Last week, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) lost his primary election causing major disruption in the House GOP leadership. Cantor announced after his loss that he would step down from the majority leader position at the end of July. On Thursday, House Republicans will elect a new majority leader to serve until November. Republican Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is the front runner in the race. If he wins, his seat in the number-three position would be free for other Republicans.
Last week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing regarding access under the Affordable Care Act. Both parties focused on growing concerns around narrow provider networks in federal marketplace qualified health plans.
Senate Appropriations Chair Barbara Milkulski (D-MD) cancelled the vote on the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill after receiving significant pushback from Republicans on Affordable Care Act-related funding. Next steps on the bill have not been announced.
The House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing June 18 on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s (MedPAC’s) June report to Congress. The report looks at financial assistance for low-income beneficiaries, Medicare’s risk adjustment methodology, payment changes to increase primary care, and more. The hearing will feature MedPAC Executive Director Mark E. Miller.
