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HEALTH PROVISIONS FACE UNCERTAINTY AS CONGRESS RETURNS FOR BUSY DECEMBER

Congress returns to Washington this week after the Thanksgiving holiday with only 18 days before the government runs out of money – and that’s not even the most important issue lawmakers will face in what is shaping up as a cramped year-end calendar.

In addition to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/11/23/lawmakers-reach-deal-spending-levels-skirting-now-fight-over-trumps-border-wall-demand/">scrambling to fund the government</a>, the Democrat-controlled House is likely to vote this month to impeach President Donald Trump.

With lawmakers pushing other key items, such as tax provisions, renewing Pentagon programs and the U.S. trade agreement with Mexico and Canada, what’s the likelihood that healthcare provisions will see congressional action?

House leaders say they will schedule a <a href="https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/dear-colleague-house-vote-lowering-prescription-drug-costs-voting-rights-funding-government"> vote</a> in the coming weeks on <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/3?r=1">legislation</a> that addresses prescription drug prices. Among other things, it would require pharmaceutical manufacturers to negotiate prices with the government on 250 drugs; it also would apply those negotiated prices to private health plans nationwide.

It will likely be a party line vote, with few if any Republicans supporting the House bill.

<a href="https://www.ohioclock.com/2019/12/capitol-hill-healthcare-update-39/">Read more on BakerHostetler’s Ohio Clock blog &gt;&gt;</a>