Congressional Republicans continue to work on a path toward budget reconciliation to advance President Trump’s agenda.
Meanwhile, leadership roles for key public health agencies continue to move through the Senate. The Senate Committee on Finance on March 25 advanced the nomination of Mehmet Oz, MD, as administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by a vote of 14 to 13. A full Senate vote is expected this week but has not been scheduled. The committee also held a hearing to consider the nomination of Frank Bisignano for commissioner of the Social Security Administration; a subsequent open executive session to consider favorably reporting the nomination will happen this week.
The Senate confirmed Jay Bhattacharya as director of the National Institutes of Health and Martin Makary as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration on March 25
Senate 340B Bipartisan Working Group
Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) recently welcomed Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) to the Senate 340B bipartisan working group, colloquially known as the “Gang of Six.” The group works to ensure the 340B Drug Pricing Program continues to achieve its mission of supporting hospitals in serving people and communities facing barriers through savings on discounted drugs from pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Committee Activity This Week
The House and Senate are in session Monday through Thursday, with the Senate also convening on Friday.
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a Health Subcommittee hearing, “Examining the FDA’s Regulation of Over-the-Counter Monograph Drugs,” on April 1, at 10:15 am ET.
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