The White House has released the Spring 2025 Current Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. As a quick reminder, the regulatory agenda is a non-binding statement of intent for regulatory activity that federal agencies plan to act on over the next six to twelve months.

Below are a few notable highlights from the Unified Agenda we’d like to share:

• The Food and Drug Administration intends to publish a final rule banning the use of Electrical Stimulation (Shock) Devices in May 2026.
• Also in May 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) intends to publish a final rule on HIPAA Cybersecurity Standards.
• HHS also intends to continue its rulemaking on state-directed payments for MCOs and provider tax methodology changes.
• In October 2025, HHS plans to publish a proposed rule that would clarify the existing definition of disability to exclude gender identity disorders and/or gender dysphoria (for the purposes of the non-discrimination requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973).
• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to proceed with a rule giving states additional flexibility to use immigration information in determining Medicaid and CHIP eligibility.
• The Department of Labor will continue its FLSA-related rulemaking (e.g., the companionship and independent contractor rules).

In its preamble to the Unified Agenda, HHS states that its regulatory actions are intended to show its “commitment to managing chronic disease; eliminating unnecessary administrative expenses and rent-seeking practices that increase healthcare costs; battling obesity; ensuring the safety and efficacy of our vaccines; protecting the religious liberty of our medical workforce; and standing up for the health and well-being of biological women, children, and families, among other policy priorities.”

For Questions or Additional Information
Please contact Tom Rice at ANCOR for any follow-up or inquiries related to this update.