Daniel Payne reports on how the health industry and Washington influence and impact each other. He joined STAT in 2025 after covering health care at POLITICO. You can reach Daniel on Signal at danielp.100.

WASHINGTON — With days to go before Congress is set to leave town, lawmakers are still at odds over key Medicaid provisions in the tax bill touted by President Trump.

Republicans across the House and Senate are still working out significant disagreements on restrictions to provider taxes and state-directed payments, as well as the size and scope of a rural health fund meant to make up for the deep cuts proposed in the bill.

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“We’re making progress,” said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), who noted the conference made it through their meeting without having to call an ambulance. “We’re not going to have a consensus by Friday.”