When is Congress in session? House 2024 Calendar Senate 2024 Calendar
What’s Ahead: This Week
Hearings and Markups – No notable hearings due to Thanksgiving recess. Congress will reconvene in December, with a three-week sprint to pass a package before the December 20th funding deadline.
Notable Policy Events – No notable policy events for this week.
Weekly Wrap-Up: Notable Health Care Developments from Last Week
Nominations – On November 23, President-elect Trump announced that he will nominate Marty Makary to serve as FDA Commissioner; Dr. Dave Weldon for CDC Director; Dr. Janette Nesheiwat for Surgeon General; and Russell Vought for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director. Previously, President-elect Trump nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz to serve as CMS Administrator and Robert F. Kennedy as HHS Secretary. Sirona background memos for both RFK, Jr. and Dr. Oz are linked here. FDA Nominee Announcement CDC Nominee Announcement Surgeon General Nominee Announcement OMB Nominee Announcement
Medicare & Medicaid –
- On November 18, the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a report finding that Medicare improperly paid acute-care hospitals roughly $190 million over five years for outpatient services to hospice enrollees. Full Report Report in Brief
- On November 19, CMS issued a letter to State Medicaid Directors providing guidance on substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and managed care medical loss ratio provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024. Letter Press Release
- On November 20, CMS released an informational bulletin on financial eligibility verification requirements and flexibilities for Medicaid and CHIP. Informational Bulletin Slide Deck
- Also on November 20, Senate Finance Committee Chair Wyden (D-OR) issued a statement in response to reporting that indicated the next Administration’s plans to cut Medicaid and food assistance programs. Article Statement
- On November 21, CMS released publications on Medicaid long-term services and supports (LTSS) users and expenditures. Reports
Marketplaces –
- On November 21, HHS issued a report evaluating the impact of the No Surprises Act on health care market outcomes. Press Release Report
- On November 22, CMS released data on the Marketplace 2025 open enrollment period. Report Press Release
Health IT, Privacy, & Digital Health –
- On November 18, the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ASTP/ONC) published a blog with updates on its work to further the recommendations of the Pharmacy Interoperability and Emerging Therapeutics (PhIET) Task Force. Blog Recommendations
- On November 22, HHS issued a Dear Colleague letter related to the Office of Civil Rights’ (OCR’s) section 1557 anti-discrimination guidance. Letter Press Release Section 1557 Guidance
- Also on November 22, CMS published a viewpoint in JAMA detailing the development Medicare’s Transitional Coverage for Emerging Technologies (TCET) pathway. Viewpoint
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Policy –
- On November 19, the HHS OCR imposed a $100,000 penalty against a mental health center for failing to provide timely access to patient records. Notice of Proposed Determination Notice of Final Determination Press Release
- On November 20, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued a report on health disparities among the Hispanic/Latino population between 2021 and 2023. Report
- Also on November 20, SAMHSA issued a report on health disparities among the Asian population between 2021 and 2023. Report
- On November 21, SAMHSA announced it is welcoming public comments on the draft Model Behavioral Health Crisis Services Definitions. Draft Definitions Public Comments
- On November 22, SAMHSA published 2023 Uniform Reporting System (URS) Output Tables. Each output table provides summary information on SAMHSA’s State Mental Health Agencies (SMHA) clients served in 2023. URS Output Tables
Prescription Drugs & Health Innovation – On November 18, HHS published a report detailing the steps FDA has taken to strengthen coordination of activities supporting drug development. Full Report Highlights
SDOH & Health Equity –
- On November 19, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a report highlighting unequal progress in reducing tobacco-related health disparities despite overall declines in smoking and secondhand smoke exposure. Fact Sheet Press Release Report
- On November 21, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) published a Rural Health Fact Sheet, which details investments by the Administration in rural health care. Fact Sheet
Health Systems & Health Care Workforce –
- On November 20, HHS OIG issued nursing facility industry segment-specific compliance program guidance (ICPG), which provides voluntary compliance program guidance for nursing facilities. Nursing Facility ICPG
- On November 22, HRSA announced a $52 million investment for health centers to provide primary care for people soon to be released from incarceration. Awardee List Press Release
Misc. –
- On November 18, HHS shared health sector climate resilience and emissions reduction announcements at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29). Press Release
- Also on November 18, HHS issued a report on emissions disclosures and energy use reporting by hospitals in the United States. Report
- On November 19, Sens. Warren (D-MA) and Grassley (R-IA) sent a letter to IRS Commissioner Werfel urging him to strengthen and enforce tax code regulations on nonprofit hospitals. Letter Press Release
- On November 22, Sen. Sanders (I-VT) issued statement regarding upcoming committee assignments in the 119th Congress. He will serve as ranking member on the Senate HELP Committee and serve on the Senate Finance Committee. Statement
Legislative Activity –
Votes and Committee Activity –
Votes and Committee Activity –
- On November 21, President Biden signed into law the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2024 (H.R. 7189), which would reauthorize the National Congenital Heart Disease Research, Surveillance, and Awareness Program. Bill Text Press Release
Introduced Legislation –
- On November 18, Sen. Stabenow (D-MI) introduced the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act (S. 5335), which would provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2029. Bill Summary Bill Text Press Release
- On November 19, Sens. Barrasso (R-WY), Schatz (D-HI), Cramer (R-ND), and Welch (D-VT) introduced the Rural Hospital Flexibility Act (S. 5346), which would establish a minimum Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotment for states. Press Release
- On November 20, Reps. Miller (R-WV) and Sewell (D-AL) introduced the Rural Hospital Flexibility Act of 2024 (H.R. 10187), which would modify Medicare rural hospital flexibility program grants. Bill Text Press Release
- Also on November 20, Reps. Schrier (D-WA), Manning (D-NC), and Sewell (D-AL) introduced the Capping Costs for Consumers Act (H.R. 10188), which would expand cost-sharing reductions with respect to qualified health plans offered through an Exchange. Press Release
- Also on November 20, Sens. Young (R-IN) and Padilla (D-CA) introduced the Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act (S. 5349), which would ensure prompt coverage of breakthrough devices under the Medicare program. Bill Text Press Release
- On November 21, Reps. Van Duyne (R-TX), Schneider (D-IL), Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Trahan (D-MA) introduced the Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity (PURE) Act (H.R. 10240), which would provide coverage of portable ultrasound transportation and set up services under the Medicare program. Sens. Cornyn (R-TX) and Hassan (D-NH) introduced companion legislation in the Senate (S. 5380). Bill Text Press Release
- Also on November 21, Sens. Kaine (D-VA) and Cotton (R-AR) introduced the End Drug Shortages Act (S. 5368), which would expand drug shortage notification practices to include surges in demand for a drug. Reps. Spanberger (D-VA) and Smith (R-NE) introduced companion legislation (H.R. 10239) in the House. Bill Text Press Release
- Also on November 21, Sens. Cassidy (R-LA), Hassan (D-NH), Cornyn (R-TX), and Warner (D-VA) introduced the Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act of 2024 (S. 5390), which would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to coordinate to improve cybersecurity in the health care and public health sectors. Bill Text Press Release Section-by-Section
- Also on November 21, Sens. Manchin (I-WV) and Collins (R-ME) introduced Improving Access to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Act (S. 5400), which would require the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test an emergency medical services treatment-in-place model under the Medicare program. Bill Text Press Release