This week in Washington: Discussions on infrastructure and prescription drug changes continue.

House Energy and Commerce Committee to Discuss Vaccine Legislation
On June 15, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing titled “Booster Shot: Enhancing Public Health Through Vaccine Legislation.” Bills to be discussed at the hearing are listed and linked below.

  • H.R. 550, the “Immunization Infrastructure Modernization Act”
  • H.R. 951, the “Maternal Vaccinations Act”
  • H.R. 979, the “Vaccine Fairness Act”
  • H.R. 1452, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to publish the formula the Secretary uses to determine the allocation of COVID-19 vaccines, and for other purposes
  • H.R. 1550, the “Promoting Resources to Expand Vaccination, Education and New Treatments for HPV Cancers Act of 2021” or the “PREVENT HPV Cancers Act of 2021”
  • H.R. 1978, the “Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act of 2021”
  • H.R. 2170, the “Helping Adults Protect Immunity Act” or the “HAPI Act”
  • H.R. 2347, the “Strengthening the Vaccines for Children Program Act of 2021”
  • H.R. 3013, the “COVID Vaccine Transportation Access Act”
  • H.R. 3655, the “Vaccine Injury Compensation Modernization Act”
  • H.R. 3742, the “Vaccine Information for Nursing Facility Operators Act” or the “Vaccine INFO Act”
  • H.R. 3743, the “Supporting the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health and the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the Food and Drug Administration Act”

Bipartisan Essential Drugs Stockpile Bill Reintroduced
On June 3, Reps. Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) reintroduced the Essential Medicines Strategic Stockpile Act. The bill would pilot a program that allows states to partner with pharmaceutical companies to maintain a six-month supply of drugs.

Read more on healthcare policy in McGuireWoods Consulting’s Washington Healthcare Update.