This week, Senate Republicans continue to focus on forming a strategy to pass legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), with a focus on Medicaid expansion and insurer regulations.
Senate Republican leaders have not indicated a timeline for bringing a bill to a floor vote. Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price said he believes the Senate will produce a bill and aim for passage this summer, before the August recess.
The House in early May narrowly passed the American Health Care Act (AHCA), and Senate legislation to repeal the ACA could include some similar provisions. The Congressional Budget Office this week said it will release an updated score of the AHCA next week.
Committee Business
Meanwhile, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health on May 17 will hold a hearing focusing on initiatives to advance public health. The hearing will review three bipartisan pieces of legislation.
The House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health on May 18 will hold a hearing on the current status of the Medicare program, payment systems, and extenders.
Also on May 18, the Senate Committee on Finance will hold a hearing to examine bipartisan Medicare policies that improve care for patients with chronic conditions, which will focus on the Creating High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic Care Act of 2017.
