There have been many Congressional health policy hearings recently, with more scheduled. Highlights include the following:

  • House Ways and Means Committee. Recent hearings have examined traditional Medicare’s benefit design and tax-related provisions in the ACA, and on March 15, the Health Subcommittee is holding a hearing on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s annual March Report to the Congress.
  • House Energy and Commerce Committee. The Health Subcommittee has reviewed innovative ways to fight health care fraud and abuse, and the panel has scheduled hearings on the impact of the ACA on jobs (March 13) and health insurance premiums (March 15). A March 18 hearing will focus on “Saving Seniors and Our Most Vulnerable Citizens from an Entitlement Crisis.”
  • Senate Hearings. The Finance Committee held a hearing on the status of CMS delivery reform efforts. A Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing examined animal drug user fees. The Commerce Committee has reviewed transparency in the individual health insurance market. An Aging Committee hearing focused on ways to strengthen Medicare.