Congress Approves Funding for MS Research Program, PBM Reforms and More

February 3, 2026

On February 3, 2026, Congress passed a bipartisan FY2026 funding package that included the following: Department of Defense (DoD) appropriations, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (L-HHS) appropriations, as well as a number of healthcare-related policies. These bills included several top priorities for MS Activists and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, including:

• Multiple Sclerosis Research Program (MSRP) funding partially restored: Included in the bill text is $15 million in research funding for the MSRP through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP). Congress did not provide funding for this research in FY2025, so this funding reinstatement is a major victory. Thousands of MS Activists sent messages to Congress, made calls, held in-person and virtual meetings, engaged on social media on this issue, and more—and Congress listened.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH): The Health and Human Services spending bill provides an increase of approximately $415 million over FY2025 funding levels. Importantly, the legislation also includes protections to allow the agency to fulfill its core mission to continue to be the world’s largest funder of medical research. MS Activists advocated to protect and secure NIH funding throughout the course of this past year. 
• Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reforms: The bill contains key transparency and compensation reforms that will begin to bring much-needed oversight to this industry, which plays a key role in drug pricing and access to medications. PBM reform has been a Society advocacy priority for over five years, and we will continue to work with Congress to ensure that PBM reforms benefit consumers.
• Telehealth access extended: The legislation extends access to telehealth options for Medicare beneficiaries past their January 30, 2026 expiration. Telehealth has been a focus of our work on the Hill in recent years, including hundreds of activist visits and even MS Activist testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Committee at a pivotal hearing.

These bills ensure funding through September 30, 2026.

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