President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) have reached a deal to avert a U.S. default on its debt obligations and suspend the debt ceiling through January 2025. The agreement – dubbed the Fiscal Responsibility Act – caps non-defense spending, keeping it roughly flat in 2024 and increasing it by just 1% in 2025. It includes a penalty if Congress fails to pass fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations legislation, imposing a 1% across the board cut if the bills are not passed. The compromise also expands work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program from up to age 49 under current law to age 54. The more stringent work requirements would sunset in 2030 without further action by Congress.

The deal was crafted by Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young, White House senior adviser Steve Ricchetti, White House legislative affairs director Louisa Terrell, Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), and the Speaker’s chief of staff Dan Meyer. The House of Representatives will return to session during a planned Memorial Day recess. The House Rules Committee will consider the bill on Tuesday afternoon and McCarthy is expected to bring the bill for a vote on the House floor on Wednesday. Both Republican and Democratic leadership have indicated that there is enough support to pass the deal. If the package is sent to the Senate on Wednesday, the chamber could then vote on the bill as early as Saturday morning (June 3), unless members agree to advance the measure via unanimous consent. The Treasury is projected to run out of cash reserves on June 5.

In related news, the House Appropriations Committee postponed the markup of four FY 2024 appropriations bills last week, citing the then ongoing debate on the debt limit. Chair Kay Granger (R-Texas) stated that she wished to give Speaker McCarthy “maximum flexibility” as he engaged in debt ceiling negotiations with the White House. The panel was scheduled to mark up the Agriculture-Rural Development-Food and Drug Administration spending package last Wednesday. The Senate Appropriations Committee previously announced plans to consider funding bills starting in June.

 

House Passes WH-Endorsed Fentanyl Bill

The House of Representatives passed the HALT Fentanyl Act (H.R. 467) last week. The bill would make permanent the temporary scheduling of fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I substances, which are subject to heighted regulatory and law enforcement. The temporary scheduling of FRS is set to expire at the end of 2024. The bill would cover those substances with a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use; medical-grade fentanyl would continue to be a Schedule II substance. Seventy-four Democrats joined Republicans in support of the measure, which was also endorsed by the White House. Other Democrats, however, including House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), criticized the legislation and raised concerns about its potential to exacerbate inequities in the criminal justice system and the possible implications for FRS that are found that have medical applications.

 

E&C Advances Six Health Bills

The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced nineteen bills last week, including legislation to overhaul the nation’s organ donation system and to reform pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices. The panel advanced the six following health bills out of committee:

• H.R. 1418, theAnimal Drug User Fee Amendments of 2023was favorably reported to the House by a bipartisan vote of 49-0.
• H.R. 2544, theSecuring the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Actwas favorably reported to the House by a bipartisan vote of 48-0.
• H.R. 2666, theMedicaid VBPs for Patients (MVP) Actwas reported favorably to the House by a bipartisan vote of 31- 19.
• H.R. 3284, theProviders and Payers COMPETE Actwas reported favorably to the House by a bipartisan vote of 49-0.
• H.R. 3290, To amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to ensure transparency and oversight of the 340B drug discount program, was favorably reported to the House by a vote of 29-22.
• H.R. 3561, thePromoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act of 2023or the PATIENT Act of 2023 was favorably reported to the House by a bipartisan vote of 49-0. The bill was amended to includeH.R. 3285, theFairness for Patient Medications Act.

 

Select COVID-19 Subcommittee Probes NIH Funding to Chinese Lab

House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis Pandemic Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) has sent a letter to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) requesting information on its 2020 decision to cut funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). According to a letter obtained by the panel, the NIH informed the University of California, Irvine in May 2020 that it would be terminating the subgrant funding to the Chinese laboratory because its research posed “serious bio-safety concerns.” Wenstrup blames the agency for publicly obscuring its support for the work of the WIV, which some suspect is the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic, while privately acknowledging the safety concerns posed by the research.

 

CBO Releases Latest Health Coverage Projections

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released updated projections last week of health insurance coverage for people under age 65 over the next decade. The share of Americans under age 65 who are uninsured is currently at a historic low of 8.3%, which CBO attributes to temporary policies instituted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including continuous coverage provisions in state Medicaid programs and enhanced premium subsidies in theAffordable Care Act’sindividual marketplace. CBO’s analysis indicates that more than six million people will lose their health insurance coverage following the end of these COVID-era policies. While the nation’s uninsured rate will remain below pre-pandemic levels, it is expected to rise from 8.3% to 10.1% in 2033.

 

Longtime Delaware Senator Carper to Retire in 2024

Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), 76, announced last week that he will not run for reelection in 2024. Carper has served for over 20 years in the Senate. Prior to this time, he served as the governor of Delaware and as the state’s sole representative in the U.S. House for five terms. He currently sits on the Enviornment and Public Works, Finance, and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees. He is the fourth Democratic senator – along with Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), Debbie Stabenow (Mich.), and Ben Cardin (Md.) – to announce his retirement from the chamber. Carper has endorsed Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) to succeed him. Blunt Rochester has indicated that she is interested in running for the seat but has not officially announced her candidacy.

 

CMS Releases Updated FAQ on PHE Unwinding

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an updated frequently asked questions document last week on the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) indicating that the Medicare program will no longer cover telehealth services provided by hospital-based physical and occupational therapists and speech language pathologists beyond 2023. CMS states that it will exercise discretion through the end of this year to continue paying for outpatient therapy provided via telehealth billed from institutional providers. The agency did not specify for how long skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies could continue to bill for telehealth therapy services. The most recent omnibus spending bill delinked Medicare telehealth access from the PHE declaration, extending reimbursement for certain telehealth services through 2024.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

House Rules Committee meeting to consider the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023; 3:00 p.m.; May 30

 

Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Session to consider S. 1080,Cooper Davis Actto amend the Controlled Substances Act to require electronic communication service providers and remote computing services to report to the Attorney General certain controlled substances violations, and S. 474,REPORT Act;10:00 a.m.; June 1

 

POLICY BRIEFINGS

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

 

H.Res.434 – Declaring a mental health crisis among youth in the United States, and expressing the pressing need for historic investments in mental health care for students; Sponsor: Moulton, Seth [Rep.-D-MA-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and the Workforce

 

H.Res.436 – Expressing support for the designation of the week of May 22 through 26, 2023, as “Educator Mental Health Awareness Week”; Sponsor: Trone, David J. [Rep.-D-MD-6]; Committees: House – Education and the Workforce

 

H.R.3561 -To promote hospital and insurer price transparency, and for other purposes; Sponsor: McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [Rep.-R-WA-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Education and the Workforce

 

H.R.3570 – To provide public awareness and outreach regarding the dangers of fentanyl, to expand the grants authorized under the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant Program, to expand treatment and recovery services for people with opioid addictions, and to increase and to provide enhanced penalties for certain offenses involving counterfeit pills; Sponsor: Jackson Lee, Sheila [Rep.-D-TX-18]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.3577 – To require the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response to establish an automated supply chain tracking application that provides near real-time insight into the amount of critical medical and health supplies available in the Strategic National Stockpile; Sponsor: Hudson, Richard [Rep.-R-NC-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3581 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the family caregiver program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to include services related to mental health and neurological disorders, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kiggans, Jennifer A [Rep.-R-VA-2]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3583 – To provide for the overall health and well-being of young people, including the promotion and attainment of lifelong sexual health and healthy relationships, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Lee, Barbara [Rep.-D-CA-12]; Committees: House – Education and the Workforce; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3584 – To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct and support research on the efficacy and safety of medicinal cannabis, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [Rep.-R-IA-1]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3589 – To require group health plans and group or individual health insurance coverage to provide coverage for over-the-counter contraceptives; Sponsor: Pressley, Ayanna [Rep.-D-MA-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and the Workforce; Ways and Means

 

H.Con.Res.48 – Condemning the Chinese Communist Party for the Wuhan Lab “leak” causing the deadly COVID-19 pandemic; Sponsor: Santos, George [Rep.-R-NY-3]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs

 

H.R.3613 – To amend title XXVIII of the Public Health Service Act to eliminate the sunset of authority to make certain appointments for National Disaster Medical System, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schrier, Kim [Rep.-D-WA-8]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3616 – To direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to include medications and medical equipment for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose in aircraft emergency medical kits, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Trone, David J. [Rep.-D-MD-6]; Committees: House – Transportation and Infrastructure

 

H.R.3617 – To amend title 10, United States Code, to expand the authority to provide a wig and treat traction alopecia under the TRICARE program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Watson Coleman, Bonnie [Rep.-D-NJ-12]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.3619 – To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ban certain substances in cosmetic products, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schakowsky, Janice D. [Rep.-D-IL-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3620 – To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to cosmetic safety, with an emphasis on communities of color and professional salon workers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schakowsky, Janice D. [Rep.-D-IL-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and the Workforce

 

H.R.3621 – To amend title VI of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for greater transparency with respect to fragrance and flavor ingredients in cosmetics, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schakowsky, Janice D. [Rep.-D- IL-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3622 – To amend title VI of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ensure the supply chain transparency needed for companies to make safe cosmetics, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schakowsky, Janice D. [Rep.-D-IL-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3623 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a national graduate nurse education program; Sponsor: Underwood, Lauren [Rep.-D-IL-14]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3629 – To amend the Controlled Substances Act to list fentanyl-related substances as schedule I controlled substances, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Buchanan, Vern [Rep.-R-FL-16]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.3631 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for grants for State strategic stockpiles; Sponsor: Carter, Earl L. “Buddy” [Rep.-R-GA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3633 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for a public awareness campaign with respect to human papillomavirus, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Castor, Kathy [Rep.-D-FL-14]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3635 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure fairness in Medicare hospital payments by establishing a floor for the area wage index applied with respect to certain hospitals; Sponsor: Ferguson, A. Drew, IV [Rep.- R-GA-3]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3641 – To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to rescind guidelines and ensure the removal of signs and guidance relating to the COVID-19 pandemic; Sponsor: Jackson, Ronny [Rep.-R-TX-13]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3644 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the authorization period for emergency treatment in non- Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities under the Veterans Community Care Program; Sponsor: Latta, Robert E. [Rep.-R-OH-5]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3645 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish emergency grants to safeguard essential health care workers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Lee, Summer L. [Rep.-D-PA-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3649 – To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program to furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy to a veteran who has a traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder; Sponsor: Murphy, Gregory [Rep.-R-NC-3]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3659 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for a demonstration program to facilitate the clinical adoption of pregnancy intention screening initiatives by health care and social service providers; Sponsor: Bonamici, Suzanne [Rep.-D-OR-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3664 – To prohibit the availability of Federal funds to the World Health Organization pending the conduct of an investigation relating to the influence over such organization by Chinese Communist Party, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Santos, George [Rep.-R-NY-3]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs

 

H.R.3668 – To amend title 10, United States Code, to improve the TRICARE program for certain members of the Retired Reserve of the reserve components; Sponsor: Johnson, Bill [Rep.-R-OH-6]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.3669 – To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve mental health services for students, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Allen, Rick W. [Rep.-R-GA-12]; Committees: House – Education and the Workforce

 

H.R.3671 – To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to improve the detection, prevention, and treatment of mental health issues among public safety officers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bera, Ami [Rep.-D-CA-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Science, Space, and Technology

 

H.R.3674 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase the nonfacility practice expense relative value units for specified services furnished under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Bilirakis, Gus M. [Rep.-R-FL-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3677 – To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct reviews of certain budget requests of the President for the medical care accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs; Sponsor: Brownley, Julia [Rep.-D-CA-26]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3679 – To direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation administration to develop an interagency task force to develop and implement a strategy to identify and advance research on communicable diseases in air travel, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [Rep.-D-FL-20]; Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology

 

H.R.3680 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for a national outreach and education strategy and research to improve the behavioral and mental health of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander population, while addressing stigma within such population against behavioral and mental health treatment; Sponsor: Chu, Judy [Rep.-D-CA-28]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3682 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize certain grants (for youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies) to be used for school personnel in elementary and secondary schools and students in secondary schools to receive student suicide awareness and prevention training, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cleaver, Emanuel [Rep.-D-MO-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and the Workforce

 

H.R.3684 – To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a grant program for using psychedelic substances to treat certain conditions, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Crenshaw, Dan [Rep.-R-TX-2]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.3688 – To provide for the mandatory recall of drugs regulated by the Food and Drug Administration; Sponsor: DeLauro, Rosa L. [Rep.-D-CT-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3691 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to revise payment for air ambulance services under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Estes, Ron [Rep.-R-KS-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3701 – To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to strengthen coverage under the Medicaid program for certain foster youth individuals; Sponsor: Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [Rep.-D-CA-37]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3703 – To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct and complete a review examining the efforts of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure that the United States is prepared to rapidly produce certain medical countermeasures in the event of a public health emergency, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Latta, Robert E. [Rep.-R-OH-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3706 – To expand and enhance existing adult day programs for younger people with neurological diseases or conditions (such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, or other similar diseases or conditions) to support and improve access to respite services for family caregivers who are taking care of such people, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Lee, Barbara [Rep.-D-CA-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3707 – To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a tax credit for expenses for household and elder care services necessary for gainful employment; Sponsor: Lee, Barbara [Rep.-D-CA-12]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.3710 – To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit health professionals from providing false or misleading information with respect to assisted reproduction, and for other purposes; Sponsor: McClain, Lisa C. [Rep.-R-MI-9]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.3713 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend projects relating to children and to provide access to school-based comprehensive mental health programs; Sponsor: Napolitano, Grace F. [Rep.-D-CA-31]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3718 – To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to take certain actions to improve the processing by the Department of Veterans Affairs of claims for disability compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Neguse, Joe [Rep.-D-CO-2]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3722 – To require a pilot program on activities under the pre-separation transition process of members of the Armed Forces for a reduction in suicide among veterans, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Nunn, Zachary [Rep.-R-IA-3]; Committees: House – Armed Services; Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3723 – To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to expand the types of devices for which required labeling may be made available solely by electronic means; Sponsor: Obernolte, Jay [Rep.-R-CA-23]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3725 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide benefits under the Medicare program for first responders at the age of 57; Sponsor: Panetta, Jimmy [Rep.-D-CA-19]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3726 – To direct the Secretary of Education to study student mental health at institutions of higher education and to issue guidance on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 for mental health and substance use disorder policies of institutions of higher education, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Porter, Katie [Rep.-D-CA-47]; Committees: House – Education and the Workforce

 

H.R.3730 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to modernize provisions relating to rural health clinics under Medicare; Sponsor: Smith, Adrian [Rep.-R-NE-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3731 – To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to reduce barriers to immigrants becoming nurses or allied health professionals in the United States, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Smith, Adam [Rep.- D-WA-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3732 – To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for career support for skilled internationally educated health professionals; Sponsor: Smith, Adam [Rep.-D-WA-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3733 – To address barriers immigrants and refugees face to entering the health care workforce, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Smith, Adam [Rep.-D-WA-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3736 – To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to extend the requirement for State Medicaid plans to provide coverage for medication-assisted treatment; Sponsor: Tonko, Paul [Rep.-D-NY-20]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3737 – To direct the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to submit a report to Congress on the feasibility of reporting data relating to injuries in high school sports to improve the safety of student athletes; Sponsor: Veasey, Marc A. [Rep.-D-TX-33]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and the Workforce

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advanced its fiscal year 2024 spending bill by voice vote last week. The bill would provide $6.6 billion in funding for the FDA, less than the $7.2 billion requested in the President’s budget. It includes provisions to block the FDA from allowing mail-order access to mifepristone and from banning menthol or setting a maximum nicotine level in cigarettes. The measure was criticized by panel Democrats who indicated plans to offer numerous amendments during the full committee markup, which is scheduled for May 24.

 

E&C Health Subcommittee Advances 17 Health Bills

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health advanced 17billslast week, including legislation to overhaul the nation’s organ donation system, mandate additional reporting in the 340B program, reform pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices, and permit value-based purchasing agreements in state Medicaid programs. The panel advanced the following bills to the full committee:

• • H.R. 3281, theTransparent PRICE Actwhich was amended to include the following bills:
    • H.R. 3237, to require each outpatient department of a provider to include a unique identification number on claims for services, and to require hospitals with an outpatient department of a provider to submit to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services an attestation with respect to each outpatient department
    • H.R. 3262, to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to increase transparency of certain health-related ownership information
    • H.R. 3248, theDiagnostic Lab Testing Transparency Act
    • H.R. 3282, thePromoting Transparency and Healthy Competition in Medicare Act
    • H.R. 2679, thePBM Accountability Act
    • H.R. 2559, theStrengthening Community Care Act of 2023
    • H.R. 2550, theSpecial Diabetes Program Reauthorization Act of 2023
    • H.R. 2547, theSpecial Diabetes Program for Indians Reauthorization Act of 2023
    • H.R. 2665, theSupporting Safety Net Hospitals Act
    • H.R. 1613, theDrug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act of 2023
  • H.R. 1418, theAnimal Drug User Fee Amendments of 2023
  • H.R. 2544, theSecuring the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act
  • H.R. 2666, theMedicaid VBPs for Patients (MVP) Act
  • H.R. 3285, theFairness for Patient Medications Act
  • H.R. 3284, theProviders and Payers COMPETE Act
  • H.R. 3290, to amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to ensure transparency and oversight of the 340B drug

discount program

 

Sanders Drafting $200 Billion Health Package

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) plans to propose a nearly $200 billion health care package that includes $130 billion in funding for community health centers and $60 billion to strengthen the health care workforce. While the HELP Committee has been working on a bipartisan basis on several health care related issues, Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-La.) indicated that the total amount of funding included in the Chairman’s plan may be too steep to garner Republican support. Funding for community health centers will expire on September 30th if the program is not reauthorized before the end of the fiscal year. In the House of Representatives, leadership has reached an agreement to increase money for community health centers by approximately 5% over two years – a small fraction of the amount that has been proposed by Sanders.

 

Lawmakers Press MA Insurers on Claims Denials

Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee have sent aletterto the CEO of The Cigna Group requesting an explanation of how the insurance company uses an automated system to deny medical claims without reading them. The request is in response to an investigative report by ProPublica focusing on Cigna’s procedure-to- diagnosis (PXDX) review process. The lawmakers highlight that 80% of Medicare Advantage (MA) coverage denials were overturned, suggesting that Cigna’s PXDX review process is leading to patients paying out-of-pocket for medical care that should be covered under their insurance policy contract. Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) ask Cigna to provide documents related to the PXDX process.

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) is conducting its own investigation into the frequency of MA claims denials and the role that artificial intelligence (AI) plays in coverage determinations. The panel sent letters to the three largest MA insurers – Humana, United Healthcare, and CVS – asking for data on their number of prior authorization requests and denials since 2019. The lawmakers also ask for information about the use of software algorithms to deny prior authorization requests. HSGAC’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations also convened a hearing last week to consider the subject of health care denials and delays in the MA program.

 

NIH Nominee to Face Questions on Drug Pricing, EcoHealth Grants

President Joe Biden announced the nomination of National Cancer Institute Director Monica Bertagnolli to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Bertagnolli’s nomination is subject to Senate confirmation. While there is not yet a timeline for consideration of her nomination, Senate HELP Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)wrotePresident Biden last month to say that he “will strongly oppose any future nominee to a major federal health agency who is not prepared to significantly lower the price of prescription drugs in this country.” Republicans, including Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-La.), are expected to discuss with Bertagnolli the origins of the coronavirus pandemic and NIH grants to EcoHealth Alliance.

 

Scott Files Paperwork to Run for President

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to enter the 2024 presidential race. He is expected to formally launch his campaign on Monday. The GOP field currently includes former President Donald Trump, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, and conservative radio host Larry Elder. Scott has served in the Senate since 2013 and is currently a member of the Finance Committee, Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and Special Committee on Aging. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to announce his plan to run for president mid-week.

 

GAO Releases New Report on Noncompete Agreements

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a newreportdetailing its investigation into non-compete agreements, including those in the health care and social assistance employment sector. The GAO found that 57% of health care and social assistance employers surveyed require new hires to sign agreements restricting them from taking jobs with rival companies. The report was requested by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Christopher Murphy (D-Conn.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).

 

ARPA-H Announces Inaugural Program

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) announced the launch of its first program last week. The Novel Innovations for Tissue Regeneration in Osteoarthritis (NITRO) aims to develop breakthroughs that would allow the human body to repair its owns joints. Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability in the U.S. It impacts more than 32 million Americans and costs an estimated $136 billion per year. Research teams interested in in NITRO can find more information about a Proposers’ Dayhere.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing “The Role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers in Prescription Drug Markets Part I: Self-Interest or Health Care?” 10:00 a.m.; May 23

 

House Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing “COVID-19 Supplemental Funding: Did It Protect and Improve Veteran Care?” 10:00 a.m.; May 23

 

House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization hearing “VA Information Technology Contracting: Challenges in Consolidation of Competition and Conflict of Interest;” 8:00 a.m.; May 24

 

House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs hearing “Consumer Choice on the Backburner: Examining the Biden Administration’s Regulatory Assault on Americans’ Gas Stoves;” 10:00 a.m.; May 24

 

House Appropriations Committee markup of fiscal year 2024 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill; 10:00 a.m.; May 24

 

House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade hearing “Modernizing Customs Policies to Protect American Workers and Secure Supply Chains;” 9:00 a.m.; May 25

 

House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation field hearing “Advances in AI: Views from Silicon Valley;” 10:00 a.m.; June 1

 

POLICY BRIEFINGS

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

S.1592 – A bill to clarify coverage of occupational therapy under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Hassan, Margaret Wood [Sen.-D-NH]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1594 – A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to convene a task force to develop strategies and coordinate efforts to eliminate preventable maternal mortality, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Blumenthal, Richard [Sen.-D-CT]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1595 – A bill to prohibit taxpayer-funded gender transition procedures, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Marshall, Roger [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1597 – A bill to amend chapter 110 of title 18, United States Code, to prohibit gender transition procedures on minors, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Marshall, Roger [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.1598 – A bill to clarify and improve accountability for certain members of the Armed Forces during consideration for medical separation in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Scott, Rick [Sen.-R-FL]; Committees: Senate – Armed Services

 

S.1599 – A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for grants to promote representative community engagement in maternal mortality review committees, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Smith, Tina [Sen.-D-MN]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1601 – A bill to protect moms and babies against climate change, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1602 – A bill to provide for grants to address maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [Sen.-D-NY]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1603 – A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to increase vaccination rates of pregnant and postpartum individuals, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kaine, Tim [Sen.-D-VA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1605 – A bill to authorize appropriations for data collection, surveillance, and research on maternal health outcomes during public health emergencies, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Warren, Elizabeth [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1606 – A bill to end preventable maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health disparities in the United States, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.Res.404 – Expressing support for the designation of May 15, 2023, as “Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Day” to raise awareness of and promote research on the disorder; Sponsor: Tonko, Paul [Rep.-D-NY-20]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3281 – To promote hospital and insurer price transparency; Sponsor: McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [Rep.-R-WA-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3282 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to promote transparency of common ownership interests under parts C and D of the Medicare program; Sponsor: Harshbarger, Diana [Rep.-R-TN-1]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3284 – To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit an annual report on the impact of certain Medicare regulations on provider and payer consolidation; Sponsor: Burgess, Michael C. [Rep.-R-TX-26]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3285 – To establish patient protections with respect to highly rebated drugs; Sponsor: Griffith, H. Morgan [Rep.-R- VA-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and the Workforce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3290 – To amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to ensure transparency and oversight of the 340B drug discount program; Sponsor: Bucshon, Larry [Rep.-R-IN-8]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3302 – To protect Moms and babies against climate change, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Underwood, Lauren [Rep.-D-IL-14]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3303 – To provide support for programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to the coordination of maternity health care, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Underwood, Lauren [Rep.-D-IL-14]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3304 -To authorize appropriations for data collection, surveillance, and research on maternal health outcomes during public health emergencies, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Underwood, Lauren [Rep.-D-IL-14]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3305 – To end preventable maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health disparities in the United States, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Underwood, Lauren [Rep.-D-IL-14]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and the Workforce; Veterans’ Affairs; Natural Resources; Judiciary

 

H.R.3310 – To end preventable maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in the United States and close disparities in maternal health outcomes, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Adams, Alma S. [Rep.-D-NC-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3312 – To address maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Blunt Rochester, Lisa [Rep.-D-DE-At Large]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3320 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to improve maternal health data collection processes and quality measures, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Davids, Sharice [Rep.-D-KS-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Natural Resources

 

H.R.3322 – To address social determinants of maternal health to eliminate maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health disparities, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hayes, Jahana [Rep.-D-CT-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3328 – To amend chapter 110 of title 18, United States Code, to prohibit gender transition procedures on minors, and for other purposes; Sponsor: LaMalfa, Doug [Rep.-R-CA-1]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.3329 – To prohibit taxpayer-funded gender transition procedures, and for other purposes; Sponsor: LaMalfa, Doug [Rep.-R-CA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3346 – To direct the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to implement the Perinatal Care Alternative Payment Model Demonstration Project to test various payment models with respect to maternity care provided to pregnant and postpartum individuals, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schakowsky, Janice D. [Rep.-D-IL-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3347 – To prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from replacing physician anesthesiologists with certified registered nurse anesthetists under the health care system of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Scott, David [Rep.-D-GA-13]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3348 – To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to maternal vaccination awareness and equity, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Sewell, Terri A. [Rep.-D-AL-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3352 – To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to treat diapers as qualified medical expenses; and to prohibit States and local governments to impose a tax on the retail sale of diapers; Sponsor: Watson Coleman, Bonnie [Rep.-D- NJ-12]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Judiciary

 

S.1607 – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit a private cause of action for damages in the case of a group health plan which fails to provide for primary payment or appropriate reimbursement; Sponsor: Scott, Tim [Sen.-R-SC]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1610 – A bill to authorize administrative absences and travel and transportation allowances for members of the Armed Forces to travel and obtain reproductive health care; Sponsor: Shaheen, Jeanne [Sen.-D-NH]; Committees: Senate – Armed Services

 

S.1612 – A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to publish a rule to implement the requirement that the Secretary be permitted to waive the limitation in law on reimbursement of veterans receiving domiciliary care in State homes; Sponsor: King, Angus S., Jr. [Sen.-I-ME]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.1621 – A bill to provide for an exemption from authorized strength limitations for licensed behavioral health providers; Sponsor: Ossoff, Jon [Sen.-D-GA]; Committees: Senate – Armed Services

 

S.1624 – A bill to require certain civil penalties to be transferred to a fund through which amounts are made available for the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program at the National Institutes of Health, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kaine, Tim [Sen.-D-VA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1627 – A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to create a tax credit for nurse preceptors; Sponsor: Kelly, Mark [Sen.-D-AZ]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.R.3355 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize a loan repayment program for the substance use disorder treatment workforce, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rogers, Harold [Rep.-R-KY-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3368 – To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to publish a rule to implement the requirement that the Secretary be permitted to waive the limitation in law on reimbursement of veterans receiving domiciliary care in State homes; Sponsor: Golden, Jared F. [Rep.-D-ME-2]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3373 – To direct the Secretary of the Navy to take certain actions relating to improved mental health care, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kiggans, Jennifer A [Rep.-R-VA-2]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.3379 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve access to skilled nursing facilities for primary immunodeficiency patients; Sponsor: Matsui, Doris O. [Rep.-D-CA-7]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3380 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to expand and improve health care services by health centers and the National Health Service Corps for individuals with a developmental disability, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Moulton, Seth [Rep.-D-MA-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3382 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to eliminate the coinsurance requirement for certain colorectal cancer screening tests furnished under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Payne, Donald M., Jr. [Rep.-D-NJ-10]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3387 – To amend the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for certain health coverage of newborns; Sponsor: Porter, Katie [Rep.-D-CA-47]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and the Workforce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3388 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit a private cause of action for damages in the case of a group health plan which fails to provide for primary payment or appropriate reimbursement; Sponsor: Schneider, Bradley Scott [Rep.-D-IL-10]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3391 – To extend the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program at the National Institutes of Health, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Wexton, Jennifer [Rep.-D-VA-10]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.1633 – A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to recognize and honor the service of individuals who served in the United States Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Warren, Elizabeth [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.1636 – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to protect access to telehealth services under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Manchin, Joe, III [Sen.-D-WV]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1653 – A bill to amend the Public Health Safety Act to establish a program to award grants to State, local, and Tribal governments to purchase and distribute anti-blood loss supplies for use in a medical emergency, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Menendez, Robert [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1655 – A bill to establish a Medicare-for-all national health insurance program; Sponsor: Sanders, Bernard [Sen.-I-VT]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1656 – A bill to protect the privacy of personal reproductive or sexual health information, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hirono, Mazie K. [Sen.-D-HI]; Committees: Senate – Commerce, Science, and Transportation

 

S.1664 – A bill to allow Americans to earn paid sick time so that they can address their own health needs and the health needs of their families; Sponsor: Sanders, Bernard [Sen.-I-VT]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1668 – A bill to improve the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Wyden, Ron [Sen.-D-OR]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.Res.415 – Expressing support for the designation of May as “National Bladder Cancer Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Cartwright, Matt [Rep.-D-PA-8]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.416 – Expressing support for the designation of the 17th day in May as “DIPG Awareness Day” to raise awareness and encourage research into cures for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and pediatric cancers in general; Sponsor: Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.419 – Expressing support for the designation of May as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Awareness Month to increase the knowledge of this little-known, potentially fatal, genetic disease; Sponsor: Ruppersberger, C. A. Dutch [Rep.-D-MD-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3409 – To allow Americans to earn paid sick time so that they can address their own health needs and the health needs of their families; Sponsor: DeLauro, Rosa L. [Rep.-D-CT-3]; Committees: House – Education and the Workforce; House Administration; Oversight and Accountability

 

H.R.3412 – To authorize the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, acting through the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, to award grants to States to expand access to clinically appropriate services for opioid abuse, dependence, or addiction; Sponsor: Foster, Bill [Rep.-D-IL-11]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3417 – To ensure fair billing practices for items and services furnished by off-campus outpatient departments of a provider; Sponsor: Hern, Kevin [Rep.-R-OK-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3420 – To protect the privacy of personal reproductive or sexual health information, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Jacobs, Sara [Rep.-D-CA-51]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3421 – To establish an improved Medicare for All national health insurance program; Sponsor: Jayapal, Pramila [Rep.-D-WA-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Education and the Workforce; Rules; Oversight and Accountability; Armed Services; Judiciary

 

H.R.3426 – To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to include expenses relating to membership in health care sharing ministries to qualify for the deduction for medical expenses, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kelly, Mike [Rep.-R- PA-16]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.3428 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to recognize and honor the service of individuals who served in the United States Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Lawler, Michael [Rep.-R-NY-17]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs; Armed Services

 

H.R.3432 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure coverage of mental and behavioral health services furnished through telehealth; Sponsor: Matsui, Doris O. [Rep.-D-CA-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3433 – To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to molecularly targeted pediatric cancer investigations, and for other purposes; Sponsor: McCaul, Michael T. [Rep.-R-TX-10]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3440 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to protect access to telehealth services under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Pappas, Chris [Rep.-D-NH-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

S.Res.221 – A resolution promoting minority health awareness and supporting the goals and ideals of National Minority Health Month in April 2023, which include bringing attention to the health disparities faced by minority populations of the United States such as American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders; Sponsor: Cardin, Benjamin L. [Sen.-D-MD]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Voice Vote.

 

S.Res.224 – A resolution designating May 2023 as “ALS Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Whitehouse, Sheldon [Sen.-D-RI]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.1673 – A bill to amend title XVIII to protect patient access to ground ambulance services under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Cortez Masto, Catherine [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1687 – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a system to notify individuals approaching Medicare eligibility; Sponsor: Casey, Robert P., Jr. [Sen.-D-PA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1691 – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve the enrollment of retiring individuals in the Medicare program; Sponsor: Casey, Robert P., Jr. [Sen.-D-PA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1697 – A bill to provide for the overall health and well-being of young people, including the promotion and attainment of lifelong sexual health and healthy relationships, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hirono, Mazie K. [Sen.-D-HI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1698 – A bill to require group health plans and group or individual health insurance coverage to provide coverage for over-the-counter contraceptives; Sponsor: Murray, Patty [Sen.-D-WA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1699 – A bill to support the use of technology in maternal health care, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Menendez, Robert [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1700 – A bill to address mental health issues for youth, particularly youth of color, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Menendez, Robert [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1701 – A bill to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health, to take certain steps to increase clinical trial diversity, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Menendez, Robert [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1703 – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure Medicare-only PACE program enrollees have a choice of prescription drug plans under Medicare part D; Sponsor: Carper, Thomas R. [Sen.-D-DE]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

 

S.1710 – A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to grow and diversify the perinatal workforce, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Baldwin, Tammy [Sen.-D-WI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1712 – A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for reciprocal marketing approval of certain drugs, biological products, and devices that are authorized to be lawfully marketed abroad, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cruz, Ted [Sen.-R-TX]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1729 – A bill to facilitate nationwide accessibility and coordination of 211 services and 988 services in order to provide information and referral to all residents and visitors in the United States for mental health emergencies, homelessness needs, other social and human services needs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Casey, Robert P., Jr. [Sen.-D-PA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1745 – A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand access to the Veterans Community Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to include certain veterans seeking mental health or substance-use services, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Daines, Steve [Sen.-R-MT]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.1749 – A bill to amend title XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act with respect to nursing facility requirements, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Warner, Mark R. [Sen.-D-VA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

H.Res.425 – Supporting the designation of July 19, 2023, as “Glioblastoma Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Mast, Brian J. [Rep.- R-FL-21]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3471 – To preempt States from establishing, implementing, or enforcing any ban on the prescription, provision, or use of a drug, biological product, or device for contraception if such drug, biological product, or device is approved, licensed, cleared, or otherwise authorized for human use by the Food and Drug Administration for contraception, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bice, Stephanie I. [Rep.-R-OK-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3481 – To provide paid family and medical leave benefits to certain individuals, and for other purposes; Sponsor: DeLauro, Rosa L. [Rep.-D-CT-3]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.3498 – To facilitate nationwide accessibility and coordination of 211 services and 988 services in order to provide information and referral to all residents and visitors in the United States for mental health emergencies, homelessness needs, other social and human services needs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Higgins, Brian [Rep.-D-NY-26]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3503 – To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health, to take certain steps to increase clinical trial diversity, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kelly, Robin L. [Rep.-D- IL-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3520 – To improve the provision of care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [Rep.-R-IA-1]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.3523 – To grow and diversify the perinatal workforce, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Moore, Gwen [Rep.-D-WI-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3532 – To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for reciprocal marketing approval of certain drugs, biological products, and devices that are authorized to be lawfully marketed abroad, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Roy, Chip [Rep.-R-TX-21]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Rules

 

H.R.3548 – To address mental health issues for youth, particularly youth of color, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Watson Coleman, Bonnie [Rep.-D-NJ-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3549 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure Medicare-only PACE program enrollees have a choice of prescription drug plans under Medicare part D; Sponsor: Wenstrup, Brad R. [Rep.-R-OH-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3554 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand access to the Veterans Community Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to include certain veterans seeking mental health or substance-use services, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Zinke, Ryan K. [Rep.-R-MT-1]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee markup of four drug pricing related bills was postponed last week after a disagreement between panel Democrats and Republicans about the process by which the legislation was brought forth for consideration. Republicans argued that several amendments filed by Democrats contained policies that committee leadership agreed to set aside during their initial bipartisan negotiations on the package of bills, some of which had been awaiting scores from the Congressional Budget Office and technical assistance from federal agencies. HELP Committee members also questioned why the markup was taking place prior to a related hearing scheduled for May 10 in which the nation-s largest insulin manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers have agreed to testify. The markup has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 11.

 

Appropriations Markups to Begin Mid-May

Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) announced plans for her panel to begin marking up fiscal year (FY) 2024 spending legislation on May 18th. Negotiations between Murray and Ranking Member Susan Collins (R-Maine) on top-line spending levels are still ongoing. House Appropriations Committee leadership recently announced its own FY 2024 appropriations markup schedule as well: the first subcommittee markups will be held May 17th and 18th, with the first full committee markups tentatively planned for May 23rd, 24th, and 25th. The remaining subcommittee markups will be held June 7th and 8th, with the full committee completing consideration of the measures June 13th, 14th, and 15th.

 

E&C Republicans Probe Viral Manipulation Research, CDC Reorganization

Top Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are asking the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the benefits and risks of predictive field research programs for viruses. The letter comes as a part of the panel-s investigation into the origins of COVID-19. The letter was signed by Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Morgan Griffith (R-Va.). The lawmakers have also asked acting director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Lawrence Tabak to supply details about all internal and external NIH research projects involving virus manipulation.

Rodgers, Guthrie, and Griffith also sent a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requesting information related to its Moving Forward Initiative which has resulted in the agency undertaking a large-scale reorganization. The letter criticizes the CDC for conducting the initiative “largely in secret,” providing just a 10-day notice and comment period and only convening a single related public meeting. The agency used the findings of the Moving Forward Initiative to justify its request to Congress for additional authority to mandate data reporting from state, local, territorial, and tribal public health agencies. “The CDC must provide the Committee with more than a cursory, summarized overview of the findings of the Moving Forward Initiative before the Committee can even begin to consider the agency-s request for additional authority,” the lawmakers state.

 

Wyden, Matsui, McHenry Urge Bakers to Comply with Spirit of Sesame Labeling Law

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), and Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) have sent a letter to the American Bakers Association urging its members to stop unnecessarily adding sesame to baked goods in order to protect consumers with a sesame allergy. “The dangerous practice of adding sesame to baked goods that have not previously contained the ingredient, often without notice, undermines the trust that people with food allergies place in the food industry,” the letter states. The lawmakers argue that “instead of acting to protect consumers, manufacturers are adding trace amounts of sesame to their baking products since the passage of the FASTER Act. It appears that this is being done to avoid the costs associated with the processes and systems controls necessary to ensure safe baking practices.” The Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act, which became law in April 2021, requires manufacturers to ensure that products containing sesame are appropriately labeled.

 

Finance Committee Explores Prevalence of Mental Health Ghost Networks

The Senate Finance Committee released a ‘secret shopper- report last week which found that most Medicare Advantage plan mental health provider directories contain misleading or false contact information. In a study of directories across 12 different plans in six states, Finance majority staff found that more than 80% of mental health care providers listed as in- network were in fact not available to the plan-s enrollees. The report recommends increased oversight and audits of health plan directories, and suggests fining plans that do not have accurate directories. The committee released the report prior to a hearing on the prevalence of these so-called ghost networks on Wednesday, May 10.

 

Sen. Ben Cardin Will Not Seek Reelection

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), 79, announced last week that he will not seek re-election in 2024. Cardin was first elected to the Senate in 2006 following 17 years representing Maryland-s Third Congressional District in the House of Representatives. He currently serves as Chair of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee and is a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations, Finance, and Environment and Public Works committees. Rep. David Trone (D- Md.) and Montgomery County Council member Will Jawando (D) have announced that they will run for Cardin-s Senate seat, and Prince George-s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) is also considering a bid in the 2024 election.

 

WHO Declares End of COVID-19 Global Health Emergency; U.S. PHE to End May 11

At the recommendation of the World Health Organization-s (WHO) COVID-19 Emergency Committee, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has declared an end to COVID-19 as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. WHO officials were careful to emphasize that while the emergency phase of the coronavirus pandemic is over, COVID-19 remains a global public health threat. “COVID has changed our world and it has changed us,” Tedros said. “If we all go back to how things were before COVID-19, we will have failed to learn our lessons and we will have failed future generations.”

As previously announced, the Biden administration will officially terminate the U.S. COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) on May 11. The end of the PHE declaration will result in a restructured federal COVID-19 response that shifts much of the responsibility for vaccine and treatment distribution to the private sector. People without health insurance will continue to be able to access vaccines and treatments at no out-of-pocket cost through 2024. Vaccines will remain free in Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children-s Health Insurance Program, but beneficiaries of these programs could face increased cost sharing for COVID-19 tests and treatments. Certain other flexibilities and regulatory authorities instituted in response to the COVID-19 PHE have already been de-linked from the emergency declaration. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, for example, extended certain telehealth policies and hospital at home waivers through 2024.

Experts have warned that there is an approximately 20% chance of an outbreak rivaling the intensity of the omicron variant occurring in the next two years. It was reported last week that scientists shared their analysis of the possibility of the virus mutating in such a way that evades vaccines and treatments with the Biden administration as it was working to wind down the PHE. The White House declined to comment about the experts- analysis.

 

Walensky to Leave Post of CDC Director

Rochelle Walensky will leave her position as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a post she has held since the start of the Biden administration. During her time as director Walensky acknowledged the CDC-s shortcomings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and launched an effort to reorganize and modernize the agency. Walensky plans to step down on June 30 but did not provide a reason behind her decision to resign.

 

Tanden Tapped as Next Head of the Domestic Policy Council

According to recent reports, President Joe Biden will soon name Neera Tanden as the next Director of the Domestic Policy Council. Tanden will replace Susan Rice, who has announced her plans to leave the administration later this month. Tanden currently serves as White House staff secretary and senior adviser. She was previously nominated to lead the Office of Management and Budget but withdrew from consideration after bipartisan objections to her use of Twitter to criticize political opponents. Biden aide Stef Feldman will replace Tanden as staff secretary.

 

DEA Temporarily Extends COVID-19 Telehealth Prescribing Flexibilities

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced last week that it will continue to permit providers to prescribe controlled substances via telehealth as the agency works to finalize its related proposed regulations in response to the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). The rules proposed in February would have allowed doctors to prescribe only an initial 30-day supply of certain DEA-regulated drugs through telehealth. For other drugs – including Adderall – patients would be required to complete an in-person visit with a provider before receiving a prescription. The DEA stated that it received a record number of comments in response to the proposed rules. It did not specify how long the temporary extension of the COVID-19 era flexibilities will last.

In related news, a bipartisan group of senators sent a letter to the DEA calling on the agency to address gaps in patient access to the opioid use disorder drug buprenorphine. “We are concerned that the DEA has failed to develop and provide sufficiently clear guidance for pharmacists, wholesalers, distributors, and patients for accessing buprenorphine,” the lawmakers said in a letter to the agency. The letter was signed by Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

New Survey Examines Impact of Pandemic on Nursing Shortages

Anew survey from AMN Healthcare reveals that nearly one-third of nurses nationwide will leave the profession because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The percentage of nurses saying they were satisfied with their choice of career dropped to 71% in 2023, after holding steady at 80% to 85% for the prior decade. The survey of 182,000 nurses also found a decline in the percentage of nurses who are satisfied with the quality of care they provide from 75% to 64%.

 

POLICY BRIEFINGS

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

House Ways and Means Committee field hearing on “Trade in America: Securing Supply Chains and Protecting the American Worker – Staten Island;” 10:00 a.m.; May 9

 

House Veterans- Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization hearing “Electronic Health Record Modernization Deep Dive: Pharmacy;” 3:00 p.m.; May 9

 

House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit hearing “Freight Forward: Overcoming Supply Chain Challenges to Deliver for America;” 10:00 a.m.; May 10

 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing “The Need to Make Insulin Affordable for All Americans;” 1:00 p.m.; May 10

 

House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health hearing on Examining Policies that Inhibit Innovation and Patient Access; 2:00 p.m.; May 10

 

House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic hearing “Investigating Pandemic Immunity: Acquired, Therapeutic or Both;” 10:00 a.m.; May 11

 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee markup of S. 1067, Ensuring Timely Access to Generics Act of 2023, S. 1114, Expanding Access to Low-Cost Generics Act of 2023, S. 1214, RARE Act, and S. 1339, Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act; 10:00 a.m.; May 11

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing “Preparing for and Responding to Future Public Health Security Threats;” 10:00 a.m.; May 11

 

Senate Finance Committee hearing “Cross-border Rx: Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and U.S. International Tax Policy;” 10:00 a.m.; May 11

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing “Examining the Root Causes of Drug Shortages: Challenges in Pharmaceutical Drug Supply Chains;” 10:30 a.m.; May 11

 

House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials hearing “Getting Back on Track: Exploring Rail Supply Chain Resilience and Challenges;” 2:00 p.m.; May 11

 

House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services hearing “FDA Oversight Part II: Responsibility for the Infant Formula Shortage;” 2:00 p.m.; May 11

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

 

H.R.3030 – To amend subsection (q) of section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to clarify the process for denying certain petitions whose primary purpose is to delay the approval of an application submitted under subsection (b)(2) or (j) of such section 505, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sorensen, Eric [Rep.-D-IL-17]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3029 – To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals with direct primary care service arrangements to remain eligible individuals for purposes of health savings accounts, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Smucker, Lloyd [Rep.-R-PA-11]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.3024 – To amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to permit additional leave for bone marrow or blood stem cell donation, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Phillips, Dean [Rep.-D-MN-3]; Committees: House – Education and the Workforce; Oversight and Accountability; House Administration

 

H.R.3023 – To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to furnish stellate ganglion block to veterans and members of the Armed Forces with post-traumatic stress disorder, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Perry, Scott [Rep.-R-PA-10]; Committees: House – Armed Services; Veterans- Affairs

 

H.R.3017 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve access to skilled nursing facilities for primary immunodeficiency patients. Sponsor: Matsui, Doris O. [Rep.-D-CA-7]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3011 – To establish a task force of the Department of Defense on mental health. Sponsor: Kilmer, Derek [Rep.-D- WA-6]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.3009 – To direct the Secretary of Defense to carry out a pilot program to pre-program suicide prevention resources into certain smart devices issued to members of the Armed Forces. Sponsor: Joyce, David P. [Rep.-R-OH-14]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.3008 – To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for notification by manufacturers of critical essential medicines of increased demand of such drugs, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Jacobs, Sara [Rep.-D-CA-51]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3004 – To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a temporary expansion of health insurance premium tax credits for certain low-income populations, and to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to establish a Federal Medicaid program. Sponsor: Fletcher, Lizzie [Rep.-D-TX-7]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.347 – Expressing support for designation of the mouth of April 2023 as “Parkinson-s Awareness Month”. Sponsor: Wexton, Jennifer [Rep.-D-VA-10]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.345 – Recognizing that infertility is a widespread problem that affects populations of diverse ages, races, ethnicities, and genders. Sponsor: Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [Rep.-D-FL-25]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.338 – 118th Congress (2023-2024) Expressing support for the designation of April 30, 2023, as “National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day”. Sponsor: Johnson, Henry C. “Hank,” Jr. [Rep.-D-GA-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.1395 – A bill to temporarily suspend the debt limit through December 31, 2024; Sponsor: Schumer, Charles E. [Sen.- D-NY]; Latest Action: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

 

S.1403 – A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a grant program to award grants to accredited public institutions of higher education, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Mullin, Markwayne [Sen.-R-OK]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.Res.348 – Declaring gun violence a public health crisis; Sponsor: Espaillat, Adriano [Rep.-D-NY-13]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.351 – Recognizing the impact the stigmatization of menstruation has on the lives of women, girls, and people who menstruate, and expressing support for the designation of the month of May as “National Menstrual Health Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Meng, Grace [Rep.-D-NY-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and the Workforce

 

H.Res.355 – Supporting the designation of May 2023 as “National Brain Tumor Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Quigley, Mike [Rep.-D-IL-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3055 – To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to include certain mental health professionals as specialized instructional support personnel; Sponsor: Harder, Josh [Rep.-D-CA-9]; Committees: House – Education and the Workforce

 

H.R.3065 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide funding for trained school personnel to administer drugs and devices for emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Phillips, Dean [Rep.-D-MN-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3066 – To establish the National Commission on the COVID-19 Pandemic, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Posey, Bill [Rep.-R-FL-8]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Financial Services; Transportation and Infrastructure

 

H.R.3068 – To prohibit discrimination in health care and require the provision of equitable health care, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schiff, Adam B. [Rep.-D-CA-30]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3069 – To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to improve access to care for all Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries through models tested under the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Sewell, Terri A. [Rep.-D-AL-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.3073 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to promote mental wellness and resilience and prevent and heal mental health, behavioral health, and psychosocial conditions through developmentally and culturally appropriate community programs, and award grants for the purpose of establishing, operating, or expanding community-based mental wellness and resilience programs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Tonko, Paul [Rep.-D-NY-20]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3074 – 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: Trone, David J. [Rep.-D-MD-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.3076 – To amend title 36, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a flag for next of kin of veterans who die by suicide; Sponsor: Van Drew, Jefferson [Rep.-R-NJ-2]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.3077 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a counseling program for certain survivor of veterans deceased as the result of suicide; Sponsor: Van Drew, Jefferson [Rep.-R-NJ-2]; Committees: House – Veterans- Affairs

 

S.1423 – A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize a scholarship and loan repayment program to incentivize physicians to enter into the field of sickle cell disease research, treatment, and patient care, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Van Hollen, Chris [Sen.-D-MD]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1424 – A bill 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: Manchin, Joe, III [Sen.-D-WV]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1426 – A bill to improve the identification and support of children and families who experience trauma; Sponsor: Durbin, Richard J. [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1436 – A bill to expand and extend benefits available to veterans in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Tester, Jon [Sen.-D-MT]; Committees: Senate – Veterans- Affairs

 

S.Res.197 – A resolution designating the week of May 1, 2023, through May 7, 2023, as “Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week”; Sponsor: Mullin, Markwayne [Sen.-R-OK]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.1441 – A bill to establish a Center for Biomedical Innovation and Development in order to accelerate innovation and development of advanced medical countermeasure products; Sponsor: Cornyn, John [Sen.-R-TX]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1446 – A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude certain Nurse Corps payments from gross income; Sponsor: Merkley, Jeff [Sen.-D-OR]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1447 – A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a grant program supporting trauma center violence intervention and violence prevention programs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cardin, Benjamin L. [Sen.-D-MD]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1450 – A bill to establish a cap on costs for covered prescription drugs under Medicare parts B and D; Sponsor: Sanders, Bernard [Sen.-I-VT]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1451 – A bill to band anticompetitive terms in facility and insurance contracts that limit access to higher quality, lower cost care; Sponsor: Braun, Mike [Sen.-R-IN]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1452 – A bill to promote mental wellness and resilience and prevent and heal mental health, behavioral health, and psychosocial conditions through developmentally and culturally appropriate community programs, and award grants for the purpose of establishing, operating, or expanding community-based mental wellness and resilience programs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

House Passes GOP Debt Ceiling Bill Along Party Lines

The House of Representatives passed the GOP leadership’s legislative proposal to raise the debt ceiling last week in a 217-215 vote. Four Republicans – Matt Gaetz (Fla.), Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Ken Buck (Colo.), and Tim Burchett (Tenn.) – joined Democrats in opposition to the measure. The Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 (H.R. 2811) would lift the nation’s $34.1 trillion debt limit by $1.5 trillion or until March 31, 2024, whichever comes first, in exchange for $130 billion in proposed budget cuts. The bill would achieve these cuts by freezing discretionary spending at fiscal year (FY) 2022 levels – $1.47 trillion. Any future spending increases would be capped at 1% annually for the next decade, reaching $1.61 trillion in total discretionary spending in FY 2033. The bill would permit new budget authority only for certain activities, including health care fraud and abuse prevention. The legislation also includes provisions to claw back unspent and unobligated COVID-19 funding and to institute work requirements for social safety net programs. Medicaid recipients would be required to work, look for work, or participate in community engagement for 80 hours a month, exempting those with dependent children and those who are “physically or mentally unfit,” enrolled in an educational program, under 19 years old, or over 56 years old. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill would reduce the federal deficit by $4.8 trillion over the next decade. The Medicaid work requirement proposal would reduce federal spending by $109 billion, with the budget office forecasting that 1.5 million adults would lose federal funding for their Medicaid coverage. Approximately 900,000 of those individuals would retain their health insurance coverage through Medicaid state funding, while 600,000 would become uninsured. H.R. 2811 has been rejected by congressional Democrats and the White House in favor of a clean increase to the debt limit, with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) characterizing the bill as dead on arrival in the Senate and the White House confirming that the President would veto the legislation should it reach his desk. Without an increase or suspension of the debt ceiling, the nation could default on its payment obligations as early as June.

 

HELP to Markup Four Drug Pricing Bills This Week

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-La.) have announced a bipartisan deal to consider a slate of drug pricing related proposals. The four bills will be marked up by the panel on Tuesday. The committee will consider:

• The RARE Act (S. 1214), to codify that the scope of orphan drug exclusivity aligns with the approved use or indication of an orphan drug, rather than the disease or condition for which the drug received orphan drug designation.
• The Ensuring Timely Access to Generics Act of 2023 (S. 1067), which would permit the FDA to deny a citizen petition submitted with the primary purpose of delaying the approval of a follow-on generic or biosimilar application, or if the petition does not raise valid scientific or regulatory issues.
• The Expanding Access to Low-Cost Generics Act of 2023 (S. 1114), to allow generic companies that are not “first filers” to enter the market if the first filer who otherwise received 180-day exclusivity has failed to come to market by 33 months since the date of submission of the application when there is another applicant who is otherwise ready to market their product.
• The Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act (S. 1339), which would increase oversight of entities that provide pharmacy benefit management services on behalf of group health plans and health insurance coverage.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) aims to bring a drug pricing package to the floor this year. The Senate Commerce, Judiciary, and Finance committees are also working to pass their own drug pricing proposals, and Sanders has stated that he expects to see several of the related bills merged when they reach the Senate floor.

 

House Appropriations Markups to Commence May 17th

The House Appropriations Committee will begin conducting markups of FY 2024 spending bills later this month. According to a letter from Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-Texas) to panel members, the first subcommittee markups will be scheduled for May 17th and 18th, with the first full committee markups tentatively planned for May 23rd, 24th, and 25th. The remaining subcommittee markups will be held June 7th and 8th, with the full committee completing consideration of the measures June 13th, 14th, and 15th.

 

Senate Republicans Block VA Cannabis Research Proposal

The Senate blocked consideration of legislation last week that would have directed the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct research on the effects of cannabis on patients in the VA health care system suffering from trauma, stress, chronic pain, and opioid use disorder. The VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act (S. 326), introduced by Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), was unanimously passed out of committee earlier this year but failed in a 57-42 procedural motion that required 60 votes to advance on the Senate floor. Eight Republicans joined Democrats in support of the bill: Veterans’ Affairs Committee members Jerry Moran (Kansas), Bill Cassidy (La.), Mike Rounds (S.D.), and Dan Sullivan (Alaska), along with Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Josh Hawley (Mo.), and Eric Schmitt (Mo.).

 

Warren, Jayapal Make Drug Pricing Recommendations for USPTO

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) have sent a letter to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) reiterating their request that the agency take action against alleged efforts by pharmaceutical manufacturers to prevent generic competition from coming to market. “We have yet to see the USPTO take substantial steps to exercise its existing administrative authorities to help lower drug prices, encourage competition, and increase innovation,” the letter states. The lawmakers sent similar letters to the agency in June 2021 and December 2022. Warren and Jayapal specifically urge the USPTO to consider the following recommendations:

• Revise the practice of granting obvious patents;
• When challenged, patents tied together by terminal disclaimers should all stand or fall together;
• Raise filing fees and limit the number and time period for continuation applications to discourage “obviousness-type double patents;”
• Require applicants to disclose at the time of filing whether the drug compound covered by the patent application is in clinical trials;
• Reverse policies that have led to an increase in discretionary denials of petitions filed through the inter partes review process; and
• Establish an office dedicated to building public transparency, serving the public interest, and strengthening interagency communication.

 

Coronavirus Select Subcommittee Requests Intel from Chinese Scientists

Republicans on the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic have asked the Chinese embassy to permit five Chinese scientists to be interviewed about how the coronavirus pandemic started. The request comes in response to the Chinese embassy’s opposition to a recent subcommittee hearing regarding the origins of COVID-19. “Continued stonewalling by China will not only harm the globe’s ability to predict, prepare, protect, and prevent the next pandemic but will also…fail to promote ‘international solidarity,'” the letter states. The committee asks to hear from Dr. George Gao, former director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Dr. Shi Zhengli, director of the Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Wuhan Institute of Virology; Dr. Ben Hu, a researcher with the Wuhan Institute of Virology; and Dr. Chen Wei, Major General of the People’s Liberation Army.

 

E&C Republicans Launch Probe into NIH Communications Spending

House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans have launched an investigation into spending by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on public information and communication services. The NIH has spent nearly $1 billion over the last five years on public relations contracts. The committee sent letters to the 10 communications and consulting firms awarded a contract in 2018 that is due to expire in December to request more information about their work for NIH. “Government contracts for public relations, consulting, and media services can devolve into a kind of de facto public relations service for the personal aggrandizement of senior leadership. They can be used to promote an agency’s brand and image instead of being used to communicate accurate information to the public,” the letter states. The panel aims to determine how the agency uses contract public relations firms and whether they are an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars.

 

Physicians Consider Impact of Potential Mifepristone Restrictions on Off-Label Prescribing

Physicians across the country are working to determine the impact of recent legal rulings related to the accessibility of mifepristone on their prescribing practices. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court acted to prevent lower court rulings suspending access to mifepristone from taking effect. Mifepristone is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for abortion, though it is frequently prescribed off-label for miscarriage management. The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments on May 17 from anti-abortion groups in support of overturning the FDA’s approval of mifepristone and counterarguments from the Biden administration and the pill’s manufacturer seeking to maintain access to the pill nationwide. The 5th Circuit’s prior ruling would have kept the drug on the market but restricted access to telemedicine prescriptions, mail delivery, pharmacy dispensing, and generic versions of the drug and only permitted prescriptions within seven weeks of gestation. Meanwhile, a separate federal court ruling from Washington state could shield some states and the District of Columbia from any attempts to restrict mifepristone availability. While some legal experts assert that any future restrictions on the medication abortion pill could be circumvented by prescribing the drug off-label, many prescribers are concerned about the possibility of prosecution, harassment, and retaliation from state licensing boards and civil litigation. “We don’t feel at all comfortable,” American Medical Association President Jack Resneck stated in an interview. “Off-label prescribing is common, but it is really unclear in this case what physicians would be able to do.”

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee markup of S. 1067, Ensuring Timely Access to Generics Act of 2023, S. 1114, Expanding Access to Low-Cost Generics Act of 2023, S. 1214, RARE Act, and S. 1339, Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act; 10:00 a.m.; May 2

 

Senate Finance Committee hearing “Barriers to Mental Health Care: Improving Provider Directory Accuracy to Reduce the Prevalence of Ghost Networks;” 10:00 a.m.; May 3

 

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing “Examining the Effectiveness of the Office of Integrated Veteran Care;” 3:00 p.m.; May 3

 

Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies hearing “Fiscal Year 2024 budget for the National Institutes of Health;” 10:00 a.m.; May 4

 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing “Preparing for the Next Public Health Emergency: Reauthorizing the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act;” 1:00 p.m.; May 4

 

House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization hearing “Electronic Health Record Modernization Deep Dive: Pharmacy;” 3:00 p.m.; May 9

 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing “The Need to Make Insulin Affordable for All Americans;” 1:00 p.m.; May 10

 

 

POLICY BRIEFINGS

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.R.2804 – To amend the Controlled Substances Act with respect to the registration of opioid treatment programs to increase stakeholder input from relevant communities and to ensure such programs are treating patients in need, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Espaillat, Adriano [Rep.-D-NY-13]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.2809 – To authorize an electronic health record modernization program of the Department of Veterans Affairs and increase oversight and accountability of the program to better serve veterans, medical professionals of the Department, and taxpayers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Takano, Mark [Rep.-D-CA-39]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs; Armed Services

 

S.Res.170 – A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day; Sponsor: Wicker, Roger F. [Sen.-R-MS]; Committees: Senate – Foreign Relations

 

S.1262 – A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to require Federal employee health benefit plans to include assisted reproductive treatment benefits, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Duckworth, Tammy [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

 

S.1264 – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to strengthen the drug pricing reforms in the Inflation Reduction Act; Sponsor: Klobuchar, Amy [Sen.-D-MN]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1269 – A bill to reduce the price of insulin and provide for patient protections with respect to the cost of insulin; Sponsor: Shaheen, Jeanne [Sen.-D-NH]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.R.2813 – To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from the definition of health insurance coverage certain medical stop-loss insurance obtained by certain plan sponsors of group health plans, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Good, Bob [Rep.-R- VA-5]; Committees: House – Education and the Workforce; Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.2816 – To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to strengthen transparency requirements with respect to pharmacy benefit managers; Sponsor: Harshbarger, Diana [Rep.-R-TN-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.2818 – To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans for improvements and structural alterations furnished as part of home health services; Sponsor: Bacon, Don [Rep.-R-NE-2]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.2819 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to limit the liability of health care professionals who volunteer to provide health care services in response to a disaster; Sponsor: Bucshon, Larry [Rep.-R-IN-8]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.2828 – To require Federal employee health benefit plans to include assisted reproductive treatment benefits, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Connolly, Gerald E. [Rep.-D-VA-11]; Committees: House – Oversight and Accountability

 

H.R.2829 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove cost-sharing responsibilities for chronic care management services under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Duncan, Jeff [Rep.-R-SC-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.2852 – To require the Secretary of Defense to provide to firefighters of the Department of Defense medical testing and related services to detect and prevent certain cancers; Sponsor: Slotkin, Elissa [Rep.-D-MI-7]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.2853 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand access to clinical care in the home, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Smith, Adrian [Rep.-R-NE-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.2854 – To require the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to submit a report on progress relating to malaria reduction, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Smith, Christopher H. [Rep.-R-NJ-4]; Committees: House – Foreign Affairs

 

H.R.2857 – To direct the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation of the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct an annual study on health care competition and consolidation at the State level; Sponsor: Spartz, Victoria [Rep.-R-IN-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.2858 – To amend the Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004 to repeal the antitrust exemption applicable to graduate medical resident matching programs; Sponsor: Spartz, Victoria [Rep.-R-IN-5]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.2859 – To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish new community benefit standards for tax-exempt hospital organizations, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Spartz, Victoria [Rep.-R-IN-5]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.2860 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to repeal the Obamacare ban on provider-owned hospitals, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Spartz, Victoria [Rep.-R-IN-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.2861 – To require the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the effects of anticompetitive contracting clauses in contracts between health insurers and health care providers and to determine actions taken by the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice relating to the use of such clauses in such contracts and to assess their ability to effectively enforce the Federal antitrust laws with respect to such use; Sponsor: Spartz, Victoria [Rep.-R-IN-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.2862 – To eliminate the inpatient-only service list; Sponsor: Spartz, Victoria [Rep.-R-IN-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.2863 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act and title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to address incorrect billing by off-campus hospital locations, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Spartz, Victoria [Rep.-R-IN-5]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.2867 – To establish an awareness campaign related to the lethality of fentanyl and fentanyl-contaminated drugs, to establish a Federal Interagency Work Group on Fentanyl Contamination of Drugs, and to provide community-based coalition enhancement grants to mitigate the effects of drug use; Sponsor: Trone, David J. [Rep.-D-MD-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.2868 – To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to clarify the treatment of certain association health plans as employers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Walberg, Tim [Rep.-R-MI-5]; Committees: House – Education and the Workforce

 

S.1294 – A bill to provide for payment rates for durable medical equipment under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Thune, John [Sen.-R-SD]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1296 – A bill to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to improve access to care for all Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries through models tested under the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1297 – A bill to ensure the right to provide reproductive health care services, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Murray, Patty [Sen.-D-WA]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.1298 – A bill 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; Sponsor: Kaine, Tim [Sen.-D-VA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1302 – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the distribution of additional residency positions, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Menendez, Robert [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1315 – A bill to improve the provision of care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Moran, Jerry [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.1317 – A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for public health research and investment into understanding and eliminating structural racism and police violence; Sponsor: Warren, Elizabeth [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.R.2880 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish certain requirements for pharmacy benefit managers under part D of the Medicare program; Sponsor: Carter, Earl L. “Buddy” [Rep.-R-GA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.2884 – To facilitate direct primary care arrangements under Medicaid; Sponsor: Crenshaw, Dan [Rep.-R-TX-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.2890 – To amend the Federal Trade Commission Act to make hospital organizations and cooperative hospital service organizations subject to the law relating to unfair methods of competition; Sponsor: Jayapal, Pramila [Rep.-D-WA-7]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

H.R.2893 – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for certain rules regarding the treatment of eligible retirement plans in determining the eligibility of individuals for premium and cost-sharing subsidies under part D of the Medicare program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Lee, Susie [Rep.-D-NV-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.2904 – To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for public health research and investment into understanding and eliminating structural racism and police violence; Sponsor: Pressley, Ayanna [Rep.-D-MA-7]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.2907 – To ensure the right to provide reproductive health care services, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schrier, Kim [Rep.-D-WA-8]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.2914 – To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the health coverage tax credit; Sponsor: Turner, Michael R. [Rep.-R-OH-10]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

S.Res.180 – A resolution expressing support for the designation of April 30, 2023, as “National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Hirono, Mazie K. [Sen.-D-HI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.Res.184 – A resolution expressing support for the designation of April 2023 as “Parkinson’s Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Stabenow, Debbie [Sen.-D-MI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1333 – A bill to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants for providing evidence-based caregiver skills training to family caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities or delays, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Menendez, Robert [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1339 – A bill to provide for increased oversight of entities that provide pharmacy benefit management services on behalf of group health plans and health insurance coverage; Sponsor: Sanders, Bernard [Sen.-I-VT]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1346 – A bill to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants to implement innovative approaches to securing prompt access to appropriate follow-on care for individuals who experience an acute mental health episode and present for care in an emergency department, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Capito, Shelley Moore [Sen.-R-WV]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1347 – A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to waive cost-sharing under the TRICARE program for three mental health outpatient visits per year for certain beneficiaries, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Ossoff, Jon [Sen.-D-GA]; Committees: Senate – Armed Services

 

S.1355 – A bill to establish a program to develop antimicrobial innovations targeting the most challenging pathogens and most threatening infections, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bennet, Michael F. [Sen.-D-CO]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1360 – A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to include exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances and polyfluoroalkyl substances in periodic health assessments of members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Shaheen, Jeanne [Sen.-D-NH]; Committees: Senate – Armed Services

 

S.1367 – A bill to amend 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: Stabenow, Debbie [Sen.-D-MI]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1373 – A bill to increase access to medication for opioid overdose reversal, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1374 – A bill to prohibit group health plans and health insurance issuers from entering into contracts that would prevent or restrict patient access to drug pricing information otherwise available through consumer decision-support tools; Sponsor: Marshall, Roger [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1375 – A bill to amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to apply additional payments, discounts, and other financial assistance towards the cost-sharing requirements of health insurance plans, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Marshall, Roger [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.1378 – A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide incentives for behavioral health integration under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Cortez Masto, Catherine [Sen.-D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.1384 – A bill to promote and protect from discrimination living organ donors; Sponsor: Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [Sen.-D- NY]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.Res.333 – Expressing support for designation of April as “National Donate Life Month” and expressing gratitude to all Americans who have registered to be organ and tissue donors; Sponsor: Costa, Jim [Rep.-D-CA-21]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.2923 – To promote and protect from discrimination living organ donors; Sponsor: Nadler, Jerrold [Rep.-D-NY-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Oversight and Accountability; House Administration; Education and the Workforce; Financial Services

 

H.R.2935 – To amend title 10, United States Code, to extend the period during which certain survivors of a member of the Selected Reserve are eligible for health benefits under TRICARE Reserve Select; Sponsor: Courtney, Joe [Rep.-D-CT-2]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.2940 – To amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to establish a program to develop antimicrobial innovations targeting the most challenging pathogens and most threatening infections, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Ferguson, A. Drew, IV [Rep.-R-GA-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Oversight and Accountability; Ways and Means; Budget

 

H.R.2959 – To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve access to health care through expanded health savings accounts, and for other purposes; Sponsor: LaTurner, Jake [Rep.-R-KS-2]; Committees: House – Ways and Means; Judiciary; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.2965 – To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants for providing evidence-based caregiver skills training to family caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities or delays, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Meng, Grace [Rep.-D-NY-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.2977 – To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for the purpose of establishing, operating, or expanding one-stop crisis facilities, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Smith, Adam [Rep.-D-WA-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Financial Services; Judiciary

 

H.R.2986 – To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a deduction for certain charity care furnished by physicians, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Webster, Daniel [Rep.-R-FL-11]; Committees: House – Ways and Means