Senate Prepares for Graham-Cassidy ACA Repeal Vote
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced this week that he intends to hold a vote on the Graham-Cassidy bill next week. The intended vote would come just days before the September 30 deadline to repeal and replace the ACA through reconciliation, which allows the Senate to pass the bill on a simple majority vote.
It remains unclear if Republicans have the 50 votes to pass the bill. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has come out against the bill, and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) has expressed concerns with the legislation. Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) are two of the swing votes for passing the legislation. Both voted against the “Skinny ACA Repeal” bill brought before the Senate in July and remain undecided.
If signed into law, the Graham-Cassidy bill would eliminate the individual and employer mandate and phase out the ACA’s Medicaid expansion. The legislation uses money from the eliminated ACA programs and redistributes it to states through block grants. While the bill keeps the section of the ACA requiring insurance companies to cover individuals with pre-existing conditions, it does allow states to waive the section prohibiting insurers from raising premiums because of pre-existing conditions.
Several major hospital groups, such as the American Medical Association, American Hospital Association, the Federation of American Hospitals and certain health insurance groups, have voiced opposition to the legislation.
House Committee Seeks Information on 340B
Leaders from the House Energy and Commerce Committee are soliciting information from providers regarding the 340B drug discount program. The Committee has asked providers for details on how much savings are received from the 340B program, who the drugs go to and how the savings are used. Earlier this summer, the Committee held a 340B oversight hearing where members expressed concern about the rapid growth and lack of oversight in the Health Resources and Services Administration (“HRSA”) program. The Committee is intending to use the information to broaden understanding of how program savings are being utilized by covered entities to help patients.
CMS Issues RFI for Innovation Center
On September 20, CMS issued an informal request for information (“RFI”) to gather feedback on changing the direction of its CMS Innovation Center. Comments will be received through November 20, 2017 and can be submitted here.
The Innovation Center is interested in testing models in eight focus areas: increased participation in advanced alternative payment models; consumer-directed care and market-based innovation models; physician specialty models; prescription drug models; Medicare Advantage innovation models; state-based and local innovation, including Medicaid-focused models; mental and behavioral health models; and program integrity.
HHS Announces Grant Awards to Combat Opioid Disorder
Late last week, HHS announced $144.1 million in grant awards to states, organizations and health care providers for the prevention and treatment of opioid addiction. The grants will be administered through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Also, HRSA awarded 13 rural health organizations funds to increase access to treatment and recovery services for opioid addiction.
Health-Related Bills Introduced This Week
Rep. David Young (R-IA) introduced a bill (H.R. 3817) to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve the accuracy of geographic adjustment factors under Medicare and permanently extend certain adjustments to such factors for certain localities. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced a companion bill in the Senate (S. 1825).
Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) introduced a bill (H.R. 3807) to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for activities to increase the awareness and knowledge of health care providers and women with respect to ovarian and cervical cancer.
Next Week in Washington
The House and Senate return Monday for a full legislative week. Prior to the Senate voting on the Graham-Cassidy bill, the Congressional Budget Office will release a preliminary assessment on the cost and savings of the bill. Prior to the planned vote, the Senate Finance Committee will hold a highly anticipated hearing examining the bill. On September 26, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has planned a hearing for health care block grants.
This Week in Washington in History
47 Years Ago, 1970: President Nixon signs a bill giving D.C. representation in Congress.
56 Years Ago, 1961: President Kennedy signs a congressional act establishing the Peace Corps.
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