THIS WEEK:
- The Senate is scheduled to return tomorrow.
- The House was scheduled to return tomorrow, but is now expected to remain in recess for the week.
- Coming off a major tax legislation victory, the focus will shift to implementation and a potential corrections bill in the coming months.
- Congress has less than three weeks to address government spending along with DACA, FISA, CHIP and Iran as well as looming trade decisions and the debt ceiling nipping at their heels.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 2:
- Trump will host an infrastructure meeting.
- Trump will have lunch with VEEP Mike Pence and Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3:
- Trump will have lunch with State Secretary Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
- Senate is expected to swear in Senator-elect Doug Jones of Alabama and Senator-elect Tina Smith of Minnesota.
- Senate will convene at 4:00 PM ET.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4:
- Trump will have lunch with Republican Senators.
- Trump will present the National Security Medal to Richard Ledgett.
- Senate is expected to work on confirmations.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5:
- Trump is expected to meet with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan at Camp David to discuss the 2018 agenda.
MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ADVANCE NOTICE PART ONE | CONTINUING SLOW ROLL TO REPLACE FFS - HUM, AET, UNH, ANTM: Our Senior Health Policy Analyst Emily Evans writes the unusually early notice implements risk adjustment for chronic disease and mental health diagnosis as required by 21st Century Cures Act. Read the full piece here.
REITS TO THE RESCUE? A TAX REFORM IMPACTS | HCA, THC, CYH, LPNT, HCN, MPW: Our Senior Health Policy Analyst Emily Evans writes the interest deduction limitation is bad news for most hospitals, but REIT exclusion offers a strategy of sorts. Read the full piece here.
WAVING GOODBYE: INCREASED LIKELIHOOD TRUMP WILL NOT WAIVE US OIL SANCTIONS ON IRAN ON JAN 12: Our Senior Energy Analyst Joe McMonigle writes there is early 2018 oil volatility ahead as the window closes on a Congressional/Diplomatic fix for the Iran deal. Read the full piece here.
