisions funding critical health care programs.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your unwavering dedication to our advocacy efforts. Your active participation has played a pivotal role in securing these important provisions, which represent meaningful steps forward in our Mission to transform cardiovascular care and improve heart health for all.

Key provisions passed include:

• Extension of telehealth flexibilities within Medicare through Dec. 31, 2027. Key ask at Legislative Conference 2025!
• Reestablishment of in-home cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services delivered virtually through Jan. 1, 2028. Key ask at Legislative Conference 2025!
• An increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health. Championed in congressional testimony by ACC President Christopher Kramer, MD, FACC!
• Stability in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Championed in congressional testimony by ACC President Christopher Kramer, MD, FACC!
• Authorization of support for state-based maternal mortality review committees through FY 2030. ACC’s Cardio-OB section played a key role in securing legislative support for this provision!
• Reauthorization of clinician well-being programs through FY 2030.
• An increase in funding for research and awareness programs related to valvular heart disease.

Your proactive engagement has already helped shape policies that impact our profession and the patients we serve. As we navigate the next 10 months with this Congress, I am optimistic about our potential to achieve even greater progress together. Let us build on this momentum and work collaboratively to address other key ACC policy priorities.

Thank you again for your time and dedication to our advocacy work.

Sincerely,

William A. Van Decker, MD, FACC
Chair, ACC Health Affairs Committee

Current Federal Advocacy Areas of Focus

Protect NIH Funding

Click the link for an update on a joint letter by multiple organizations (including ACC) to Congress to advocate for NIH funding. 

Medicare Cuts, PAD Screening, and In-home Cardiac Rehab 

Click the link for an update on three critical bills to reverse Medicare cuts, expand PAD screening coverage for at-risk Medicare/Medicaid patients, and permanently extend Medicare coverage for in-home cardiac rehab.