As 2026 begins, federal policymakers are navigating narrow congressional margins, looming funding deadlines, and shared concerns about access to care. In our January Capitol Conversations webinar, we examined federal policy developments across our three priority areas — Medicaid, workforce, and health and housing — with a clear takeaway: decisions in Washington will have immediate, real-world impacts on providers and the communities they serve. Here are three key takeaways:
Medicaid and Behavioral Health: Medicaid remains a bipartisan focus, particularly as states move forward with implementing new work requirements. Speakers highlighted the recent reversal of SAMHSA grant cancellations that would have affected mental health and addiction treatment providers. Moreover, with Congress expected to finalize government funding by January 30, speakers emphasized close monitoring of funding decisions and the critical role of provider advocacy in shaping outcomes.
Workforce: Workforce shortages across health care and long-term services and supports continue to draw attention. Several immigration-related bills — including the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act, Strengthening Our Workforce Act, Dream Act of 2025, and Dignity Act — aim to bolster the workforce while maintaining system integrity. While bipartisan interest exists, momentum may slow as midterm elections approach, making provider engagement especially important.
Health and Housing: Speakers discussed recent HUD shifts and disruptions to Continuum of Care funding could jeopardize previously awarded grants that support people experiencing homelessness. At the same time, speakers noted cautious optimism around the bipartisan Road to Housing Act, which could advance later this year and would strengthen coordinated, evidence-based responses to homelessness.
Across all issues, speakers stressed the importance of grounding advocacy in lived experience and maintaining strong relationships with policymakers. Now more than ever: stay engaged, stay informed, and stay grounded in your communities.
Kylie Bowlds is an Issue Education & External Relations Associate at Lutheran Services in America.