Sept. 25: The House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee holds an update hearing on the Mission Act, which expanded veterans’ access to care at community providers.
Sept. 25 and 26: Drug pricing moves back to center stage, at least in the House of Representatives. On Wednesday, the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee will dissect legislation aimed at bringing down the cost of prescription drugs. Then on Thursday, debate shifts to an Education and Labor subcommittee. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week revealed her party’s plan, which includes aspects of President Donald Trump’s controversial international reference pricing idea to cap the price the government could negotiate for up to 250 expensive brand drugs. Pharma came out swinging against the House Democrats’ plan, but Pelosi said she hopes to get buy-in from the White House in order to get something over to the Senate.
Sept. 26 and 27: The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission holds its monthly meeting. The packed agenda includes review of a draft report on oversight of institutions for mental disease; an analysis of trends in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment; an analysis of Medicaid drug formularies; and a discussion on ways to integrate care for dual-eligible beneficiaries.
