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On the Hill: Key Health Care Hearings Continue

September 24, 2024
Julia Grady

Last week saw another flurry of activity on Capitol Hill, as congressional committees with jurisdiction over health care try to clear legislation before the long pre-election recess.

On Sept. 17, the Senate Committee on Finance held a hearing on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), with committee members’ positions on the IRA splitting along party lines. Democrats criticized health care reform proposals from both former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), arguing they would allow insurance companies to exploit Americans with pre-existing conditions. Conversely, they praised the IRA for reducing health care costs, capping out-of-pocket prescription expenses under Medicare Part D, and providing free vaccines for seniors.

Republicans agreed that health care affordability is a critical issue but criticized the IRA for being a partisan, top-down solution. They argued that price controls under the IRA have hurt domestic drug research, innovation, and development while stressing that past bipartisan efforts were more successful.

On Sept. 18, the House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on chronic diseases. There was bipartisan agreement that preventative care and diet are important to addressing an increase in chronic disease incidence. Hearing witness Francesca Rinaldo, MD, chief clinical innovation officer for the Senior Care Action Network Health Plan, stressed the need to address both chronic disease and social determinants of health and called for expanded Medicare benefits.

On Sept. 18, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a markup to consider 15 bills, nine of which pertained to health care and were approved. Legislation touched Medicaid, access to care, telehealth modernization, and the health care workforce, among other issues impacting essential hospitals.

In the Senate, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) voted to hold Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre, MD, in contempt after he refused to appear and testify at a hearing, despite a congressional subpoena. The resolution will now advance to a potential full-Senate vote, which has not yet been scheduled.

Appropriations

House Republicans unveiled a continuing resolution proposal on Sept. 22 that would fund the government through Dec. 20. The House is expected to vote on the legislation on Wednesday, with a Senate vote coming later this week. This will push all decision-making on funding the government until after the Nov. 5 general election.

Committee Activity This Week

The House and Senate will both be in session Monday through Friday this week.

The Ways and Means Committee will meet Sept. 24, at 10:15 am ET, for a hearing, “Reforming Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): States’ Misuse of Welfare Funds Leaves Poor Families Behind.”

The Senate HELP Committee will hold a hearing Sept. 24, at 10 am ET, titled, “Why Is Novo Nordisk Charging Americans with Diabetes and Obesity Outrageously High Prices for Ozempic and Wegovy?” The committee will also hold an executive session Sept. 26, at 10 am ET, to consider several notable pieces of legislation, including on medical graduate investment, the Food and Drug Administration, drug pricing, and more.

The Senate Committee on Finance will hold a hearing Sept. 24, at 10 am ET, titled, “Chaos and Control: How Trump Criminalized Women’s Health Care.”

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