President Joe Biden signed the COVID-19 Origin Act (S. 619) into law last week. The legislation would require Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines to declassify information about the origins of the coronavirus pandemic within 90 days. The administration can redact details to protect its sources and methods of obtaining information. The bill passed both chambers of Congress unanimously, following a recent report from the Department of Energy which concluded with ‘low confidence’ that COVID-19 most likely originated from a lab leak in China. Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Christopher Wray has separately acknowledged the FBI’s determination that the pandemic had most likely come from a laboratory incident in Wuhan. New data was released last week, however, that provides inconclusive evidence linking COVID-19 to the DNA of racoon dogs being illegally sold at a wet seafood market in Wuhan. While the U.S. intelligence community remains split about the pandemic’s origins being animal transmitted or the result of a lab leak, the President has pledged to continue to review any links to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

 

E&C Advances Five Health Bills

The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced five pieces of health- related legislation last week.

The Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act (H.R. 485) would prohibit the use of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in federal and state programs. The bill was advanced 27-20 along party lines, with Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) reiterating his concerns that the bill’s prohibition on the use of QALYs to evaluate the cost- effectiveness of drugs and treatments could be used to delay or disrupt the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare drug price negotiation provisions. Supporters of the bill argue that measures such as QALYs discriminate against seniors and people with disabilities.
The Block, Report, and Suspend Suspicious Shipments Act (H.R. 501) would require drug manufacturers and distributors to report and block suspicious orders of controlled substances. The bill was advanced unanimously after the adoption of an amendment specifying that the legislation does not intend to inhibit access to opioid use disorder treatment.
The 9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act (H.R. 498) would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) to undertake efforts to protect the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline from cybersecurity threats. It was also advanced by the committee unanimously.
The HALT Fentanyl Act (H.R. 467) would permanently place fentanyl-related substances into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) and Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) joined panel Republicans in support of the legislation.
The Securing the Border for Public Health Act (H.R. 801) would expand HHS’ Title 42 authority to allow the HHS secretary to suspend persons and imports related to certain controlled substances from certain countries into the U.S. The bill was advanced in a party line vote.

 

Senate Commerce Committee Marks Up PBM Transparency Bill

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation advanced bipartisan legislation (S. 127) last week that would prohibit pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from arbitrarily, unfairly, or deceptively clawing back payments made to pharmacies, or arbitrarily, unfairly, or deceptively increasing fees or lowering reimbursements to offset reimbursement changes in federally-funded health plans. The Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act of 2023 would also require PBMs to report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) revenue stemming from pharmacy fees and spread pricing. The bill, sponsored by Chair Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), was agreed to in an 18-9 vote, with some Republicans opposing the bill due to concerns about the looming 3-0 Democratic to Republican commissioner composition of the FTC. Proponents of the bill hope it will help to address both consolidation in the PBM industry and high drug prices.

 

HSGAC Chairman Peters Releases Report on Drug Shortages

Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Gary Peters (D-Mich.) has released a report on drug shortages which argues that neither U.S. regulators nor industry have enough information to predict which treatments will be in short supply and prevent future shortages. The nation is currently dealing with shortages of at least 120 drugs, with 15 critical drugs having experienced shortages for over a decade. The report blames low profit margins for old generics, manufacturing quality issues, and increased demand for persistent shortages. Peters previewed plans to introduce legislation based on the findings of his report during a hearing about drug shortages last week. The administration’s fiscal year 2024 budget request also made recommendations to improve transparency around drug shortages and require companies to extend drug expiration dates when safety permits.

 

GOP Health Leaders Inquire About MA Proposed Rule

Republican leadership of the House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means committees sent a letter to the administration last week requesting more details about the changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) program recently proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The letter states that House Republicans “remain committed to protecting and strengthening Medicare” and that they seek to better understand the impact of the Calendar Year 2024 Advance Notice for the MA Program on patients. CMS’ proposed regulation would make changes to the MA risk adjustment model.

 

House Panels to Investigate CMS Data Breach

Republican leadership of the House Oversight and Accountability and Energy and Commerce committees have announced an investigation into the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) handling of an October 2022 data breach. Last year’s ransomware attack, which involved a third-party government subcontractor, impacted the personal data of more than 250,000 Medicare beneficiaries. The lawmakers criticize the agency for taking two months to characterize the hack as a major incident and to inform Congress of the event. During this time, the hackers had access to Medicare beneficiaries’ identifiable information, including names, contact information, Social Security numbers, bank account and routing numbers, Medicare enrollment details, and more. CMS has indicated that it plans to reply directly to the lawmakers’ inquiry, but also referenced a December press release on its response to the breach.

 

Tri-Caucus Urges Guardrails for Medicaid Redeterminations

The Congressional Tri-Caucus – comprised of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Congressional Asian-Pacific American Caucus, and the Congressional Black Caucus – has sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) urging Secretary Xavier Becerra to regulate and implement guardrails for states to follow to prevent individuals from losing Medicaid coverage for procedural reasons. Effective April 1, the fiscal year 2023 omnibus appropriations bill removed the federal continuous coverage requirement for state Medicaid programs that was instituted in response to the coronavirus pandemic, permitting states to begin eligibility redeterminations. The lawmakers ask HHS to set a high bar to prevent eligible beneficiaries from losing coverage, arguing that “such clarity will give states and territories strong new incentives for improving their policies to better protect eligible families.” The letter suggests ensuring states have sufficient staffing to process renewals, requiring state agencies to conduct electronic renewals to the maximum extent possible, and halting procedural dis-enrollments in states that do not follow the department’s unwinding guidance.

 

POLICY BRIEFINGS

 

McConnell Eager to Return to Senate

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was released from an inpatient rehabilitation facility and continues to recover at home from a concussion suffered earlier this month. He has been in touch with his colleagues and is “chomping at the bit” to return to the Senate, according to close friend Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). McConnell had been at an inpatient rehabilitation facility after being discharged from the hospital on March 13 following a fall at a fundraising event at a D.C.-area hotel. Senate GOP Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) also stated that he has spoken with McConnell about recent Senate floor proceedings. Last week the chamber began debate on legislation to repeal the two-decades old authorizations of use of military force against Iraq. McConnell plans to work from home this week and then the Senate will recess until April 17.

 

White House Celebrates 13th Anniversary of ACA

Democrats celebrated the 13th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act being signed into law at an event hosted by the White House on Thursday. During the event, lawmakers touted the gains made in health insurance coverage since the landmark legislation was enacted in 2010. A record-breaking 16.4 million individuals enrolled in the ACA marketplace during the 2023 open enrollment period, surpassing last year’s record of 14.5 million people. President Joe Biden called on Congress to make permanent the American Rescue Plan Act’s enhanced ACA premium subsidies, which save Americans on average more than $800 annually. The subsidies were extended through 2025 by the Inflation Reduction Act.

 

WH COVID-19 Response Team to Exit in May

The White House plans to disband its COVID-19 response team when the current COVID-19 emergency declarations expire on May 11. The Washington Post reported last week that national coordinator Ashish Jha is expected to leave the Biden administration amidst the wind down. The team under President Joe Biden is currently comprised of approximately three dozen individuals.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

 

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies “Budget Hearing – Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the Department of Health and Human Services;” 10:00 a.m.; March 28

 

House Appropriations Department of Homeland Security Subcommittee “Budget Hearing – Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency;” 10:00 a.m.; March 28

 

House Ways and Means Committee “Hearing on President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request with Health and Human Services Secretary Becerra;” 2:00 p.m.; March 28

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing “Lowering Unaffordable Costs: Examining Transparency and Competition in Health Care;” 1:00 p.m.; March 28

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing to discuss President Biden’s FY24 Budget Request; 10:00 a.m.; March 29

 

House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs hearing “Challenges and Opportunities for Improving Healthcare Delivery in Tribal Communities;” 10:00 a.m.; March 29

 

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies “Oversight Hearing – Addressing the Challenges of Rural America;” 10:00 a.m.; March 29

 

Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs markup of 28 bills; 10:30 a.m.; March 29

 

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies “Budget Hearing – Fiscal Year 2024 Request for the Food and Drug Administration;” 1:00 p.m.; March 29

 

House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health legislative hearing; 1:30 p.m.; March 29 Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care hearing “An Oral Health Crisis: Identifying and Addressing Health Disparities;” 2:30 p.m.; March 29

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing “Reauthorization of the Animal Drug User Fee Program;” 9:00 a.m.; March 30

 

Senate Finance Committee hearing “Pharmacy Benefit Managers and the Prescription Drug Supply Chain: Impact on Patients and Taxpayers;” 10:00 a.m.; March 30

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

 

H.R.1666 – To amend title XVIII to protect patient access to ground ambulance services under part B of the Medicare program; Sponsor: Wenstrup, Brad R. [Rep.-R-OH-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.1638 -To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve access to mental health services under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Lee, Barbara [Rep.-D-CA-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.1637 -To recommend that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation test the effect of a dementia care management model, and for other purposes; Sponsor: LaHood, Darin [Rep.-R-IL-16]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.1634 -To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to cover physician services delivered by podiatric physicians to ensure access by Medicaid beneficiaries to appropriate quality foot and ankle care, to amend title XVIII of such Act to modify the requirements for diabetic shoes to be included under Medicare, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Johnson, Bill [Rep.-R-OH-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.1621 -To authorize a national memorial to commemorate those whose lives were lost to COVID-19 and those who helped the country to recover, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Espaillat, Adriano [Rep.-D-NY-13]; Committees: House – Natural Resources

 

H.R.1620 -To promote affordable access to evidence-based opioid treatments under the Medicare program and require coverage of medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorders, opioid overdose reversal medications, and recovery support services by health plans without cost-sharing requirements; Sponsor: Dean, Madeleine [Rep.-D-PA-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.1619 -To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require schools to provide fluid milk substitutes upon request of a student or the parent or guardian of such student, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Carter, Troy [Rep.-D- LA-2]; Committees: House – Education and the Workforce

 

H.R.1618 -To establish the Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bilirakis, Gus M. [Rep.-R-FL-12]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1617 -To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to add physical therapists to the list of providers allowed to utilize locum tenens arrangements under Medicare; Sponsor: Bilirakis, Gus M. [Rep.-R-FL-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.1616 – To address research on, and improve access to, supportive services for individuals with Long COVID; Sponsor: Beyer, Donald S., Jr. [Rep.-D-VA-8]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1615 – To prohibit the use of Federal funds to ban gas stoves; Sponsor: Armstrong, Kelly [Rep.-R-ND-At Large]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1613 – To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to improve transparency and prevent the use of abusive spread pricing and related practices in the Medicaid program; Sponsor: Carter, Earl L. “Buddy” [Rep.-R-GA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.Res.116 – A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of “Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Grassley, Chuck [Sen.-R-IA]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.878 – A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to modify the offenses relating to fentanyl, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kennedy, John [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary. The press release and bill text can be found here.

 

S.880 – A bill to require MedPAC and MACPAC to biennially conduct a coordinated review and analysis of Medicare and Medicaid policy with respect to dually eligible beneficiaries, and to jointly submit recommendations for policy changes, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cassidy, Bill [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.892 – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage under the Medicare program for FDA- approved qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based tests, to increase participation in colorectal cancer screening in under-screened communities of color, to offset the COVID-19 pandemic driven declines in colorectal cancer screening, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Heinrich, Martin [Sen.-D-NM]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.894 – A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect and disseminate information on concussion and traumatic brain injury among public safety officers; Sponsor: Cornyn, John [Sen.-R-TX]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.895 – A bill to provide for further comprehensive research at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke on unruptured intracranial aneurysms; Sponsor: Blumenthal, Richard [Sen.-D-CT]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.899 – A bill to prohibit the Federal Government from mandating vaccination against COVID-19 for interstate travel; Sponsor: Lee, Mike [Sen.-R-UT]; Committees: Senate – Commerce, Science, and Transportation

 

S.904 – A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to establish a demonstration project to improve outpatient clinical care for individuals with sickle cell disease; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.R.1671 – To allow additional individuals to enroll in standalone dental plans offered through Federal Exchanges; Sponsor: Curtis, John R. [Rep.-R-UT-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1672 – To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to establish a demonstration project to improve outpatient clinical care for individuals with sickle cell disease; Sponsor: Davis, Danny K. [Rep.-D-IL-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1675 – To provide a set-aside of funds for the territories under the health profession opportunity grant program under section 2008 of the Social Security Act, to make the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands eligible for the grants, and for other purposes; Sponsor: González-Colón, Jenniffer [Resident Commissioner-R-PR-At Large]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.1689 – To authorize the Secretary of Education, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to award grants to eligible entities to support the mental and behavioral health of elementary and secondary school students, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Spanberger, Abigail Davis [Rep.-D-VA-7]; Committees: House – Education and the Workforce; Energy and Commerce

 

S.923 – A bill to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to reform and improve mental health and substance use care under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bennet, Michael F. [Sen.- D-CO]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.928 – A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prepare an annual report on suicide prevention, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Tester, Jon [Sen.-D-MT]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.929 – A bill to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the use of Federal foreign assistance funds for comprehensive reproductive health care services, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Foreign Relations

 

S.930 – A bill to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide public safety officer benefits for exposure-related cancers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Klobuchar, Amy [Sen.-D-MN]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.935 – A bill to require reporting regarding certain drug price increases, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Baldwin, Tammy [Sen.-D-WI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.940 – A bill to establish a demonstration program to provide payments on eligible loans for individuals who are eligible for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program; Sponsor: Blackburn, Marsha [Sen.-R-TN]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.948 – A bill to amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to improve maternal health coverage under Medicaid and CHIP, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Grassley, Chuck [Sen.-R-IA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.951 – A bill to establish the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Murphy, Christopher [Sen.-D-CT]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

H.R.1691 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure prompt coverage of breakthrough devices under the Medicare program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Wenstrup, Brad R. [Rep.-R-OH-2]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1692 – To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve affordability and reduce premium costs of health insurance for consumers; Sponsor: Underwood, Lauren [Rep.-D-IL-14]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.1694 – To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of services furnished by freestanding emergency centers; Sponsor: Arrington, Jodey C. [Rep.-R-TX-19]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.1699 – To establish the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Frost, Maxwell [Rep.-D- FL-10]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.1710 – To establish the Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy and strategic national manufacturing policy for the United States, to provide manufacturing and industrial perspective and advice to the President, to provide for a comprehensive survey and cross administration management of efforts to ensure global leadership in manufacturing critical to the long-term economic health and national security of the United States, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kaptur, Marcy [Rep.-D-OH-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Science, Space, and Technology; Financial Services

 

H.R.1711 – To establish a demonstration program to provide payments on eligible loans for individuals who are eligible for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program; Sponsor: Kustoff, David [Rep.-R-TN-8]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1712 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a rural health center innovation awards program and a rural health department enhancement program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kustoff, David [Rep.-R-TN-8]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation Contd.

H.R.1717 – To amend title 35, United States Code, to establish an interagency task force between the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the Food and Drug Administration for purposes of sharing information and providing technical assistance with respect to patents, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Neguse, Joe [Rep.-D-CO-2]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.1723 – To amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the use of funds for comprehensive reproductive health care services, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schakowsky, Janice D. [Rep.-D-IL-9]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs

 

S.Res.123 – A resolution recognizing the week of March 19 through March 25, 2023, as “National Poison Prevention Week” and encouraging communities across the United States to raise awareness of the dangers of poisoning and promote poison prevention; Sponsor: Brown, Sherrod [Sen.-D-OH]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.953 – A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a rural health center innovation awards program and a rural health department enhancement program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Blackburn, Marsha [Sen.-R-TN]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.954 – A bill to provide for appropriate cost-sharing for insulin products covered under private health plans, and to establish a program to support health care providers and pharmacies in providing discounted insulin products to uninsured individuals; Sponsor: Warnock, Raphael G. [Sen.-D-GA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.960 – A bill to replace the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases with 3 separate national research institutes; Sponsor: Paul, Rand [Sen.-R-KY]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.964 – A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to improve maternal health and promote safe motherhood; Sponsor: Kaine, Tim [Sen.-D-VA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.971 – A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to remove the Medicaid coverage exclusion for inmates in custody pending disposition of charges, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cassidy, Bill [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.R.1737 – To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Grant Program through which the Secretary may make grants to qualified applicants, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kim, Andy [Rep.-D-NJ-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1745 – To amend titles XI and XVIII of the Social Security Act to strengthen health care waste, fraud, and abuse provisions; Sponsor: Doggett, Lloyd [Rep.-D-TX-37]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.1746 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish requirements for the provision of certain high- cost durable medical equipment and laboratory testing, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Doggett, Lloyd [Rep.-D-TX-37]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.1754 – To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to provide for the disclosure and analysis of certain health-related ownership information; Sponsor: Jayapal, Pramila [Rep.-D-WA-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.1758 – To amend the Controlled Substances Act to list fentanyl-related substances as schedule I controlled substances; Sponsor: Luetkemeyer, Blaine [Rep.-R-MO-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.1768 – To replace the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases with 3 separate national research institutes; Sponsor: Roy, Chip [Rep.-R-TX-21]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1769 – To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to create health freedom accounts available to all individuals; Sponsor: Roy, Chip [Rep.-R-TX-21]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.1770 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide pharmacy payment of certain services; Sponsor: Smith, Adrian [Rep.-R-NE-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.1773 – To amend the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to provide a timetable for the collection of medical debt by debt collectors, to amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit consumer reporting agencies from issuing consumer reports containing information about debts related to medically necessary procedures, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Tlaib, Rashida [Rep.-D-MI-12]; Committees: House – Financial Services

Bipartisan leadership of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee is requesting input from public health officials, health care providers, and other stakeholders on policies the panel should consider as it works to reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA). The law, which was originally passed in 2006, must be reauthorized every five years. Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), and Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) specifically ask for feedback on the effectiveness of existing programs, how to improve the ability of states and localities to respond to public health crises, any gaps in activities or authorities in the PAHPA framework, and ways to strengthen partnerships between the federal government, states and localities, the private sector, and non-government stakeholders. Authorization for most PAHPA programs expires at the end of the fiscal year on September 30. Comments should be submitted to [email protected] no later than March 29, 2023.

 

HELP to Hold Series of Round-Table Discussions

Senate HELP Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-La.) informed committee members last week about their plans to hold the following series of closed, informal round-table discussions:

• March 23, on the need to improve apprenticeship programs • March 28, on patient access to complimentary medicine
• April 18, on the need to support the aging population
• April 20, on surprise medical billing patient protections
• April 26, on transparency in the cost of health care services

According to Sanders and Cassidy, the purpose of these meetings will be to expedite the HELP Committee’s work and to “see what kind of bipartisan consensus we might be able to achieve.”

 

CBO Scales Back Prior Health Care Cost Projections

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is predicting lower-than-previously-expected government health care costs for at least the next decade. In a response to an inquiry from the office of Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) last week, the government budget agency says that it overestimated projections for federal health care spending between 2010 and 2020. Mandatory outlays for these budget categories, which includes Medicare and Medicaid, were 9% less than predicted in 2010 – amounting to a total of $1.1 trillion less in money spent per beneficiary. CBO attributes this decline to lower than anticipated Medicare prescription drug costs and costs for Medicaid enrollees with disabilities and chronic conditions. While growth in Medicare spending per beneficiary increased at an average annual rate of 6.6% from 1987 to 2005, the growth slowed to 2.2% per year as of 2019.

 

JAMA Publishes Study on Provider Directories

Anew study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association last week reveals that more than 80% of physicians have inconsistent or incorrect entries listed in health insurance provider directories. The study covered all physicians in the publicly available directories of the five major national health insurers – UnitedHealth, Elevance, Cigna, Aetna, and Humana. Among those physicians listed in more than one directory, only 19.4% had consistent address and specialty information across all directories in which they were found. Approximately 28% had consistent practice location addresses and 68% had consistent specialty information. Consistency of information decreased as physician data was drawn from an increasing number of insurers. The information of physicians with only one practice location fared best – 85% saw consistent practice location addresses and 69% saw consistent specialty information across directories.

 

More Companies Announce Price Caps on Insulin Products

The three major insulin manufacturers in the U.S. – Sanofi, Eli Lilly, and Novo Nordisk – have all announced plans in recent weeks to significantly reduce the prices of their insulin products and cap patients’ monthly costs at $35. Together, the companies represent 90% of the nation’s insulin market. President Joe Biden praised the decisions but continued to urge Congress to pass legislation to ensure that all individuals can access insulin for no more than $35 per month.

 

Chairman Tester Calls on VA, Oracle Cerner to Fix Challenges with EHR System

During an oversight hearing last week, Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.) urged the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Oracle Cerner to resolve the challenges facing the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program before expanding it to other hospitals and clinics. Oracle Cerner’s EHRM program has faced scrutiny for glitches that led to poor health outcomes and some deaths. At the same hearing, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported on issues with the VA’s EHRM program and made ten recommendations for the agency to address its concerns. To enhance transparency, Tester and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) championed the recently enacted VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act of 2021, which requires the VA to submit periodic reports to Congress on costs, performance metrics, and outcomes related to the EHRM. The EHRM program aims to replace the complex IT program that was in place at the department for 30 years to better integrate with the Department of Defense, Coast Guard, and other care providers. Currently, the program is only in use in five hospitals, 22 clinics, and 52 remote sites. House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.) and House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) introduced the VA Electronic Health Record Modernization Improvement Act (H.R. 592), which would halt deployment of Oracle Cerner’s EHRM system until improvements are made to prevent harm to beneficiaries. The current contract between VA and Oracle Cerner expires in mid-May.

 

VHA to Cover Leqembi to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) announced last week that it will now cover LeqembiTM, a new monoclonal antibody treatment for veterans with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Developed by Eisai in partnership with Biogen, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the treatment under the accelerated approval pathway in January. However, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) only allows narrow coverage of the treatment, limiting it to Medicare beneficiaries in clinical trials. The Alzheimer’s Association requested that CMS reconsider its coverage policy, but the agency reiterated its position in a statement. Nevertheless, Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) welcomed VHA’s announcement and called on CMS to reconsider its coverage policy. The FDA is expected to make a decision on full traditional approval of the drug in July.

 

Durbin Urges Increased Federal Coordination on Unauthorized Vapes

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is asking the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Department of Justice to better coordinate their work to prevent unauthorized vaping products from entering the market. “Every single day in America, children pick up vaping with unauthorized products that are on store shelves only because FDA has seemingly granted these illegal e-cigarettes a free pass,” his letter states. “I write to express my concern that the Biden administration has not taken more aggressive enforcement action to stop thousands of illegal e-cigarettes from flooding the market and addicting children.” He requests a response by April 7, 2023, to provide an update on interagency effort progression.

 

Hassan, Paul Introduce Bill to Speed Generic Approvals

Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) reintroduced the Increasing Transparency in Generic Drug Applications Act (S. 775) last week. The bill aims to lower the price of prescription drugs by streamlining the generic drug approval process to bring lower-cost competition to market faster. It would require the Food and Drug Administration to inform generic drug applicants, upon request or during review, whether the drug is qualitatively and quantitatively the same as the listed brand-name drug (and if not, the reasons why). The agency is currently unable to disclose the specific differences in inactive ingredients between a generic application and the reference product.

 

POLICY BRIEFINGS

 

McConnell Discharged from Hospital, Begins Physical Therapy

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has been discharged from the hospital after being treated for a concussion. The Senate Minority Leader fell following a fundraising event at a D.C.-area hotel and suffered a fractured rib in addition to the concussion. He has started in-patient physical therapy at a rehabilitation facility. McConnell’s office did not state when he plans to return to the Senate.

The Senate has been significantly impacted by absences in recent months. In addition to McConnell, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) remains in treatment for depression, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is expected to remain absent this week following her diagnosis with shingles in February. The last time all 100 members of the chamber attended a vote was August 7, 2022 for passage of the Inflation Reduction Act along party-lines.

 

MedPAC, MACPAC March Reports to Congress

The congressional advisory panels charged with advising lawmakers on issues affecting the Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP programs released their annual March reports to Congress last week. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s (MedPAC) report evaluates payment adequacy and makes recommendations concerning Medicare fee- for-service (FFS) payment policy in 2024 for seven FFS payment systems: acute care hospital, physician and other health professional, outpatient dialysis facility, skilled nursing facility, home health agency, inpatient rehabilitation facility, and hospice services. The report also includes a chapter on the current context of Medicare program payment policy and status reports on ambulatory surgical centers, the Medicare Advantage program, and on Medicare Part D. Notably, the MedPAC report recommends that Congress update the Medicare base payment rate for physician and other health professional services by 50% of the projected increase in the Medicare Economic Index. The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) report includes four chapters on the following topics: (1) Medicaid race and ethnicity data collection and reporting, (2) principles for assessing Medicaid nursing facility payment programs, (3) strengthening evidence under Medicaid drug coverage, and (4) the statutorily required review of hospital payment policy for the nation’s safety-net hospitals.

 

First of ARPA-H Hubs to be Located in D.C. Region

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) announced last week that the Washington, D.C. region will serve as one of its three headquarters across the country. A site solicitation has been opened to help choose the remaining two hubs for the new biomedical innovation agency, which will be announced by fall. ARPA-H leadership intends to fill each office with 85-100 staff personnel. The agency’s authorizing legislation specified that it cannot be situated on the campus of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, but placed no further restrictions on location. ARPA-H’s first two program managers, Paul Sheehan and Ross Uhrich, were also announced last week. Sheehan currently serves as a program manager in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Biological Technologies Office, and Uhrich is an assistant professor of surgery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

 

CDC Releases Latest Maternal Mortality Data

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new data last week showing a 40% increase in the number of maternal deaths across the U.S. in 2021. The total rate of pregnancy-related deaths reached 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, but this rate was 2.6 times higher for Black individuals – reaching 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births – and 1.4 times higher for Hispanic people – reaching 26.6 deaths per 100,000 live births. The data from the National Center for Health Statistics reflects death certificate information for individuals who died during and up to 42 days after pregnancy. According to the report’s author, an initial review indicates that COVID-19 likely contributed to the increase in maternal mortality. The U.S. ranks far below most other wealthy nations in rates of pregnancy-related deaths.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing “Taxpayers Paid Billions for It: So Why Would Moderna Consider Quadrupling the Price of the COVID Vaccine?” 10:00 a.m.; March 22

 

Senate Finance Committee hearing “The President’s Fiscal Year 2024 Health and Human Services Budget;” 10:00 a.m.; March 22

 

Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee hearing “Drug Shortage Health and National Security Risks: Underlying Causes and Needed Reforms;” 10:00 a.m.; March 22

 

Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee markup including S. 90, Informing Consumers About Smart Devices Act, and S. 127, Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act; 10:00 a.m.; March 22

 

Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing “A Review of the President’s FY 2024 Funding Request and Budget Justification for the Department of Health and Human Services;” 2:30 p.m.; March 22

 

House Appropriations Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee member day hearing; 10:00 a.m.; March 23

 

House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection hearing “CISA 25: The State of American Cybersecurity from a Stakeholder Perspective;” 10:00 a.m.; March 23

 

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies public witness hearing; March 23

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing “Lowering Unaffordable Costs: Examining Transparency and Competition in Health Care;” 1:00 p.m.; March 28

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing to discuss President Biden’s FY24 Budget Request; 10:00 a.m.; March 29

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

 

H.R.1570 – To enhance mental health and psychosocial support within United States development and humanitarian assistance programs; Sponsor: Wild, Susan [Rep.-D-PA-7]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs

 

H.R.1565 -To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove the 96-hour physician certification requirement for inpatient critical access hospital services; Sponsor: Smith, Adrian [Rep.-R-NE-3]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.1557 – To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit a report on the interoperability of medical devices; Sponsor: Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [Rep.-R-IA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1551 – To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to implement a minimum work requirement for able-bodied adults enrolled in State Medicaid programs; Sponsor: LaTurner, Jake [Rep.-R-KS-2]; House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1549 – To amend the Controlled Substances Act to prohibit the knowing possession of a pill press mold with intent to manufacture in violation of such Act a counterfeit substance in schedule I or II in a capsule, tablet, and other form intended for distribution, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kustoff, David [Rep.-R-TN-8]; Committees: House – Judiciary; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1546 – To prohibit the use of funds to implement any obligations of the United States under the World Health Organization’s Global Pandemic Treaty; Sponsor: Jackson, Ronny [Rep.-R-TX-13]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs

 

H.R.1539 – To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require schools to provide fluid milk substitutes upon request of a student or the parent or guardian of such student, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Carter, Troy [Rep.-D-LA-2]; Committees: House – Education and the Workforce

 

H.Res.224 -Raising awareness of the racial disparities in the impact of colorectal cancer on the Black community; Sponsor: Watson Coleman, Bonnie [Rep.-D-NJ-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.775 – A bill to provide for increased transparency in generic drug applications; Sponsor: Hassan, Margaret Wood [Sen.- D-NH]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.786 – A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to treat certain amounts paid for physical activity, fitness, and exercise as amounts paid for medical care; Sponsor: Thune, John [Sen.-R-SD]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.793 – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to add physical therapists to the list of providers allowed to utilize locum tenens arrangements under Medicare; Sponsor: Lujan, Ben Ray [Sen.-D-NM]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.799 – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for all physicians’ services furnished by doctors of chiropractic within the scope of their license, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Blumenthal, Richard [Sen.-D-CT]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.Res.232 – Recognizing the importance of sleep health and expressing support for the designation of the week of March 12 through March 18, 2023, as “Sleep Awareness Week”; Sponsor: Raskin, Jamie [Rep.-D-MD-8]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1575 – To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to pregnancy-help organizations; Sponsor: Fulcher, Russ [Rep.-R-ID-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1580 – To amend the Controlled Substances Act with respect to the scheduling of fentanyl-related substances, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Johnson, Mike [Rep.-R-LA-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.1582 – To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to treat certain amounts paid for physical activity, fitness, and exercise as amounts paid for medical care; Sponsor: Kelly, Mike [Rep.-R-PA-16]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.1587 – To provide for appropriate cost-sharing for individuals 26 years of age or younger for insulin products covered under private health plans and Medicaid; Sponsor: Landsman, Greg [Rep.-D-OH-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Education and the Workforce

 

H.R.1597 – To amend the Controlled Substances Act with respect to a penalty for illicit fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances; Sponsor: Newhouse, Dan [Rep.-R-WA-4]; Committees: House – Judiciary; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1610 -To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for all physicians’ services furnished by doctors of chiropractic within the scope of their license, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Steube, W. Gregory [Rep.-R-FL-17]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

S.801 – A bill to address research on, and improve access to, supportive services for individuals with Long COVID; Sponsor: Kaine, Tim [Sen.-D-VA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.803 – A bill to amend the title XVIII of the Social Security Act to preserve access to rural health care by ensuring fairness in Medicare hospital payments; Sponsor: Warner, Mark R. [Sen.-D-VA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.818 – A bill to promote affordable access to evidence-based opioid treatments under the Medicare program and require coverage of medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorders, opioid overdose reversal medications, and recovery support services by health plans without cost-sharing requirements; Sponsor: Casey, Robert P., Jr. [Sen.-D-PA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.838 – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve access to mental health services under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Stabenow, Debbie [Sen.-D-MI]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.842 – A bill to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of dental and oral health services, vision services, and hearing services under the Medicare and Medicaid programs; Sponsor: Casey, Robert P., Jr. [Sen.-D-PA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.845 – A bill to allow for expedited approval of generic prescription drugs and temporary importation of prescription drugs in the case of marginally competitive drug markets and drug shortages; Sponsor: Klobuchar, Amy [Sen.-D-MN]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.853 – A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the Zero Suicide Initiative pilot program of the Department of Veterans Affairs; Sponsor: Rosen, Jacky [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.862 – A bill to address health workforce shortages through additional funding for the National Health Service Corps, and to establish a National Health Service Corps Emergency Service demonstration project; Sponsor: Durbin, Richard J. [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

The White House released the President’s fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget proposal last week. While the plan does not have any chance of being adopted by Congress, it represents the administration’s policy priorities and provides a starting point for Democratic appropriators as negotiations get underway on FY24 spending bills in the divided congress. The $6.9 trillion budget request, which seeks a 3.3% increase in defense spending and a 6.5% increase for nondefense discretionary programs, would increase taxes by $5.5 trillion and reduce the deficit by more than $2 trillion over the next 10 years. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would see an 11.5% increase to its overall budget. This includes $144.3 billion in discretionary and $1.7 trillion in mandatory proposed budget authority. The HHS Budget in Brief can be found here.

A main component of the budget focuses on Medicare solvency. The President proposes to increase the Medicare tax rate from 3.8% to 5% on earned and unearned income above $400,000, as well as to eliminate a tax loophole that allowed certain business owners to avoid paying Medicare taxes on some of their income. The President proposes to dedicate proceeds from the net investment income tax to Medicare’s Hospital Insurance (Part A) Trust Fund. The budget would also strengthen the Medicare program’s drug pricing negotiation authority as established by the Inflation Reduction Act by doubling the number of drugs subject to Medicare negotiation – to 20 Part D drugs in 2026, and 40-Part B and Part D drugs each subsequent year. The budget would also decrease the number of years treatments are excluded from negotiation to five years. The White house estimates that these provisions would save $200 billion over the next decade to extend the solvency of the Medicare program.

 

Casey, Tillis Circulate Dear Colleague on NIH Funding

Sens. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) are circulating their annual Dear Colleague letter in support of robust funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The letter to Senate appropriations leadership urges them “to consider the tremendous benefits of sustained investment in the NIH and…remember our Nation’s role as a world leader in biomedical research and the impact this research has on the American people.” Casey and Tillis also ask appropriators to include the full allocation of funding for the NIH as provided by the 21st Century Cures Act. Members have until April 7th to sign on to the letter.

 

Bill to Declassify COVID-19 Origin Information Sent to President

The House of Representatives voted 419-0 to require Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines to declassify information about the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. Passage of the COVID-19 Origin Act (S. 619) follows a recent report from the Department of Energy which concluded with ‘low confidence’ that COVID-19 most likely originated from a lab leak in China. Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Christopher Wray has separately acknowledged the FBI’s determination that the pandemic had most likely come from a laboratory incident in Wuhan. The bill, which was previously passed by the Senate on March 1, will now be sent to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.

 

Senate Confirms Head of Administration for Native Americans

The Senate confirmed Patrice H. Kunesh to serve as commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by a vote of 57-35. Kunesh, of Standing Rock Lakota descent, is an attorney and policy advocate. During her career she has worked as a public servant at the tribal, state, and federal levels.

 

H.R.1, the Lower Energy Costs Act

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) announced last week that H.R. 1 for the 118th Congress will be the Lower Energy Costs Act. The bill aims to increase the production and export of American energy and reduce regulatory burdens. It includes legislation originating from the Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees. Per House rules, the first ten numbers for bills are reserved for the Speaker to assign and the second ten numbers for the Minority Leader. Legislation numbered H.R. 1 to H.R. 20 typically signifies priority issues for the majority and minority parties.

 

E&C Health Subcommittee Advances Five Bills

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health advanced five pieces of health-related legislation last week.

The Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act (H.R. 485) would prohibit the use of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in federal and state programs. Key lawmakers have stated that they are close to reaching a bipartisan agreement on the bill, which was introduced by Committee Chair Cathey McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.). Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) has expressed concerns that the legislation could prevent the measurement of pharmaceutical cost-effectiveness in Medicare drug price negotiations, while proponents of the bill believe QALYs devalue the lives of people with disabilities. Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) said during the markup that an agreement on the bill is “extremely close,” and Pallone said he is seeking input from Armed Services and Veterans Affairs policymakers on the potential impact of the measure on programs within their jurisdiction.
The Block, Report, and Suspend Suspicious Shipments Act (H.R. 501) would require drug manufacturers and distributors to report and block suspicious orders of controlled substances.
The 9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act (H.R. 498) would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) to undertake efforts to protect the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline from cybersecurity threats.
The HALT Fentanyl Act (H.R. 467) would permanently place fentanyl-related substances into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
The Securing the Border for Public Health Act (H.R. 801) would allow the HHS secretary to suspend persons and imports related to certain controlled substances from certain countries into the U.S.

 

Hassan, Braun Weigh in on Health Price Transparency Implementation

Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) are asking the White House to close certain loopholes they argue are being used by the health insurance industry to prevent health care price transparency. Both Hassan and Braun are members of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. The lawmakers call on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to revise the process for filing price data as required by the 2020 Transparency in Coverage Final Rule. “Americans should not struggle with opaque pricing for health care, and we respectfully ask CMS to update its rule to ensure that there is true health plan transparency and compliance,” the letter states. They suggest the agency limit file sizes, create standardized reporting, reduce the frequency of reporting, and require a clear organizational system and standardized labeling of reported health care price data. Hassan and Braun also ask CMS to increase enforcement against plans that provide low-quality data or no data at all.

 

POLICY BRIEFINGS

 

Coronavirus Panel Requests Details on Political Interference in Vaccine Approvals

Republicans on the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic are requesting information from the Biden administration related to the Food and Drug Administration’s COVID-19 vaccine approval process. The lawmakers assert that the agency “may have bypassed, wrongly compressed, and possibly compromised the longstanding process for awarding a full biologics approval to a vaccine.” The letter asserts that this effort “may not have been to save lives, but concernedly to provide cover for implementing and enforcing vaccine mandates across the country.”

 

Reps. Kim, Kelly to Lead Maternity Care Caucus

Reps. Young Kim (R-Calif.) and Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) will serve as co-chairs of the bipartisan Maternity Care Caucus for the 118th Congress. Kim and Kelly replace outgoing co-chairs Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.) and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.). The new co-chairs have highlighted their goal of exploring the biggest challenges to America’s maternity care system and the most promising solutions to expand safe and effective care for mothers and babies. These include increasing access to and expanding training for the material health care workforce, improving maternal mental health, addressing disparities in maternal mortality rates, expanding access to telehealth, and increasing clinical trial participation among pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Rep. McClain Joins Mental Health Task Force Leadership

Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) will serve as the fourth co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force for the 118th Congress. The 130-member caucus aims to combat the mental health and substance use disorder epidemics in American communities. McClain joins current co-chairs David Trone (D-Md.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), and Ann Kuster (D-N.H.).

Democratic Health Leaders Praise Proposed Rollback of Conscience Regulations

On March 7, House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), House Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-Va.), and House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-Mass.) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of the Health and Human Services (HHS) in support of the Office for Civil Rights’ notice of proposed rulemaking, “Safeguarding the Rights of Conscience as Protected by Federal Statues.” The proposed rule seeks to partially rescind a 2019 rule promulgated during the Trump administration that allowed medical professionals the ability to deny care based on religious or conscience objections. The 2019 rule was blocked by federal courts in response to several lawsuits. The letter expresses the members’ support for HHS’ partial recission of the rule “because it aims to restore the balance between enforcing conscience laws and ensuring that individuals have unimpeded access to comprehensive health care services. Having access to health care services is critical, especially for certain communities such as racial and ethnic minorities, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals who have historically faced barriers to access in our health care system, and often continue to face discrimination in access to care today.”

 

Democrats Criticize Walgreens’ Plan for Mifepristone Dispensing

Agroup of 12 Democratic Senators have sent a letter to Walgreens CEO Rosalind Brewer criticizing the company’s stated plans for its Mifepristone dispensing policies. While Walgreens is seeking pharmacy certification to dispense the medical pregnancy termination drug through the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) risk evaluation and mitigation strategy program, it has also informed 20 Republican state attorneys general that it will avoid dispensing the product in certain states – mostly those where abortion is banned or heavily restricted – that have threatened legal action. “We urge Walgreens demonstrate its commitment to putting patients first by prioritizing obtaining FDA specialty certification to dispense Mifepristone and publicly clarifying that any hypothetical dispensing decisions remain undecided and premature at best, while the company seeks pharmacy certification,” the letter states.

 

McConnell Hospitalized with Concussion Following Fall

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was hospitalized last week after a fall at a Washington, D.C. area hotel. The Minority Leader suffered a concussion and is being treated at a D.C.-area hospital. McConnell is expected to remain in the hospital for a few days of observation and treatment.

 

Representative Jennifer McClellan sworn into the House of Representatives

On March 7, Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.) was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Virginia’s fourth district. Rep. McClellan was elected in a special election on February 21st to succeed the late-Rep. Donald McEachin (D-Va.)-who passed away of complications of colorectal cancer three weeks after being re-elected to the seat in November. McClellan makes history as the first Black woman to represent the state of Virginia in Congress. With Representative McClellan, the number of women serving in Congress reached a record high at 150. In addition, the House is now operating at full membership, a first since 2019, with 435 seats occupied in the 118th Congress. This slightly shifts the balance of power in the chamber-narrowing Republican’s majority to 222 to 213.

 

HHS OIG Issues Reminder on Expiration of PHE

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a notice last week reminding the health care community that OIG flexibilities issued during the time period covered by the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) declaration will expire on May 11. These flexibilities – covered by two policy statements and a series of frequently asked questions – were designed to minimize burdens for the health care industry as it faced the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. More information on what each flexibility did can be found here.

 

ASPR Releases Cybersecurity Guide for Health Care Sector

The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) released the Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guide last week to support the health care sector in preventing cybersecurity incidents. The document, which was jointly developed by ASRP and the Health Sector Coordinating Council Cybersecurity Working Group, outlines steps organizations can immediately take to manage cyber risks to their information technology systems. It aims to assist health care organizations in implementing the National Institute for Standards and Technology’s Cybersecurity Framework, including by guiding risk management principles and best practices; providing common language to address and manage cybersecurity risk; outlining a structure for organizations to understand and apply cybersecurity risk management; and identifying effective standards, guidelines, and practices to manage cybersecurity risk cost-effectiveness based on business needs.

 

HHS Update on Pandemic Accord

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has provided an update on work among the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body of the World Health Organization on a pandemic accord. According to HHS, the U.S. sought to “promote an accord that would build capacity, reduce the threat posed by zoonotic disease, enable rapid and more equitable responses, and establish sustainable financing, governance, and accountability to break the cycle of pandemic panic and neglect” at the fourth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body last week. Its next meeting will take place in a month. The group aims to conclude its work on a pandemic accord in May 2024.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

 

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing “Examining the Future Path of VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization Program;” 3:30 p.m.; March 15

 

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee meeting to receive a closed briefing on the assessment of the origins of COVID-19; 9:30 a.m.; March 16

 

Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee hearing “In Need of a Checkup: Examining the Cybersecurity Risks to the Healthcare Sector;” 10:00 a.m.; March 16

 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing “Taxpayers Paid Billions for It: So Why Would Moderna Consider Quadrupling the Price of the COVID Vaccine?” 10:00 a.m.; March 22

 

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies public witness hearing; March 23

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing “Lowering Unaffordable Costs: Examining Transparency and Competition in Health Care;” 1:00 p.m.; March 28

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

 

H.R.1376 – To require the Director of National Intelligence to declassify information relating to the origin of COVID-19, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Turner, Michael R. [Rep.-R-OH-10]; Committees: House – Intelligence; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1375 – To allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to deny approval of a new drug application for an opioid analgesic drug on the basis of such drug not being clinically superior to other commercially available drugs; Sponsor: Trone, David J. [Rep.-D-MD-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1374 – To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit the imposition of COVID-19 vaccine mandates by institutions of higher education, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Tenney, Claudia [Rep.-R-NY-24]; Committees: House – Education and the Workforce

 

H.R.1373 – To prohibit any head of a Federal agency from providing assistance to the Wuhan Institute of Virology and other laboratories in certain other foreign nations; Sponsor: Stewart, Chris [Rep.-R-UT-2]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs

 

H.R.1361 – To authorize the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to make grants to States, units of local government, and gun dealers to conduct gun buyback programs, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Payne, Donald M., Jr. [Rep.-D-NJ-10]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.1360 – To establish a cybersecurity literacy campaign, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Obernolte, Jay [Rep.-R- CA-23]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1359 – To expand the take-home prescribing of methadone through pharmacies; Sponsor: Norcross, Donald [Rep.- D-NJ-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.1352 – To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration project to increase access to biosimilar biological products under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Hudson, Richard [Rep.-R-NC-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.1350 – To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to restore the amount of the orphan drug tax credit, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Gottheimer, Josh [Rep.-D-NJ-5]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1346 – To require the Director of National Intelligence to declassify information relating to the origin of COVID-19, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Gallagher, Mike [Rep.-R-WI-8]; Committees: House – Intelligence (Permanent Select); Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1345 – To amend the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to establish the Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Curtis, John R. [Rep.-R-UT-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1342 – To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to improve coverage of dental and oral health services for adults under Medicaid, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Barragan, Nanette Diaz [Rep.-D-CA-44]; House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.196 – Memorializing those impacted by and lost to the COVID-19 pandemic; Sponsor: Stanton, Greg [Rep.-D- AZ-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.Res.94 – A resolution memorializing those lost to the COVID-19 pandemic; Sponsor: Warren, Elizabeth [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation Contd.

 

S.655 – A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit high deductible health plans to provide chronic disease prevention services to plan enrollees prior to satisfying their plan deductible; Sponsor: Thune, John [Sen.-R-SD]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.663 – A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the waiting periods for disability insurance benefits and Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Murphy, Christopher [Sen.-D-CT]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.665 – A bill to provide incentives to physicians to practice in rural and medically underserved communities, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Klobuchar, Amy [Sen.-D-MN]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.Res.95 – A resolution honoring the life of Dr. Paul Farmer by recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to adopt a 21st century global health solidarity strategy and take actions to address past and ongoing harms that undermine the health and well-being of people around the world; Sponsor: Brown, Sherrod [Sen.-D-OH]; Committees: Senate – Foreign Relations

 

S.669 – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand access to psychological and behavioral services; Sponsor: Brown, Sherrod [Sen.-D-OH]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.689 – A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to define currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

H.Res.204 – Honoring the life of Dr. Paul Farmer by recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to adopt a 21st- century global health solidarity strategy and take actions to address past and ongoing harms that undermine the health and well-being of people around the world; Sponsor: Schakowsky, Janice D. [Rep.-D-IL-9]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs; Judiciary

 

H.R.1385 – To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to improve health care coverage under vision and dental plans, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Carter, Earl L. “Buddy” [Rep.-R-GA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1393 – To amend the Controlled Substances Act to define currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Dean, Madeleine [Rep.-D-PA-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.1399 – To amend chapter 110 of title 18, United States Code, to prohibit gender affirming care on minors, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Greene, Marjorie Taylor [Rep.-R-GA-14]; Committees: House – Judiciary; Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce; Education and the Workforce

 

H.R.1402 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide coverage for boxing-based exercise classes for veterans diagnosed with certain movement disorders, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Higgins, Brian [Rep.-D-NY-26]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.1406 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permanently extend certain in-home cardiopulmonary rehabilitation flexibilities established in response to COVID-19, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Joyce, John [Rep.-R- PA-13]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.1422 – To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to improve oral health care and dental benefits under the Medicaid program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Simpson, Michael K. [Rep.-R-ID-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1423 – To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, to award grants to States, territories, political subdivisions of States and territories, Tribal governments, and consortia of Tribal governments to establish an unarmed mobile crisis response program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Smith, Adam [Rep.-D-WA-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1425 – To require any convention, agreement, or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response reached by the World Health Assembly to be subject to Senate ratification; Sponsor: Tiffany, Thomas P. [Rep.-R-WI-7]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs

 

S.701 – A bill to protect a person’s ability to determine whether to continue or end a pregnancy, and to protect a health care provider’s ability to provide abortion services; Sponsor: Baldwin, Tammy [Sen.-D-WI]; Latest Action: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time

 

S.703 – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to make improvements to the redistribution of residency slots under the Medicare program after a hospital closes; Sponsor: Rosen, Jacky [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.704 – A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for interest-free deferment on student loans for borrowers serving in a medical or dental internship or residency program; Sponsor: Rosen, Jacky [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.705 – A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize a loan repayment program to encourage specialty medicine physicians to serve in rural communities experiencing a shortage of specialty medicine physicians, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rosen, Jacky [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.708 – A bill to improve outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries with major depressive disorder or other mental health conditions; Sponsor: Brown, Sherrod [Sen.-D-OH]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S. 712 – A bill to identify and address barriers to coverage of remote physiologic devices under State Medicaid programs to improve maternal and child health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women; Sponsor: Cassidy, Bill [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate — Finance

 

S.723 – A bill to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of prescription digital therapeutics under such titles, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Shaheen, Jeanne [Sen.-D-NH]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.Res.213 – Supporting the designation of March 2023 as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month; Sponsor: Payne, Donald M., Jr. [Rep.-D-NJ-10]; Committees: House – Oversight and Accountability

 

H.R.1458 – To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of prescription digital therapeutics under such titles, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hern, Kevin [Rep.-R-OK-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.1466 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit research with human fetal tissue obtained pursuant to an abortion, and for other purposes; Sponsor: McClain, Lisa C. [Rep.-R-MI-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1475 – To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and nationally disseminate accurate, relevant, and accessible resources to promote understanding about sensitivities regarding adoption in the health care industry, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Smucker, Lloyd [Rep.-R-PA-11]; Committees: House – Education and the Workforce

 

S.727 – A bill to limit the price charged by manufacturers for insulin; Sponsor: Sanders, Bernard [Sen.-I-VT]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.729 – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the waiver of certain telehealth requirements to permit reimbursement for audio-only telehealth services under the Medicare program during emergency declarations; Sponsor: Kennedy, John [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.730 – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act and the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act to provide for Medicare and Medicaid mental and behavioral health treatment through telehealth; Sponsor: Kennedy, John [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.731 – A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent the permissible first-dollar coverage of telehealth services for purposes of health savings accounts; Sponsor: Kennedy, John [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.750 – A bill to amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to prohibit health centers from providing abortions, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Braun, Mike [Sen.-R-IN]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.762 – A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require coverage of, and expand access to, home and community-based services under the Medicaid program, to award grants for the creation, recruitment, training and education, retention, and advancement of the direct care workforce and to award grants to support family caregivers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Casey, Robert P., Jr. [Sen.-D-PA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.765 – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide hereditary cancer genetic testing for individuals with a history of a hereditary cancer gene mutation in a blood relative or a personal or ancestral history suspicious for hereditary cancer, and to provide coverage of certain cancer screenings or preventive surgeries that would reduce the risk for individuals with a germline (inherited) mutation associated with a high risk of developing a preventable cancer; Sponsor: Murkowski, Lisa [Sen.-R-AK]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.767 – A bill to enhance mental health and psychosocial support within United States development and humanitarian assistance programs; Sponsor: Casey, Robert P., Jr. [Sen.-D-PA]; Committees: Senate – Foreign Relations

 

H.Res.214 – Supporting the goals and ideals of “Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Burgess, Michael C. [Rep.-R-TX-26]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.217 – Supporting the designation of March 2023 as Endometriosis Awareness Month; Sponsor: Scott, David [Rep.- D-GA-13]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1485 – To limit the price charged by manufacturers for insulin; Sponsor: Bush, Cori [Rep.-D-MO-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1488 – To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to establish requirements with respect to cost-sharing for certain insulin products, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Craig, Angie [Rep.-D-MN-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Education and the Workforce

 

H.R.1493 – To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require coverage of, and expand access to, home and community-based services under the Medicaid program; to award grants for the creation, recruitment, training and education, retention, and advancement of the direct care workforce and to award grants to support family caregivers; and for other purposes; Sponsor: Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and the Workforce; Oversight and Accountability

 

H.R.1502 – To amend title V of the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize comprehensive opioid recovery centers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Guthrie, Brett [Rep.-R-KY-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1503 – To provide for digital communication of prescribing information for drugs (including biological products), and for other purposes; Sponsor: Harshbarger, Diana [Rep.-R-TN-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1512 – To allow women to greater access to a wider range of self-administered contraceptives approved under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; Sponsor: Mace, Nancy [Rep.-R-SC-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1523 – To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to reduce Federal financial participation for certain States that require political subdivisions to contribute towards the non-Federal share of Medicaid; Sponsor: Tenney, Claudia [Rep.-R- NY-24]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1526 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide hereditary cancer genetic testing for individuals with a history of a hereditary cancer gene mutation in a blood relative or a personal or ancestral history suspicious for hereditary cancer, and to provide coverage of certain cancer screenings or preventive surgeries that would reduce the risk for individuals with a germline (inherited) mutation associated with a high risk of developing a preventable cancer; Sponsor: Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [Rep.-D-FL-25]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means’

The Senate voted unanimously last week to require Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines to declassify information about the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. Passage of the COVID-19 Origin Act (S. 619) follows a recent report from the Department of Energy which concluded with ‘low confidence’ that COVID-19 most likely originated from a lab leak in China. Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Christopher Wray separately acknowledged on Tuesday the FBI’s determination that the pandemic had most likely come from a laboratory incident in Wuhan.

 

HELP Leadership Seek Information on Health Care Workforce Shortages

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP) Chair Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-La.) have sent a letter to health care stakeholders requesting input on the drivers of current health care workforce shortages and possible legislative solutions to the problem. HELP Committee leadership have repeatedly stated their intent to prioritize health care worker shortages as an area of bipartisan compromise, with the panel holding its first hearing of the 118th Congress on the subject last month. The letter states their plan to use the information received to draft bipartisan legislation to strengthen workforce capacity. Sanders and Cassidy request responses be sent to HealthWorkforceComments @help.senate.gov no later than Monday, March 20.

 

Hudson, Eshoo Release RFI on PAHPA Reauthorization

House Energy and Commerce Committee members Reps. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) and Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) have released a request for information (RFI) on improving the nation’s biosecurity and preparedness infrastructure. The RFI comes as the lawmakers begin work to reauthorize the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA). Current authority for the program expires on September 30. “As I lead the process with my colleague, Rep. Eshoo, to improve our preparedness, I am seeking feedback and suggestions on how our country can be better prepared, further equipped, more transparent, and fully accountable when taking on future emergencies,” Rep. Hudson stated. Responses to the RFI are due by Monday, March 13.

 

Ways and Means Republicans Release Oversight Priorities

House Committee on Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) released his priorities for oversight hearings and related activities that the committee and its subcommittees plan to conduct over the course of the 118th Congress. Matters under the committee’s health care jurisdiction include oversight of the No Surprises Act implementation, oversight of the implementation of prescription drug provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act, adequacy and appropriateness of Medicare provider reimbursements, oversight of graduate medical education policies, and oversight of existing and proposed health care price transparency requirements. The plan also highlights concerns related to the delivery of health services and Medicare reimbursement.

 

Oversight Panel Launches Investigation into Role of PBMs

The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability has launched an investigation into the business practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their impact on patients, the nation’s pharmaceutical market, and overall health care costs. “Pharmacy benefit managers’ anticompetitive tactics are driving up health care costs for Americans and harming patient care,” Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) stated. “Federal agencies administering health care programs for seniors, active-duty military, and federal employees rely on PBMs as middlemen to set drug prices, which opens the door to government waste at the expense of American taxpayers.” Comer has requested information from the Office of Personnel Management, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Defense Health Agency on how government- administered health programs are affected by PBMs. He has also requested information from the nation’s three largest PBMs – Express Scripts, CVS Caremark, and OptumRx, about their business practices, including details on the total rebates and fees collected by the companies.

 

Bipartisan Bill Reintroduced to Encourage Prescription Drug Competition

On March 1, Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, reintroduced the Prescription Drug Competition Act (S. 574). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may require drug manufacturers to have a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program to ensure the benefits of a drug with potential safety concerns outweigh the risks. However, as reported in the New York Times, drug manufacturers may patent their respective REMS programs and then leverage those patents to prevent alternative medications from entering the market. To address this, S. 574 would allow FDA to approve a generic medication immediately (avoiding the current 30-month stay) if the only impediment in the approval process is the reference product’s REMS patent. The legislation also includes provisions that would allow the continued sale of a generic medication facing litigation over a REMS patent. The legislation has been referred to the Senate HELP Committee.

 

POLICY BRIEFINGS

 

Lawmakers React to Elli Lilly’s Insulin Pricing Announcement

Eli Lilly announced last week that it will reduce the list price of its insulin products and cap patients’ out-of-pocket costs at $35 a month. The move was praised by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) who characterized it as “a critical step forward” but “long overdue.” Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chair Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) subsequently sent letters to Sanofi and Novo Nordisk calling on the companies to lower the prices of their insulin products as well. He also previewed plans to introduce legislation to cap insulin costs at $20 per vial.

 

E&C Republicans Express Opposition to 2024 NBPP

Republican leadership of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce have sent a letter to the Biden administration expressing concerns with the 2024 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP), which proposes to limit the number of plans that an issuer may offer in the Affordable Care Act marketplace that do not meet certain specifications. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that the proposed regulation could result in the termination of 57% of plans on the federal platform – ultimately impacting 2.7 million Americans. “Despite once declaring that, ‘excessive market concentration threatens basic economic liberties,’ President Biden wants to drastically limit Americans’ choices in the health insurance market. In fact, under his latest rule, more than half of all Obamacare plans on the federal exchange would disappear,” the letter states. The lawmakers urge the administration to immediately abandon the proposal and advance policies that “discourage provider consolidation or improve transparency of health care prices to empower individuals and employers when purchasing health care.” The letter was signed by Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), and Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.).

 

Ohio Senators Urge Health Surveys in East Palestine

Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) have sent a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency urging the administration to undertake both immediate and long-term health surveys of individuals residing near the recent train derailment in East Palestine as soon as possible. The lawmakers argue that such surveys and assessments are needed to establish a medical baseline for the community exposed to the hazardous chemicals released in the derailment. “The residents of East Palestine and the surrounding community deserve to know if their health has been compromised by this disaster now and for years to come,” the letter states. “Therefore, we urge you to work with your colleagues across the federal government to allocate the resources and expertise needed to begin the surveys and assessment needed to establish a medical baseline for the community.”

 

FY 2024 Appropriations Update

Senate appropriations leadership announced plans to begin marking up fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations bills in May. Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Ranking Member Susan Collins (R-Maine) told panel members that they are currently negotiating a topline spending target that can be used in drafting the 12 annual spending bills. The Senate Appropriations Committee did not mark up any FY 2023 appropriations legislation last year.

House Appropriations Labor-Health and Human Services-Education Subcommittee Chair Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) has decided to ban congressionally directed spending requests – or earmarks – from his panel’s FY 2024 appropriations bill. Many conservative members in the House of Representatives have expressed support for an across-the-board ban on earmarks in annual funding bills. Bans on earmark requests will also be applied to the Financial Services and Defense bills. House Appropriations Committee Chair Kay Granger (R-Texas) has indicated that Republicans will otherwise maintain the cap on earmarks at 15 per member, while also emphasizing that only those projects with a direct tie to the federal government will be considered for funding.

 

Senate Works to Advance Health Nominees

The Senate Finance Committee advanced President Joe Biden’s nomination of Rebecca Haffajee to serve as U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) last week over objections from panel Republicans in a 14-12 vote. Haffajee, an attorney and public health researcher, currently serves as ASPE’s principal deputy assistant secretary. Her nomination will now be sent to the full Senate for a vote. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has also filed a procedural motion to limit debate and consider the nomination of Patrice Kunesh to serve as commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans at HHS.

 

Feinstein Hospitalized with Shingles

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has been hospitalized in San Francisco with a case of shingles after being diagnosed with the infection over the February recess. The Senate’s oldest member stated that she expects to make a full recovery and return to the chamber later this month. Feinstein adds to several health-related absences among Democrats in the Senate, who hold a narrow 51-49 seat majority, that could complicate the advancement of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees. Feinstein is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Democrats hold a one-seat majority. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) remains in treatment for depression, and his office has not provided a timeframe for his return.

 

Rep. Castro Treated for Cancer

Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) will be absent from the House of Representatives for several weeks after undergoing surgery to remove cancerous tumors in his gastrointestinal tract. Castro stated that the “small, slow-growing, and mostly asymptomatic” gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors were discovered last summer following a series of tests, and that his overall prognosis is good. He plans to remain at home recovering for “several weeks” before returning to Washington.

 

Slotkin to Run for Senate

Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) announced last week that she will run to fill the seat of retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) in 2024. Slotkin was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 after serving three tours in Iraq as an analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency. She currently serves on the House Armed Services and Agriculture committees.

 

FDA Panel Recommends Approval of RSV Vaccines

The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) voted last week to recommend that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approve both Pfizer’s and GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines. VRBPAC voted 7-4 with one abstention in support of the safety of Pfizer’s vaccine, and 7-4 with one abstention in support of the efficacy of Pfizer’s vaccine. Support for GSK’s product was wider – the panel voted 10-2 in support of its safety and were unanimous in support of its efficacy. Some panel members expressed concerns about the possibility of nervous system disorders like Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with the vaccines. If the vaccines are approved by the FDA, they will then be considered before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for recommendations on how and when the vaccines are to be used.

 

New Survey Released on Telemedicine Use, Preferences

Most U.S. adults prefer getting prescription refills and care for minor illnesses via telemedicine rather than in-person care, according to a new survey released by Rock Health and Stanford University’s Center for Digital Health. The survey of more than 8,000 adults found that approximately two-thirds of Americans prefer in-person care for visits related to chronic conditions and mental health, while three-quarters of adults prefer in-person visits for annual wellness checks, emergency care, and physical therapy. The survey also covered the differences in rates of telemedicine use among different populations before and after the start of the coronavirus pandemic, finding telemedicine use grew especially among uninsured and rural respondents.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

 

Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Department of Defense meeting to receive a briefing on the Department of Defense Health Program; 10:00 a.m.; March 7

 

House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing “Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA);” 3:00 p.m.; March 7

 

House Intelligence Committee markup of H.R. 1376, COVID-19 Origins Act of 2023; 5:00 p.m.; March 7

 

House Oversight and Accountability Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic hearing “Investigating the Origins of COVID-19;” 9:00 a.m.; March 8

 

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Member Day Hearing; 10:00 a.m.; March 8

 

Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee hearing “Artificial Intelligence: Risks and Opportunities;” 10:00 a.m.; March 8

 

House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet hearing “Intellectual Property and Strategic Competition with China: Part I;” 10:00 a.m.; March 8

 

House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation hearing “Advances in AI: Are We Ready for a Tech Revolution?” 2:00 p.m.; March 8

 

Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing to examine protecting public health and the environment in the wake of the Norfolk Southern train derailment and chemical release in East Palestine, Ohio; 10:00 a.m.; March 9

 

Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing “Uplifting Families, Workers, and Older Adults: Supporting Communities of Care;” 10:30 a.m.; March 9

 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing “Taxpayers Paid Billions for It: So Why Would Moderna Consider Quadrupling the Price of the COVID Vaccine?” 10:00 a.m.; March 22

 

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies public witness hearing; March 23

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

 

H.R.1191 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility for a presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents for certain veterans who served in Guam; Sponsor: Moylan, James C. [Del.-R-GU-At Large]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.1182 – To amend the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a vacancy and recruitment database to facilitate the recruitment of certain members of the Armed Forces to satisfy the occupational needs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to establish and implement a training and certification program for intermediate care technicians in that Department, and for other purposes; Sponsor: González-Colón, Jenniffer [Resident Commissioner-R-PR-At Large]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.1173 – To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act regarding the patient medication information required to be included in the labeling of prescription drugs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Carter, Earl L. “Buddy” [Rep.-R- GA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1170 – To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify that expenses for blood storage qualify as expenses for medical care; Sponsor: Arrington, Jodey C. [Rep.-R-TX-19]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.1166 – To enhance authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 to respond to the public health emergencies, to provide additional oversight of such authorities, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Vargas, Juan [Rep.-D- CA-52]; Committees: House – Financial Services

 

H.R.1154 – To combat forced organ harvesting and trafficking in persons for purposes of the removal of organs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Smith, Christopher H. [Rep.-R-NJ-4]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs; Judiciary

 

S.Res.85 – A resolution designating March 1, 2023, as “National Assistive Technology Awareness Day”. Sponsor: Casey, Robert P., Jr. [Sen.-D-PA]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.Res.84 – A resolution designating February 28, 2023, as “Rare Disease Day”. Sponsor: Brown, Sherrod [Sen.-D-OH]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.Res.81 – A resolution relating to the establishment of a means for the Senate to provide advice and consent regarding the form of an international agreement relating to pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. Sponsor: Risch, James E. [Sen.-R-ID]; Committees: Senate – Foreign Relations

 

S.Res.79 – A resolution expressing support for the designation of February 26, 2023, to March 4, 2023, as “National Fentanyl Awareness Week” and raising awareness of the negative impacts of fentanyl in the United States; Sponsor: Scott, Rick [Sen.-R-FL]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.570 – A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to improve coverage of dental and oral health services for adults under Medicaid, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Cardin, Benjamin L. [Sen.-D-MD]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.569 – A bill to amend title XXXIII of the Public Health Service Act with respect to flexibility and funding for the World Trade Center Health Program. Sponsor: Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [Sen.-D-NY]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.565 – A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to pregnancy-help organizations. Sponsor: Risch, James E. [Sen.-R-ID]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.543 – A bill to increase research, education, and treatment for cerebral cavernous malformations. Sponsor: Lujan, Ben Ray [Sen.-D-NM]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.Res.186 – Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the People’s Republic of China should be held accountable for its handling of COVID-19. Sponsor: Mast, Brian J. [Rep.-R-FL-21]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs

 

H.Res.185 – Declaring racism a public health crisis. Sponsor: Hayes, Jahana [Rep.-D-CT-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.Res.181 – Expressing support for the designation of February 28, 2023, as “Rare Disease Day”. Sponsor: Carson, Andre [Rep.-D-IN-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.178 – Affirming the House of Representatives’ commitment to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. Sponsor: Kildee, Daniel T. [Rep.-D-MI-8]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.175 – Recognizing the rise of cardiovascular disease as the world’s leading cause of preventable death and disability and as the global public health crisis of this generation and supporting the recognition of February 2023 as “American Heart Month”; Sponsor: Smith, Christopher H. [Rep.-R-NJ-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.172 – Expressing support for designation of March 3, 2023, as “National Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Day”; Sponsor: Morelle, Joseph D. [Rep.-D-NY-25]; Committees: House – Oversight and Accountability

 

H.Res.170 – Recognizing it is the congressional intent of the Affordable Care Act that enhanced Federal medical assistance percentage funds are to be directly shared with the counties in States with a Medicaid local share requirement; Sponsor: Molinaro, Marcus J. [Rep.-R-NY-19]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1199 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure equitable payment for, and preserve Medicare beneficiary access to, diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals under the Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system; Sponsor: Dunn, Neal P. [Rep.-R-FL-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.1201 – To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to remove the exclusion from medical assistance under the Medicaid Program of items and services for patients in an institution for mental diseases, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Napolitano, Grace F. [Rep.-D-CA-31]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1202 – To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for interest-free deferment on student loans for borrowers serving in a medical or dental internship or residency program; Sponsor: Babin, Brian [Rep.-R-TX-36]; Committees: House – Education and the Workforce

 

H.R.1210 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide the Secretary of Health and Human Services with the authority to suspend the right to introduce certain persons or property into the United States in the interest of the public health; Sponsor: DesJarlais, Scott [Rep.-R-TN-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1215 – To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish a refundable healthcare worker tax credit with semiannual advance payment; Sponsor: Magaziner, Seth [Rep.-D-RI-2]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.1224 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for a national public awareness campaign to inform health care professionals and health care professional students on how to help patients navigate the legal landscape in the United States with respect to abortion and other reproductive health care services following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Trahan, Lori [Rep.-D-MA-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1264 – To streamline the employer reporting process and strengthen the eligibility verification process for the premium assistance tax credit and cost-sharing subsidy. Sponsor: Smith, Adrian [Rep.-R-NE-3]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1256 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the laws relating to the appointment of the Under Secretary of Health and Assistant Under Secretaries of Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Mrvan, Frank J. [Rep.-D-IN-1]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.Res.90 – A resolution recognizing the significance of endometriosis as an unmet chronic disease for women and designating March 2023 as “Endometriosis Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Duckworth, Tammy [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.574 – A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prevent the use of patents, trade secrets, or other intellectual property to inhibit competition; Sponsor: Hassan, Margaret Wood [Sen.-D-NH]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.592 – A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the mileage rate offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs through their Beneficiary Travel program for health related travel, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Stabenow, Debbie [Sen.-D-MI]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.600 – A bill to amend the Controlled Substance Act to list fentanyl-related substances as schedule I controlled substances; Sponsor: Johnson, Ron [Sen.-R-WI]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.603 – A bill to establish procedures regarding the approval of opioid drugs by the Food and Drug Administration; Sponsor: Manchin, Joe, III [Sen.-D-WV]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.604 – A bill to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to amend the mission statement of the Food and Drug Administration; Sponsor: Manchin, Joe, III [Sen.-D-WV]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.606 – A bill to require the Food and Drug Administration to revoke the approval of one opioid pain medication for each new opioid medication approved; Sponsor: Manchin, Joe, III [Sen.-D-WV]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.607 – A bill to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to deny approval of a new drug application for an opioid analgesic drug on the basis of such drug not being clinically superior to other commercially available drugs; Sponsor: Manchin, Joe, III [Sen.-D-WV]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.614 – A bill to codify the temporary scheduling order for fentanyl-related substances by adding fentanyl-related substances to schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act; Sponsor: Cotton, Tom [Sen.-R-AR]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

H.Res.193 – Expressing support for the goals and ideals of “World Hearing Day”; Sponsor: Thompson, Mike [Rep.-D- CA-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1276 – To protect children from medical malpractice in the form of gender transition procedures; Sponsor: Banks, Jim [Rep.-R-IN-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary; Education and the Workforce; Natural Resources; Ways and Means

 

H.R.1280 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a program of research related to cerebral palsy, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cohen, Steve [Rep.-D-TN-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1291 – To amend the Controlled Substances Act to list fentanyl-related substances as schedule I controlled substances; Sponsor: Fitzgerald, Scott [Rep.-R-WI-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.1294 – To amend title XXXIII of the Public Health Service Act with respect to flexibility and funding for the World Trade Center Health Program; Sponsor: Garbarino, Andrew R. [Rep.-R-NY-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1305 – To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to formulate a strategy for the Federal Government to secure support from foreign countries, multilateral organizations, and other appropriate entities to facilitate the development and commercialization of qualified pandemic or epidemic products, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Levin, Mike [Rep.-D-CA-49]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs

 

H.R.1315 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a Prostate Cancer Coordinating Committee, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Murphy, Gregory [Rep.-R-NC-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1316 – To amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to allow States to provide for extended periods of continuous coverage under the Medicaid and CHIP programs for children, to provide a period of continuous eligibility under the Medicaid program for certain adults, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Neguse, Joe [Rep.-D-CO-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1326 – To modify the limitation on the deduction by individuals of certain State and local taxes and to provide coverage for hearing and vision care under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Porter, Katie [Rep.-D-CA-47]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.1328 – To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish nonvisual accessibility standards for certain devices with digital interfaces, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schakowsky, Janice D. [Rep.-D-IL-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.624 – A bill to amend title X of the Public Health Service Act to prohibit family planning grants from being awarded to any entity that performs abortions, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Blackburn, Marsha [Sen.-R-TN]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.626 – A bill to recommend that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation test the effect of a dementia care management model, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Stabenow, Debbie [Sen.-D-MI]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.628 – A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the treatment of direct primary care service arrangements as medical care, to provide that such arrangements do not disqualify deductible health savings account contributions, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cassidy, Bill [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.631 – A bill to protect the privacy of personally-identifiable health and location data, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Klobuchar, Amy [Sen.-D-MN]; Committees: Senate – Commerce, Science, and Transportation

 

S.635 – A bill to protect children from medical malpractice in the form of gender transition procedures; Sponsor: Cotton, Tom [Sen.-R-AR]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.641 – A bill to terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Lee, Mike [Sen.-R-UT]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.642 – A bill to facilitate the development of treatments for cancers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Klobuchar, Amy [Sen.-D-MN]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.644 – A bill to expand the take-home prescribing of methadone through pharmacies; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.- D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.652 – A bill to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require a group health plan or health insurance coverage offered in connection with such a plan to provide an exceptions process for any medication step therapy protocol, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Murkowski, Lisa [Sen.-R-AK]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions