Hearings/MarkupsHouse Ways and Means Committee: “Investing in the U.S. Health System by Lowering Drug Prices, Reducing Out-of-Pocket Costs, and Improving Medicare Benefits”
The House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on prescription drug pricing costs, as well as discussing the government drug price negotiation plan released by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), H.R.
HouseBlue Dog Democrats Urge Speaker Pelosi to Call Vote on Several Bipartisan Drug-pricing Bills
On Oct. 7, the Blue Dog Coalition asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to hold votes on several bipartisan drug-pricing bills, instead of wrapping them into government price negotiation legislation, the same request Republicans are making to the speaker. The Blue
HouseBipartisan Legislation Introduced on Accurate Provider Directories
On Sept. 27, Reps. Phil Roe (R-TN) and Kim Schrier (D-WA) introduced legislation to improve the accuracy of the information listed on health plans’ provider directories to prevent patients from receiving surprise out-of-network bills. The Improving Provider Directories Act (H.R. 4575) requires health plans to establish a
Hearings/MarkupsSenate Special Committee on Aging: “Promoting Healthy Aging – Living Your Best Life Long into Your Golden Years”
The Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing for seniors seeking to maintain a healthy lifestyle as they age. Find the hearing transcript here.
House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health: “Making Prescription Drugs
Hearings/MarkupsHouse Committee on Rules: Meeting on continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2020
The House Committee on Rules held a meeting to discuss H.R. 4378, Continuing Appropriations Act 2020 and Health Extenders Act of 2019. They agreed upon a rule for consideration of the Continuing Resolution. The CR passed the House on Sept. 18 by
Hearings/MarkupsHouse Committee on Energy and Commerce: “Improving Maternal Health: Legislation to Advance Prevention Efforts and Access to Care”
The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on several bills to improve maternal health and welfare. The hearing discussed four maternal health bills: the Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness Act, introduced
CongressSpeaker Pelosi to Release Drug Pricing Plan in September, Progressive Caucus Raises Transparency Concerns
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) upcoming drug pricing plan is expected for release in September, according to Rep. Pelosi’s health policy aide, Wendell Primus. The proposal authorizes the government to limit prices for certain expensive drugs and ensure that negotiated
HouseCummings and Sanders Seek Information About Possible Obstruction of a Congressional Investigation on Generic Drug Prices
On August 14, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), the Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, sent letters to Heritage Pharmaceuticals, Mylan N.V., and
CongressHouse Passes Short-Term Funding Extension for Medicaid Pilot Program
On July 30, the House passed a bill to keep a $1 billion Medicaid pilot providing mental health and addiction services running through mid-September—the third short-term funding extension in four months.
The bill, H.R 3253, passed during a pro forma session and already passed by
Hearings/MarkupsSenate Committee on the Judiciary: “Oversight of the Enforcement of the Antitrust Laws”
Tuesday, July 23, 2019: The Senate Committee on the Judiciary’s Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights held another hearing related to antitrust laws, seeking suggestions on oversight and enforcement at the federal level. Find witness testimonies and hearing updates