ICYMI: Sirona’s summary of the Brookings Institution event, “Medicare’s Two Insurance Systems: Current Performance and Options for Reform,” can be found here. Read more in our Friday weekly wrap-up.
When is Congress in session? House 2024 Calendar Senate 2024 Calendar
What’s Ahead: This Week
Hearings and Markups –
- Tuesday, October 29
- Senate Judiciary Committee, “Field Hearing: Reducing Prescription Drug Prices: How Competition Can Make Medications Affordable for Patients.” Additional Information
Notable Policy Events –
- Monday, October 28
- Duke Margolis Institute for Health Policy, “Health AI and Health Policy: Charting a Path for Patients and Progress.” Free, Hybrid. Additional Information
- Tuesday, October 29
- FDA, “Meeting of the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- HHS Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP), “Health Equity by Design Task Force 2024.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- HHS ASTP, “Annual Report Workgroup.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Wednesday, October 30
- Center for Health Care Strategies, “Improving Health Outcomes for Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Milbank Quarterly, “Obesity Prevention and Treatment in the United States.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Thursday, October 31 to Friday, November 1
- HIMSS, “Healthcare Cybersecurity Forum.” Paid, In-Person. Additional Information
- Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), “October 2024 Public Meeting.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Thursday, October 31
- Peterson Health Technology Institute (PHTI), “Digital Hypertension Management Tools: Assessing Clinical and Economic Impact.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Friday, November 1
- ATI Advisory, “CY2025 Supplemental Benefits Symposium.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
Weekly Wrap-Up: Notable Health Care Developments from Last Week
Medicare & Medicaid –
- On October 22, the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a report finding that Medicare Part D paid millions for drugs for which payment was available under the Medicare Part A Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) benefit. Full Report Report Report in Brief
- Also on October 22, HHS released a report, which found the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) saved Medicare Part D beneficiaries nearly $1 billion in out-of-pocket prescription drug costs in the first half of 2024. Report Press Release
- On October 24, HHS OIG published a report on the use of health risk assessments by Medicare Advantage organizations. Full Report Report Report in Brief
Marketplaces –
- On October 21, the Departments of HHS, Labor, and the Treasury released proposed rules that would expand access to coverage of recommended preventive services without cost sharing in the commercial market, with a particular focus on reducing barriers to coverage of contraceptive services. Comments are due December 27, 2024. Fact Sheet Guidance Proposed Rule Press Release
- On October 25, CMS announced updates and improvements to the 2025 marketplace open enrollment, which begins November 1. Fact Sheet Press Release
- Also on October 25, CMS released a report and data about plan year (PY) 2025 qualified health plans in the marketplaces. Projected Coverage Map Public Use Files Report
Public Health Prevention, Preparedness, Surveillance –
- On October 23, House Energy & Commerce Committee Republicans issued a report on HHS’ COVID-19 public relations campaign. Press Release Report
- Also on October 23, the Departments of HHS, State, Agriculture, Homeland Security and their counterparts in Mexico and Canada released the North American Preparedness for Animal and Human Pandemics Initiative (NAPAHPI) to strengthen regional health security and pandemic preparedness. NAPAHPI Press Release
Health IT, Privacy, & Digital Health –
- On October 21, FDA released an executive summary and discussion questions on generative artificial intelligence- (AI) enabled devices, which will be considered during the Digital Health Advisory Committee’s November meeting. Discussion Questions Executive Summary
- On October 24, the White House released a memorandum on artificial AI and national security, outlining actions for relevant agencies and the Intelligence Community to address the national security risks and potential benefits posed by AI. The memo fulfills a directive set forth in the October 2023 Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence. Fact Sheet Memorandum
- On October 25, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released a request for information (RFI) on the use or adoption of interoperability standards for human services programs. ACF will collaborate with ASTP/ONC as it aims to harmonize interoperability standards between health and human services in line with the HHS Data Strategy. Comments are due December 27, 2024. HHS Data Strategy RFI
Prescription Drugs & Health Innovation – On October 21, Senate Majority Whip Durbin (D-IL), and Sens. Sanders (I-VT), Welch (D-VT), and Warren (D-MA) sent letters to the pharmaceutical companies requesting details about the decision to establish direct-to-consumer (DTC) telehealth platforms. Letter to Eli Lilly Letter to Pfizer Press Release
SDOH & Health Equity –
- On October 22, Sens. Warren (D-MA) and Blumenthal (D-CT) sent a letter to HHS Secretary Becerra regarding private equity investment in wheelchair equipment. The letter asks a series of questions related to HHS oversight and requests a response by November 8, 2024. Letter Press Release
- On October 23, the White House announced $110 Million in awards from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health’s (ARPA-H) Sprint for Women’s Health initiative to accelerate discoveries and innovation in women’s health. Press Release Sprint for Women’s Health
- On October 25, HHS OIG released an audit on California’s use of the funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for the Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Services Program. Report Report in Brief
Legislative Activity. –
Introduced Legislation –
- On October 25, Reps. Larsen (D-WA) and Kuster (D-NH) introduced the Closing the Substance Use Care Gap Act (H.R. 10047), which would award grants to support community-based programs for harm reduction services for individuals who use substances. Fact Sheet Press Release
- Also on October 25, Reps. De La Cruz (R-TX) and Correa (D-CA) introduced the Diabetes Prevention Program Reauthorization Act of 2024 (H.R. 10039), which would reauthorize the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Bill Text Press Release