Articles and Blogs

Funding Bills Still in Limbo as Deadline Approaches Congress is rapidly approaching another deadline to fund the government. The government is slated to shut down in 27 days on November 21 when the latest stopgap funding measure expires. There are just 12 legislative days for Congress to be in session between now and then,... READ MORE

House Committees Advance Pelosi Drug Plan Thursday was a busy day in Washington as the lower chamber tackled drug pricing legislation. The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced (30-22) an updated version (H.R. 3) of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s drug pricing reform package and the House Education and Labor Committee also passed it on... READ MORE

Another Band-Aid: Congress Clears Continuing Resolution to Avoid Shutdown On Thursday, the Senate cleared legislation (H.R. 4378) by a vote of 82-15 to fund federal agencies and extend several health care-related programs through November 21. The vote on the continuing resolution followed House approval of the measure, which overwhelmingly passed the measure last week.... READ MORE

House Passes Temporary DSH Cut Delay, Health Care Extenders On September 19, the House passed a stopgap spending measure (H.R. 4378) in an effort to avoid another government shutdown. The health care extenders included in the measure will run through November 21 as lawmakers continue negotiations on a broader package to fund the government.... READ MORE

Back in Action: What Are the Health Care Priorities as Congress Returns from Recess? Congress returned on Monday from August recess with a full agenda on health care. Lawmakers are poised to address several health care-related issues, including surprise medical billing, prescription drug costs and FY 2020 appropriations for the final legislative push before... READ MORE

Senate Finance Committee Releases Drug Pricing Reform Package On July 25, the Senate Finance Committee advanced their comprehensive Medicare and Medicaid drug payment reform legislation. The bill now heads to the full Senate floor. A day earlier, Chairman Charles Grassley (R-IA) and ranking member Ron Wyden (D-OR) released the text of the chairman’s mark... READ MORE

Surprise Billing Debate Continues: Legislation Passes House E&C Committee The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation (H.R. 2328) to protect patients from surprise medical bills. The measure would block providers from charging out-of-network rates to patients in certain emergency situations or when a patient unexpectedly receives out-of-network care at an in-network facility and... READ MORE

House Subcommittee Passes Surprise Billing Measure Despite Member Disagreement On Thursday, the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee approved 10 bills, including a measure addressing surprise medical billing. The “No Surprises Act” (H.R. 3630), introduced by Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR), would prohibit surprise billing and limit... READ MORE

Senate Committee Advances Major Health Legislative Package The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (“HELP”) Committee passed a wide-ranging bill focusing on lowering health care costs to the chamber’s floor. This legislation is one of the only major health care bills that stands a chance at passing Congress this year. The measure aims to... READ MORE

Senate Health Committee Releases Sweeping Health Cost Legislation On June 18, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (“HELP”) Committee released bipartisan legislation designed to address the cost of health care bipartisan health cost legislation after collecting extensive stakeholder feedback. The Committee will mark up this legislation next week on June 26. There are... READ MORE