POLICY BRIEFINGS

Insulin Bill Pushed to Summer


Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) said they are waiting for a cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on their legislation to lower the price of insulin and cap patients’ costs for their medication. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), whose bill to cap what people pay for insulin at $35 per month is being combined with the Collins-Shaheen proposal, had pushed for a May vote on the insulin legislation. The need for a CBO score means Senate consideration of the proposal will likely not take place until later this summer. CBO found that a similar proposal introduced in the House of Representatives (H.R. 6833) would increase federal spending by more than $6.5 billion. It remains to be seen whether the bipartisan legislation could garner the 60 votes necessary to pass the Senate.


Lawmakers Reach Agreement on Veteran Burn Pit Bill


Bipartisan leadership of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee has reached an agreement to consider legislation to support veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances during military deployments. The deal is based on the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act (H.R. 3967), introduced by House Veterans Affairs Committee Chair Mark Takano (D-Calif.). The bill would increase access to medical care and disability benefits for veterans by establishing presumptions of service connection related to toxic exposure, and by adding 23 burn pit and toxic exposure-related conditions to the VA’s list of service presumptions.


New Analysis of Lowering Medicare Eligibility Age


The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Joint Committee on Taxation have released a new analysis examining the budgetary effects of a policy that would lower the age of eligibility for Medicare to 60. The agencies found that expanding Medicare to Americans over age 60 would add 7.3 million people to the program and increase the budget deficit by $155 billion over five years. Lowering the eligibility age from 65 to 60 would also decrease the number of individuals with employer-sponsored health coverage by 3.2 million and lower the uninsured rate for the newly eligible population from 8% to 4%. The report indicates that 150,000 people would retire early having no need to remain in their job for the purpose of health insurance coverage.


Van Hollen Recovering from Minor Stroke


Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) was admitted to George Washington Hospital after suffering a minor stroke. Van Hollen was informed that there would be no long-term effects as a result of the small venous tear. He stated that he was “on the mend and on track for a full recovery,” and that he would be easing back into his schedule per his doctors’ orders.


Becerra COVID Positive


U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra tested positive for COVID-19 last week while traveling in Berlin for G7 meetings for health ministers. Becerra is fully vaccinated and boosted and experiencing mild symptoms. He continued to work while in isolation in Berlin. Becerra was not considered a close contact to President Joe Biden.


Becerra COVID Positive


U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra tested positive for COVID-19 last week while traveling in Berlin for G7 meetings for health ministers. Becerra is fully vaccinated and boosted and experiencing mild symptoms. He continued to work while in isolation in Berlin. Becerra was not considered a close contact to President Joe Biden.


Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups


House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies hearing “Fiscal Year 2023 Member Day;” 10:00 a.m.; May 24

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing “Formula Safety and Supply: Protecting the Health of America’s Babies;” 11:00 a.m.; May 25

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing “Defense Health and Medical Readiness;” 12:00 p.m.; May 25

Senate HELP Committee executive session to consider the nomination of Rita Landgraf to be Assistant Secretary for Aging, Department of Health and Human Services; time TBD; May 25

Senate Indian Affairs Committee nomination hearing to consider Roselyn Tso to be Director of the Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services; 2:30 p.m.; May 25

Senate Finance Committee hearing “Supply Chain Resiliency: Alleviating Backlogs and Strengthening Long-Term Security;” 3:00 p.m.; May 25

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Public Witness Day hearing; 10:00 a.m.; May 26

Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing to examine Toxic Substances Control Act amendments implementation; 10:00 a.m.; June 22


Recently Introduced Health Legislation


H.R.7775 — To extend the National Alzheimer’s Project. Sponsor: Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.R.7774 — To streamline the employer reporting process and strengthen the eligibility verification process for the premium assistance tax credit and cost-sharing subsidy. Sponsor: Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5]; Committees: House - Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce

H.R.7773 — To require an annual budget estimate for the initiatives of the National Institutes of Health pursuant to reports and recommendations made under the National Alzheimer’s Project Act. Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce

H.R.7770 — To amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to permit additional leave for bone marrow or blood stem cell donation, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Phillips, Dean [D-MN-3]; Committees: House - Education and Labor; Oversight and Reform; House Administration

H.R.7767 — To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for the enforcement of mental health and substance abuse disorder parity requirements, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]; Committees: House - Education and Labor

H.Res.1116 — Expressing support for the annual Childhood Apraxia of Speech Awareness Day on May 14, 2022, coinciding with Better Hearing and Speech Month. Sponsor: Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]; Committees: House - Energy and Commerce



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