POLICY BRIEFINGS

Acting HHS IG to Retire


Joanne Chiedi, acting inspector general (IG) of HHS, has announced her plans to retire at the end of the year. Chiedi has served in the IG position at HHS since June, leading the administration’s efforts to revise anti-kickback statute regulations. Her successor has not yet been named.


Kennedy Calls for CMS Administrator’s Resignation


Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-Mass.) is calling on CMS Administrator Seema Verma to resign amidst reports that she asked taxpayers to cover the cost of jewelry stolen during travel for work. Verma has also been criticized in recent months for her spending on public relations contractors. Kennedy characterized Verma’s actions as a “gross misuse of public funds” to “elevate her own position.” Rep. Kennedy, who is an outspoken critic of the administration’s health care agenda, is the first lawmaker to call for Verma’s resignation.


Van Drew To Join Republican Party


Freshman Rep. Jefferson Van Drew (D-N.J.) is expected to leave the Democratic Party and join the GOP. Van Drew, a former dentist, was elected by a historically Republican district and is a vocal opponent of impeaching President Trump. If he chooses to switch parties, Van Drew will forfeit his current committee assignments. The House GOP Conference would then decide his committee assignments.


Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups


Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to examine tackling the opioid crisis, focusing on a whole-of-government approach; 10:00 a.m., 226 Dirksen Bldg.; December 17

House Foreign Affairs Committee markup of various measures including H.R. 5338, Global Hope Act, and S. 1340, Ebola Eradication Act of 2019; 10:00 a.m., 2172 Rayburn Bldg.; December 18


Recently Introduced Health Legislation


H.Con.Res.78 — Supporting the goals and ideals of World AIDS Day; Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Foreign Affairs

H.R.5333 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure prompt coverage of breakthrough devices under the Medicare program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]; Committees: House - Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

H.R.5338 — To authorize the Secretary of State to pursue public-private partnerships, innovative financing mechanisms, research partnerships, and coordination with international and multilateral organizations to address childhood cancer globally, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10]; Committees: House - Foreign Affairs

H.R.5357 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize a pilot program to develop, expand, and enhance the commercialization of biomedical products, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-52]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.Res.750 — Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that individual choice in health insurance should be protected; Sponsor: Rep. Burgess, Michael C. [R-TX-26]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

H.R.19 — To provide for certain reforms with respect to the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, the Medicaid program under title XIX of such Act, the Food and Drug Administration, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rep. Walden, Greg [R-OR-2]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Judiciary

H.R.5364 — To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an annual reference price for insulin products for purposes of Federal health programs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Armed Services; Veterans’ Affairs; Oversight and Reform; Natural Resources

S.Res.448 — A resolution designating December 3, 2019, as “National Phenylketonuria Awareness Day”. Sponsor: Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

S.2997 — A bill to revise and extend health workforce programs under title VII of the Public Health Service Act; Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]; Committees: Senate - Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

S.2999 — A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals with direct primary care service arrangements to remain eligible individuals for purposes of health savings accounts; Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

S.3000 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to allow PDP sponsors of prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage organizations offering MA-PD plans to share with enrollees a portion of savings from switching to lower cost therapeutic alternative medications; Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

S.3001 — A bill to provide for certain extensions with respect to the Medicare and Medicaid programs under titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Pat [R-PA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

H.R.5381 — To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the label of a drug to list the country of origin of each of the drug’s active ingredients; Sponsor: Rep. DesJarlais, Scott [R-TN-4]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.R.5382 — To create a mechanism whereby insulin manufacturers may sell directly to consumers at current net prices; Sponsor: Rep. Fortenberry, Jeff [R-NE-1]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.R.5386 — To amend the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act to require consideration, in certain circumstances, of whether a covered entity or business associate has adequately demonstrated that it had recognized security practices, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rep. McNerney, Jerry [D-CA-9]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

S.Res.452 — A resolution commemorating and supporting the goals of World AIDS Day; Sponsor: Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA]; Committees: Senate - Foreign Relations

S.3006 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a program to improve the identification, assessment, and treatment of patients in the emergency department who are at risk or suicide, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]; Committees: Senate - Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

S.3010 — A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to enable greater participation by seniors and Medicare beneficiaries in State Medicaid programs for working people with disabilities; Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]; Committees: Senate – Finance

S.3013 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to allow for the offering of additional prescription drug plans under Medicare part D; Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Pat [R-PA]; Committees: Senate – Finance



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BRIEFING ARCHIVE

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