A number of Congressional committees have recently considered legislation and/or held hearings on various health policy proposals.
- The Ways and Means Committee approved seven bills related to health care coverage and tax policy, including various bills to: expand access to health reimbursement arrangements and health savings accounts; ease employer insurance coverage mandates for students and certain tribally-owned businesses; and modify an Affordable Care Act provision related to deduction of medical expenses. The Committee also held a hearing on various legislative proposals "to improve and sustain the Medicare program."
- The Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee approved H.R. 921, the Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act of 2015, to clarify medical liability rules for athletic trainers and medical professionals. The panel also approved H.R. 3299, the Strengthening Public Health Emergency Response Act of 2015, to incentivize the development of medical countermeasures for public health emergencies and biochemical attacks. Furthermore, the Committee held hearings focusing on legislation to modernize the health insurance market and the public health responses to antibiotic resistance.
In addition, the following hearings are scheduled for the week of June 20:
- A June 21 Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights hearing on "The CREATES Act: Ending Regulatory Abuse, Protecting Consumers, and Ensuring Drug Price Competition."
- A June 23 Senate Aging Committee hearing regarding person-centered care for individuals with serious illness.
- A June 24 Energy & Commerce Committee hearing on "Strengthening our National Trauma System."
This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.
