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For Immediate Release
December 10, 2025
Media Contact: Casey-Lee Waldron

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) released the following statement after filing a discharge petition to bring his Bipartisan Health Insurance Affordability Act directly to the House floor for a vote, ensuring Congress takes action to prevent devastating health insurance premium increases when current protections expire at the end of the year:

“Congress cannot sit idle while American families face a preventable crisis. Our job is to protect the people we serve, and that responsibility demands immediate action.

If these protections expire, millions of Americans will be hit with premium increases they simply cannot afford, forcing impossible choices about their health, their finances, and their futures. They deserve a concrete solution now—not promises of one later.

For months, I have worked with Republicans and Democrats in both chambers, along with input from the Administration, to build a bipartisan solution that can actually pass—not a political messaging exercise. This bill delivers the urgent help families need now, while giving Congress the runway to keep improving our healthcare system for the long term. Responsible governance means securing 80 percent of what families need today, rather than risking 100 percent of nothing tomorrow.

Filing this discharge petition ensures the House will have the opportunity—and obligation—to vote. Every member must decide whom they serve: the people, or the politics. We can prevent this—and we must. If 217 of my colleagues are willing to join me in putting constituents first, we can protect working- and middle-class families from a catastrophic crisis.

Our neighbors are counting on us. I’m calling on my colleagues to sign this petition, bring this two-party solution to the floor, and deliver the security and certainty American families deserve.”

About the Bipartisan Health Insurance Affordability Act:

Fitzpatrick (PA-01) was joined by Representatives Jared Golden (ME-02), Tom Suozzi (NY-02), Don Bacon (NE-02), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Donald G. Davis (NC-01), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) to introduce the Bipartisan Health Insurance Affordability Act, a two-party, targeted solution to prevent a sharp jump in healthcare costs as current protections expire and ensure millions of Americans can maintain affordable coverage.

Without immediate congressional action, the scheduled expiration of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits would result in steep, sudden cost increases and widespread loss of coverage—destabilizing the healthcare markets working families rely upon.

Key Provisions of the Bipartisan Health Insurance Affordability Act

The legislation advances five reforms designed to protect affordability, strengthen accountability, and ensure taxpayer value:

  • Prevents Premium Spikes: Extends enhanced premium tax credits through 2027, to protect families from abrupt monthly cost increases.
  • Restores Consumer Control: Stops unauthorized plan and subsidy changes by requiring consent and prompt notification before any modifications take effect.
  • Shines Light on Middlemen: Ends hidden spread pricing, severs PBM profits from drug prices, and requires full rebate pass-through to ensure savings reach patients.
  • Gives Families New Tools to Manage Costs: Expands access to Health Savings Accounts and simplifies premium payments to reduce disruptions in coverage.
  • Smart Stewardship of Taxpayer Dollars: Modernizes eligibility and introduces a reasonable minimum contribution to protect long-term affordability and responsible stewardship of federal dollars.

Read the full bill text here.

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RCPA is excited to host a membership benefits webinar on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 1:00 pm, as an opportunity for members to orient themselves with all that RCPA membership includes. This is not just for new and future members. For current members, there may be benefits associated with our membership that you may not be aware of, including targeted meetings and groups that are held throughout the year.

Registration is required; please register here to attend the webinar. Attendees will have the opportunity to:

  • Virtually meet the dedicated RCPA Policy Staff and RCPA lobbyists;
  • Discuss the 2026 Legislative and Administrative priorities;
  • Preview RCPA divisional committee and subcommittee meetings and what they offer;
  • View the RCPA member-only website;
  • Review exclusive yearly educational and networking events; and
  • Understand the value of the National Council and ANCOR memberships included with RCPA membership.

Visit the RCPA member benefits web page for more information, or contact Tieanna Lloyd for benefit details.

On November 12, 2025, the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Budget was signed into law, removing travel restrictions. As a result, OLTL will resume holding hybrid LTSS Subcommittee meetingsThe meetings scheduled for April 2026 – June 2026, which were changed to webinar and remote streaming only earlier this year, are now scheduled to be held as both in-person and webinar with remote streaming.

Since the travel ban has been lifted, reimbursement for Subcommittee members’ travel expenses may be submitted with an itemized receipt for review.

The Office of Long-Term Living appreciates your understanding and flexibility.

Please share this message with staff, participants, and any other interested parties.

If you have questions about the LTSS Subcommittee Meetings, please send them electronically.

Public Partnerships LLC (PPL) will be conducting the quarterly Support Coordinator Training for OLTL. The session will be led by PPL Account Managers Tiffany Angel and Elise Mercer and will cover topics including participant enrollment, navigating BetterOnline™, Electronic Visit Verification (EVV), and supporting Common Law Employers in their responsibilities.

The first training session is scheduled for December 16, 2025, from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm EST. To register, please visit PPL’s OLTL page and scroll to the “What’s New” section. Select “Click here for Registration Links.” You may also access all registration dates directly by visiting PPL’s OLTL Training Schedule.

For assistance or additional information, please submit your questions electronically or call 855-243-8775.

TrueNorth Wellness Services (TNWS) and its Board of Directors are pleased to announce the appointment of Steven (Steve) J. Schedler, LCSW, CAADC, CCS as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 5, 2026.

With a strong record of leadership in the mental health field, Steve brings a renewed vision for expanding and strengthening our commitment to providing compassionate, high quality behavioral health and wellness services to the communities we serve. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to expanding access to high quality behavioral health and wellness services, values that align closely with TrueNorth’s intended mission.

We are confident that Steve’s vision and leadership will help TNWS continue to grow and serve our communities with excellence.

Steve replaces Chuck Smith, who has served as the TNWS interim CEO since April 2025.

Professional Background
Steve Schedler comes to TNWS with over 20 years’ experience in the behavioral health field. Since 2020, he has served as the Executive Director of Samaritan Center, where he oversaw clinical and administrative operations.  Prior to that, he served as Executive Director of Naaman Center, a role he led a comprehensive array of addiction treatment services.

These combined leadership experiences, along his roles as a therapist, have equipped Steve with a deep understanding of behavioral health systems, as well as a proven ability to guide diverse teams, implement strategic initiatives and support sustainable service delivery.

Education
Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University, a Masters of Social Work degree from Temple University, along with several professional designations.

Personal Background
A native of Franklin County (Mont Alto), PA and a Waynesboro High School graduate, Steve currently lives in Hershey, PA with his wife Amy and two children, Levi and Maddie.

As we begin this new chapter, we are confident that Steve’s leadership and experience will guide TNWS toward continues growth impact. We welcome Steve to TNWS and look forward to the positive energy and direction he will deliver to our team.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-108, which gives information on a toolkit that is designed to assist providers with assessing and preparing for unexpected events to ensure the individuals they are supporting remain safe and continue to receive the services they need in the event of an emergency.

The Prepared People Save Lives Toolkit is available for download and use on the MyODP website.

It contains a Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (HVA), which will:

  • Identify and rank different hazards (natural disasters, technology failures, human-caused dangers);
  • Look at how vulnerable the program is and figure out what may need improvement through planning factors; and
  • Allow for continuous process improvement annually, making services resilient, and more prepared for emergencies.

Please review the communication for more details.