POLICY BRIEFINGS

FDA Requests Withdrawal of Injectable Bacitracin


The FDA has requested the voluntary withdrawal of injectable versions of bacitracin, an antibiotic approved to treat infants with pneumonia and lung lining infections. While bacitracin is effective against staphylococcal bacteria, it also has serious side effects, including allergic reactions and kidney toxicity. The drug is mainly used off-label for the cleaning of surgical wounds. In April 2019, the Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee voted 17-1 that the risks of injectable bacitracin outweigh the benefits.


Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups


House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis hearing “Creating a Climate Resilient America: Overcoming the Health Risks of the Climate Crisis;” 9:00 a.m., 1300 Longworth Bldg.; February 5

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing “VA MISSION Act: Update on the Implementation of the Community Care Network;” 9:30 a.m., 418 Russell Bldg.; February 5

House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing “Unique Challenges Women Face in Global Health;” 10:00 a.m., 2172 Rayburn Bldg.; February 5

Senate Finance Committee hearing to consider pending nominations including Sarah C. Arbes, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services; 10:00 a.m., 215 Dirksen Bldg.; February 5

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing “Vaping in America: E-Cigarette Manufacturers’ Impact on Public Health;” 10:30 a.m., 2123 Rayburn Bldg.; February 5

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development oversight hearing “DOE’s Role in Advancing Biomedical Sciences;” 10:30 a.m., 2362-B Rayburn Bldg.; February 5

House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing “The Wuhan Coronavirus: Assessing the Outbreak, the Response, and Regional Implications;” 2:00 p.m., 2172 Rayburn Bldg.; February 5

House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health hearing “More Cures for More Patients: Overcoming Pharmaceutical Barriers;” 2:00 p.m., 1100 Longworth Bldg.; February 5

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing to examine protecting the United States from global pandemics; 9:30 a.m., 342 Dirksen Bldg.; February 12


Recently Introduced Health Legislation


H.Res.807 — Recognizing the roles and the contributions of America’s certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and their role in providing quality health care for the public; Sponsor: Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.R.5668 — To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to modernize the labeling of certain generic drugs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-6]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.R.5672 — To establish the Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]; Committees: House - Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

H.R.5681 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to require hospitals to submit notice to the Secretary of Health and Human Services before closing all or certain units or departments, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.R.5682 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to furnish hospital care and medical services to veterans, members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces, and dependents who were stationed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan, and were exposed to volatile organic compounds, to provide for a presumption of service connection for those veterans and members of the reserve components, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. [D-MI-5]; Committees: House - Veterans’ Affairs

H.R.5688 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for grants to enable States to carry out activities to reduce administrative costs and burdens in health care; Sponsor: Rep. Axne, Cynthia [D-IA-3]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.R.5691 — To require the Secretary to conduct a study and issue a report on the affordability of insulin; Sponsor: Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.R.5693 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand Medicare Rural Health Clinic Services and Federally Qualified Health Center Services to include physical therapy services; Sponsor: Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

H.R.5697 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish emergent mental health care to certain individuals, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-41]; Committees: House - Veterans’ Affairs

S.3230 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for an extension of funding for technical assistance to small practices and practices in health professional shortage areas under the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS); Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]; Committees: Senate – Finance

S.3233 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve access to skilled nursing facility services for hemophilia patients; Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Finance

S.3237 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve the annual wellness visit under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]; Committees: Senate – Finance

S.3238 — A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of preventive home visits under Medicare, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]; Committees: Senate – Finance

S.3244 — A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to improve the detection, prevention, and treatment of mental health issues among public safety officers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]; Committees: Senate - Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

H.R.5723 — To make a supplemental appropriation for the Public Health Emergency Fund, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]; Committees: House - Appropriations; Budget

H.R.5727 — To provide for a study by the National Academy of Medicine on ambulance diversions, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1]; Committees: House - Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

H.R.5729 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants for increasing seasonal influenza vaccination rates, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.R.5730 — To direct the Homeland Security Council and the National Security Council, in consultation with Federal departments and agencies responsible for biodefense, to update the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Armed Services; Foreign Affairs; Intelligence (Permanent); Agriculture



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