What’s Ahead: This Week
Hearings and Markups –
- Wednesday, June 21
- House Committee on Education & the Workforce, HELP Subcommittee, “Competition and Transparency: The Pathway Forward for a Stronger Health Care Market.” Additional Information
- House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, “Legislative Hearing on Pending Legislation.” Additional Information
- Thursday, June 22
- House Energy & Commerce Committee, Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, “MACRA Checkup: Assessing Implementation and Challenges that Remain for Patients and Doctors.” Additional Information
Notable Policy Events –
- Tuesday, June 20
- Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) Recognized Coordinating Entity (RCE), “Monthly Informational Call.” Additional Information
- Trust for America’s Health, “Shortchanged: The Impact of Chronic Underinvestment in Public Health.” Additional Information
- Wednesday, June 21 to Friday, June 23
- ONC, “The 11th Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP) Summit.” Additional Information
- Wednesday, June 21
- Alliance for Health Policy, “Recent Trends and Policies Impacting Medicare and Medicaid’s Home and Community Services.” Additional Information
- Milbank Memorial Fund, “Trends in the Financing and Ownership of US Health Care.” Additional Information
- NEJM Catalyst, “Disruption and Risk in Health Care: Anticipating What Comes Next.” Additional Information
- The Washington Post, “Inequities in Cancer Care and Outcomes.” Additional Information
- Thursday, June 22
- The Hill, “The Future of Health Care Summit 2023.” Additional Information
Weekly Wrap-Up: Notable Health Care Developments from Last Week
Medicare & Medicaid –
- On June 12, HHS Secretary Becerra sent a letter to Governors announcing new flexibilities to help keep beneficiaries covered as states resume Medicaid and CHIP renewals, including allowing managed care plans to assist beneficiaries in completing renewal forms. Press Release Letter List of Flexibilities
- Also on June 12, the Biden Administration announced new tools to lower prescription drug costs through the Extra Help program, which provides eligible beneficiaries with help paying for their Medicare Part D premiums and cost-sharing. Press Release
- Also on June 12, a group of 36 bipartisan Senators sent a letter to CMS Administrator Brooks-LaSure requesting CMS to update its methodology to reflect increased cost of delivering care and increased growth in expenses due to labor and supply chain costs. Press Release Letter
- On June 13, CMS announced that New York extended Medicaid and CHIP postpartum coverage for 12 months, becoming the 35th state to offer a full year of postpartum Medicaid coverage. Press Release
- On June 14, CMS released projections of National Health Expenditures (NHE) and health insurance enrollment for the years 2022-2031. NHE accounted for 18.3 percent of gross domestic product in 2022, while health insurance enrollment reached a historic high of 92.3 percent. Press Release Study on Projections
- On June 16, CMS announced that California submitted a request for a new three-year Medicaid section 1115 demonstration to provide grants to reproductive health providers. The comment period is open through July 16, 2023. Pending Application Comments
- Also on June 16, CMS announced that Florida submitted a request to extend its Medicaid section 1115 demonstration to provide family planning and family planning-related services to populations currently not covered under the Medicaid State plan. The comment period is open through July 16, 2023. Pending Application Comments
Payment & Delivery System Models –
- On June 8, CMS announced a new advanced primary care model, the Making Care Primary (MCP) Model, that will be tested in eight states. The model will launch July 1, 2024, and run for 10.5 years. A Request for Applications (RFA) will be released later this summer. Press Release MCP Model
- On June 9, CMS released a blog post, “The CMS Innovation Center’s Strategy to Support High-Quality Primary Care.” The strategy includes creating multiple pathways to support improved financing for advanced primary care, equitable access to high-quality primary care, and sustainable transformation among a heterogeneity of practices. Blog
- Also on June 9, CMS released detailed quality measure information for 12 Innovation Center models. The quality measure information can be found on the CMS Measures Inventory Tool (CMIT), and shows the measures that CMS uses to promote health care quality and improvement. CMIT
Public Health Prevention, Preparedness, Surveillance & Data –
- On June 15, Senate HELP Committee Ranking Member Cassidy (R-LA), Sen. Romney (R-UT), House Energy & Commerce Committee Chair McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), and Rep. Hudson (R-NC) called on the Biden Administration to bolster oversight of research involving dangerous pathogens, which Congress required as part of the PREVENT Pandemics Act. Press Release
- On June 16, President Biden announced his intent to appoint Dr. Mandy Cohen as the CDC Director. Announcement
Health IT, Privacy, & Digital Health –
- On June 14, the Biden Administration released a fact sheet on the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which would cut costs and increase access to affordable high-speed internet. Specifically, HHS is actively sharing information about the ACP with Federally Qualified Health Centers and the stakeholders who provide telehealth services. Fact Sheet
- Also on June 14, ONC published a blog on hospital leaders’ perceptions of information blocking, indicating that 42 percent of hospitals perceived that at least one type of information blocking “actor” engaged in practices that may constitute information blocking. Blog Study
- On June 16, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a notice of Requests for Nominations to the Health IT Advisory Committee (HITAC). Nomination letters are due July 31, 2023. Notice
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Policy –
- On June 12, National Institutes of Health (NIH) and FDA leaders called for more research to improve and implement drug-checking tools amid the ongoing opioid-involved overdose epidemic. Press Release
- On June 13, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released new data on lesbian, gay and bisexual behavioral health. The report found that lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults are more likely than straight adults to use substances, experience mental health conditions including major depressive episodes, and experience serious thoughts of suicide. Press Release Report
- Also on June 13, the CDC released data on child and adolescent mental health treatment. The data describes the percentage of children aged 5–17 years who have received mental health treatment in the past 12 months by selected characteristics. Press Release Brief
- On June 14, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced $9 million in awards to strengthen and expand the mental health and substance use workforce in underserved and rural communities. Press Release
- On June 16, HHS Secretary Becerra and Department of Education Secretary Cardona sent a joint letter to governors highlighting resources to help states, communities, and schools support students’ mental health and well-being. Press Release Letter
Prescription Drugs, Medical Devices, Biomedical Research, & Health Innovation –
- On June 12, Senate HELP Committee Chair Sanders (I-VT) released a report that found that Americans often pay more than people in other countries for prescription drug treatments. Press Release Report
- Also on June 12, House Energy & Commerce Committee Chair McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Crapo (R-ID) announced a bicameral Request for Information (RFI) to subject matter experts and stakeholders regarding the increase in drug shortages. Press Release RFI
- On June 14, Rep. Carter (R-GA) led a letter to HHS Secretary Becerra requesting HHS to prioritize American-made pharmaceuticals in the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). Press Release Letter
Veterans Health and Military Health –
- On June 12, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chair Bost (R-IL) published a letter sent to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary McDonough on June 6, 2023 regarding actions needed to provide veterans with community health care access. Press Release Letter
- On June 14, the VA issued a press release on Medicare’s latest nationwide survey of patients that showed VA hospitals outperformed non-VA hospitals on all ten core patient satisfaction metrics, including overall hospital rating, communication with doctors, communication about medication, willingness to recommend the hospital, and others. Press Release
Misc. –
- On June 12, the Kidney Innovation Accelerator (KidneyX), a public private partnership between HHS and the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), announced the eight winners of the Artificial Kidney Prize Phase 2 at the KidneyX Summit. Press Release
- On June 14 and 15, the White House held a state legislative convening on reproductive rights. Additionally, senior White House officials highlighted administrative actions on reproductive health care. Press Release
- On June 16, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to modernize regulations for the Older Americans Act (OAA) programs, which have not been substantially altered since 1988. Comments are due August 15, 2023. Press Release Proposed Rule
- Also on June 16, House Ways & Means Committee Republicans sent a letter to HHS Secretary Becerra, calling for improved oversight on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. They request written responses by June 21, 2023. Press Release Letter
Legislative Activity –
Votes and Committee Activity –
- On June 13, the House Education and the Workforce Committee held a markup on the Telehealth Benefit Expansion for Workers Act of 2023 (H.R. 824). H.R. 824 was passed, without amendment, by a vote of 21-14. The bill would treat benefits for telehealth services offered under a group health plan or group health insurance coverage as excepted benefits. The bill now heads to the full House for consideration. Bill Text Press Release
Introduced Legislation –
- On June 12, Reps. Bilirakis (R-FL) and Sewell (D-AL) introduced the Timely Access to Clinical Treatment (TACT) Act (H.R. 4011), which would improve patient access to oral medications. Press Release
- Also on June 12, Sens. Rosen (D-NV) and Fischer (R-NE) introduced the Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) Act (S. 1925), which would improve the detection, prevention, and treatment of mental health issues among public safety officers. Press Release
- On June 13, Rep. Caraveo (D-CO) and 16 cosponsors introduced the Food Access And Stability Act (H.R. 4060), which would repeal the sunset of the work requirement exemption applicable to homeless individuals, veterans, and foster care individuals for the purpose of determining eligibility to receive supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. Press Release
- Also on June 13, Sens. Sanders (I-VT) and Welch (D-VT) introduced the National Guard Health Care Access and Expansion Act (S. 1951), which would expand entitlement of veterans to care from the Department of Veterans Affairs and to guarantee health care benefits for veterans enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department. Bill Text Bill Summary Press Release
- Also on June 13, Sen. Sanders (I-VT) and 11 cosponsors introduced the Improving Whole Health for Veterans with Chronic Conditions Act (S. 1954), which would improve the provision of health care furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans diagnosed with diabetes and heart disease. Rep. Brownley (D-CA) introduced the companion legislation in the House (H.R. 4150) on June 15. Bill Text Bill Summary Section-by-Section Press Release
- On June 14, Reps. Barr (R-KY) and Davids (D-KS) introduced the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry (CAREER) Act (H.R. 4088), which would reauthorize a program to support individuals in substance use disorder treatment and recovery to live independently and participate in the workforce. Sen. McConnell (R-KY) is expected to introduce the companion legislation in the Senate. Press Release
- Also on June 14, Reps. Valadao (R-CA) and Garcia (D-CA) introduced the Combatting Substance Use Disorder Act (H.R. 4091), which would expand required reports on T-MSIS substance use disorder data to include mental health condition data. Press Release
- Also on June 14, Reps. Perez (D-WA) and Kim (R-CA) introduced the Protecting Moms and Infants Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4092), which would reauthorize support for residential treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women. Bill Text Press Release
- Also on June 14, Reps. Balderson (R-OH) and Kelly (D-IL) introduced the Remote Opioid Monitoring Act of 2023 (H.R. 4093), which would provide for a study on the effects of remote monitoring on individuals who are prescribed opioids. Bill Text Press Release
- Also on June 14, Reps. Carter (R-GA) and Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced legislation (H.R. 4096), which would expand the application of Medicaid State programs to monitor antipsychotic medications to all Medicaid beneficiaries. Bill Text Press Release
- Also on June 14, Reps. Sykes (D-OH) and Joyce (R-PA) introduced the Mental Health Improvement Act (H.R. 4097), which would reauthorize mental and behavioral health education and training grants. Bill Text Press Release
- Also on June 14, Reps. Griffith (R-VA) and Craig (D-MN) introduced the Reauthorizing the Creating Opportunities that Necessitate New and Enhanced Connections That Improve Opioid Navigation Strategies (RECONNECTS) Act of 2023 (H.R. 4099), which would reauthorize a program of preventing overdoses of controlled substances. Bill Text Press Release
- Also on June 14, Reps. James (R-MI) and Cardenas (D-CA) introduced the Road to Recovery Act (H.R. 4101), which would reauthorize a National Peer-Run Training and Technical Assistance Center for Addiction Recovery Support. Press Release
- Also on June 14, Reps. Buchanan (R-FL), Dingell (D-MI), Harshbarger (R-TN), and Sewell (D-AL) introduced the Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act (H.R. 4104), which would clarify congressional intent and preserve patient access to home infusion therapy under the Medicare program. Sens. Warner (D-VA) and Scott (R-SC) introduced the companion legislation in the Senate (S. 1976). Press Release
- Also on June 14, Reps. Gallego (D-AZ) and Slotkin (D-MI) introduced the Lower Drug Costs for Families Act (H.R. 4115), which would apply prescription drug inflation rebates to drugs furnished in the commercial market and to change the base year for rebate calculations. Bill Text Press Release
- Also on June 14, Rep. Manning (D-NC) and 129 cosponsors introduced the Right to Contraception Act (H.R. 4121), which would protect an individual’s ability to access contraceptives and to engage in contraception and to protect a health care provider’s ability to provide contraceptives, contraception, and information related to contraception. Sen. Markey (D-MA) and 37 cosponsors introduced the companion legislation in the Senate (S. 1999). Press Release
- Also on June 14, Sens. Menendez (D-NJ), Blackburn (R-TN), Tester (D-MT), Marshall (R-KS), Wyden (D-OR), and Crapo (R-ID) introduced the Patients Before Middlemen (PBM) Act (S. 1967), which would establish requirements relating to the responsibility of pharmacy benefit managers under Medicare part D. Bill Text Press Release
- Also on June 14, Sens. Kelly (D-AZ) and Tillis (R-NC) introduced the Counting Veterans’ Cancer Act (S. 1994), which would require medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to share certain data with State cancer registries. Bill Text Press Release
- On June 15, Reps. Barragan (D-CA) and Kelly (D-IL) introduced the Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2023 (H.R. 4146), which would provide for coverage of dental services under the Medicare program. Sens. Cardin (D-MD), Blumenthal (D-CT), Markey (D-MA), Merkley (D-OR), and Brown (D-OH) introduced the companion legislation in the Senate (S. 2012). Bill Text Press Release
- Also on June 15, Reps. Thompson (D-CA), Matsui (D-CA), Schweikert (R-AZ), and Johnson (R-OH) introduced the CONNECT for Health Act of 2023 (H.R. 4189), which would expand access to telehealth services. Sen. Schatz (D-HI) and 59 bipartisan cosponsors introduced the companion legislation in the Senate (S. 2016). Bill Text Press Release
- Also on June 15, Sens. Duckworth (D-IL) and Collins (R-ME) introduced the Maternal Health for Veterans Act (S. 2026), which would provide support for programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to the coordination of maternity health care. Bill Text Press Release
- Also on June 15, Sen. Smith (D-MN) and 14 bipartisan cosponsors introduced the Cancer Drug Parity Act (S. 2039), which would require a group health plan (or health insurance coverage offered in connection with such a plan) to provide for cost-sharing for oral anticancer drugs on terms no less favorable than the cost-sharing provided for anticancer medications administered by a health care provider. Bill Text Press Release
- On June 16, Reps. Davids (D-KS), Castor (D-FL), Pingree (D-ME), and Del. Norton (D-DC) introduced the Empowering Parents’ Healthcare Choices Act (H.R. 4195), which would allow parental choice in the selection of primary health insurance coverage or primary coverage under a group health plan for certain dependent children. Bill Text Press Release