Agency Comment Letters 
On May 29, the Trump Administration issued a proposed rule making changes to the uniform guidance for government grants and contracts. Many of the proposed changes are controversial. The comment period recently ended with more than 500,000 comments submitted. OGCA worked closely with experts across campus to submit an official comment on the regulation. We expect a final rule to be proposed this fall.

The Trump Administration has also proposed new payment rules for hospitals and physicians. The OGCA team has worked with experts across campus and our associations to formulate an official comment letter.

Congressional Update 
Despite the House’s narrow majority, Speaker Johnson is continuing to push Reconciliation 3.0 forward ahead of the August recess. However, with the recent passing of Sen. Lindsey Graham and the illness of Sen. McConnell, Reconciliation feels unlikely to pass in the Senate. The OGCA team continues to educate and inform Congress about areas that could potentially be used as pay-fors.

Congress has held a series of hearings on healthcare and education, including the House Education and Workforce Committee’s hearing on DEI in medical education. Additionally, the House Ways and Means Committee advanced a bill on hospital transparency. Finally, members of the House and Senate have released legislation reforming the 340B drug pricing program. Many of these bills could be wrapped up in an end-of-year hospital package. The OGCA team continues to work with our congressional members to explain how these measures could impact Emory.

State Special Session Recap 
On Tuesday, June 23, the Georgia General Assembly concluded a brief special session focused on local tax policy, election administration and fuel tax relief. Lawmakers extended the state’s current voting system through 2028 and created a study committee to recommend standards for future election equipment.

The legislature also ratified Gov. Brian Kemp’s suspension of state motor fuel taxes. Meanwhile, nearly 100 local homestead exemption measures failed to secure the votes needed for passage, and lawmakers declined to pursue any redistricting changes despite the issue being included in the governor’s call for the session.

The special session produced no direct legislation affecting higher education or healthcare, leaving policy priorities in both sectors to be addressed during future legislative sessions.

House Health Committee 
On Tuesday, June 23, the House Health Committee held a hearing-only meeting to examine several healthcare issues, including advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) protocol agreements, care management organizations’ reductions to therapy reimbursement rates, patient access to hospital-based dental procedures requiring anesthesia, and diabetes-related amputations.

Emory experts weighed in on these discussions. Dr. Gary Bouloux testified on patient access to dental procedures performed in hospital settings, highlighting current capacity constraints. Dr. Olamide Alabi also presented to the committee, discussing the impact of diabetes-related amputations and opportunities to improve patient outcomes. A recording of the meeting is available online. Testimony from Bouloux begins at 2:04:48 and Alabi’s presentation begins at 2:07:55.

No action was taken by the committee, as the meeting was held for discussion and information-gathering purposes. Legislators are expected to continue examining these issues in the months leading up to the 2027 legislative session, and Emory will remain engaged in those conversations.

DeKalb CEO Meeting with Emory Leadership 
On Tuesday, July 2, Emory Interim President Leah Ward Sears and President-elect Chris Augostini welcomed DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran Johnson and other county officials to campus, reaffirming our mutual partnership and ensuring continued collaboration through the institution’s leadership change. Topics included Emory’s current and planned facility investments in DeKalb, as well as opportunities to support the County’s international business development endeavors. Emory was also pleased to host CEO Cochran Johnson at Emory Hillandale Hospital earlier this summer to view the expansion and technology enhancements.