Tag Archives: Capitol Hill Healthcare Update

Capitol Hill Healthcare Update

By Adam Higgins on March 9, 2020 Posted in Healthcare

CORONAVIRUS WORRIES CONTINUE AFTER EMERGENCY FUNDING BILL Congressional approval last week of emergency spending to address the coronavirus hasn’t allayed Capitol Hill’s concerns about preparedness and response as the impact of the virus in the United States rapidly escalates. Two lawmakers – Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz. – announced this weekend … Continue Reading

Capitol Hill Healthcare Update

By Adam Higgins on February 24, 2020 Posted in Healthcare

AZAR TO TESTIFY THIS WEEK BEFORE HOUSE, SENATE COMMITTEES Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar faces a marathon week of testimony, appearing before four congressional committees to discuss his department’s fiscal 2021 budget. In addition to funding issues, Azar is likely to face questions on the federal government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak. Last … Continue Reading

Capitol Hill Healthcare Update

By Adam Higgins on February 10, 2020 Posted in Healthcare

SURPRISE BILLING PROGRESS DRIVES THE WEEK Legislation to address surprise medical bills is moving forward this week, as two House committees mark up their own plans to protect patients. After progress stalled at the end of last year, the House Ways and Means Committee jump-started it by announcing it would move forward with its proposal. … Continue Reading

Capitol Hill Healthcare Update

By Adam Higgins on February 3, 2020 Posted in Healthcare

SURPRISE BILLING FIX REGAINING TRACTION? Legislation to address unexpected bills for out-of-network medical care appears to be making a comeback, after a committee turf battle stalled its progress at the end of last year. House leaders want to pass a bill by May, when they intentionally created a deadline for several popular health programs that will need … Continue Reading

Capitol Hill Healthcare Update

By Adam Higgins on January 27, 2020 Posted in Healthcare

CONCERNS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS GROW ON CAPITOL HILL As coronavirus cases continue to emerge in the United States and worldwide, lawmakers are seeking briefings from federal health officials about the outbreak that originated in China and what steps U.S. health agencies are taking to protect Americans. Five cases were confirmed in the United States, but there … Continue Reading

Capitol Hill Healthcare Update

By Adam Higgins on January 13, 2020 Posted in Healthcare

NEW SENATOR JOINS HEALTH COMMITTEE Newly sworn-in Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., is the newest member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Loeffler took the oath of office last week, replacing retired Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga. Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., praised Loeffler as having the background and skills to “immediately become an … Continue Reading

Capitol Hill Healthcare Update

By Adam Higgins on January 6, 2020 Posted in Healthcare

SPRING DEADLINE DRIVES 2020 HEALTH POLICY AGENDA Few policy issues consumed more political oxygen on Capitol Hill last year than prescription drug prices and surprise medical bills – but without significant legislative achievement on either. But Congress is going to try again, setting up a spring deadline to force action on key healthcare provisions. Despite … Continue Reading

Capitol Hill Healthcare Update

By Chris Jones and Adam Higgins on December 16, 2019 Posted in Healthcare

ACA TAXES ON CHOPPING BLOCK IN YEAR-END BUDGET DEAL Congressional leaders are poised to announce an agreement today that would permanently repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) taxes on medical device manufacturers, insurers and high-cost health plans as part of a spending package that would avoid a government shutdown later this week. If the tax … Continue Reading

Capitol Hill Healthcare Update

By Adam Higgins on December 9, 2019 Posted in Healthcare

YEAR-END LEGISLATIVE OVERDRIVE This week is crunch time on a host of legislative priorities, and various health-related provisions hang in the balance. Lawmakers and staff worked all weekend negotiating on legislation to fund the government beyond next Friday’s deadline, when current funding expires. As the only true must-pass legislative vehicle before the end of the … Continue Reading

Capitol Hill Healthcare Update

By Chris Jones and Adam Higgins on December 2, 2019 Posted in Healthcare

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 … Continue Reading

Capitol Hill Healthcare Update

By Chris Jones on May 13, 2019 Posted in Healthcare

Here is this week’s “Capitol Hill Healthcare Update,” which is posted on Mondays when Congress is in session HOUSE TO VOTE ON BILL COMBINING ACA, DRUG PRICING PROVISIONS The House is scheduled to vote on legislation Thursday that would package new funding for state-based marketplaces and enrollment outreach efforts under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), with provisions designed to … Continue Reading

Capitol Hill Healthcare Update

By Chris Jones on April 29, 2019 Posted in Uncategorized

Here is this week’s “Capitol Hill Healthcare Update,” which is posted on Mondays when Congress is in session. DRUG PRICES: CONGRESS RETURNS, PICKS UP WHERE LAWMAKERS LEFT OFF Congress reconvenes today after a two-week spring recess, with lawmakers in both parties continuing their focus on prescription drug prices. House and Senate committees are planning a … Continue Reading