Although the results of the 2022 midterm elections remain too close to call in several House races, Republicans are expected to take the majority – albeit by a far slimmer margin than once predicted.
In the Senate, Democrats secured the majority with 50 seats, and voters will head to the polls again on Dec. 6 in Georgia for a runoff election between Democratic incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker.
Republican congressional leadership elections are slated for this week and next, although there have been calls for a delay in both the House and Senate by Republican members who are disappointed in their party’s performance in the midterm elections. House Democrats are waiting for all House elections to be called before scheduling their leadership elections, and Senate Democrats have yet to announce their plans but likely will wait until after the Georgia runoff election.
Post-Election Work Period
Uncertainty surrounding final margins in the House and Senate for the 118th Congress is muddling the legislative outlook for the post-election work period. This is the last opportunity for lawmakers in the 117th Congress to address unfinished priorities. The two must-pass legislative packages – the National Defense Authorization Act and a bill to finance government operations beyond the current Dec. 16 expiration date – are the only expected moving vehicles.
America’s Essential Hospitals has asked congressional leaders to address multiple essential hospital priorities before the end of the year including these:
- Create a statutory definition for essential hospitals.
- Provide $7 billion in targeted funding for safety net hospitals.
- Make certain telehealth policies and waivers permanent and pass the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act.
- Protect the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
- Stop damaging provider payment cuts.
- Ensure equitable access to care for all by passing the Momnibus and advancing mental and behavioral health proposals.
We also continue to call on lawmakers to stop unintended cuts to disproportionate share hospital payments by revising Section 203 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.
This Week in Congress
The House and Senate are back in session this week, with the House scheduled to hold leadership elections Nov. 15.
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