Hart Health Strategies

Senate Appropriations Timing Announced, Murray Pushes for Increase in Nondefense Spending-Senate appropriators will begin the process of marking up fiscal year 2025 government funding bills the week of July 8, according to an announcement from Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) last week. Murray delivered a floor speech on Tuesday calling for an increase in nondefense discretionary funding beyond the 1% increase agreed upon in the 2023 debt limit deal. Murray specifically discussed the impact of a 1% increase on medical research, arguing that “One percent means we are blunting momentum for lifesaving biomedical breakthroughs. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is looking at a $280 million shortfall as Cures Act funding tapers off. That absolutely cannot be filled with a 1% bump. And that’s on top of the $678 million in NIH Cures Act funding that already expired last year-that we couldn’t make up for because of the caps. There are countless patients who would be devastated to hear that totally arbitrary spending caps are stifling research that could save their life.”

 

Drug Patent Bill Receives Favorable CBO Score-The Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act (S.150) which would reform the drug patent system and increase generic competition is estimated to save $3 billion over the next decade, according to the bill’s new score from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Supporters of the bipartisan legislation, introduced by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), are pushing for its inclusion in a year-end health care package. The bill specifically aims to curtail the use of product hopping and patent thickets. The latest CBO savings projection is three times higher than the agency’s 2022 estimate. The legislation was advanced by the Senate Judiciary Committee in a bipartisan vote last year.

 

Wyden, Senate Dems Release Bill to Address Labor and Delivery Unit Closures-Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) released draft legislation last week that aims to prevent additional closures of hospital labor and delivery units in rural and underserved areas. The Keep Obstetrics Local Act would increase Medicaid payments for labor and delivery care, provide standby payments to support low-volume hospitals, and require Medicaid coverage of 12 months of postpartum care nationwide. Wyden was joined by fifteen Senate Democrats in releasing the proposal. A summary and section by section of the draft bill can be found here. Legislative text can be found here.

 

Democrats Push Administration to Improve Transparency of ERISA Plan Benefit Denials-House Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-Va.) and Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.) have sent a letter to the Department of Labor raising concerns about benefit denials by employer-based health plans. The letter highlights recent media investigations into systemic denials of health benefits by insurers and third-party administrators that prevent workers and their families from accessing needed health care services. Health plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which cover more than 130 million Americans, are required to submit an annual report known as Form 5500 to the Department of Labor with information about their financial status and operations. Scott and DeSaulnier urge the Department to improve Form 5500 to ensure that necessary data regarding benefit denials is collected and to close loopholes that currently exempt millions of ERISA-covered plans from compliance with disclosure requirements.

 

CBO Releases Updated Data on 340B Spending-The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has released new data on 340B drug discount program spending. CBO’s analysis found that spending on cancer treatments, immunosuppressants, and anti-infective agents comprised 70% of total program spending in 2021, up from 58% in 2010. The analysis also found that 88% of the growth in program spending stems from drugs prescribed by hospitals and their affiliated clinics. CBO notes that only a portion of the growth in 340B spending can be explained by market wide trends or by disproportionate growth in spending on certain classes of drugs; other factors that may have contributed to the growth in 340B spending include integration of hospitals and clinics, expanded facility participation due to the Affordable Care Act; and expanded use of contract pharmacies.

 

CMS to Discontinue Change Accelerated Payment Program-The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that it will discontinue the Change Healthcare/Optum Payment Disruption program on July 12. The program was initiated following the February cyberattack on Change Healthcare to support providers experiencing cash flow disruptions. CMS has ultimately issued more than $2.55 billion in accelerated payments to more than 4,200 Medicare Part A providers, and more than $717.18 million in accelerated payments to 4,722 Part B suppliers. More than 96% of the payments made through the program have already been recovered.

 

FDA Releases Draft Interchangeability Guidance-The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a draft guidance on Friday that proposes to eliminate study requirements for demonstrating that biosimilar drugs are interchangeable with their FDA-licensed reference product. The agency asserts that since the publication of their 2019 interchangeability guidance, experience has demonstrated that the safety or diminished efficacy risk following a switch between a reference product and biosimilar is insignificant. “Health care professionals and patients can be confident in the safety and effectiveness of a biosimilar product, whether or not it has also been approved as an interchangeable biosimilar, just as they would be for an originator biologic,” the FDA said in a statement. Comments on the draft guidance are due August 20.

 

Congressional Retirements and Resignations-A running list of members of Congress who are retiring or seeking other office can be found below.

SENATE
Stabenow (D), MI	Braun (R), IN
Cardin (D), MD	Romney (R), UT
Carper (D), DE
Butler (D), CA
Manchin (D), WV
Sinema (I), AZ
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Porter (D), CA	Mooney (R), WV
Lee (D), CA	Banks (R), IN
Gallego (D), AZ	Bishop (R), NC
Schiff (D), CA	Lesko (R), AZ
Slotkin (D), MI	Granger (R), TX
Allred (D), TX	Buck (R), CO (effective March 22, 2024)
Trone (D), MD	Burgess, MD (R), TX
Blunt Rochester (D), DE	Wenstrup, DPM (R), OH
Napolitano (D), CA	McHenry (R), NC
Wexton (D), VA	Johnson (R), OH (effective Jan. 21, 2024)
Kim, Andy (D), NJ	Ferguson, IV, DMD, PC (R), GA
Jackson, Jeff (D), NC	Curtis (R), UT
Sarbanes (D), MD	Luetkemeyer (R), MO
Blumenauer (D), OR	Lamborn (R), CO
Kilmer (D), WA	Bucshon, MD (R), IN
Spanberger (D), VA	Pence (R), IN
Kildee (D), MI	Duncan (R), SC
Phillips (D), MN	Armstrong (R), ND
Cardenas (D), CA	McMorris Rodgers (R), WA
Eshoo (D), CA	Gallagher (R), WI (effective April 19, 2024)
Manning (D), NC	LaTurner (R), KS
Nickel (D), NC	Graves (R), LA
Ruppersberger (D), MD
Sablan (D), MP
Kuster (D), NH

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

House Judiciary Subcommittee on Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust hearing “Follow the Science?: Oversight of the Biden COVID-19 Administrative State Response;” 10:00 a.m.; June 26

 

House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health hearing “The Continuity of Care: Assessing the Structure of VA’s Healthcare Network;” 2:15 p.m.; June 26

 

House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health hearing “Improving Value-Based Care for Patients and Providers;” 3:00 p.m.; June 26

 

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies markup of FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill; 8:00 a.m.; June 27

 

House Energy and Commerce markup of the American Privacy Rights Act; 10:00 a.m.; June 27

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.Res.1301-Expressing support for the inaugural Heart Recovery Awareness Day on February 20, 2025; Sponsor: Moulton, Seth [Rep.-D-MA-6]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.8749-To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to promote preparedness and Medicare beneficiary access to safer, more accurate sterile intravenous drug preparations through automated hospital infrastructure; Sponsor: Kelly, Mike [Rep.-R-PA-16]; Committees: House-Ways and Means

 

H.R.8756-To establish the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officers Council, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officers, and Artificial Intelligence Coordination Boards, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Connolly, Gerald E. [Rep.-D-VA-11]; Committees: House-Oversight and Accountability; Science, Space, and Technology

 

H.R.8763-To provide grants to States to encourage the implementation and maintenance of firearms licensing requirements, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Pressley, Ayanna [Rep.-D-MA-7]; Committees: House-Judiciary

 

H.R.8764-To require the Attorney General to make publicly available a list of federally licensed firearms dealers with a high number of short time-to-crime firearm traces, and to prohibit Federal departments and agencies from contracting with such dealers; Sponsor: Raskin, Jamie [Rep.-D-MD-8]; Committees: House-Judiciary; Oversight and Accountability

 

H.R.8767-To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to remove the exclusion from medical assistance under the Medicaid program of items and services for patients in an institution for mental diseases; Sponsor: Thanedar, Shri [Rep.-D-MI-13]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.8768-To authorize the Attorney General to make grants available to support State, Tribal, and local firearm destruction activities, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Tokuda, Jill N. [Rep.-D-HI-2]; Committees: House-Judiciary

 

H.R.8771-Making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Diaz-Balart, Mario [Rep.-R-FL-26]; Committees: House-Appropriations

 

S.4554-A bill to express support for protecting access to reproductive health care after the Dobbs v. Jackson decision on June 24, 2022; Sponsor: Murray, Patty [Sen.-D-WA]; Latest Action: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time

 

S.4556-A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the Office of Falls Prevention of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: King, Angus S., Jr. [Sen.-I-ME]; Committees: Senate-Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.Res.738-A resolution expressing support for the designation of June 19, 2024, as “World Sickle Cell Awareness Day” in order to increase public awareness across the United States and global community about sickle cell disease and the continued need for empirical research, early detection screenings, novel effective treatments leading to a cure, and preventative care programs with respect to complications from sickle cell anemia and conditions relating to sickle cell disease; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate-Foreign Relations

 

S.4575-A bill to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require the Assistant Secretary for Aging to make available to States, area agencies on aging, and service providers information and technical assistance to support the provision of evidence-informed practices that are likely to improve health outcomes, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Braun, Mike [Sen.-R-IN]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4577-A bill to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require the Assistant Secretary for Aging to publish on an online portal information on national resource centers authorized or supported under such Act, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Braun, Mike [Sen.-R-IN]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4578-A bill to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require reports to Congress on State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Braun, Mike [Sen.-R-IN]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4581-A bill to require the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, and such other heads of departments and agencies as the Secretary of State considers appropriate, to formulate a strategy for the Federal Government to secure support from foreign countries, multilateral organizations, and other appropriate entities to facilitate the development and commercialization of qualified pandemic or epidemic products, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kelly, Mark [Sen.-D-AZ]; Committees: Senate-Foreign Relations

 

S.4583-A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue priority review vouchers to encourage treatments for rare pediatric diseases; Sponsor: Casey, Robert P., Jr. [Sen.-D-PA]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4587-A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to include rural emergency hospitals in the definition of a covered entity for purposes of the drug discount program under section 340B of such Act; Sponsor: Peters, Gary C. [Sen.-D-MI]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4592-A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health, to award grants to faith- or community-based organizations to address persistent health inequities and chronic disease challenges; Sponsor: Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [Sen.-D-NY]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.Res.1304-Expressing support for the designation of June 19, 2024, as “World Sickle Cell Awareness Day” in order to increase public awareness across the United States and global community about sickle cell disease and the continued need for empirical research, early detection screenings, novel effective treatments leading to a cure, and preventative care programs with respect to complications from sickle cell anemia and conditions relating to sickle cell disease; Sponsor: Davis, Danny K. [Rep.-D-IL-7]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.1306-Expressing support for the designation of June 21, 2024, as National ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Day to promote children’s health and safe storage of guns in the home; Sponsor: Crow, Jason [Rep.-D-CO-6]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.1307-Expressing support for the designation of June 20, 2024, as “World FSHD Day”; Sponsor: Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.1310-Expressing support for the designation of the month of June 2024 as “National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month” and June 27, 2024, as “National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Peters, Scott H. [Rep.-D-CA-50]; Committees: House-Armed Services; Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.8776-To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to treat membership in a health care sharing ministry as a medical expense, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kelly, Mike [Rep.-R-PA-16]; Committees: House-Ways and Means

 

S.4612-A bill to ensure that the background check system used for firearms purchases denies a firearm to a person prohibited from possessing a firearm by a lawful court order governing the pretrial release of the person; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate-Judiciary

 

S.4614-A bill to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Education to coordinate and distribute educational materials and resources regarding artificial intelligence and social media platform impact, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4616-A bill to establish a public health plan; Sponsor: Bennet, Michael F. [Sen.-D-CO]; Committees: Senate-Finance

House Passes First FY 2025 Appropriations Bill-The House of Representatives passed the first of the 12 annual appropriations measures last week. The fiscal year (FY) 2025 Military Construction-Veterans Affairs (VA) appropriations bill (H.R.5850) passed in a 209-197 vote. The House adopted an amendment to the bill from Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) to end restrictions that currently prevent VA staff from recommending medical marijuana as a treatment option in states where it is legal to do so. While the White House has stated that the President would veto the legislation, which contains limits on federal diversity programs and cuts for military construction, the bill will serve as the starting point for House Republicans in bicameral government funding negotiations later this year. The Senate has not yet announced its FY 2025 appropriations plans. Congress has until the end of the fiscal year on September 30 to pass appropriations legislation or agree on a stopgap spending bill to keep the federal government open. Lawmakers will be in session only a limited number of weeks between now and the November election-both chambers are scheduled to recess for all of August and October, and for two weeks in July for the July 4^th holiday and Republicans’ national convention.

 

 

Senate Republicans Block Vote on Contraception Bill-Republicans in the Senate blocked consideration of legislation (S.4381) that would codify Americans’ right to access contraception last week. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) were the only Republicans to vote in favor of the Right to Contraception Act. The bill failed on a 51-39 procedural vote, with 60 votes necessary for advancement. Congressional Democrats are attempting to put Republicans on the record on issues related to reproductive rights ahead of the November elections. Republicans argued that the measure is unnecessary and stated that Democrats are “fearmongering on this important issue to score cheap points.” Senate Democrats plan to bring up legislation (S.4445) that would create a federal right to in vitro fertilization services for a vote this week. The bill would require employer-sponsored insurance plans to cover fertility treatments.

 

 

Wyden Urges HHS to Strengthen Health Sector Cybersecurity-Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) is urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take immediate, enforceable steps to require large health care companies to improve their cybersecurity practices. Wyden argues that HHS’ failure to regulate the cybersecurity practices of major health care providers like UnitedHealth Group resulted in what has been described as the worst cyberattack against the sector in U.S. history-the February cyberattack against Change Healthcare. Wyden specifically suggests that HHS: (1) require minimum, mandatory technical cybersecurity standards for systemically important entities (SIEs); (2) require SIEs to meet resiliency requirements; (3) conduct periodic cybersecurity audits of covered entities and business associates as part of the audits required by Section 13411 of the HITECH Act; and (4) provide technical assistance on cybersecurity to health care providers.

 

 

Democrats Press for Release of Mental Health Parity Final Rule-A group of Senate Democrats have sent a letter to the White House urging administration officials to finalize regulations aimed at improving enforcement of statutory mental health parity requirements. The lawmakers highlight evidence of how insurers are failing to meet the requirements of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 and how this failure has impacted the nation’s ongoing mental health and substance use disorder crisis. They argue that the proposed regulations issued by the Biden administration last summer “will close existing loopholes in the law, expand narrow networks, and prohibit restrictive practices that prevent families from accessing care…These commonsense parity rules will help Americans suffering from mental health conditions or substance use disorder, reduce costs for taxpayers, and save lives.” The letter was led by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and signed by Sens. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.). The Treasury Department has indicated that it aims to finalize the rules sometime this month.

 

GAO Provides Status Update on HHS Recommendations-The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a letter it sent to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) highlighting the 35 open recommendations for the department that the GAO has identified as high priority. The recommendations cover the following seven areas: public health emergency preparedness, public health and human services program oversight, Food and Drug Administration oversight, the Medicaid program, the Medicare program, improper payments in Medicaid and Medicare, and health care infrastructure, information technology, and cybersecurity. The agency highlights that since May 2023, HHS has implemented seven recommendations identified as high priority-including strengthening domestic production of medical supplies and incorporating expert feedback on COVID-19 data collection-while five recommendations have been closed due to no longer being valid.

 

 

Texas Congresswoman Announces Cancer Diagnosis-Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) announced that she has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The Congresswoman is currently undergoing treatment. While she expects to be occasionally absent from Congress, Jackson Lee stated that she will work with congressional leadership to be present for any critical votes in the House of Representatives.

 

Menendez Files to Run as Independent-Sen. Bob Menendez (N.J.) has filed to run for reelection to the Senate as an independent. Menendez is currently on trial for federal bribery charges in New York, and had announced earlier this year that he would not seek the Democratic nomination to pursue a fourth term in the Senate. Menendez clarified that his decision to run as an independent does not mean that he is changing political parties. U.S. Representative Andy Kim (D-N.J.) won the state’s Democratic primary election last Tuesday.

 

Congressional Retirements and Resignations-A running list of members of Congress who are retiring or seeking other office can be found below.

SENATE
Stabenow (D), MI	Braun (R), IN
Cardin (D), MD	Romney (R), UT
Carper (D), DE
Butler (D), CA
Manchin (D), WV
Sinema (I), AZ
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Porter (D), CA	Mooney (R), WV
Lee (D), CA	Banks (R), IN
Gallego (D), AZ	Bishop (R), NC
Schiff (D), CA	Lesko (R), AZ
Slotkin (D), MI	Granger (R), TX
Allred (D), TX	Buck (R), CO (effective March 22, 2024)
Trone (D), MD	Burgess, MD (R), TX
Blunt Rochester (D), DE	Wenstrup, DPM (R), OH
Napolitano (D), CA	McHenry (R), NC
Wexton (D), VA	Johnson (R), OH (effective Jan. 21, 2024)
Kim, Andy (D), NJ	Ferguson, IV, DMD, PC (R), GA
Jackson, Jeff (D), NC	Curtis (R), UT
Sarbanes (D), MD	Luetkemeyer (R), MO
Blumenauer (D), OR	Lamborn (R), CO
Kilmer (D), WA	Bucshon, MD (R), IN
Spanberger (D), VA	Pence (R), IN
Kildee (D), MI	Duncan (R), SC
Phillips (D), MN	Armstrong (R), ND
Cardenas (D), CA	McMorris Rodgers (R), WA
Eshoo (D), CA	Gallagher (R), WI (effective April 19, 2024)
Manning (D), NC	LaTurner (R), KS
Nickel (D), NC
Ruppersberger (D), MD
Sablan (D), MP
Kuster (D), NH

 

 

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies markup; 6:00 p.m.; June 11

 

House Appropriations Committee markup of FY 2025 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs and Homeland Security bills; 9:00 a.m.; June 12

 

Senate Judiciary Committee “Combatting the Youth Vaping Epidemic by Enhancing Enforcement Against Illegal E-Cigarettes;” 10:00 a.m.; June 12

 

Senate Finance Committee “Youth Residential Treatment Facilities: Examining Failures and Evaluating Solutions;” 10:00 a.m.; June 12

 

House Veterans’ Affairs Committee “A Call to Action: Meeting the Needs of the Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders (SCI/D) Veteran Community;” 9:30 a.m.; June 13

 

House Budget Committee “Medicare and Social Security: Examining Solvency and Impacts to the Federal Budget;” 10:00 a.m.; June 13

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health “Checking-In on CMMI: Assessing the Transition to Value-Based Care;” 10:00 a.m.; June 13

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

S.Res.716-A resolution expressing support for the designation of June 7, 2024, as “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” and June 2024 as “National Gun Violence Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Durbin, Richard J. [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate-Judiciary

 

S.4436-A bill to improve the safety of infant formula through testing of infant formula for microorganisms and toxic elements, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Peters, Gary C. [Sen.-D-MI]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4437-A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to coordinate, navigate, and manage care and benefits for veterans enrolled in both the Medicare program and the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs; Sponsor: Moran, Jerry [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.4445-A bill to protect and expand nationwide access to fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization; Sponsor: Duckworth, Tammy [Sen.-D-IL]; Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

 

H.Res.1270-Supporting the designation of June, as “Brain and Spine Metastasis Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Foushee, Valerie P. [Rep.-D-NC-4]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.1271-Expressing support for the designation of June 7, 2024, as “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” and June 2024 as “National Gun Violence Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Kelly, Robin L. [Rep.-D-IL-2]; Committees: House-Judiciary

 

H.Res.1273-Designating a day in May 2024, as “Disability Reproductive Equity Day”; Sponsor: Pressley, Ayanna [Rep.-D-MA-7]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.8599-To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to include over-the-counter oral healthcare products as qualified medical expenses which can be purchased with HSA and FSA funds; Sponsor: Van Drew, Jefferson [Rep.-R-NJ-2]; Committees: House-Ways and Means

 

H.R.8601-To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for and support liver illness visibility, education, and research, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Velazquez, Nydia M. [Rep.-D-NY-7]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

S.Res.718-A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States Government should immediately place a moratorium on all federally funded gain-of-function research given the increased safety concerns; Sponsor: Marshall, Roger [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.Res.724-A resolution designating May 2024 as “National Brain Tumor Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Daines, Steve [Sen.-R-MT]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.J.Res.91-A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to “Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting”; Sponsor: Lankford, James [Sen.-R-OK]; Committees: Senate-Finance

 

S.4447-A bill to allow women greater access to safe and effective oral contraceptive drugs intended for routine use, and to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on Federal funding of contraceptive methods; Sponsor: Ernst, Joni [Sen.-R-IA]; Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

 

H.R.8614-To authorize the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to carry out a study to examine the potential relationship between increased health risks and living in proximity to sites that have been or are being mined for surface coal deposits, and the potential human health effects of surface coal mining operations in Central Appalachia, and for other purposes; Sponsor: McGarvey, Morgan [Rep.-D-KY-3]; Committees: House-Natural Resources

 

S.Res.725-A resolution affirming the legal status of contraception following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, 597 U.S. 215 (2022); Sponsor: Blackburn, Marsha [Sen.-R-TN]; Committees: Senate-Judiciary

 

S.Res.726-A resolution designating June 6, 2024, as National Naloxone Awareness Day; Sponsor: Scott, Rick [Sen.-R-FL]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.4469-A bill to improve the understanding of, and promote access to treatment for, chronic kidney disease, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cardin, Benjamin L. [Sen.-D-MD]; Committees: Senate-Finance

 

H.R.8633-To amend title 10, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Defense to limit copayments for outpatient visits for mental health or behavioral health under the TRICARE program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Houlahan, Chrissy [Rep.-D-PA-6]; Committees: House-Armed Services

 

Bipartisan Working Group Releases GME Proposal-Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), along with seven members of the Bipartisan Medicare Graduate Medical Education (GME) Working Group, released a policy outline last week aimed at strengthening the Medicare GME program and addressing physician workforce shortages. The framework focuses particularly on shortages in primary care and psychiatry, and on how the distribution of physicians across the nation can be improved to better care for rural and underserved communities. The paper was released with the support of Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). The lawmakers are requesting feedback be submitted by June 24.

 

 

Finance, HELP Leaders Request Briefing From MultiPlan-Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) have sent a letter to the CEO of MultiPlan, a health care data analytics firm, about the operation of the company’s business model. A recent report from the New York Times revealed MultiPlan’s role in helping health insurers determine medical payments for out-of-network claims and raised questions about possible price fixing. “We are concerned that your company’s Data iSight product improperly drives up patient health care costs and, further, that the financial incentives built into the fee for the use of the Data iSight product result in an improper conflict of interest between determining a plan’s liability for out-of-network claims and the plan’s duty to provide promised benefits pursuant to ERISA,” the letter states. The chairmen request that MultiPlan meet with committee staff on the allegations contained in the New York Times investigation published on April 7^th.

 

 

Number of Health Care Data Breaches Increasing-There were 226 health care data breaches in the first quarter of 2024, a 44% increase over the same time period last year, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The breaches compromised the data of 17.6 million patients. OCR’s data does not include the Change Healthcare attack that took place in February, which UnitedHealth Group has estimated may have impacted a third of Americans. In related news, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) is asking the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission to further investigate cybersecurity and technology failures by UnitedHealth Group to determine whether any laws were broken in the events leading up to the hack of Change Healthcare. The hack “caused substantial harm to consumers, investors, the health-care industry and US national security,” Wyden writes in the letter, and the breach was “completely preventable and the direct result of corporate negligence.”

 

 

E&C Members Introduce 340B Reform Legislation-Reps. Larry Bucshon, MD (R-Ind.), Buddy Carter, BSPharm (R-Ga.), and Diana Harshbarger, PharmD (R-Tenn.) introduced legislation last week aimed at ensuring access and transparency in the 340B drug pricing program. The 340B ACCESS Act (H.R. 8574) would clarify the intent of the 340B program “to provide for manufacturer price reductions that enable covered entities, whose mission is to serve underserved or otherwise vulnerable communities, to increase access to affordable drugs and health services for these communities.” The bill also contains provisions to:

• Ensure 340B prescriptions are offered to patients at a discount.
• Update the 340B patient definition with strong safeguards.
• Establish clear criteria for 340B contract pharmacy arrangements to improve access.
• Prevent middlemen and for-profit entities from profiting off the 340B program.
• Update and strengthen 340B hospital eligibility requirements.
• Address standards for 340B child sites and subgrantee eligibility.
• Create a neutral 340B claims data clearinghouse.
• Facilitate public reporting on 340B program data.
• Establish enforceable rules and enhance federal administration and oversight of the 340B program.

The bill’s sponsors all serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the committee of jurisdiction. The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation will hold a hearing on Tuesday, June 4 titled “Oversight of 340B Drug Pricing Program.”

 

 

GAO Issues Report on Medicaid MCOs Use of Prior Authorization-The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report last week warning that Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) may be denying children access to early screening tests to which they are entitled. The report, which was requested by House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), attests that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) requirements around plans’ use of prior authorization are not clearly defined. GAO recommends that CMS provide written expectations for state monitoring of plans’ prior authorization decisions and claims denials, and to more clearly define when plans can mandate prior authorization for screening, diagnostic, and treatment services when it is not required by the state. Pallone stated that GAO’s findings will be used to inform Democrats’ ongoing investigation into the use of prior authorization and its impact on access to care.

 

 

 

Manchin Registers as Independent-Sen. Joe Manchin announced his decision leave the Democratic Party last week. Manchin officially filed as an independent on Friday. “My commitment to do everything I can to bring out country together has led me to register as an independent with no party affiliation,” Manchin posted on the social platform X. Manchin has served in the Senate since 2010 and announced in November that he would not be running for reelection later this year. However, there is some speculation that his announcement could lead to a decision to run as an Independent for the US Senate which has a filing deadline of August 1.

 

 

Congressional Retirements and Resignations-Oregon state representative Maxine Dexter, MD has won the Democratic primary in the race to replace retiring Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.). Dexter is a pulmonologist and critical care medicine specialist. She is expected to win November’s general election to represent Oregon’s heavily Democratic 3^rdcongressional district in the House of Representatives.

 

 

A running list of members of Congress who are retiring or seeking other office can be found below.

 

SENATE
Stabenow (D), MI	Braun (R), IN
Cardin (D), MD	Romney (R), UT
Carper (D), DE
Butler (D), CA
Manchin (I), WV
Sinema (I), AZ
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Porter (D), CA	Mooney (R), WV
Lee (D), CA	Banks (R), IN
Gallego (D), AZ	Bishop (R), NC
Schiff (D), CA	Lesko (R), AZ
Slotkin (D), MI	Granger (R), TX
Allred (D), TX	Buck (R), CO (effective March 22, 2024)
Trone (D), MD	Burgess, MD (R), TX
Blunt Rochester (D), DE	Wenstrup, DPM (R), OH
Napolitano (D), CA	McHenry (R), NC
Wexton (D), VA	McCarthy (R), CA (effective Dec. 31, 2023)
Kim, Andy (D), NJ	Johnson (R), OH (effective Jan. 21, 2024)
Jackson, Jeff (D), NC	Ferguson, IV, DMD, PC (R), GA
Sarbanes (D), MD	Curtis (R), UT
Blumenauer (D), OR	Luetkemeyer (R), MO
Kilmer (D), WA	Lamborn (R), CO
Spanberger (D), VA	Bucshon, MD (R), IN
Kildee (D), MI	Pence (R), IN
Phillips (D), MN	Duncan (R), SC
Cardenas (D), CA	Armstrong (R), ND
Eshoo (D), CA	McMorris Rodgers (R), WA
Manning (D), NC	Gallagher (R), WI (effective April 19, 2024)
Higgins (D), NY (effective Feb. 2, 2024)	LaTurner (R), KS
Nickel (D), NC
Ruppersberger (D), MD
Sablan (D), MP
Kuster (D), NH

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

House Oversight and Accountability Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic hearing with Dr. Anthony Fauci; 10:00 a.m.; June 3

 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing “The Assault on Women’s Freedoms: How Abortion Bans Have Created a Health Care Nightmare Across America;” 10:00 a.m.; June 4

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing “Oversight of the 340B Drug Pricing Program;” 10:30 a.m.; June 4

 

House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources legislative hearing on H.R. 6395, Recognizing the Importance of Critical Minerals in Healthcare Act of 2023; 10:30 a.m.; June 4

 

Senate Special Committee on Aging and Veterans’ Affairs Committee “Heroes at Home: Improving Services for Veterans and their Caregivers;” 10:00 a.m.; June 5

 

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.R.8570-To establish a pharmacy program to award grants for safe in-home drug disposal and practical medication safety education, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hudson, Richard [Rep.-R-NC-9]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.8571-To require the Attorney General to establish a grant program to assist with the medical expenses of qualified working dogs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: James, John [Rep.-R-MI-10]; Committees: House-Judiciary; Armed Services; Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.Res.1264-Expressing support for the designation of May 2024 as “National Brain Tumor Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Quigley, Mike [Rep.-D-IL-5]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.8574-To amend the Public Health Service Act to reform the 340B drug pricing program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bucshon, Larry [Rep.-R-IN-8]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.8575-To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to revise the definition of institution for mental diseases under the Medicaid program to exclude from such definition institutions having 36 beds or less if such institutions meet certain standards; Sponsor: Goldman, Daniel S. [Rep.-D-NY-10]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.8576-To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a new criterion for the nonapplication of site-neutral payments to long-term care hospitals under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Hern, Kevin [Rep.-R-OK-1]; Committees: House-Ways and Means

E&C Advances Data Privacy Bill-The House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously advanced the latest version of the American Privacy Rights Act in a full committee markup last week. The discussion draft, which is the product of bipartisan, bicameral negotiations between Senate Commerce Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), aims to strengthen consumer data privacy rights. The bill provides individuals with new consumer privacy rights and includes data minimization requirements and a broad private right of action. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) covered entities are generally exempt from the draft legislation, but they would be required to comply with its data security provisions.

 

 

Senate to Vote on Reproductive Rights Legislation-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced his plans to bring reproductive rights bills to the floor for a vote in June. The Right to Contraception Act (S.1999) would create a right to access contraception, and for health care providers to provide patients with contraception. The Access to Family Building Act (S.3612) would create a right to access for in vitro fertilization services. While neither bill has GOP support, Democrats are aiming to put their Republican colleagues on the record about reproductive rights issues ahead of the November elections. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) stated that his panel is considering action on these issues next month as well.

 

 

House Appropriators Adopt Topline Spending Levels-The House Appropriations Committee adopted top line funding levels for the 12 fiscal year FY2025 annual appropriations measures in a 30-22 partisan vote last week. The caps on spending known as 302(b) allocations are in keeping with the spending caps set by the-Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023-last year’s debt-limit agreement. They would cut nondefense programs by 6% while increasing defense spending by 1%. The Committee also advanced its FY2025 Military Construction-Veterans Affairs (VA) bill in a party line 34-25 vote. The committee report accompanying the bill highlights that the nation’s ability to manufacture essential medical devices is at serious risk because of efforts by Chinese manufacturers to enter the market. The report warns of the potential for hospitals to become dependent on Chinese supplies and calls for a study on the percentage of Chinese-made medical devices and recommendations on how the VA can reduce its dependency on Chinese devices. While House Republicans are aiming to pass all 12 government funding bills by the end of July, Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) has acknowledged that Congress will likely resort to the passage of a continuing resolution to fund the government beyond the September 30 deadline. GOP leaders are reportedly planning the following timeline for voting on appropriations measures:

 

Senators Urge Strong Support for NIH in FY2025 Appropriations-A bipartisan group of nearly 60 senators have sent a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee leadership urging appropriators to maintain a strong commitment to funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education fiscal year FY2025 appropriations bill. The letter, which was led by Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), asks the committee “to consider the tremendous benefits of sustained and robust investment in the NIH,” and “to remember our Nation’s role as a world leader in biomedical research and the impact this research has on the American people.” The letter requests the full allocation of funding for the NIH provided by the 21st Century Cures Act. Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)-chair and ranking member of the Labor-Health and Human Services (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee-have expressed their intent to increase NIH funding in the next fiscal year. Republicans in the House of Representatives recently proposed cutting the LHHS spending bill by $40 billion; full details of the House appropriations bill are expected to be released in late June.

 

 

Finance Members Drafting Bipartisan GME Bill-A bipartisan group of Senate Finance Committee members are preparing to introduce legislation that would increase the number of federally-funded graduate medical education (GME) slots. The bill is a part of the committee’s efforts to increase the number of physicians-particularly primary care and psychiatry providers-training and working in rural and underserved areas. The proposal would allocate 25% of the new slots to primary care physicians and 15% to psychiatry residents, and hospitals would be required to maintain the new GME slots for a decade. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would be required to track where the residents train and eventually end up practicing. The policymakers are still working to determine how many new GME slots to add, and what budgetary offsets will pay for the proposal.

 

 

Buchanan, Moore Launch New Preventive Health Caucus-Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, and Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) launched the Congressional Preventive Health and Wellness Caucus last week. The group will focus on addressing the obesity epidemic through prevention, research, food as medicine, exercise, and health disparities. The cost of obesity to the nation will also be considered, with members planning to hold fact-finding hearings and introduce legislation on the subject.

 

 

Sen. Rick Scott to Run for Senate GOP Leader-Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) announced his bid to succeed Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in a letter to colleagues last week. Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and John Cornyn (R-TX) are also running to replace McConnell as GOP leader when he retires from the leadership post later this year. Scott is a first-term senator who will likely be considered an underdog in the race. Sen. Thune currently serves as the minority whip, while Sen. Cornyn preceded Thune as whip.

 

 

Evans, Murphy Health Updates-Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA) is recovering from a minor stroke and is expected to be absent from Congress for six weeks. Evans received the diagnosis last week after experiencing difficulty with one of his legs, noting that he did not realize at the time of the incident that he was having a stroke. He is currently recovering at an inpatient rehabilitation facility. According to a statement from Evans’ office, the congressman is expected to remain at the facility for about another week before transitioning to outpatient therapy. Evans noted his plans to work to “remove the stigma that sometimes accompanies strokes,” noting that “many people can recover and continue on with their life and their work.”

 

Rep. Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC) has undergone surgery to remove a pituitary macroadenoma at the base of his skull. Murphy stated on the social media platform X that his prognosis is “excellent,” and that the tumor is most likely benign. Prior to being elected to Congress, Murphy worked as a urologist. Although it remains unclear when he will be back at work full time, Murphy stated that he will “continue to be a tireless advocate for those who take care of patients” when he returns to Capitol Hill.

 

 

CMS Taps New Chief Health Equity Officer-Martin Mendoza has been tapped to serve as the director of the Office of Minority Health and chief health equity officer at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Mendoza replaces outgoing interim director Aditi Mallick. Mendoza previously has worked as the director of health equity for the All of Us research program at the National Institutes of Health and as the head of extramural research for minority health in the Office of the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He is the primary author of FDA guidance on the collection of race and ethnicity data in clinical trials.

 

 

Congressional Retirements and Resignations-California state assemblyman Vince Fong (R) won the special election to serve the remainder of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) term in the House of Representatives. Fong, who previously worked as McCarthy’s district director, defeated Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux (R) in Tuesday’s runoff election. The two candidates will face each other again in November to determine who will represent California’s 20^th congressional district for the next full term. Fong has been endorsed by McCarthy and former president Donald Trump. Once Fong is sworn in, the House will have 218 Republicans, 213 Democrats, and four vacancies.

 

 

A running list of members of Congress who are retiring or seeking other office can be found below.

 

SENATE
Stabenow (D), MI	Braun (R), IN
Cardin (D), MD	Romney (R), UT
Carper (D), DE
Butler (D), CA
Manchin (D), WV
Sinema (I), AZ
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Porter (D), CA	Mooney (R), WV
Lee (D), CA	Banks (R), IN
Gallego (D), AZ	Bishop (R), NC
Schiff (D), CA	Lesko (R), AZ
Slotkin (D), MI	Granger (R), TX
Allred (D), TX	Buck (R), CO (effective March 22, 2024)
Trone (D), MD	Burgess, MD (R), TX
Blunt Rochester (D), DE	Wenstrup, DPM (R), OH
Napolitano (D), CA	McHenry (R), NC
Wexton (D), VA	McCarthy (R), CA (effective Dec. 31, 2023)
Kim, Andy (D), NJ	Johnson (R), OH (effective Jan. 21, 2024)
Jackson, Jeff (D), NC	Ferguson, IV, DMD, PC (R), GA
Sarbanes (D), MD	Curtis (R), UT
Blumenauer (D), OR	Luetkemeyer (R), MO
Kilmer (D), WA	Lamborn (R), CO
Spanberger (D), VA	Bucshon, MD (R), IN
Kildee (D), MI	Pence (R), IN
Phillips (D), MN	Duncan (R), SC
Cardenas (D), CA	Armstrong (R), ND
Eshoo (D), CA	McMorris Rodgers (R), WA
Manning (D), NC	Gallagher (R), WI (effective April 19, 2024)
Higgins (D), NY (effective Feb. 2, 2024)	LaTurner (R), KS
Nickel (D), NC
Ruppersberger (D), MD
Sablan (D), MP
Kuster (D), NH

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

House Oversight and Accountability Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic hearing with Dr. Anthony Fauci; 10:00 a.m.; June 3

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.Res.1240-Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R.4121) to protect an individual’s ability to access contraceptives and to engage in contraception and to protect a health care provider’s ability to provide contraceptives, contraception, and information related to contraception; Sponsor: Manning, Kathy E. [Rep.-D-NC-6]; Committees: House-Rules

 

H.Res.1242-Prioritizing mental health to the same degree as physical health to address the epidemics of suicide and drug overdose in the United States; Sponsor: Thanedar, Shri [Rep.-D-MI-13]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.8444-To amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, to establish grant programs to promote mental health in schools, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Napolitano, Grace F. [Rep.-D-CA-31]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.8458-To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand access to psychological and behavioral services; Sponsor: Malliotakis, Nicole [Rep.-R-NY-11]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.8465-To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to increase health insurance access for individuals placing their newborns for adoption; Sponsor: Van Duyne, Beth [Rep.-R-TX-24]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.8466-To amend division N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 to improve the Affordable Connectivity Program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Williams, Brandon [Rep.-R-NY-22]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce; Financial Services; Transportation and Infrastructure; Science, Space, and Technology; Natural Resources; Oversight and Accountability; Foreign Affairs; Judiciary

 

S.4368-A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require, as a condition of receiving Federal Medicaid funding, that States do not prohibit in vitro fertilization (IVF) services, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cruz, Ted [Sen.-R-TX]; Committees: Senate-Finance

 

S.4374-A bill to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include screening for loneliness and coordination of supportive services and health care to address the negative health effects of loneliness, to require a report on loneliness, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rubio, Marco [Sen.-R-FL]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4375-A bill to establish a critical supply chain resiliency and crisis response program in the Department of Commerce, and to secure American leadership in deploying emerging technologies, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cantwell, Maria [Sen.-D-WA]; Committees: Senate-Commerce, Science, and Transportation

 

S.4381-A bill to protect an individual’s ability to access contraceptives and to engage in contraception and to protect a health care provider’s ability to provide contraceptives, contraception, and information related to contraception; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Latest Action: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time

 

H.Res.1248-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.R.8470-To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make awards to increase or improve access to comprehensive mental and behavioral health services for individuals exposed to violent encounters involving law enforcement personnel, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Bush, Cori [Rep.-D-MO-1]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce; Education and the Workforce; Judiciary

 

H.R.8475-To direct the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress a report on the correlation between service in the Armed Forces conducting explosive ordnance disposal and post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and suicide; Sponsor: Crawford, Eric A. “Rick” [Rep.-R-AR-1]; Committees: House-Armed Services

 

H.R.8481-To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an extended deadline for the submission of applications regarding emergency treatment furnished in non-Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Mast, Brian J. [Rep.-R-FL-21]; Committees: House-Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.4394-A bill to support National Science Foundation education and professional development relating to artificial intelligence; Sponsor: Cantwell, Maria [Sen.-D-WA]; Committees: Senate-Commerce, Science, and Transportation

 

H.Res.1251-Honoring Rosalynn Smith Carter’s legacy in mental health advocacy; Sponsor: Carter, Earl L. “Buddy” [Rep.-R-GA-1]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.1252-Honoring the commitment and care of emergency medical services personnel; Sponsor: Guest, Michael [Rep.-R-MS-3]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.8493-To establish the Task Force to Stop Price Gouging, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Craig, Angie [Rep.-D-MN-2]; Committees: House-Judiciary; Agriculture; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.8503-To provide States with support to establish integrated care programs for individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kelly, Mike [Rep.-R-PA-16]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.8504-To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish the critical supply chains reshoring investment tax credit; Sponsor: Malliotakis, Nicole [Rep.-R-NY-11]; Committees: House-Ways and Means

 

S.Res.709-A resolution expressing support for the designation of May 2024 as “Mental Health Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Lujan, Ben Ray [Sen.-D-NM]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.Res.711-A resolution designating May 2024 as “American Stroke Month”; Sponsor: Lujan, Ben Ray [Sen.-D-NM]; Committees: Senate-Judiciary

 

S.Res.713-A resolution designating May 2024 as “ALS Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Coons, Christopher A. [Sen.-D-DE]; Committees: Senate-Judiciary

 

S.Res.714-A resolution recognizing and supporting individuals born with congenital disabilities or malformations due to thalidomide exposure; Sponsor: Kennedy, John [Sen.-R-LA]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.J.Res.90-A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Health and Human Services relating to “Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities”; Sponsor: Marshall, Roger [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4395-A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a floor on the work geographic index for physicians’ services furnished in Hawaii; Sponsor: Schatz, Brian [Sen.-D-HI]; Committees: Senate-Finance

 

S.4415-A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to establish a medical readiness program in the Indo-Pacific region, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Duckworth, Tammy [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate-Armed Services

 

S.4423-A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the provision of direct housing loans and medical care from the Department of Veterans Affairs for Native Hawaiians; Sponsor: Hirono, Mazie K. [Sen.-D-HI]; Committees: Senate-Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.4426-A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish a time-limited conditional approval pathway, subject to specific obligations, for certain drugs and biological products, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Braun, Mike [Sen.-R-IN]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4428-A bill to establish an interagency committee to coordinate activities of the Federal Government relating to biotechnology oversight, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Young, Todd [Sen.-R-IN]; Committees: Senate-Commerce, Science, and Transportation

 

S.4429-A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide grants to demonstrate pharmacy-based addiction care programs; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4430-A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to establish a Health Engagement Hub demonstration program to increase access to treatment for opiate use disorder and other drug use treatment, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Cantwell, Maria [Sen.-D-WA]; Committees: Senate-Finance

 

H.Res.1257-Expressing the need for enhanced public awareness of Huntington’s Disease and support for the designation of a “National Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Pascrell, Bill [Rep.-D-NJ-9]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.1260-Expressing support for the designation of the month of May 2024 as “Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Wexton, Jennifer [Rep.-D-VA-10]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.Con.Res.109-Expressing the sense of the Congress that assisted suicide (sometimes referred to using other terms) puts everyone, including those most vulnerable, at risk of deadly harm; Sponsor: Wenstrup, Brad R. [Rep.-R-OH-2]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.J.Res.160-Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Health and Human Services relating to “Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities”; Sponsor: Roy, Chip [Rep.-R-TX-21]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.8520-To amend the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to implement the Climate Ready Tribes Initiative; Sponsor: Underwood, Lauren [Rep.-D-IL-14]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.8529-To authorize assistance to train and retain obstetrician-gynecologists and sub-specialists in urogynecology and to help improve the quality of care to meet the health care needs of women in least developed countries, and for other purposes; Sponsor: DeLauro, Rosa L. [Rep.-D-CT-3]; Committees: House-Foreign Affairs

 

H.R.8532-To identify and address barriers to coverage of remote physiologic devices under State Medicaid programs to improve maternal and child health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women; Sponsor: Frankel, Lois [Rep.-D-FL-22]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.8542-To award a Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Joseph B. Kirsner, in recognition of his service to the United States during World War II and his contributions to the medical field, particularly gastroenterology; Sponsor: Mast, Brian J. [Rep.-R-FL-21]; Committees: House-Financial Services

 

H.R.8543-To amend the Social Security Act and the Public Health Service Act to permanently authorize certified community behavioral health clinics, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Matsui, Doris O. [Rep.-D-CA-7]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.8561-To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to address significant under projection of MA local area growth due to wage index reclassification; Sponsor: Tenney, Claudia [Rep.-R-NY-24]; Committees: House-Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.8562-To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the provision of direct housing loans and medical care from the Department of Veterans Affairs for Native Hawaiians; Sponsor: Tokuda, Jill N. [Rep.-D-HI-2]; Committees: House-Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.8563-To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a floor on the work geographic index for physicians’ services furnished in Hawaii; Sponsor: Tokuda, Jill N. [Rep.-D-HI-2]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.8564-To require certain elements of the intelligence community to submit to the congressional intelligence committees a report with respect to biotechnology threats, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Wenstrup, Brad R. [Rep.-R-OH-2]; Committees: House-Intelligence (Permanent Select)

 

H.R.8565-To advance research, promote awareness, and provide patient support with respect to endometriosis, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Williams, Nikema [Rep.-D-GA-5]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

House Appropriators Release Preliminary Top-Line Spending Amounts-House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) released interim subcommittee allocations for fiscal year 2025 spending bills last week. The top-line funding amounts known as 302(b) allocations are in keeping with the spending caps set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, last year’s debt-limit agreement. The caps on spending would cut nondefense programs by 6% while increasing defense spending by 1%. The cuts would not be spread evenly across the bills, with the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education appropriations bill, which funds the National Institutes of Health and other federal health-related programs, facing a more significant cut of 10-11%. House appropriators are scheduled to meet this week to vote on the top-line spending levels. The Labor-Health and Human Services-Education Subcommittee is expected to mark up its bill on June 27, with a full committee markup set for July 10.

 

 

E&C Subcommittee Advances 21 Health Care Bills-The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health marked up a slate of health care proposals last week, including legislation to extend for two years Medicare patient access to pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities that are set to expire in December. The Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 (H.R.7623) was unanimously advanced to the full committee for consideration. The twenty other bills agreed to by the subcommittee include:

• R.3227-Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act, forwarded by a vote of 13-12.
• R.468-Building America’s Health Care Workforce Act, forwarded by a vote of 14-8.
• R.3433-Give Kids a Chance Act, forwarded by a vote of 16-11. The latest version of the bill was updated to include the Creating Hope Reauthorization Act of 2024 (H.R.7384) and the RARE Act (H.R.7383).
• R.7188-Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act, forwarded by a vote of 27-9.
• R.6020-Honor Our Living Donors Act, forwarded by a vote of 24-0.
• R.455-to amend the Controlled Substances Act to fix a technical error in the definitions, forwarded by a vote of 24-0.
• R.7213-Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2024, forwarded by a vote of 22-0.
• R.4534-Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2023, forwarded by a vote of 21-0.
• R.670-Think Differently Database Act, forwarded by a vote of 20-0.
• R.8084-LIVE Beneficiaries Act, forwarded by a vote of 18-0.
• R.7858-Telehealth Enhancement for Mental Health Act of 2024, forwarded by a vote of 22-0.
• R.8111-Medicaid Program Improvement Act, forwarded by a vote of 22-0.
• R.8089-Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act of 2024, forwarded by a vote of 22-0.
• R.8112-to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to further require certain additional provider screening under the Medicaid program, forwarded by a vote of 23-0.
• R. 6033-Supporting Patient Education And Knowledge (SPEAK) Act of 2023, forwarded by a vote of 23-0.
• R.1406-Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act, forwarded by voice vote.
• R.7856-PREVENT DIABETES Act, forwarded by voice vote.
• R.5394-Expanding Remote Monitoring Access Act, forwarded by voice vote.
• R.1199-Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics Act of 2023, forwarded by voice vote.
• R.4758-Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act, forwarded by voice vote.

 

House BIOSECURE Bill Advances Out of Committee-The House Oversight and Accountability Committee advanced the BIOSECURE Act (H.R.8333) with overwhelming bipartisan support last week. The legislation would prohibit Chinese biotechnology companies of concern from receiving federal contracts, grants, or loans and is aimed at blocking foreign governments from accessing Americans’ health and genomic data. The Senate version of the bill (S.3558) was advanced out of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee earlier this year. House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY) stated that he expects a floor vote on the bill in the next 30 days, while Senate Homeland Security Chairman Gary Peters (D-MI) has discussed the possibility of attaching the legislation to the annual must-pass National Defense Authorization Act.

 

FAA Reauthorization Includes Possible Change to Organ Transportation Policy and Updates to In-Flight Emergency Medical Kits-President Joe Biden has signed into law a five-year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following House passage of the FAA legislation last week. The bill includes a provision to create a working group to identify best practices for the transportation of organs via the nation’s commercial airline system. The working group would include air carrier and organ transplant provider representatives and will consider whether organs could once again travel in the main cabin of an airplane. Organs have traveled in the cargo hold of planes since September 11, when security protocols changed to no longer permit individuals to accompany an organ through security without an airplane ticket. The Act also requires the FAA to promulgate a rulemaking related to aircraft first aid and emergency medical kit equipment and training to consider whether the current requirements for minimum contents of emergency medical kits include appropriate medications to address certain emergency medical needs such as anaphylaxis.

 

Finance Leaders Release White Paper on Physician Payment Reform-Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID) released a white paper last week outlining potential polices to reform the physician payment system and improve care of Medicare beneficiaries will chronic illness. The lawmakers focus mainly on issues related to Medicare Part B clinician payment policy, alternative payment models, and telehealth. The following areas of interest are highlighted as possible opportunities for reform:

• Creating sustainable payment updates to ensure clinicians can own and operate their practices;
• Incentivizing alternative payment models that reward providing better care at a lower cost;
• Rethinking how Medicare measures quality care;
• Improving primary care;
• Supporting chronic care benefits in Medicare fee-for-service; and
• Ensuring continued access to telehealth.

The paper specifies that the committee will continue to conduct outreach to stakeholders and experts in an effort that will “ideally culminate in bipartisan legislation.”

 

Bipartisan Senate Workgroup Releases AI Roadmap-The Bipartisan Senate AI Working Group released its-roadmap-for artificial intelligence (AI) policy last week. The 30-page document outlines an AI priorities framework for policymakers to consider during the remainder of the 118^th Congress and beyond, and it summarizes the findings from stakeholder meetings and the all-senator AI Insight Forums which have taken place since the working group first convened nearly a year ago. The working group, comprised of Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Sen. Todd Young (R-IN), touches on a number of policies of relevance to the health care sector, recommending a risk-based approach to AI regulation, the need for appropriate guardrails and safety measures in the health care space, funding for cross-government R&D that includes the National Institutes of Health, and standards setting for AI user and developer liability. Majority Leader Schumer intends to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) in the coming weeks to discuss a path forward for AI legislation.

 

 

Sanders’ Releases Report on ‘How Weight Loss Drugs Could Bankrupt American Health Care’-Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has released a report examining the price of new weight loss drugs like Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy. The report finds that if half of all Medicare and Medicaid patients who are obese took Wegovy and other weight loss drugs, the cost to the Medicare and Medicaid programs could total $166 billion per year-nearly the same cost as spending on all retail prescription drugs in 2022. Sanders warns that the high prices of these drugs could result in a historic increase in premiums for Medicare and commercial health insurance. “Pricing drugs based on their value cannot serve as a blank check, or the sole determinant for how we understand what to pay for essential goods,” the report argues.

 

 

Cassidy Releases White Paper on Modernizing NIH-Senate HELP Committee Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-LA) has released a white paper exploring how to modernize the National Institutes of Health (NIH), ensure transparency in NIH operations, and maintain American biomedical leadership. The white paper follows Cassidy’s September 2023 request for information on reforming the NIH and makes recommendations for maximizing the effectiveness of current NIH funding and restoring public trust in science. “While we now have more opportunities to advance the health and wellbeing of the American people through biomedical innovation, the risks of failure-whether by failing to harness research opportunities, the erosion of the domestic biomedical research workforce, the proliferation of low-quality research, or poor oversight that threatens public trust in science-are greater than ever before,” Cassidy writes. “I look forward to working with all interested stakeholders and my colleagues on the HELP Committee to harness this opportunity to strengthen NIH for the next generation of Americans.”

 

 

Congressional Retirements and Resignations-A running list of members of Congress who are retiring or seeking other office can be found below.

 

SENATE
Stabenow (D), MI	Braun (R), IN
Cardin (D), MD	Romney (R), UT
Carper (D), DE
Butler (D), CA
Manchin (D), WV
Sinema (I), AZ
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Porter (D), CA	Mooney (R), WV
Lee (D), CA	Banks (R), IN
Gallego (D), AZ	Bishop (R), NC
Schiff (D), CA	Lesko (R), AZ
Slotkin (D), MI	Granger (R), TX
Allred (D), TX	Buck (R), CO (effective March 22, 2024)
Trone (D), MD	Burgess, MD (R), TX
Blunt Rochester (D), DE	Wenstrup, DPM (R), OH
Napolitano (D), CA	McHenry (R), NC
Wexton (D), VA	McCarthy (R), CA (effective Dec. 31, 2023)
Kim, Andy (D), NJ	Johnson (R), OH (effective Jan. 21, 2024)
Jackson, Jeff (D), NC	Ferguson, IV, DMD, PC (R), GA
Sarbanes (D), MD	Curtis (R), UT
Blumenauer (D), OR	Luetkemeyer (R), MO
Kilmer (D), WA	Lamborn (R), CO
Spanberger (D), VA	Bucshon, MD (R), IN
Kildee (D), MI	Pence (R), IN
Phillips (D), MN	Duncan (R), SC
Cardenas (D), CA	Armstrong (R), ND
Eshoo (D), CA	McMorris Rodgers (R), WA
Manning (D), NC	Gallagher (R), WI (effective April 19, 2024)
Higgins (D), NY (effective Feb. 2, 2024)	LaTurner (R), KS
Nickel (D), NC
Ruppersberger (D), MD
Sablan (D), MP
Kuster (D), NH

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

Senate Judiciary Committee hearing “Ensuring Affordable & Accessible Medications: Examining Competition in the Prescription Drug Market;” 10:00 a.m.; May 21

 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security hearing “Feeding a Healthier America: Current Efforts and Potential Opportunities for Food is Medicine;” 2:30 p.m.; May 21

 

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing “Check Up: Examining FDA Regulation of Drugs, Biologics, and Devices;” 10:30 a.m.; May 22

 

House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic hearing with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Senior Scientific Advisor, Dr. David Morens; 2:00 p.m.; May 22

 

House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health hearing “The Collapse of Private Practice: Examining the Challenges Facing Independent Medicine;” 9:00 a.m.; May 23

 

Senate Specialty Committee on Aging hearing “The Older Americans Act: The Local Impact of the Law and the Upcoming Reauthorization;” 9:30 a.m.; May 23

 

Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies hearing “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request for the National Institutes of Health;” 10:00 a.m.; May 23

 

Senate Finance Committee hearing “Front Lines of the Fentanyl Crisis: Supporting Communities and Combating Addition through Prevention and Treatment;” 10:00 a.m.; May 23

 

House Budget Committee hearing “Breaking Up Health Care Monopolies: Examining the Budgetary Effects of Health Care Consolidation;” 10:00 a.m.; May 23

 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee executive session to consider seven health care related bills, including the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act (S. 3679), Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act (S. 4325), and Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act (S. 3757); 10:00 a.m.; May 23

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.R.8364-To amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to update certain procedures applicable to commerce in firearms and remove certain Federal restrictions on interstate firearms transactions. Sponsor: Scalise, Steve [Rep.-R-LA-1]; Committees: House-Judiciary

 

H.R.8360-To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem any sunscreen or cosmetic containing parabens to be adulterated. Sponsor: Luna, Anna Paulina [Rep.-R-FL-13]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.8354-To provide for the implementation of a system of licensing for purchasers of certain firearms and for a record of sale system for those firearms, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Jackson, Jonathan L. [Rep.-D-IL-1]; Committees: House-Judiciary

 

H.R.8348-To establish in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of Homeland Security a task force on artificial intelligence, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Carter, Troy A. [Rep.-D-LA-2]; Committees: House-Homeland Security

 

H.R.8347-To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on menopause care furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Brownley, Julia [Rep.-D-CA-26]; Committees: House-Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.8346-To assist survivors of stroke and other debilitating health occurrences in returning to work. Sponsor: Beatty, Joyce [Rep.-D-OH-3]; Committees: House-Education and the Workforce

 

H.R.8333-To prohibit contracting with certain biotechnology providers, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Wenstrup, Brad R. [Rep.-R-OH-2]; Committees: House-Oversight and Accountability; Intelligence

 

H.J.Res.139-Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to “Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting”. Sponsor: Fischbach, Michelle [Rep.-R-MN-7]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.Res.1217-Supporting the designation of May 10, 2024, as “National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day”. Sponsor: Chu, Judy [Rep.-D-CA-28]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.1216-Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Stroke Awareness Month. Sponsor: Beatty, Joyce [Rep.-D-OH-3]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

S.Res.684-A resolution supporting the role of the United States in helping save the lives of children and protecting the health of people in low-income countries with vaccines and immunization through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (“Gavi”); Sponsor: Wicker, Roger F. [Sen.-R-MS]; Committees: Senate-Foreign Relations

 

S.4322-A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to make improvements relating to the designation of rural emergency hospitals; Sponsor: Moran, Jerry [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate-Finance

 

S.4325-A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the program relating to lifespan respite care, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Collins, Susan M. [Sen.-R-ME]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4330-A bill to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to create a Radiation Oncology Case Rate Value Based Payment Program exempt from budget neutrality adjustment requirements, and to amend section 1128A of title XI of the Social Security Act to create a new statutory exception for the provision of free or discounted transportation for radiation oncology patients to receive radiation therapy services; Sponsor: Tillis, Thomas [Sen.-R-NC]; Committees: Senate-Finance

 

S.4331-A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require that group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance that provide coverage for mental health services and substance use disorder services provide such services without the imposition of cost-sharing from the diagnosis of pregnancy through the 1-year period following such pregnancy, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Shaheen, Jeanne [Sen.-D-NH]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.R.8375-To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to States on strategies under Medicaid and CHIP to increase pediatric mental and behavioral health provider education, training, recruitment, retention, and support, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Caraveo, Yadira [Rep.-D-CO-8]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.8376-To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for a national awareness and outreach campaign to improve mental health among the Hispanic and Latino youth population; Sponsor: Caraveo, Yadira [Rep.-D-CO-8]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.8377-To amend the Advancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act to expand the areas of focus regarding childhood suicide, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Caraveo, Yadira [Rep.-D-CO-8]; Committees: House-Science, Space, and Technology

 

H.R.8380-To criminalize fraudulent statements made with respect to clinical vaccine trials; Sponsor: Green, Mark E. [Rep.-R-TN-7]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.8383-To improve obstetric emergency care; Sponsor: Kelly, Robin L. [Rep.-D-IL-2]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.8390-To amend the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require that group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance that provide coverage for mental health services and substance use disorder services provide such services without the imposition of cost-sharing from the diagnosis of pregnancy through the 1-year period following such pregnancy, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Moore, Gwen [Rep.-D-WI-4]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce; Education and the Workforce; Ways and Means; Oversight and Accountability

 

H.R.8397-To provide funding to the Bureau of Prisons, States, and localities to carry out mental health screenings and provide referrals to mental healthcare providers for individuals in prison or jail; Sponsor: Sherrill, Mikie [Rep.-D-NJ-11]; Committees: House-Judiciary

 

H.R.8400-To amend the Public Health Service Act to improve children’s vision and eye health through grants to States, territories, and Tribal organizations, and the provision of technical assistance to support those efforts; Sponsor: Veasey, Marc A. [Rep.-D-TX-33]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

S.Res.689-A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Hospital Week, to be observed from May 12 through May 18, 2024; Sponsor: Barrasso, John [Sen.-R-WY]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.Res.691-A resolution expressing support for the designation of May 17, 2024, as “DIPG Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day” to raise awareness of, and encourage research on, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma tumors and pediatric cancers in general; Sponsor: Rubio, Marco [Sen.-R-FL]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.Res.692-A resolution supporting the mission and goals of National Fentanyl Awareness Day in 2024, including increasing individual and public awareness of the impact of fake or counterfeit fentanyl pills on families and young people; Sponsor: Grassley, Chuck [Sen.-R-IA]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.J.Res.82-A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Food and Drug Administration relating to “Medical Devices; Laboratory Developed Tests”; Sponsor: Paul, Rand [Sen.-R-KY]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4338-A bill to provide for the establishment of hybrid primary care payments under the Medicare program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Whitehouse, Sheldon [Sen.-D-RI]; Committees: Senate-Finance

 

S.4349-A bill to require private health plans to provide for secure electronic transmission of prior authorization requests for prescription drugs; Sponsor: Marshall, Roger [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4350-A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend acute hospital care at home waiver flexibilities; Sponsor: Carper, Thomas R. [Sen.-D-DE]; Committees: Senate-Finance

 

S.4351-A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize certain poison control programs; Sponsor: Murray, Patty [Sen.-D-WA]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.R.8404-To amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to create a Radiation Oncology Case Rate Value Based Payment Program exempt from budget neutrality adjustment requirements, and to amend section 1128A of title XI of the Social Security Act to create a new statutory exception for the provision of free or discounted transportation for radiation oncology patients to receive radiation therapy services; Sponsor: Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [Rep.-R-PA-1]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.8412-To modernize clinical trials and remove barriers for participation in clinical trials, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Ruiz, Raul [Rep.-D-CA-25]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.8415-To require the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services to evaluate the cybersecurity practices and protocols of the Department, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Steel, Michelle [Rep.-R-CA-45]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

S.4357-A bill to improve access to oral health care for vulnerable and underserved populations; Sponsor: Sanders, Bernard [Sen.-I-VT]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.4358-A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to establish a grant program under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to address substance use disorders among older adults, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Casey, Robert P., Jr. [Sen.-D-PA]; Committees: Senate-Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.Res.1232-Expressing support for the goals and ideals of “National Hypertension Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Beatty, Joyce [Rep.-D-OH-3]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.1237-Recognizing “Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Thompson, Mike [Rep.-D-CA-4]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.J.Res.145-Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Food and Drug Administration relating to “Medical Devices; Laboratory Developed Tests”; Sponsor: Finstad, Brad [Rep.-R-MN-1]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce

 

H.J.Res.146-Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to “Clarifying the Eligibility of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Recipients and Certain Other Noncitizens for a Qualified Health Plan through an Exchange, Advance Payments of the Premium Tax Credit, Cost-Sharing Reductions, and a Basic Health Program”; Sponsor: Mace, Nancy [Rep.-R-SC-1]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.8418-To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update the Lethal Means Safety and Suicide Prevention training course of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Underwood, Lauren [Rep.-D-IL-14]; Committees: House-Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.8422-To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to establish programs for the provision of mental health services to individuals affected by a major disaster, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Balint, Becca [Rep.-D-VT-At Large]; Committees: House-Transportation and Infrastructure; Homeland Security

 

H.R.8433-To amend the Public Health Service Act to require the National Institutes of Health to select awardees based on merit, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hageman, Harriet M. [Rep.-R-WY-At Large]; Committees: House-Energy and Commerce