Both chambers of Congress were in session last week, with the House debating two fiscal 2015 appropriations bills and expired tax breaks, while the Senate focused on veterans’ care and student loan costs. Last Tuesday, the House approved the fiscal 2015 Transportation-HUD spending bill (H.R. 4745) in a 229-192 vote. Earlier that day, House members voted 426-0 for a bill (H.R. 4810), to make healthcare reforms at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Last Thursday, House lawmakers began consideration of the fiscal 2015 Agriculture-FDA spending bill (H.R. 4800), but put off further debate until next week. Instead, the House debated and passed two bills to extend expired tax breaks. House members approved the first bill (H.R. 4453) 272-144 and the second measure (H.R. 4457) passed 263-155.
Month: June 2014
In ACA-Required Report, HHS OIG Finds MA, Part D Plans Generally Cover Drugs Commonly Used by Dual Eligibles
Today, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General (OIG) published anew report (highlights) finding that Medicare Advantage and Standalone Part D plan formularies generally cover prescription drugs commonly used by full-benefit dual eligibles, despite some variation across plans. The Affordable Care Act-required annual report, which does not contain any recommendations, has similar findings to previous iterations that initially were issued in 2011, with the OIG noting several components of the analysis were “largely unchanged.”
E&C Health Subcommittee Addresses Patent Exclusivity, Drug Pricing During 21st Century Cures Hearing
Today, the House Energy and Commerce’s subcommittee on Health held a hearing on the 21st Century Cures Initiative entitled, Examining the Role of Incentives in Advancing Treatments and Cures for Patients. With Republicans focused on the theme of extending patents for drug and device manufactures and Democrats primarily concerned with spending for “basic science” at the National Institutes for Health (NIH), Members voiced their interest in spurring scientific advancement for both chronic and rare diseases.
Cordray Denies CFPB Involvement in Operation Choke Point
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 – Today, Director Richard Cordray of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) appeared before the Senate Banking Committee, presenting the semi-annual report for the nation’s consumer financial watchdog. Director Cordray was asked by committee members about student debt refinancing, the collection of identifying data by the Bureau, and building renovation costs for the Bureau’s headquarters. Additionally, Senators asked about the status of rulemaking for pre-paid cards (due at the end of summer), the small dollar credit market, and forced arbitration. The Director was briefly asked about the Bureau’s involvement in Operation Choke Point.” Director Cordray denied active CFPB involvement in the Department of Justice’s efforts, and confirmed that he had given no advice to DOJ in that regard.
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ACA Income Verification Comes Under GOP Spotlight at W&M Hearing
Today, the Ways and Means Subcommittees on Oversight and Health held a joint hearing to examine the implementation of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) income and insurance verification systems. Buoyed by recent reports that roughly 1.2 million Exchange enrollees filed applications with questionable income data, Republicans on the Committee chastised the administration for failing to complete the income and eligibility verification system ahead of the website launch. Further, Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Charles Boustany (R-LA) estimated that the federal government might pay up to $220 billion in improper payments over the next ten years due to incorrect subsidy calculations.
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