When is Congress in session? House 2024 Calendar Senate 2024 Calendar
What’s Ahead: This Week
Hearings and Markups –
- Tuesday, February 6
- House Budget Committee, “Hearing on the Preventive Health Savings Act (H.R. 766) and Other Legislation.” Additional Information
- House Energy & Commerce Committee, Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, “Hearing: Protecting American Health Security: Oversight of Shortcomings in the FDA’s Foreign Drug Inspection Program.” Additional Information
- House Oversight and Accountability Committee, “Mark-Up on the Delinking Revenue from Unfair Gouging (DRUG) Act (H.R. 6283) and Other Legislation.” Additional Information
- House Ways & Means Committee, “Hearing on Examining Chronic Drug Shortages in the United States.” Additional Information
- Thursday, February 8
- Senate Finance Committee, “Hearing on Artificial Intelligence and Health Care: Promise and Pitfalls.” Additional Information
- Senate HELP Committee, “Why Does the United States Pay, by Far, the Highest Prices in the World for Prescription Drugs?” Additional Information
Notable Policy Events –
- Tuesday, February 6
- Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), “Investing in Public Health Infrastructure: Indiana’s Success Story.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Health Affairs, “Briefing: Housing And Health.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Urban Institute, “Beyond Engagement: Community-Led Initiatives toward Equitable Health.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Thursday, February 8
- Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), “ HTI-1 Final Rule Insights Condition.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- RISE, “Revolutionizing Medicare Advantage.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- The National Press Club, “Health & Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.” Paid, Virtual & In-Person. Additional Information
Weekly Wrap-Up: Notable Health Care Developments from Last Week
Medicare –
- On January 29, Sen. Cortez Masto (D-NV) led a bipartisan group of 57 senators in a letter to CMS Administrator Brooks-LaSure expressing their support of the Medicare Advantage program. Letter Press Release
- Also on January 29, Sen. Warren (D-MA) and Rep. Jayapal (D-WA) sent a letter to CMS Administrator Brooks-LaSure urging CMS to address overpayments in the Medicare Advantage program in the CY 2025 Advance Notice. Letter Press Release
- On January 31, Reps. Soto (D-FL), Horsford (D-NV), and Bera (D-CA) led 16 House members in a letter to CMS Administrator Brooks-LaSure expressing their support of the Medicare Advantage program, emphasizing its diverse patient population. Letter
- Also on January 31, CMS announced that the CMS Measures Under Consideration Entry/Review Information Tool (CMS MERIT) is open for 2024 quality and efficiency measure submissions until May 10, 2024. CMS MERIT
- Also on January 31, CMS released the Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Medicare Advantage Advance Notice. CMS is proposing to continue phasing in the updated Part C Risk Adjustment Model and a Part D benefit redesign. CMS will accept comments on the CY 2025 Advance Notice through March 1, 2024 before publishing the final Rate Announcement by April 1, 2024. Press Release Fact Sheet Part D Fact Sheet Advance Notice
- Also on January 31, HHS released a report on the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act’s expanded financial assistance in Medicare’s Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) Program. Report
Medicaid –
- On January 29, CMS released frequently asked questions (FAQs) to supplement the 2021 State Health Official (SHO) letter “Improving Maternal Health and Extending Postpartum Coverage in Medicaid and CHIP.” FAQs
- On January 31, CMS released the latest enrollment figures for Medicaid, Medicaid, and CHIP. As of October 2023, 66,614,757 people are enrolled in Medicare and 87,289,666 people are enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. Enrollment Data
Marketplaces –
- On January 31, CMS released a notice announcing a revision of its collection of information about prescription drug and health care spending, premiums, and enrollment by issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage. Comments are due April 1, 2024. Notice
- On February 2, the Departments of Labor, Treasury, and HHS released a frequently asked question (FAQ) regarding the Transparency in Coverage Final Rules (TiC Final Rules). The TiC Final Rules would require non-grandfathered group health plans and health insurance issuers offering non-grandfathered coverage in the group and individual markets to disclose on a public website information regarding in-network provider rates for covered items and services, among others. FAQ
Payment & Delivery System Models –
- On January 29, CMS announced accountable care organization (ACO) participation in 2024. Overall, in 2024, over 13 million Traditional Medicare beneficiaries were aligned to an ACO, a three percent increase compared to 2023. Press Release
- On January 30, the CMS Innovation Center announced the launch of the Value-Based Care Spotlight, which aims to explain how value-based care transforms health care. Website
- Also on January 30, CMS announced the Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Access Model, which focuses on sickle cell disease. Specifically, it would test a CMS-led approach to developing and administering outcomes-based agreements for cell and gene therapies for Medicaid beneficiaries. CGT Access Model Fact Sheet Press Release
Public Health Prevention, Preparedness, Surveillance – On January 30, HHS announced the establishment of the National Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis Syndemic (NSCSS) Federal Task Force to respond to the U.S. syphilis and congenital syphilis epidemic. Press Release
Health IT, Privacy, & Digital Health –
- On January 29, the White House issued a fact sheet highlighting its early steps toward regulating artificial intelligence (AI), including convening a White House AI Council, consisting of top officials from a wide range of federal departments and agencies. Fact Sheet
- On February 1, CDC released a data brief on telemedicine use among physicians by specialty in 2021. The data showed that physicians were able to provide a similar quality of care during telemedicine visits compared with in-person visits. Blog Data Brief
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Policy –
- On January 30, CMS announced $50 million in grants to enhance school-based health services for children, focusing on mental health. Press Release
- On February 1, HHS finalized a rule, which would expand access to medications for opioid use disorder. Rule
- Also on February 1, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) updated the Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit. Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit
- On February 2, SAMHSA announced notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) for two grant programs aimed at expanding substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services among pregnant and postpartum women and through adult and family treatment drug courts. Announcement Family Treatment Drug Court Grant Pregnant and Postpartum Women Grant
Prescription Drugs & Health Innovation –
- On January 29, the Senate Aging Committee released state fact sheets highlighting the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on lowering costs for patients. Fact Sheets
- On January 31, HHS released a study, which compares the price and availability of prescription drugs in the U.S. and other countries. Study
- On February 1, HHS announced that Medicare will send initial offers to manufacturers of the first ten drugs selected for drug price negotiation. Each drugmaker has until early March to accept the offer or propose a counteroffer to the government. HHS Press Release White House Statement
SDOH & Health Equity –
- On January 30, the FDA released draft guidance, which outlines expectations for, and recommendations on, use of a standardized approach for collecting and reporting race and ethnicity data in submissions. Comments are due April 29, 2024. Guidance
- On February 2, HHS announced three public-private partnerships with Instacart, Rockefeller Foundation, and Feeding America as part of its Food is Medicine summit. The partnerships will support HHS’s nutritional goals. Announcement
Misc. – On January 30, the House Budget Committee convened a roundtable to discuss improper payments across the Federal government and opportunities for reform. This continues the Committee’s work to address fiscal issues, including Medicare Part A insolvency, which is currently set for 2031. Press Release
Legislative Activity –
Introduced Legislation –
- On January 29, Rep. Sanchez (D-CA) and 10 cosponsors introduced the Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act (H.R. 7119), which would prohibit skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities from using pre-dispute arbitration agreements with respect to residents of those facilities under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Bill Text Press Release
- Also on January 29, Reps. DeLauro (D-CT), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Hayes (D-CT) introduced the Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act (H.R. 7108), which would support States and high-need local educational agencies in increasing the number of mental health services providers in schools. Press Release
- On January 30, Rep. Horsford (D-NV) introduced the Mental Health Transparency Act (H.R. 7140), which would require group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage to disclose the percentage of in-network participation for mental health and substance use disorder providers. Press Release
- Also on January 30, Reps. Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and Cárdenas (D-CA) introduced the Alternatives to Prevent Addiction in the Nation (Alternatives to PAIN) Act (H.R. 7142), which would ensure appropriate access to non-opioid pain management drugs under part D of the Medicare program. Bill Text Press Release
- Also on January 30, Reps. Smucker (R-PA), Doggett (D-TX), Tonko (D-NY), and Joyce (R-PA) introduced the Medicare Home Health Accessibility Act (H.R. 7148), which would provide for eligibility for coverage of home health services under the Medicare Program on the basis of a need for occupational therapy. Press Release
- Also on January 30, Rep. Steel (R-CA) and 10 bipartisan cosponsors introduced the Equal Access to Specialty Care Everywhere Act (EASE) Act (H.R. 7149), which would require the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test a model to improve access to specialty health services for certain Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Press Release
- Also on January 30, Reps. Wild (D-PA), Kiggans (R-VA), Carter (R-GA), and Dingell (D-MI) introduced the Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act (H.R. 7153), which would reauthorize the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act. Press Release
- On January 31, Sens. Hassan (D-NH) and Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the Fentanyl Awareness for Children and Teens in Schools (FACTS) Act (S. 3701), which would establish education partnership programs between public schools and public health agencies to prevent the misuse and overdose of synthetic opioids by youth. Sens. Hassan (D-NH) and Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the companion legislation in the Senate (S. 3701). Bill Text One-Pager Press Release
- Also on January 31, Reps. Caraveo (D-CO) and Nunn (R-IA) introduced the Advancing Research for Chronic Pain Act (H.R. 7164), which would advance population research for chronic pain. Press Release
- Also on January 31, Reps. Carey (R-OH) and Sanchez (D-CA) introduced the (H.R. 7165), which would provide a tax credit for working family caregivers. Sens. Bennet (D-CO), Capito (R-WV), Warren (D-MA), Collins (R-ME), Hassan (D-NH), and Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the companion legislation in the Senate (S. 3702). Bill Text Press Release
- On February 1, Reps. Calvert (R-CA), Issa (R-CA), Valadao (R-CA), Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), LaMalfa (R-CA), and Williams (R-NY) introduced the Treatment and Homeless Housing Integration Act (THHIA) (H.R. 7186), which would provide for the integration of participant treatment within the Continuum of Care Program with Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. Additional Information
- Also on February 1, Reps. Palmer (R-AL), Cloud (R-TX), Biggs (R-AZ), and Tiffany (R-WI) introduced the Prevent Racism in Medicare Act (PRIMA) (H.R. 7207), which would prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from selecting certain activities relating to the development of anti-racism plans as clinical practice improvement activities under the Medicare program. Press Release
- Also on February 1, Reps. Salinas (D-OR), Mann (R-KS), and Cardenas (D-CA) introduced the Providing Empathetic and Effective Recovery (PEER) Support Act (H.R. 7212), which would address the behavioral health workforce shortages through support for peer support specialists. Sens. Kaine (D-VA), Braun (R-IN), Wyden (D-OR), Tillis (R-NC), Baldwin (D-WI), and Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the companion legislation in the Senate (S. 2733) on September 6, 2023. Bill Text Press Release
- Also on February 1, Reps. Stefanik (R-NY) and Sewell (D-AL) introduced the Improving Access to Maternal Health for Military and Dependent Moms Act (H.R. 7214), which would require a report on access to maternal health care within the military health system. Sens. Rubio (R-FL) and Tester (D-MT) introduced the companion legislation in the Senate (S. 3722). Bill Text Press Release
- Also on February 1, Sens. Markey (D-MA), Heinrich (D-NM), Wyden (D-OR), Welch (D-VT), Padilla (D-CA), and Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act of 2024 (S. 3732), which would require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out a study on the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence, to require the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to convene a consortium on such environmental impacts, and to require the Director to develop a voluntary reporting system for the reporting of the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence. Bill Text Press Release