Congress this week focused on the Affordable Care Act and cabinet nominations after returning to a new administration following the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
Preceding the inauguration, Congress completed the necessary steps to begin repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) under the budget reconciliation process. Republican lawmakers now are charged with developing legislative alternatives to the ACA in hopes of replacing the law with a GOP-backed version.
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Finance on Tuesday held the second confirmation hearing for Rep. Tom Price (R-GA), who has been nominated for health and human services (HHS) secretary. Price has been subject to recent scrutiny of his connections with pharmaceutical and medical device companies, raising ethical questions about his nomination to the HHS post.
In the House, the Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing focusing on the effectiveness of the individual mandate under the ACA.