Association-endorsed legislation that would authorize federal grants to support community paramedicine programs has been introduced in the House.
The bipartisan Community Paramedicine Act, introduced April 17 by Reps. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) and Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.), would benefit hospitals by reducing emergency department crowding and costs attributed to non-reimbursable emergency services, its sponsors said.
“Right now, more than 57 million Americans must travel inordinate distances to receive care from their nearest physician, which is both burdensome and costly for these families that live in areas deemed medically underserved,” Cleaver said in a news release. “Community Paramedicine helps to lower costs for families and bridge the health care gaps in rural and urban areas by bringing care right to your door.”
Committee Activity This Week
The House and Senate are in session Monday through Thursday this week.
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will meet April 30, at 10 am ET, for a hearing, “Legislative Proposals to Increase Medicaid Access and Improve Program Integrity.” The subcommittee will consider various bills dealing with Medicaid and related issues, such as the health care workforce.
The House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies will hold a member day April 30, at 10:30 am ET.
The Senate Committee on Finance will meet May 1, at 9 am ET, for a hearing, “Hacking America’s Health Care: Assessing the Change Healthcare Cyber Attack and What’s Next.” The hearing will feature testimony by UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty. The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations also will meet May 1, at 2 pm ET, for a hearing, “Examining the Change Healthcare Cyberattack.” It, too, will feature Witty’s testimony.
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will hold a hearing May 2, at 10 am ET, titled, “What Can Congress Do to Address the Severe Shortage of Minority Health Care Professionals and the Maternal Health Crisis?”
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