Alston & Bird Reviews Week's Health Policy, Election, CMS Actions

In its Health Care Week in Review, Alston & Bird reports that Democrats secured control of both the House and Senate following the midterm elections, while CMS finalized annual Medicare payment rules affecting physician, hospital outpatient, and home health services. The roundup also catalogs FDA actions during the week, including final guidance on potency assurance for cellular and gene therapy products, final guidance on reducing transfusion-transmitted hepatitis B virus risk, and final orders classifying several medical devices, including a digital cervical cytology AI imaging system, a cognitive impairment prognostic software, and a wearable orthopedic vibration device. CMS's Calendar Year 2027 Home Health Prospective Payment System rate update rule is also noted as released November 4, 2026.