With summer officially underway in America and the number of new coronavirus cases in the US continuing to rise, President Donald Trump is doubling down on immigration restrictions imposed during the nation’s COVID-19 lockdown. Proponents of increased federal aid to states, territories and municipalities are gaining an important new ally as policymakers look ahead to … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity 21st Century Cures Advances to Senate Last week the Senate amendment to H.R. 34, the Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2015 (21st Century Cures Act) overwhelmingly passed the House by a vote of 392 yeas to 26 nays. The bipartisan innovation package is the result of over two years of work … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Bipartisan Health Legislation to be Considered on House Floor House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy released a full legislative schedule for the week of September 19, which includes votes on various health priorities. The legislation being considered includes H.R. 670, Special Needs Trust Fairness and Medicaid Improvement Act; H.R. 5713, Sustaining Healthcare Integrity and … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Republicans Postpone Reconciliation Actions Until After August Recess With the August District Work Period only weeks away, House Committee on the Budget Chairman Tom Price (R-GA) announced this past week that the House Committee on the Budget would not act on reconciliation until after the lawmakers reconvene in September. The three House committees … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity House to Vote on Medical Device Excise Tax and IPAB Repeals In the House of Representatives, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has announced that several health care bills will be considered on the floor this week. Two of these bills dismantle portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). H.R. 160, the Protect Medical … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Lawmakers Anticipate King v. Burwell Decision With the Supreme Court expected to issue its opinion in the statutory interpretation case of King v. Burwell this month, lawmakers are considering legislative options to address any potential changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The issue in the case of King v. Burwell is whether … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity With both chambers returning from recess this week, attention is focused on Senate consideration of the House-passed bill to permanently repeal Medicare’s physician payment system. While the last “doc fix” expired March 31, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) indicated it would hold claims for two weeks to allow Congress to … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity House Committee Investigates HealthCare.gov Glitch Following news this past Friday that about 800,000 customers of HealthCare.gov received incorrect tax forms, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will hold a hearing on the matter on Thursday. Customers involved in the glitch will likely have to wait weeks to receive new forms to … Continue Reading
