Health Policy Report (2/13)
The Senate will be in session this week to close out the February work period. On the floor, senators will resume consideration of pending presidential nominations, beginning with Cindy Chung’s nomination to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit Court. Meanwhile, House lawmakers have wrapped up legislative business for the month and will […]
- June 23, 2014
TRP Health Policy Report
Read MoreLast week, House leadership elections and appropriations bills dominated the agenda on Capitol Hill. In the House, GOP members elected Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as Majority Leader, following Rep. Eric Cantor's (R-VA) recent loss in a Virginia GOP primary. In floor activity, the Senate deadlocked Thursday on moving ahead with a three-bill appropriations package after […]
- June 16, 2014
TRP Health Policy Report
Read MoreBoth 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 […]
- June 12, 2014
In ACA-Required Report, HHS OIG Finds MA, Part D Plans Generally Cover Drugs Commonly Used by Dual Eligibles
Read MoreToday, 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 […]
- June 11, 2014
E&C Health Subcommittee Addresses Patent Exclusivity, Drug Pricing During 21st Century Cures Hearing
Read MoreToday, 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 […]
- June 10, 2014
ACA Income Verification Comes Under GOP Spotlight at W&M Hearing
Read MoreToday, 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 […]