When is Congress in session? House 2024 Calendar Senate 2024 Calendar
What’s Ahead: This Week
Hearings and Markups –
- Tuesday, December 17
- House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Health, “Legislative Hearing” Additional Information
- Wednesday, December 18
- House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, “Restoring Congressional Power over VA After Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo.” Additional Information
Notable Policy Events –
- Monday, December 16
- Health Affairs, “Addressing Health Disparities Amid Growing Health Care Costs.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Tuesday, December 17,
- Carahsoft, “VA Digital Health Summit.” Paid, In-Person. Additional Information
- Wednesday, December 18
- Sirona Strategies, “Health Care Policy 2025 Webinar.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- HHS Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP), “Health Equity by Design Task Force 2024.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Primary Care Collaborative (PCC), “Scaling Contraceptive Access in Primary Care.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- The Heritage Foundation, “Restoring American Wellness: How Can Policy Help Make America Healthy Again?” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
Weekly Wrap-Up: Notable Health Care Developments from Last Week
Medicare & Medicaid –
- On December 9, CMS approved amendments to Massachusetts’ MassHealth section 1115 demonstration through December 31, 2027 and Montana’s Montana HEART section 1115 demonstration through June 30, 2027. MassHealth Amendment Approval Montana HEART Amendment Approval Press Release
- On December 10, CMS released an informational bulletin that discusses opportunities available under Medicaid and CHIP to cover clinically appropriate and evidence-based services and supports that address health-related social needs (HRSN). Informational Bulletin Press Release
- Also on December 10, Sen. Warren (D-MA) and six Democrats sent a bicameral letter to CMS Administrator Nominee Dr. Oz, expressing concerns over his prior support for Medicare Advantage and his financial investments in private health insurers. Letter Press Release
- Also on December 10, CMS approved a five-year extension of North Carolina’s section 1115 demonstration. Extension Approval Press Release
- On December 11, CMS released the 2024 Medicaid and CHIP (MAC) Scorecard, a dashboard that draws from multiple datasets derived from state and federal reporting efforts. MAC Scorecard Press Release
- Also on December 11, the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a Special Fraud Alert warning about certain marketing schemes involving the Medicare Advantage program. Press Release Special Fraud Alert
- Also on December 11, CMS announced that Nevada plans to amend its section 1115 demonstration to cover institution for mental disease (IMD) stays for Medicaid enrollees with serious mental illness /serious emotional disturbance and provide housing and nutrition support to address HRSNs. Comments are due January 9, 2025. Application Submit Comments
- Also on December 11, CMS approved a five-year extension of the Evolving West Virginia’s Behavioral Health Continuum of Care section 1115 demonstration, which includes substance use disorder (SUD) treatment for individuals residing in an IMD and peer recovery support services. The extension approval is effective January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2029. Extension Approval Press Release
- On December 12, CMS approved a five-year extension of Kentucky’s TEAMKY section 1115 demonstration, which includes SUD treatment and withdrawal management services for individuals residing in IMDs. The waiver is effective through December 31, 2029. Extension Approval Press Release
Payment & Delivery System Models – On December 11, the CMS Innovation Center published its 2024 Report to Congress, which features strategic accomplishments and updates on its current model portfolio from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2024. CMS Innovation Center Report
Public Health Prevention, Preparedness, Surveillance – On December 11, HHS issued a notice extending the duration of the Public Readiness and Preparedness (PREP) Act (PREP) Act for COVID-19 Countermeasures to December 31, 2029. The PREP Act provides immunity for certain claims related to administration or use of countermeasures to diseases, threats, or conditions. Notice
Health IT, Privacy, & Digital Health –
- On December 9, Sen. Schatz (D-HI) and 100 members sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter to Congressional leadership requesting the extension of expanded Medicare coverage of telehealth services in a year-end appropriations package. Letter Press Release
- On December 10, ASTP announced its release of the Vetting Process Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to guide how organizations seeking to participate in specific “Exchange Purposes” within TEFCA are vetted. Announcement
- On December 11, ASTP released the Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) (HTI-2) final rule, which finalizes certain TEFCA-related proposals from the HTI-2 proposed rule to advance interoperability and support the access, exchange, and use of electronic health information. The rule is effective January 15, 2025. Rule Press Release
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Policy –
- On December 10, HHS released an update to its National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease. Report
- On December 11, HHS issued a report on the availability and correlates of integrated treatment for people with co-occurring disorders in outpatient behavioral health treatment facilities. Issue Brief Press Release Report
- On December 12, Sen. Markey (D-MA) sent a letter to a behavioral health care provider, expressing concerns about its profit motivations and how this may impact the quality of and access to behavioral health care. Letter Press Release
- Also on December 12, Sens. Markey (D-MA) and Braun (R-IN) sent a letter to a behavioral health care provider, expressing concerns about its profit motivations and how this may impact the quality of and access to behavioral health care. Letter
- On December 13, HHS published a report on opportunities to use electronic recovery record data for research on the population that uses recovery support services (RSS), patterns of use, and the impact of RSS on outcomes. Press Release Report
Prescription Drugs & Health Innovation – On December 12, Sen. Lankford (R-OK) and 33 senators sent a bipartisan letter to Senate leadership requesting PBM reforms in any legislative vehicle that may be brought up for a vote at the end of the 118th Congress. Letter Press Release
SDOH & Health Equity – On December 9, HHS resolved complaints with a nonprofit health system over alleged violations of federal civil rights laws related to auxiliary aids for patients with disabilities. Press Release Voluntary Resolution Agreement
Health Systems & Health Care Workforce –
- On December 9, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report on actions needed to improve oversight of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Highlights Report
- Also on December 9, Reps. Smith (R-NE), Flood (R-NE), and Bacon (R-NE) sent a letter to HHS Nominee Kennedy Jr., inviting him to view Nebraska’s food production and rural health system. Letter Press Release
- On December 12, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that more than three million veterans, service members, and spouses who receive life insurance from VA’s programs will receive a discount on premiums starting in spring 2025. Press Release
Legislative Activity
Votes and Committee Activity –
- On December 11, the Senate passed the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2024 (S. 4776) by voice vote. The bill would authorize appropriations for the Older Americans Act for fiscal years 2025 through 2029. The bill heads to the House for consideration. Bill Text Press Release
- Also on December 11, the President signed the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Reauthorization Act (7218) into law. The bill extends the program for promotion of public health knowledge and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Bill Text Press Release
- On December 12, the Senate passed the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (S. 141) with an amendment by unanimous consent. The bill addresses home care and caregiver programs provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill heads to the House for consideration. Bill Text Press Release
- Also on December 12, the Senate passed the FDA Modernization Act 3.0 (FDAMA 3.0) (S. 5046) with an amendment by unanimous consent. The bill would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to publish a final rule relating to nonclinical testing methods. The bill heads to the House for consideration. Bill Text Press Release
Introduced Legislation –
- Also on December 11, Sens. Boozman (R-AR) and Lujan (D-NM) introduced the Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act (MARCA) (S. 5492), which would provide for payment for services of radiologist assistants under the Medicare program. Bill Text Press Release
- On December 12, Sens. Warren (D-MA) and Hawley (R-MO) introduced the Patients Before Monopolies (PBM) Act (S. 5503), which would prohibit pharmacy benefit managers from being under common ownership with pharmacies or health plans. The bill would require divestment within three years. Reps. Harshbarger (R-TN), Auchincloss (D-MA), and Nadler (D-NY) introduced companion legislation (H.R. 10362) in the House on December 11. Bill Text Press Release