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Executive Actions Update

Upon assuming office in mid-January 2025, the new Presidential administration began to pursue far-reaching policy changes that have impacted maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists and their patients. The ultimate effect of executive actions will depend on many factors, including how agency officials interpret and apply them and, in many cases, the decisions of federal courts after a challenge.

SMFM is closely monitoring these activities and identifying opportunities for engagement. Below, you’ll find updates on select executive actions.* If you have questions about the impact of an executive action on your practice or research, we encourage you to reach out to your institutional leadership. If you have questions or relevant information to share, please e-mail ResponseTeam@smfm.org.  

STATUS: Ongoing
On February 14, the Trump Administration announced plans to eliminate thousands of jobs across federal public health agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The plan specifically targets people on probationary employment due to a recent hire or job change. Exceptions are being made for select employees. At the same time, contract workers across HHS have been informed that their jobs have been terminated. SMFM will continue to monitor potential litigation and relevant congressional action, as well as coordinate with other community stakeholders on next steps.  
Select News Coverage: STAT |  New York Times
STATUS: Paused due to court order
On February 7, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that it was capping the indirect cost rate paid to new and existing grant recipients at 15 percent. Indirect costs, also known as facilities and administration (F&A), support basic operating costs associated with biomedical research. Quickly after the announcement, a federal judge based in Massachusetts issued a temporary restraining order blocking the policy pending further consideration by the courts. The first hearing is scheduled for February 21. SMFM will continue to monitor litigation and relevant congressional action, as well as  coordinate with other community stakeholders on next steps.  
Select News Coverage: NPR | New York Times 
SMFM Action: Joined stakeholder letter calling on Congress to include provisions in FY 2025 funding bills to prevent reductions in indirect cost rates (2/19/2025)

STATUS: Paused due to court order

On January 27, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) temporarily paused all federal grants, cooperative agreements, and loans. According to an OMB memo, the suspension was set to go into effect on January 28, and federal agencies would have had until February 10 to submit detailed information on programs and projects related to the temporary pause. Currently, the OMB directive is on hold subject to a temporary restraining order by federal courts in Rhode Island and Washington, DC. However, recent press reports indicate that funds still might not be flowing to grantees. SMFM will monitor litigation and relevant Congressional action and coordinate with other community stakeholders on the next steps. 

 

Select News Coverage: Washington Post | Reuters | New York Times

STATUS: Ongoing
In response to Executive Orders, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal agencies took steps in the first month of the new administration to remove several clinical guidance documents from their public websites, including guidance on the treatment of sexually transmitted infections, vaccination in pregnancy, and the provision of contraceptive options for patients with medical conditions. In response to court orders from a federal judge in Washington state, some of these documents have been returned to government websites, while others have not.   
Select News Coverage: AP | STAT
SMFM In the News: Medscape 
SMFM Action: Going forward, SMFM will host guidance relevant to high-risk pregnancy to preserve access to these evidence-based resources. If you would like us to consider hosting other relevant guideline resources on the SMFM website to support patient care in your practice, please contact us at ResponseTeam@smfm.org. 

*This list is not exhaustive. You can learn about other activities of the executive branch at trackers maintained by news outlets, such as CNN and the New York Times. Many universities are also maintaining their own online trackers, which will include relevant information for clinicians and physician-scientists. 

Take Action
Share Your Experiences

To help SMFM best advocate for you and your patients, please share how these policy changes either have affected or could affect your practice, patients, or research by filling out this form. The form gives you the option of sharing identifying information or not. You can also share your story directly with SMFM staff via a video call by scheduling a time here. 

Access Federal Clinical Guidance Documents 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal agencies have recently removed several clinical guidance documents from their public websites. To ensure continued access to these critical resources, SMFM is hosting many of evidence-based guidelines.