Health Care Policy Update – Weekly Wrap-up and What’s Ahead – July 29, 2024


When is Congress in session? House 2024 Calendar Senate 2024 Calendar

What’s Ahead: This Week

Hearings and Markups – 
  • Wednesday, July 31
    • Senate HELP Committee, “S. 4776, Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act, S. 4762, Autism CARES Act, and S. 4755, Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act.” Additional Information
  • Thursday, August 1
    • Senate Appropriations Committee, “Full Committee Markup of Labor, Health, and Human Services, Financial Services and General Government Appropriations, and More Acts.” More Information
Notable Policy Events –
  • Monday, July 29
    • Paragon Health Institute, “Medicare Site-Neutral Payments: A Commonsense, Bipartisan Reform.” Free, In-Person. Additional Information
    • The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), “Using Medicaid Data to Support People with Disabilities During Public Health Emergencies.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
  • Tuesday, July 30
    • Civitas Networks for Health, “Modernizing Demographic Data Standards to Advance Health Equity.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
    • Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), “HTI-2 Proposed Rule Task Force 2024 Meeting – Group 1.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
    • The Milbank Quarterly/NYU Langone Health, “New Research on Select State Strategies to Reduce Prescription Opioid Misuse.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
  • Wednesday, July 31
    • Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), “HTI-2 Proposed Rule Task Force 2024 Meeting – Group 2.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
    • Paragon Health Institute, “Lowering Health Care Costs Through AI: The Possibilities and Barriers.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
  • Thursday, August 1
    • CMS, “CMS Leadership National Call Update with the CMS Administrator.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
    • ONC, “HTI-2 Proposed Rule Task Force 2024 Meeting – Group 3.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
    • ONC, “Learn about HHS Executive Leadership Opportunities in AI, Technology and Data.” Additional Information
    • Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), “Celebrate 25 Years of Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
  • Friday, August 2
    • California Telehealth Policy Coalition, “Cross-State Licensure & Compacts.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
    • Primary Care Collaborative (PCC), “A Shot in the Arm: How Primary Care Boosts CDC’s Vaccine Efforts.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information

Weekly Wrap-Up: Notable Health Care Developments from Last Week

Medicare & Medicaid –
  • On July 23, CMS released a fact sheet on its Oral Health Cross-Cutting Initiative. Bulletin Fact Sheet
  • Also on July 23, CMS issued a letter to state health officials regarding the availability of certain state plan services for incarcerated youth in Medicaid and CHIP. Bulletin Letter to State Health Officials
  • On July 25, CMS approved a five-year extension of New Mexico’s section 1115 demonstration, which will  provide Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment, long-term services and supports, Serious Mental Illness/Serious Emotional Disturbance (SMI/SED) services, and continuous eligibility for children up to age six. Bulletin New Mexico Turquoise Care

Marketplaces –  On July 22, CMS issued a summary report on individual and small group market risk adjustment transfers for the 2023 benefit year. Summary Report

Payment & Delivery System Models – On July 23, CMS announced that the application submission period for the ACO Primary Care Flex Model was extended to August 23, 2024. Application Portal

Health IT, Privacy, & Digital Health – On July 25, HHS announced a reorganization to streamline and bolster technology, cybersecurity, data, and artificial intelligence (AI) strategy and policy functions. Under the reorganization, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) will be renamed the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy and ONC (ASTP/ONC). Blog Notice Press Release

Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder – On July 24, HHS announced $45.1 Million in grant awards to expand mental health and substance use services across the lifespan. Press Release

Prescription Drugs & Health Innovation. – 
  • On July 22, HHS issued a report on the impacts of COVID-19 on the clinical trial enterprise. Report Report Commentary
  • On July 23, House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman Comer (R-KY) issued a report on the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in prescription drug markets. Press Release Report
  • On July 24, HHS issued a report on the impact of COVID-19 on the costs to patients associated with clinical trial participation. Report
  • On July 26, the FDA alerted health care providers, compounders, and patients of dosing errors associated with compounded injectable semaglutide products. Press Release

SDOH & Health Equity – On July 24, GAO released a report on estimated eligibility and receipt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits among college students experiencing food insecurity. Full Report Highlights

Legislative Activity –

Votes and Committee Activity – 

  • On July 25, the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Act by a vote of 26-3. The bill would make appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, Science, and related agencies for FY 2025. Notably, the Committee directs the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to engage in meaningful Tribal consultation prior to the finalization of the proposed rule for telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances. Bill Report Bill Summary Bill Text Press Release

Introduced Legislation  –

  • On July 22, Rep. Thanedar (D-MI) introduced the Mental Health Care Provider Retention Act of 2024 (H.R. 9091), which would authorize an individual who is transitioning from receiving treatment furnished by the Secretary of Defense to treatment furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to continue receiving treatment from such individual’s mental health care provider of the Department of Defense. Press Release
  • Also on July 23, Reps. Auchincloss (D-MA) and Harshbarger (R-TN) introduced the Pharmacists Fight Back Act (H.R. 9096), which would implement a transparent pharmacy reimbursement model using market-based pricing benchmarked to the national average drug acquisition cost (NADAC). Press Release BIll Text
  • Also on July 23, Rep. DeLauro (D-CT) introduced the Federal Food Administration Act (H.R. 9099), which would establish the Federal Food Administration to address food safety. Sen. Durbin (D-IL) introduced companion legislation (S. 4745) in the Senate. Press Release Bill Text
  • Also on July 23, Sen. Markey (D-MA) introduced the Convenient Care for Caregivers Act (S. 4729), which would establish a pilot program for family caregivers for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder with neurological and organic brain dysfunction. Press Release Bill Text
  • Also on July 23, Sens. Markey (D-MA), Baldwin (D-WI), Duckworth (D-IL), and Welch (D-VT) introduced the Family Caregiving Research and Innovation Act (S. 4732), which would authorize funding for the Research, Demonstration, and Evaluation Center for the Aging Network to engage in certain research and evaluation activities with respect to family caregivers and to revise the definition of the term “family caregiver.” Press Release Bill Text
  • Also on July 23, Sens. Markey (D-MA), Stabenow (D-MI), Baldwin (D-WI), Duckworth (D-IL), and Welch (D-VT) introduced the Family Caregiver Peer Support Act (S. 4733), which would authorize the HHS Secretary to make grants to develop or expand in-person and virtual peer support programs for family caregivers. Press Release Bill Text
  • Also on July 23, Sens. Markey (D-MA) and Casey (D-PA) introduced the Financial Services Improving Noble and Necessary Caregiving Experience (FINANCE) Act (S. 4735), which would provide financial planning services related to the needs of family caregivers. Press Release Bill Text
  • Also on July 23, Sen. Markey (D-MA) introduced the Respite Care and Resources for Everyone (CARE) Act (S. 4736), which would develop and expand integrated caregiver support services for family caregivers. Press Release Bill Text
  • Also on July 23, Sens. Kaine (D-VA) and Casey (D-PA) introduced the Strengthening Advocacy for Long-Term Care Residents Act (S. 4743), which would improve the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. Press Release Bill Text
  • On July 24, Sen. Wyden (D-OR) and five cosponsors introduced the Insurance Fraud Accountability Act (S. 4767), which would reduce fraudulent enrollments in qualified health plans. One-Pager Bill Summary Press Release Bill Text
  • Also on July 25, Reps. Cammack (R-FL), Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), and Kean (R-NJ) introduced the Increasing Value for Families (IVF) with HSAs Act (H.R. 9141), which would expand eligibility for health savings accounts. Sen. Scott (R-FL) introduced companion legislation (S. 4771) in the Senate. Press Release Bill Text
  • Also on July 25, Rep. DeLauro (D-CT) introduced the Responsibility in Drug Advertising Act (H.R. 9142), which would restrict direct-to-consumer drug advertising. Sens. King (I-ME), Welch (D-VT) and Kaine (D-VA) introduced companion legislation (S. 4785) in the Senate. Press Release
  • Also on July 25, Rep. Lee (D-CA) and 35 cosponsors introduced the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA) (H.R. 9161), which would strengthen data requirements related to health disparities, expand access to culturally and linguistically appropriate care, and direct funding to diversify the health care workforce, among other provisions. Sen. Hirono (D-HI) and eight cosponsors introduced companion legislation (S. 4773) in the Senate. Press Release Bill Text
  • Also on July 25, Sens. Baldwin (D-WI) and Markey (D-MA) introduced the Hospital Stability and Health Services (HSHS) Act (S. 4777), which would require hospitals to fulfill certain obligations relating to discontinuation of services or closure. Press Release Bill Text
  • Also on July 25, Sen. Markey (D-MA) and eight cosponsors introduced the Health Over Wealth Act (S. 4804), which would increase transparency requirements for private equity-owned health care entities and require HHS to review the role of private equity and consolidation in health care. Reps. Jayapal (D-WA), Balint (D-VT), Hoyle (D-OR), Norton (D-DC), and Pocan (D-WI) introduced companion legislation (H.R. 9156) in the House. Press Release Bill Text
  • Also on July 25, Sens. Markey (D-MA), Warren (D-MA), and Merkley (D-OR) introduced the State Based Universal Health Care Act (S. 4817), which would authorize the establishment of, and provide support for, state-based universal health care systems that provide comprehensive health benefits to state residents. Press Release Bill Text
  • Also on July 25, Sens. Butler (D-CA) and Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Prevention Services for Youth Act (S. 4811), which would require guidance to improve access to mental health and substance use prevention services for children, adolescents, and young adults. Press Release Bill Text
  • Also on July 25, Sens. Butler (D-CA) and Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Strengthening Supports for Youth Act (S. 4812), which would establish a pilot program to address behavioral health needs among children, adolescents, and young adults. Press Release Bill Text