Latest in AACP Advocacy

Statement from Pharmacy Partners on Violence in Minnesota  

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), and American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP) released a joint statement on the violence in Minnesota and join the American Nurses Association in mourning the death of Alex Pretti. We offer resources to members of the healthcare community and the public who seek mental health and well-being assistance.  

119th Congress Passes FY 2026 Funding Package to End Partial Government Shutdown 

On February 3, the President signed a fiscal year (FY) 2026 funding package, including the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies spending bill which would provide $47.216 billion for the NIH base budget representing a $415 million (0.9%) increase, relative to the total for the agency in FY 2025.

AACP was included in original House Report 119-271 language addressing workforce shortages - “The Committee encourages BLS to collaborate with HRSA’s National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, the American Pharmacists Association, and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy to publicly issue a report on the changes necessary for the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes to accurately account for the complete pharmacist labor force and workforce projections.”

The Senate Report 119-55 also supports “expansion of the physician, nursing, and pharmacy workforce to meet the growing health needs of our population. The Committee encourages HRSA to consider ways to expand these efforts and directs HRSA to include in the fiscal year 2027 Congressional Justification information on steps the agency is taking to address health professions shortages, including efforts to ensure the State Loan Repayment Program is supporting all healthcare profession.”  

Other relevant provisions included in the FY26 funding package include:  

$79 billion to Department of Education 
$1.4 billion for health workforce training at HRSA  
$130 million for National Health Service Corps and loan repayment 

Together, this progress underscores AACP’s support for Congress’s passage of the Labor-HHS bill and reinforces our ongoing advocacy for robust federal investments that strengthen pharmacy education, expand the pharmacy workforce, and sustain research essential to improving patient and population health. 

Pharmacy-based Vaccine Access Work Group Public Statement 

Last week, AACP joined 13 national pharmacy organizations in releasing a joint statement emphasizing the important role pharmacists play in helping the public navigate vaccine recommendations. With new vaccine guidance and increased respiratory viruses circulating, many people may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about what immunizations are needed. Pharmacies remain one of the most accessible and trusted locations for vaccine information and services. As educators and leaders in the profession, AACP supports this unified messaging and encourages the public to talk to their pharmacist to strengthen confidence in vaccines and protect their families.  

Department of Education (ED) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Upcoming Negotiated Rulemaking Committee  

The ED Secretary proposes implementing the amendments made to the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 relating to the Federal student loan programs made by H.R.1 through these regulations. The proposed regulations “would revise the Direct Loan Program under 34 CFR part 685 by amending annual and aggregate loan limits for graduate, professional, and parent loan borrowers. The proposed regulations would also implement two new streamlined student loan repayment plans for new borrowers, the ‘Repayment Assistance Plan’ and the ‘Tiered Standard repayment plan. The proposed regulations also make conforming amendments to current regulations on consolidation, deferment, forbearance, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). The proposed regulations also provide borrowers in default a second opportunity to rehabilitate their loans and resume repayment, even if they previously rehabilitated a defaulted loan.”  

Furthermore, ED retains its negotiated rulemaking committee consensus definition of professional programs, "We also propose that a professional degree only includes degrees in the following fields: Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.), Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), Chiropractic (D.C. or D.C.M.), Law (L.L.B. or J.D.), Medicine (M.D.), Optometry (O.D.), Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), Podiatry (D.P.M., D.P., or Pod.D.), Theology (M.Div., or M.H.L.), and Clinical Psychology (Psy.D. or Ph.D.)" Read the entire proposed rule here. The public is invited to submit comments on Reimagining and Improving Student Education by March 2, 2026.

ED has also announced on January 27, its intent to establish the Accreditation, Innovation and Modernization (AIM) negotiated rulemaking committee and is now accepting nominations for the committee. The committee will prepare proposed regulations for the Secretary's recognition of accrediting agencies and related institutional eligibility regulations for programs under title IV of the HEA. For more information on the constituency groups for negotiator nominations please refer to the notice and submit nominations by February 26, 2026.  

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Programs Applications Open

The NHSC is now accepting applications for loan repayment programs including the NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Laon Repayment Program and the NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program. Review the eligibility criteria and visit the Health Resources and Services Administration's comparison chart to find the right program for you. If you are a pharmacist working in an NHSC-approved site, you could receive up to $100,000 to pay off your student loans. The application deadline is Tuesday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET.  

Register for the Unite for Impact: Challenge Check-In

On Thursday, February 19 at 1:00 p.m. ET this virtual check-in is designed to help teams stay on track, ask questions, and learn from one another as you continue developing your Challenge projects. You don’t need to be registered for the Challenge to attend this meeting and learn more. Register for the webinar. If you’re not already registered to participate, there is still time to collaborate with external partners and take bold ACT-ion together to advance community pharmacy practice while showcasing its critical value to the public. Register your team before the February 28 deadline. Register your team now. For more information, visit the Challenge homepage. 

Request for Information and Comment Opportunities 

*AACP will continue to inform members of new and ongoing comment opportunities as information becomes available. Mention of these opportunities does not indicate AACP’s intention to submit comments.  

• The public comment period for the 5th revision of the Clinical Prevention and Population Health Curriculum Framework is now open. The Curriculum Framework is used nationally to guide prevention and population health education, and this revision incorporates significant updates informed by lessons learned during the COVID-19 global pandemic and represents the efforts of the Healthy People Curriculum Task Force, experts from the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research, and dedicated faculty from across the health professions, including AACP members. The public is invited to review and provide feedback. You can find the draft and comment submission here. The comment period is open until February 16, 2026.
• The HHS Office of the Deputy Secretary in collaboration with Office of the Deputy Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP) and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has published this RFI to seek broad public comment on what HHS can do to accelerate the adoption and use of AI as part of clinical care. In addition to the general requests for information regarding AI regulation, reimbursement, and research & development, HHS seeks input on specific questions found in the RFI. The comment period ends on February 23, 2026.
• The Department of Education invites comments on all the proposed regulations that will amend Federal student loan programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 to implement statutory changes included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) signed into law. The public is invited to submit comments on Reimagining and Improving Student Education by March 2, 2026. AACP is currently  working with the Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions to submit a response and invites AACP members to reach out to Olunife Akinmolayan (oakinmolayan@aacp.org) by February 18, 2026 with your thoughts, comments, and responses for consideration.
• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is requesting public input on its proposal to establish harmonized and transparent policy requirements for protecting human participant research data. Specifically, NIH proposes (1) establishing policy requirements for which data should be controlled access under NIH data sharing policies, and (2) revising the NIH Genomic Data Sharing Policy to simplify and harmonize requirements. Comments must be submitted in writing by March 18, 2026. 

Register Teams for the Unite for Impact: A National Collaborative Challenge by February 28 

Teams of faculty, learners, pharmacists, and partners are invited to design bold initiatives that advance community pharmacy practice. Grand prize teams will receive national recognition, including a featured presentation at the 2026 AACP Annual Meeting, multimedia support, and opportunities to share their work. Save the date: February 19, for the Challenge Check-In, registration link forthcoming. Final submissions are due April 6, 2026. 

Congressional Agreement on FY 2026 Health Funding 

On January 19, lawmakers released their FY 2026 four-bill minibus package, which includes the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill. The bill includes extensions of several key health programs and would provide $47.216 billion for the NIH base budget, which indicates a 0.9% increase in funding ($415 million) compared to the agency’s FY 2025 funding. The bill also allocates $4.1 billion for CMS program operations — a $195 million increase. The House and Senate will now focus on passing the budget prior to the January 30 funding deadline. Read the Coalition for Health Funding’s statement here.

The package includes approximately $888 million for the HRSA Title VII health professions and Title VIII nursing workforce development programs, representing a 0.3% increase in overall funding to the programs compared to FY 2025 enacted levels. Meanwhile, the bill would cut the Centers of Excellence program by $3 million, and the Health Careers Opportunity Program by $1 million. Provisions in the Labor-HHS-Education health package would reauthorize the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and Community Health Centers through December 31, 2026. Find the bill summary here and Research!America’s preliminary analysis here.  

AACP joins AAP and 200+ Organizations in Congressional Request for Oversight of Childhood Vaccine Schedule Changes 

AACP has formally signed on to bipartisan congressional letters with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other healthcare organizations urging swift and robust oversight of the abrupt changes announced on January 5, 2026 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule. These letters, which will be sent to Congress today, call for greater transparency and accountability regarding the process and scientific rationale behind these significant policy shifts. 

SAMHSA Grant Cancellations Reversal 

On January 13, the Trump administration terminated over 2,000 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants funded by the Department of Health and Human Services. Shortly before the administration reversed this decision on January 14, the Coalition for Health Funding released their statement calling on SAMHSA to immediately restore funding for vital mental health and substance abuse grants. AACP continues to advocate for increased continuing education programs that address practitioner needs in the areas of addiction, substance abuse and recovery.  

NIH Office of Science Policy (OSP) Summer Science Policy Internship 

The OSP Summer Internship Program provides an opportunity for two (2) undergraduate, graduate, and/or professional students to gain tangible science policy experience in support of the NIH mission. Interns will work side-by-side with leading policy experts to learn strategies for advancing national science and technology policy and obtain practical experience in policy analyses and development. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 27. 

Request for Information and Comment Opportunities 

*AACP will continue to inform members of new and ongoing comment opportunities as information becomes available. Mention of these opportunities does not indicate AACP’s intention to submit comments.  

• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Council of Councils will meet January 29 to discuss a proposed reorganization of the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI) within the Office of the Director. The DPCPSI is seeking public comments on the reorganization, which would establish an Office of Research Innovation, Validation, and Application (ORIVA) and an Office of Research, Economics, Planning, and Analysis (OREPA). Written comments should be emailed to the DPCPSI by January 26, 2026.
• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is requesting public input on its proposal to establish harmonized and transparent policy requirements for protecting human participant research data. Specifically, NIH proposes (1) establishing policy requirements for which data should be controlled access under NIH data sharing policies, and (2) revising the NIH Genomic Data Sharing Policy to simplify and harmonize requirements. Comments must be submitted in writing by March 18, 2026. 

The Latest in AACP Advocacy Webpage

Staying informed is essential to effective advocacy. To make it easier for members to access additional updates, AACP has launched a new webpage, The Latest in AACP Advocacy, another resource hub for extended advocacy content and legislative developments affecting pharmacy education updated bi-weekly. This page highlights AACP’s ongoing advocacy efforts and key policy issues impacting pharmacy educators, researchers, students, and institutions. Visit The Latest in AACP Advocacy webpage today, bookmark it, and stay tuned!

District Court Ruling: NIH Cap on Indirect Costs Was Unlawful

On January 5, 2026, the First Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a federal district court ruling that the NIH’s attempted implementation of a 15% cap on reimbursement for facilities and administrative (F&A, or “indirect”) costs on research grants was unlawful. The case, filed in the District Court for the District of Massachusetts, includes three suits filed on Feb. 10, 2025, including one led by AAMC and supported by AACP. The First Circuit unanimously affirmed the ruling by U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley last year that the changes to the process for assessing indirect rates with no notice to awardees violated both requirements for notice under the Administrative Procedures Act and specific congressional language prohibiting the change.  

AACP Responds to White House OSTP RFI 

On December 26, 2025, AACP responded to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) request for information on Accelerating the American Scientific Enterprise, emphasizing the impact colleges and schools of pharmacy have on biomedical research, innovation ecosystems, and workforce preparedness.  

Fourth Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) jointly with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a fourth extension of telemedicine flexibilities for the prescribing of controlled medications through December 31, 2026. The temporary rule allows continued remote prescribing of controlled substances without prior in-person evaluation. This supports patient access and gives colleges and schools of pharmacy a continued mandate to train students in telehealth, regulatory compliance, and patient safety. For more details, review the regulation here.  

Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program New Resources

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released resources highlighting key themes and goals for each approved state project along with their abstracts. Pharmacy is well represented in many of the project proposals that have been approved for funding. Check out your state's program and spotlight initiatives to learn more.

Tracking CDC and SAMHSA Grant Recissions  

The Coalition for Health Funding has put together a tracker of state-specific impact on HHS' announcement to rescind $12 billion in grants from CDC and SAMHSA. Additionally, you can find a list of resources here. Both of these are living documents and will be updated as more information is made available.

Thank You for Advancing Our Advocacy—Together! 

Over the past year, your commitment to advocacy has strengthened the voice of academic pharmacy and reaffirmed the essential role our institutions play in education, research, and patient care. Whether you engaged by responding to action alerts, sharing expertise, hosting policymakers, or mentoring future advocates, your efforts have made a meaningful difference. 

Together, we achieved significant milestones, including responses to urgent issues from NIH research funding to vaccine policy, inclusion in the House Appropriations Committee FY26 Labor Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill, submitting a congressional letter on the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services (ECAPS) Act engaging 90+ member institutions, and providing member input to federal requests for information. Members also helped elevate the importance of financing pharmacy education through the Protecting Access to Pharmacy Education and Federal Loan Programs campaign, generating 1,300+ letters to Congress. 

We are especially grateful to our advocates who stepped forward to share stories from their campuses and communities. Your willingness to connect real-world experiences with policy conversations helped decision-makers better understand the value of investing in pharmacy education and the pharmacy workforce. Thank you for standing with us and for continuing to advance our shared mission through advocacy. 

Complete the Advocacy Champions Engagement Survey  

AACP’s Advocacy Champions play a critical role in shaping the national conversation around pharmacy education, research, and practice. As we expand this program, we want to ensure that every Champion—current and future—has the tools, confidence, and support needed to lead impactful advocacy efforts. We invite you to complete a short survey to share your perspectives, areas of expertise, and ideas for strengthening our advocacy network. Whether you’re an experienced Advocacy Champion or considering joining the network, your input will directly influence the competencies, resources, and engagement opportunities we develop for 2026 and beyond. Share your feedback and expertise in the Advocacy Champions Engagement Survey by December 31st.  

Submit an Advocacy Activity 

Earlier this year, the AACP Strategic Engagement Committee released the updated Advocacy Guide for Pharmacy Practice and Education and the new AACP Advocacy Activities Catalog. Check out the catalog for inspiration for your next advocacy activity! Have an advocacy activity you'd like to include in the catalog? Submit your activity here. 

RFI: White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) 

The White House OSTP released a request for information (RFI) on November 26, "Accelerating the American Scientific Enterprise," which asks specific questions related to public-private partnerships; optimizing technology transfer and translation of scientific discoveries into application; support for regional innovation ecosystems; improving grantmaking; enabling more high-risk, high-reward research; prepare for potentially transformative uses of AI in scientific research; reducing regulatory burdens on research; and addressing the STEM workforce and career and training pathways. AACP is currently developing a response to the RFI, and we invite AACP members to reach out to Dorothy Farrell (dfarrell@aacp.org) or Olunife Akinmolayan (oakinmolayan@aacp.org) with your thoughts or comments for inclusion in AACP’s response or with information regarding responses being submitted by member institutions. 

Financing Higher Education 

On December 8-12, 2025, Department of Education (ED) convened its Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) negotiated rulemaking committee. Much of this session focused on implementing Workforce Pell Grant provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), including developing a new regulatory framework, new program eligibility and disbursement of funds. Negotiators reached consensus on seven topics related to creating a new Workforce Pell program. The next AHEAD session is scheduled for January 5-9, 2026, to which negotiators will discuss accountability, gainful employment, and financial value transparency rules. For additional information, review the ED’s FAQs. 

Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) FY26 Community Letter 

AACP joins community letter led by Research!America on ARPA-H urging Congress to provide at least $1.5 billion for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) in a manner that supplements, rather than supplants, funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other health-related agencies within the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill. Read the full letter here. 

• FY26 Funding for HRSA Workforce Programs: On Nov. 5, AACP joined the Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition in urging legislators to finalize the FY 2026 Labor-HHS bill with robust funding for HRSA Title VII and Title VIII workforce development programs.
• Rural Health Transformation Program: On Nov. 5, CMS announced all 50 states submitted applications for the new $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program. Approved states will be announced by Dec. 31, with funding beginning in FY26.
• Financing Higher Education: On Nov. 6, the U.S. Department of Education’s RISE Negotiated Rulemaking Committee reached consensus on regulatory proposals under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” with the Pharm.D. degree remaining designated as a professional degree. The package addresses borrowing limits and repayment plans, with ED now developing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for public comment.
• Reforming Financial Transparency in Higher Education: On Nov. 6, the Senate HELP Committee held a hearing on improving college cost transparency, discussing bipartisan legislation including the College Transparency Act. Committee members and experts agreed that efforts to make student financial aid more accessible and transparent are critical in reforming higher education. On Dec. 8, the Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand (AHEAD) negotiated rulemaking will begin.
• Pharmacists Providing Chronic Care: On Nov. 10, AACP responded to Senators Grassley and Luján's request for information on pharmacists' role in chronic care, particularly in rural and underserved communities. AACP highlighted their ability to align education, experiential training, continuing education, and evaluation with Medicare’s chronic care priorities, while convening members to standardize competencies, share outcomes, and expand partnerships with Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers.
• Government Shutdown Ends: On Nov. 12, the House voted 222-209 to reopen the government, ending the 43-day shutdown with a compromise package. Most departments will be funded at FY 2025 levels through January 30, 2026, while Congress continues work on remaining FY26 appropriations bills.
• IPEDS Reporting Requirements: On Nov. 12, a notice clarified that only four-year institutions must submit six years of application and admissions data disaggregated by race and sex for the 2025-26 IPEDS reporting cycle. Open-enrollment institutions awarding aid solely on financial need are exempt. AACP joined other higher education associations in submitting comments to NCES in October.
• Funding Opportunities: On Nov. 12, the U.S. Department of Education published a notice for $167 million in grants supporting AI in higher education, civil discourse, accreditation reform, and short-term program capacity-building, with applications due December 3, 2025.

• Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee Session II
  • The U.S. Department of Education is hosting another five-day negotiated rulemaking session from Nov. 3-7, 2025.This rulemaking is necessary to implement recent statutory changes to the Title IV, HEA programs included in Pub. L. 119-21, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). For more information, review the Department of Education’s FAQs.
  • AACP joins a coalition of providers and programs in a letter to U.S. Department of Education Federal negotiator, Tamy Abernathy and RISE Committee members with recommendations for implementing student financial aid provisions from OBBBA. The letter requested that the committee better define professional degrees consistently and inclusively.
• The Pharmacy-based Vaccine Access Work Group, consisting of representatives from a diverse group of 12 organizations across pharmacy practice settings, jointly published guiding principles for state policy on pharmacy personnel–administered vaccines. The core principles proposed in this document aim to address ambiguity in state policymaking regarding pharmacy personnel–administered vaccines, ultimately improving access to essential vaccinations for all Americans and providing guidance for structuring payment for pharmacist-provided services.
• The Common Health Coalition has developed an educational resource, that outlines how pharmacists and other clinicians can approach individualized vaccine recommendations—especially for COVID-19, flu, and RSV—using real-world conversation scripts and evidence-based communication strategies. The Shared Clinical Decision-Making (SCDM) Guide on Respiratory Vaccines for Clinicians may be used to aid classroom discussions or clinical training to strengthen communication confidence and understanding the evolving immunization landscape.
• FASHP has submitted a letter to Secretary Noem requesting that the Department of Homeland Security exempt the health profession education workforce from the new fee requirement for H1-B visas. FASHP members expressed their concerns about the harmful effect this fee requirement would have on health care professionals' access to patient care and educational programs.
• The CDC Coalition and other state, national, and academic organizations has expressed their opposition to House leadership in response to the $1.77+ billion cut to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) proposed in the House FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations. The letter highlights how the bill would eliminate or drastically reduce funding for many CDC programs. Read more here. 

• The Pharmacy-based Vaccine Access Work Group, consisting of representatives from a diverse group of 12 organizations across pharmacy practice settings, jointly published Guiding Principles for State Policy on Pharmacy Personnel–Administered Vaccines. The core principles proposed in this document aim to address ambiguity in state policymaking regarding pharmacy personnel–administered vaccines, ultimately improving access to essential vaccinations for all Americans and providing guidance for structuring payment for pharmacist-provided services.
• Read the Coalition for Health Funding (CHF) statement on HHS reductions in force (RIF). The statement highlights that it is time for Congress to come together and pass full-year appropriations bills with robust HHS funding, including for the agencies and programs impacted in early October, to advance public health and improve the lives of all Americans.
• AACP joins other FASHP members in a comment letter on the National Center for Education Statistics for the proposed addition of an Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). The letter offers recommendations to ensure feasibility, data quality, and protection of student privacy across graduate and professional programs. 

• Following the recent federal government shutdown, AACP distributed an all-member communication detailing key agency contingency plans relevant to pharmacy education and research. The message outlined expected impacts on federal funding, grant processing, and student financial aid operations. For more context and analysis read press releases from Research!America and Coalition for Health Funding. If your institution is experiencing disruption due to the shutdown, please reach out to AACP staff to inform our advocacy efforts.  
• AACP joins FASHP letter to federal negotiators citing the regulatory framework for loan repayment programs under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) may not adequately reflect the realities of the health professions workforce. As the Department of Education finalizes regulatory language, the group urges the ED to ensure that the health professions workforce is considered a single, integrated workforce when determining loan eligibility criteria. FASHP members are actively monitoring and engaging with the ED’s Negotiated Rulemaking for Higher Education 2025.  
• AACP submits comment letter on Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) withdraw this proposed rule. AACP addressed academic mobility concerns, administrative burdens, and implementation challenges based on member input.  
• AACP joins pharmacy organizations in letter to Secretary Noem urging DHS to issue guidance that determines that H-1B pharmacists’ entry into the U.S. is in the national interest of the country, exempting them from the Proclamation, “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.” The U.S. health care system relies on pharmacists from other countries to ensure safe, effective, and accessible medication use.  
• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) released their Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program Funding. This program was created to empower states to strengthen rural communities across America by improving access to quality health care outcomes by transforming the health care delivery system. We encourage you to explore how pharmacists, student pharmacists, and state pharmacy associations can lead and support your state's application. Applications are due November 5, and funding allocations will be decided by Dec. 31, 2025. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) has developed talking points to aid in your outreach.  

• In response to recent misinformation regarding pharmacist training, 94 deans of colleges and schools of pharmacy sign on to letter supporting ECAPS. The letter urges swift action to protect America’s seniors and preserve access to essential pharmacist provided care by passing H.R. 3164/S.2426 the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (ECAPS) into law.
• AACP supports the Common Health Coalition in statement supporting vaccine recommendations from leading medical societies. The Common Health Coalition strongly supports the science-based respiratory vaccine recommendations set forth by national medical societies, including those recently published by AAFP, AAP and ACOG.
• AACP joins over 150+ organizations in community letter to appropriators expressing support for the work of the Joint Associations Group on Indirect Costs (JAG), thanking appropriators for including language in some of the spending bills and reports to date, and urging that they strengthen language in the final spending bills supporting the JAG work and prohibiting the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from instituting arbitrary caps on federal support for research costs. For more information check out the FAIR model talking points and FAQs.
• AACP joins other pharmacy organizations in request to DEA to update the registration process for pharmacists to reflect state law. The letter seeks to update the DEA’s online registration process and the Mid-Level Practitioners Authorization by State to reflect recent changes in state laws and regulations that explicitly grant pharmacists prescriptive authority for controlled substances. Read the DEA’s response here.  
• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) recently released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program Funding. This program was created to empower states to strengthen rural communities across America by improving access to quality health care outcomes by transforming the health care delivery system. We encourage you to explore how pharmacists can lead and support your state's application. Applications are due in early November, and funding allocations will be decided by Dec. 31, 2025. More information and guidance will be shared by national pharmacy organizations.
• Medical Research Month is the time to share your groundbreaking NIH-supported medical research! In keeping with the daily activations across Medical Research Month, the Ad Hoc Group encourages coalition members to share examples of NIH-supported research across social media channels. Please see below suggested language and visit the Ad Hoc Group’s Medical Research Month website that includes information on key dates, events, and a toolkit with suggested social media activations. 

• AACP was included in House Appropriations Committee FY26 Labor Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill. The bill states that “the Committee encourages Bureau of Labor Statistics to collaborate with HRSA’s National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, the American Pharmacists Association, and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy to publicly issue a report on the changes necessary for the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes to accurately account for the complete pharmacist labor force and workforce projections.” Read the full report here.  
• AACP joins other pharmacy organizations to promote inclusion of payment for pharmacist services within states’ upcoming applications for Rural Health Transformation Program funding. Read an example state letter to Gov. Gordon (WY). CMS published new information indicating states can apply for funding from mid-September through early November.  
• Read the Coalition for Health Funding statement and the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research statement on House Appropriations Subcommittee FY 2026 Labor-HHS-Education Bill.  
• Medical Research Month is the time to share your groundbreaking NIH-supported medical research! In keeping with the daily activations across Medical Research Month, the Ad Hoc Group encourages coalition members to share examples of NIH-supported research across social media channels. Please see below suggested language and visit the Ad Hoc Group’s Medical Research Month website that includes information on key dates, events, and a toolkit with suggested social media activations. 

• AACP supports the Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition in Title VII and VIII letter urging the consideration and advancement of legislative proposals to reauthorize the HRSA Title VII health professions and Title VIII nursing workforce development programs, which are set to expire at the end of fiscal year 2025.
• AACP joins coalition of providers and programs in community comment letter providing advice and recommendations to the Department of Education’s Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee as they begin their work on the negotiated rulemaking to implement the student financial aid provisions.  
• Check out a recent panel discussion hosted by the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP) on H.R.1 and the recent Department of Education (DOE) developments. The panel discusses budget bill implications for student loan borrowers, DOE restructuring, advising gaps and other areas of concern for health profession advisors.
• Join advocates from around the country for the 2025 Rally for Medical Research! Capitol Hill visits will take place on Thursday, September 18, with advocates meeting their congressional representatives and their staff. The evening before, on September 17, the Rally for Medical Research will host a reception on Capitol Hill to celebrate medical research with all partners and participants. Register today!
• As a member of Research!America, AACP invites you to join the 2025 August Advocacy Challenge. Connect with your members of Congress and earn points for your actions!  To track what actions you’ve completed, download a copy of this scorecard.The deadline to submit your scorecards is Tuesday, Sept. 2.   

• The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee advanced the FY 2026 Labor-HHS appropriations bill in a vote of 26-3 in a July 31 markup. AACP Joined 580+ organizations in a community letter to U.S. House of Representatives leadership also ensure FY26 appropriations continue to fill vital program needs. Read the Coalition for Health Funding press release here.  
• Join advocates from around the country for the 2025 Rally for Medical Research! Capitol Hill visits will take place on Thursday, September 18, with advocates meeting their congressional representatives and their staff. The evening before, on September 17, the Rally for Medical Research will host a reception on Capitol Hill to celebrate medical research with all partners and participants. Register today!
• As a member of Research!America, AACP invites you to join the 2025 August Advocacy Challenge. Connect with your members of Congress and earn points for your actions!  To track what actions you’ve completed, download a copy of this scorecard.The deadline to submit your scorecards is Tuesday, Sept. 2.   
• The AACP Strategic Engagement Committee has recently released the updated Advocacy Guide for Pharmacy Practice and Education and the new AACP Advocacy Activities Catalog. The updated guide equips students, faculty, and pharmacists with tools to effectively engage policymakers and promote the value of pharmacy education.  Check out the catalog for inspiration for your next advocacy activity. Have an advocacy activity you'd like to include in the catalog? Submit your activity here.  

• The AACP Strategic Engagement Committee has released the updated Advocacy Guide for Pharmacy Practice and Education and the new AACP Advocacy Activities Catalog. The updated guide equips students, faculty, and pharmacists with tools to effectively engage policymakers and promote the value of pharmacy education.  Check out the catalog for inspiration for your next advocacy activity. Have an advocacy activity you'd like to include in the catalog? Submit your activity here.  
• AACP along with other pharmacy organizations extend congratulations to the new Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Susan Monarez, PhD. On behalf of the profession the group requested a meeting to discuss collaborations that improve our nation’s public health utilizing available evidence-based science and expertise of our constituents. Read the letter here.  
• The pharmacy community received a response from Kaiser Permanente regarding maintaining access to immunizations without patient cost-sharing. They have indicated that they will continue to have no-cost coverage for flu, COVID, and RSV. Read their response letter here. AACP will continue to work with other pharmacy organizations to educate on the importance of vaccine access.  
• AACP joins Friends of AHRQ in a community letter to protect the integrity of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The group urges Congress to protect and preserve the USPSTF’s current structure and operations to ensure that everyone continues to benefit from trusted, evidence-based preventive care. 

• President Trump signed H.R. 1 also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law on July 4, 2025. Some of the final higher education provisions include:  
  • Replacing the Grad PLUS loan program with new unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan limits for graduate students of $20,500 per year and $100,000 in aggregate. The annual loan limit will be $50,000 per year, and the aggregate loan limit will be $200,000 for professional school students.  
  • Repealing the SAVE repayment plan and replacing the existing repayment plans with only two repayment plans for new loans. The Standard Repayment plan and an income-driven Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).
  • Rejecting institutional "risk sharing" initially proposed by the House and replacing it with a provision that measures programmatic performance based on earnings four years after program completion.  
• This week, AACP joined the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists, the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association, the American Pharmacists Association, the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, the National Community Pharmacists Association, and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations in sending letters to some of the nation’s largest health insurers (Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, AHIP, United Healthcare, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, and Cigna) and their trade association requesting that insurers maintain existing coverage for vaccines without increases or changes to patient cost-sharing. 

• AACP is deeply concerned about the recent changes to ACIP. Recent modifications to structure and membership raise serious questions about the committee’s continued ability to function independently, uphold scientific integrity, and provide accurate, up-to-date recommendations that reflect the consensus of the medical and scientific communities. Read AACP’s press release and comments to the CDC for more details.
• AACP alongside national and state organizations representing patients, healthcare providers, and health professions education programs in community letter reaffirming deep concerns of higher education provisions in Senate reconciliation bill text.  The letter seeks to preserve subsidized loans for undergraduates, retain the Grad PLUS program, and increase proposed aggregate limits for unsubsidized federal loans. Congress continues to plan towards a July 4 deadline.
  • Action Alert: On June 10, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee released reconciliation recommendations that would eliminate Grad PLUS loans and set a $50,000 annual unsubsidized loan limit and a $200,000 total cap for professional degrees. Join the advocacy campaign to voice your concerns with this proposal: Protecting Access to Pharmacy Education and Federal Loan Programs
• AACP submits FY 2026 Outside Witness Testimony to the Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee. The statement explains how federal investments into HHS ensure that pharmacy education continues to meet the nation’s evolving health needs. Read examples of member institutions using these investments to advance the healthcare system here.
• AACP joins 100+ groups in an NIH community letter to raise awareness of inaccessible previously appropriated federal funding, HHS restructuring concerns, and the President’s FY26 budget. If the budget is enacted and the administration's plan to use multi-year funding to immediately draw down appropriations, NIH may not be able to issue any new awards in FY26 beyond what is strictly required in statute. Read the letter here. 

• AACP joins letter Research!America (R!A) and 500 organizations in urging Congress to reject the proposed 38% cut to the NIH budget included in the president’s FY26 budget request. The letter calls for a bold NIH investment and a deliberative, public process before structural changes are made to the agency. Read statements from R!A, Coalition for Health Funding, and HPNEC on FY26.
• AACP joins the Data: Elemental to Health’s campaign letter urging Congress to provide sustained funding in FY26.  Read more about the ongoing effort to invest in public health data systems here.  
• The US House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 1 which includes terminating the Grad PLUS Loan Program and cap federal loans at $200,000 per borrower ($50,000 for undergraduate programs and $150,000 for professional programs), which could have a significant impact on the pharmacy profession. Read AACP’s recent press release here and join the advocacy campaign: Protecting Access to Pharmacy Education and Federal Loan Programs 

• The US House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 1 which includes terminating the Grad PLUS Loan Program and cap federal loans at $200,000 per borrower ($50,000 for undergraduate programs and $150,000 for professional programs), which could have a significant impact on the pharmacy profession. Read AACP’s recent press release here and join the advocacy campaign: Protecting Access to Pharmacy Education and Federal Loan Programs
• AACP joined 412 organizations signed the FY26 letter to Congress requesting federal funding for gun violence prevention research. The letter represents organizations strongly supporting federal funding for research into firearm morbidity and mortality prevention.
• The Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition (HPNEC) recently met with legislators on the Hill urging Congress to provide $1.51 billion for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Title VII and Title VIII workforce development programs. Visit the HPNEC to read more about the FY26 recommendation.  

• The House Committee on Education and the Workforce recently passed bill text regarding student loans intended to be included in the upcoming reconciliation bill. The proposed text would terminate the Grad PLUS Loan Program and cap federal loans at $200,000 per borrower ($50,000 for undergraduate programs and $150,000 for professional programs), which could have a significant impact on the pharmacy profession. Advocate with AACP, APhA, and ASHP using this action alert: Protecting Access to Pharmacy Education and Federal Loan Programs 

• CHF Letter to Appropriators on Leaked HHS FY26 Discretionary Budget Passback
  • The final letter included over 530 local, state, and national organizations expressing concern regarding the Administration’s draft Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the Department of Health and Human Services. The draft proposal would have a devastating impact on vital programs that monitor and defend against infectious and chronic disease, battle opioid and mental health epidemics, protect the public against environmental and occupational health threats and more.
• Clozapine REMS Issues Timeline for Prescribing Updates and Sunsetting of Website from AAPP
  • Per FDA’s instruction, clozapine manufacturers have formally submitted a modification to eliminate the Clozapine REMS and to update the prescribing information. It is anticipated that FDA will approve this modification and officially release (eliminate) the Clozapine REMS in mid-June 2025. Read more about the Clozapine REMS update here provided by the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP).
• FY 2026 ARPA-H Community Letter
  • AACP joined other national organizations and community letter to provide at least $1.7 billion, to be available through FY 2028, for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health. The recommendation provides a $200 million increase over FY25’s Continuing Resolution levels which would allow the agency to expand its portfolio. Read more about it here.  
• Friends of NCHS Recommendation for FY26
  • As a member of the Friends of NCHS, AACP has signed a letter with 45 other organizations to fund the National Center for Health Statistics at $220 million for FY26. The letter also details specific areas in which additional investment will help NCHS enhance its work. Read more about the group’s priorities with this investment.

• AACP Joins 500+ Organizations in NIH FY26 Funding Recommendation
  • Read the letter urging Congress to provide at least $51.3 billion for the NIH for fiscal year (FY) 2026, and support for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The recommendation for NIH would represent a $4.222 billion or 9.0% increase over the final FY 2025 funding level. For more information, check out the question-and-answer sheet here.
• AACP Joins 50+ Organizations in NIAID FY26 Funding Recommendation
  • In collaboration with the American Society for Microbiology, organizations representing public health, patients, and biomedical researchers requested at least $7.29 billion for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). This funding is critical to ensure that the nation can respond to current and future disease threats. Read the letter here.
• AACP Supports the CDC Coalition in FY26 Recommendations for CDC
  • The coalition’s letter supports at least $11.581 billion for CDC’s programs in the FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill while rejecting any efforts to dismantle the agency or eliminate any of its essential public health programs.  
• AACP Supports the Friends of VA Medical Care and Health Research FY26 Recommendation for the Medical and Prosthetic Research Program  
  • FOVA urges lawmakers to provide $1.2 billion for VA research, reflecting the critical role the VA research plays in advancing veterans’ health. This investment will empower VA to recruit and retain top scientific talent, fuel groundbreaking discoveries, and ensure that veterans continue to benefit from cutting-edge treatments. Read more here.

• Read CHF’s Statement on HHS Reorganization
  • The Coalition for Health Funding (CHF) is alarmed by the administration’s recent actions to reorganize the Department of Health and Human Services, freeze funding, and dismantle essential programs that protect public health, provide health care for Americans, keep them healthy, and ensure America remains the global leader in developing new treatments and cures. 

• Read FASHP’s Letter on Reconciliation and Student Loans Borrowers
  • FASHP is highly concerned about proposals that would eliminate and drastically alter essential federal student aid programs. The letter highlights that any forthcoming budget reconciliation legislation does not negatively impact students and student loan borrowers.  
• AACP Supports Statement from AAI and ACP Emphasizing the Critical Role of Vaccinations in Public Health
  • A coalition of 34 scientific and medical organizations led by the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) and the American College of Physicians (ACP) have released a statement on the impact and safety of vaccines. Check out the press release here.
• AACP Joins American Council on Education (ACE) Comment Letter on White House AI Action Plan  
  • The National Science Foundation requested input from stakeholders to inform the White House’s development of an AI Action Plan. Read the comment letter developed with input from EDUCAUSE, on the impact of AI on students and institutions, with recommendations for policymakers to consider as they develop an action plan.

• AACP Signs on to FY25 NIH Funding Community Letter  
  • AACP joined 600 organizations in a letter urging House and Senate Appropriations Committee leadership to provide robust fiscal year (FY) 2025 funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and protect against cuts to the agency.  
• AACP Joins Friends of AHRQ Letter on FY26 Appropriations  
  • AACP joined over 190 organizations representing doctors, patients, researchers, health systems, and more to support full funding of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) in FY 2026.  
• AACP Supports Updates to DEA Registration for Pharmacists  
  • AACP joined other pharmacy organizations in a letter requesting the DEA update its online DEA registration for pharmacists and Mid-Level Practitioners Authorization by State table to reflect state legislative and regulatory changes.  
• FASHP Statement on NIH Funding Reductions
  • The Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions (FASHP) recently released a statement on the vital role that sustained funding for facilities and administrative costs plays in supporting research activities funded by the NIH.